10 Books which touched my life...

09/06/2018

Hello world,

It's been a little while since my last post, but I'm here to talk about two important things. The past, and books.

Not sure what I'm getting at, that's understandable, so let me fill you in. I was quickly flicking through my facebook on my phone yesterday evening, when I had a pop up to look at my memories from the past. I normally only really pay attention to these if they're pictures, but yesterday I looked at the rest.

What I found came from four years ago, and it was one of these Facebook chain-posts (for lack of a better way of describing the thing). I had to share ten books which had touched my life with the rest of the world, and in the process tag another three of my friends to pass the topic around. I was try, and here was my list from 2014 (in no particular order), immortalised in the great database of everything ever posted online ever.

1) Do I still have all these books around the house? Because I should probably re-read some of them!
2) Some of these have probably changed, given my serious changes in reading habbits over the last couple of years.

So I decided that I'd share with you what my more updated list of books would be, and will probably do the same with music, films, etc in the future (assuming people actually read this post and are interested in my personal opinions). I won't spoil any of the stories themselves, simply share the reasons they are on my list, and hopefully convince some of you to read them for yourselves!

10) Oh the Places You'll Go - Dr Seuss
This book is a childhood favorite of mine. Everytime I open the book I'm taken back to when I was about 8 years old, my mind playing in the weird and wonderful world of Dr Seuss' insane imagination. This is a great read for anyone looking to be inspired to do something they're not sure about, and can really make you feel inspired and unstoppable.

9) Lord of the Flies - Willaim Golding
On a very different vein to the previous entry, this book is one of my favorites because of the story and it's deeper meanings. The tale of a group of school children trying to survive on a deserted island is full of adventures, challenges, and danger which keeps you reading and fearing for the safety of the boys on the island. As well as the plot, there is also a lot of symbolism and social commentary for those of you looking to see past the words on the page.

"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face-for ever."
- George Orwell, 1984

8) 1984 - George Orwell
This book is renowned for it's social commentary, and deeper meanings. Similar to Lord of the flies, 1984 keeps the reader interested in the rigid society under the rule of 'The Party', and follows Winston as he navigates the strange world they live in, where not everything is as it seems. Behind the story is a serious message which has been carried into popular culture, and warns of how easy it could be for our world to become like theirs.

7) Thieves Like Us - Stephen Cole
This book is simply here because I like the book. You follow Jonah, a teenager with a troubled past, as he's introduced into the world of private collection and secret societies. Although it is aimed at young adults, it has a great mix of humor, action, and serious character development and humanization, as you fall head first down the rabbit hole with someone not prepared at all for the new world.

6) Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
This is arguably the most infamous adventure of Hercule Poirot, the great private detective, so it HAD to appear on this list somewhere. This book required little explanation for most people, given it's various TV and film adaptations (although I've not seen the most recent one yet), and the fact that the core premise of the book is given away in the title, it is still an amazing story which leaves you trying to solve the riddle of who killed the secretive Mr Ratchett.

5) Surely You're Joking MR Feynmann - Richard P. Feynmann
The only autobiography (if you can call it that) on this updated list, this book gives you an insight into one of the greatest physicists of all time. It talks less about his complex contributions to the world of physics, and more about his life as a scientist trying to put his mind to exploring and enjoying as much as he could possibly do. The book is filled with funny stories, unbelievable situations, and the occasional serious message, and is well worth a read for anyone looking for more in life than a job.

4) Macbeth - William Shakespeare
Macbeth. The timeless tragedy of the Scottish Play. This is a staple for anyone who wants to delve into the these of magic, insanity, love, murder, and revenge. This play is best to be seen, but even reading it gives you the chills as you imagine the words of the witches and the Scottish prince filling the room around you. Definitely worth a read/watch if you enjoy the works of The Bard, or simply want an interesting story.

3) Watchmen - Dave Gibbons, Alan Moore
As said in my Facebook post, I'm not sure if a graphic novel would count as a book, but I had to include this anyway. The story is captivating, set in a world very similar to our own, with a world on the brink of nuclear destruction, can the superheroes come out of retirement to save the day? The artwork is captivating, and the socio-political message is combined with raw emotion and social injustice observed and depicted by those who tried to save the world.

2) The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
This classic work of fiction answers so many questions about life, the universe, and everything (but no spoilers for that book either). This story is full of comedy, useful life lessons (including two of my own), and crazy adventures with so many interesting lifeforms. After Earth is unexpectedly demolished, we follow Arthur Dent as he travels through the galaxy in search of love, happiness, and Tea. An adventure not to be missed.

The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't.
- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

1) And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
I know I said this list wasn't in order, but this is probably my favorite book of all time, and not just because I correctly figured out who the murderer was! This classic murder mystery sees a group of visitors arrive on a remote island, but what happens when they realize they're trapped on the island with a murderer? The book is well written, and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

So that's my list!
I'd like to thank you for reading this brief insight into my reading. If you've not read, or even heard of, some of these then I highly recommend that you do so!

If you have any suggestions for books on a similar theme I should read, then please feel free to let me know, either here or on the inevitable Instagram post about this blog (click thr link at the bottom of this page and give it a like to let me know youve read it!!).

Until next time,

Tim

image credits: image 1, image 2, image 3