Required Reading for Life

Mitch Albom's Five People You Meet in Heaven. It can help us be more tolerant and understanding of others and of ourselves, and shows that sometimes we may only see the "cover of a book" and because of this over look it, which can be a sad shame as often there is wonder with in the pages that we never realize, or overlook, or just do not seem to grasp. It is about thinking, and perception, and so can affect all areas of our lives business, personal, spiritual, It is about emotions, and beliefs, and illusions, and self delussions, and it is about compassion and tolerance, it is about anger and bitterness, it is about life, and what it could mean, and what is often overlooked. It can show you to look at things and people around you differently because what you think is real or true may in fact have nothing to do with what is real or true. It is about the greatest love of all to borrow the words from the George Benson song Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all

One book that everyone should read is Farneheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. It is just so revelaing and symbolic to the kind of world we live in. Another book is Lord of The Flies which is a must read for the same reasons as the above book. Another book that's great to read is Inkheart and then Inkspell. These inspired me so much to read like never before! Pick some of these up! =D

for me, i think everybody should read the Bible... sorry, i'm not trying to be religious here... but actually, the Bible teaches everything and the solutions to all the problems, miseries and troubles in this world can actually be found in that holy book which is the Bible...

Politics are more complex today, which is why practically no one goes by the book (pardon the pun). I think everyone should read Franz Kafka's "Trial", but exactly because it confuses, refuses to teach anything and is not amusing. Just like real life. It's my favorite book and I think everyone (who's not Bill Gates or some other millionaire) will relate to the frustration experienced by Herr K., the struggle against people who detain petty powers that nonetheless have drastic influence over our lives and the overwhelming feeling that you are guilty of an unknown crime for which is no possible defense, justice or redemption. People always say that Kafka's stories are "surreal", but these people clearly fail to recognize that this man saw everyday life exactly like it is. One example is "The Metamorphosis", when Gregor Samsa wakes up transformed into an abominable VERMIN, there's nothing fantastic about it, because every day, thousands of people wake up and they are suddenly abhorrent, despised, unappreciated, useless and cast aside from all their humanity, even by their own kin. Kafka is true to life and that's why he is, in my mind, the greatest writer of all time. Everyone should read his works. And everyone should take especial attention to his short story "Jackals and Arabs", which is translated into English and available here in its entirety: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/vermeer/287/jackalsandarabs.htm

How about "The Prince" by Machiavelli. Still valid advice now if one translates it into modern business situations.

I suggest The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and the Baghavad Gita.

im one of those dorky kids that actually ENJOYED the books we got assigned in school. I loved The Giver...Brave New World...Cider House Rules....Lord of the Flies I think Lord of the Flies is the one that disturbed me the most because it was a micro-society if you think about it. When you make it smaller you actually see the bigger problems more clearly.

Thanks for sharing your must-read book. I will definitely take a look at it. Is it like The Art of War? An enlightening book I would definitely recommend to anyone who would like to have a more meaningful look at life would be The Way To Love by Anthony de Mello and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. If just about everyone would put their teachings to heart, the world would be a better place.

Book of Five Rings is a nice recommendation-- I've had a copy in my library since college. One I like to recommend is "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. Although it's billed as "A Novel," it's really Quinn's philosophical musings about how humanity is destroying the planet in its eternal quest for "more." It's one of those books that makes you sit and think, for a while, once you've finished it.

There is a book by Ira Levin, "This Perfect Day" that should be required reading for everyone. Unfortunately, the book is out of print, but used copies can be found. The book is about a Utopia gone wrong. It looks at how a computer has been used to regulate the weather, decides if/when someone will marry, what career one will have, and how one man looks to destroy this computer. I read it every few years because I always get something new from it everytime I read it.

GREAT "Q" and I have one suggestion. Certainly there may be many I could come up with, but this one is significant TO ME personally. Thank you DaraBird. "Women Who Run With the Wolves" Not only is it akin to a BIBLE of sorts, but for anyone,,,even my gender, who wants to be enlightened, and can accept it, as it regards the Female Gender, should have this book handy forever. If I never read another book on "Understanding" this one will slake my thirst, satisfy my appetites, fulfill my "ignorances" and be a piece or research material I hope to refer to until I die. Steven Wolf

I personally prefer self help books. Some that I have read are 'Success Principles, 'Awaken the Giant Within', 'Unlimited Power', RIch dad series and books from Nightningale Conan. Think a easy digestible one and fun to read one is The richest man in babylon.

Another Roadside Atraction by Tom Robbins, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, Animal Farm, George Orwell, Druids by Morgan Llyewlyn, Ishmael, Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver, Call of the Wild by Jack London.

Think & Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. This book was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie, who got then-journalist Napolean Hill to interview thousands of successful millionaires to study what they had in common. Originally published in 1937, it is just as relevant today, and its content has served as the foundation of countless motivational books, inspirational speeches, coaching and training programs applied to all industries and markets. The key learning is that wealth originates from thought. Ideas become things. And this can be monetarised, if certain conditions are present, such as burning desire, definiteness of purpose, belief, persistence, autosuggestion, specialized knowledge, organized planning etc. It has valuable lessons for anyone and everyone looking to rise up beyond mediocrity, and can help those struggling with procastination, fear, doubt, and accomplishing goals.

I really like inspirational books because they will improve your personality and values in life. One of my favorite is Og Mandino's the Greatest Salesman in the World. The book tackles about a merchant who wants to be successful on his trades. It contains ten essential values that really shape my personality right now.

"If this is a man" by Primo Levi - his account of being held in a concentration camp during World War 2. Amazing stuff and written in a brilliant way - no recriminations, no bitterness. Just an account of how people re-acted and how he managed to survive. On a similar subject the "Diary of Anne Frank" should be a lesson to us all. Her courage and her faith in the good within us are a shining example

the best book in my opinion is "readers digest" is the best among the rest books no matter its word empowerment or discovery stuff or any current affairs this is the best thing to read enhance knwledge and kepe in touch with world also

Well, I don't think anything should be required but I would love for everyone to read The Bible. I think everyone could benefit even those who are not Christian and those who do not believe in God.

i think everyone should read "the last of the mohicans" by cooper, "A Brave New World" by Huxley and "the Tao of Pooh". love all these and i think there are lessons that anyone can take away from them. take care.

The book "Speak" is a GREAT book. It's mainly for teenagers but I think if adults read it then they would realize how hard it can be to be a teenager and especially in high school dealing with peers. The author is Laurie Halse Anderson.