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What books do you consider must reads? (beehaw.org)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by Alice@beehaw.org to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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So basically I was unschooled, and the amount of books I've read in my life is embarrassingly low. It was never emforced like in a school, and with my family's religious hangups, I never tried getting into new things because I never knew what would be deemed "offensive".

But I'm always interested when I hear people talk about both storycraft and also literary criticism, so I want to take an earnest stab at getting into books.

No real criteria, I don't know what I like so I can't tell you what I'm looking for, other than it needs to be in English or have an English translation. Just wanna know what y'all think would make good or important reading.

ETA holy shit thanks for all the suggestions! Definitely gonna make a list

ETA if I reply extremely late it's because it took me this long to get a library card in my new locale.

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[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 months ago (2 children)

While other books have made a larger personal impact, Piranesi is a wonderful, easy to read mystery novel with a charming, innocent protagonist that I wish I could read for the first time all over again.

It's only a couple hundred pages as well, as opposed to the thousand page monsters many people love.

[–] Nemo@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 months ago

Seconding this book. It's one of the best books I've read this decade.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Piranesi is a real gem, I ran across it last year and it was absolutely delightful.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I know! I love Piranesi as a character, the way he sees the world and justifies it is charming. Read it a few weeks ago and it hasn't left my head, I hadn't been so enthralled by a book since I was a kid.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It left a big impression on me as well, the world the way he sees it is so peaceful and tranquil, but then you start gradually realizing the horrific situation he's actually in. And this contrast between the way the character perceives his circumstances and the reality of the situation is kind of haunting.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's really well-written, absolutely. Wish I could wipe it from my mind and read it again anew.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 months ago

It is rare that you run a book that sucks you in the way Piranesi does.