Exodus by Leon Uris. A high school lit class I had covered an excerpt, and it inspired me to read my first ungodly long novel in my life. It was good practice for all the Tom Clancys to come.
The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey had the ultimate opposite effect on me than the author wanted, because I now think dispensational theology is utter bullshit. It took me a while to get there however.
Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy, because it’s such a fun read.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, because they’re also so fun, and because they’ve inspired a sense of sassiness that lasts to this day.
On Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind:
Yes, but my reasons for extreme drowsiness while reading that book revolved around midnight studying sessions while taking the class Theories of Irrationality… That was close to ten years ago. I’d like to test your theory though and pick it up again and see f I can get through it without losing interest.
I’m currently in a great textbookish work called:Believing in Magic, The Psychology of Superstition. By Stuart Vyse.
“Start with the awareness that art is just good. People doing bad shows is better than people doing good murders and rapes. Art means people are celebrating being alive, even if they do it with Hippity Hop Rabbits.” —Teller
Great quote Stoid. I’m living proof that even lowbrow art can have a positive effect.
I’m still a bit embarassed, but for me it was the Conan stories by R. E. Howard and the old 70’s Batman comics. Silly, I know, but bear with me.
My dad split early, and since my mom had to work all the time I pretty much raised myself. (Not whining, just the facts). I had no idea how to stand up for myself and I became a victim with a capital “V”. I was a skinny little guy, and every day at school brought another beating or petty humiliation. Even girls and teachers would mock me. Very bad times, man.
Since I was afraid to leave the house, I read constantly. Howard may not have been a great writer, but he was a wonderful storyteller. Conan was brutal, but he had a sense of honor. And Batman was just plain fun. At that time I appreciated his philosophy that “the world only makes sense when you grab it by the throat and force it to!” Nihilistic stuff, for sure, but consider my circumstances.
I wanted to be these guys, so I got involved in weightlifting and martial arts. As time passed I was no longer a victim, nor a bully either. I even became a firefighter since it seemed like a heroic sort of job. I am still an avid reader, and my literature of choice is of a much higher quality. But from time to time I will still pull out my comics and pulp fiction and read into the night. Life really does make sense if you force it to.
I read a lot in elementary school, but nothing really hit home until I read Les Miserables after seeing the musical.
A lot of people ridicule me for carrying around a copy, as it’s extremely long, but I find that every time I read the novel I get something new out of it. Currently, I’m very interested in the revolutionaries – in particular, the relationship between Enjolras and Grantaire. It’s just such an important [and beautiful] social work that I have been reading it at least once a year for five years.
And, to mention another title, Little Women is the book that made me want to be a writer, actually.
What a treat to find a message board filled with posts from people who know and enjoy the books on my ‘Read Frequently’ list. I think I’m going to like it here.
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers.
Has had more influence on my spiritual development than the Bible or any other major religious work can or wever will.
Another vote for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I read this book about a month before I joined the Navy. Turned me into a good technician and kept the military from making me completely miserable.
This is weird. I do not think I have ever seen so many new people. As in post # 1 - type people - posting to a single thread. I count 2 or 3 people posting to the boards for the first time to this thread. And 7 people with under 10 posts. Thats nuts.
