When coming up with my list of my five favorites books I think it is important to answer that by choosing the ones I remember best. I read a lot, mostly fiction these days. I read more non-fiction when I was younger. I had to, the non-fiction tells you what the writer knows. Fiction tells you what’s in his soul.
Here are a list of 5 fiction ones.
1. "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.
I once read that, second only to the Bible, Atlas Shrugged has affected more people’s lives than any other book. It’s 1,300 pages long and I’ve read it 3 times. I felt refreshed and saddened each time I finished it. The writing glorifies individual freedom and achievement. It tells the story of one man’s quest to change the world, to bring us back from the black void of pervasive socialism.
2. "Far, Far the Mountain Peak" by John Masters.
What I liked about this book was the story of a man, ridiculed and scorned because of his indomitable will to win, was able to achieve (I guess there’s a pattern here). Gerry, always wants to win. People don’t like him but in the end they need him.
3. "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway.
Actually a near tie with For Whom The Bell Tolls, I read them both in high school. Hemingway dug deep into a man’s mind and hauled the core out in stark, hard-hitting prose.
I’m a man. He wrote like a man. I like that. I think women like it too.
4. "The Complete Short Stories" by Somerset Maugham.
I liked all his books except Of Human Bondage. Maugham tells stories exposing the human frailties and gives the reader a little unexpected twist at the end of each one. These are perfect stories to take these stories to the beach.
5. "Nine Stories" by J.D. Salinger.
These are intriguing journeys through a highly
intelligent and complex mind. Each story leaves the reader feeling as if he’s been punched, and not knowing why. You’ll be left thinking about them for a long time. Some you’ll never forget. I haven’t forgotten A Perfect Day For Bananafish.
And if you really thirst for good literature, start reading the “Evil Stryker Series”!