‘Well read’ can obviously mean different things to different people, but if you had to recommend 1 book to someone (however you understand the term), what would the book be?
*The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself* –Sean Carroll
Similar-Back2706 on
1Q84
Oodahlalee on
The Odyssey by Homer
So many of the Greek myths are covered or at least touched upon here. If you want to sound “well read” (meaning cultured and educated), knowing your Greek mythology is essential. Plus it’s a wicked good adventure story.
NoisyCats on
As I was being wheeled into surgery under the influence of something wonderful, I remember blurting out, “Also, I’m well read, and I read a lot of books!” “Oh really, like what books?” The nurse asked me. “East of Eden” I answered. I’ve always found that moment interesting.
whiskeybridge on
i reject the premise of this exercise.
howeversmall on
Republic by Plato
dolmenmoon on
Well, being “well read” almost literally means having read a lot of books. No single book can make you well read, I don’t think.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
FebusPanurge on
The 48 Laws Of Power. It turns the entire intellectual history of the west into a very fun to read narrative.
NANNYNEGLEY on
Try anything by Rose George, Judy Melinek, Caitlin Doughty, or Mary Roach.
“The Gift of Fear” (a very important read) by Gavin De Becker.
“Five days at Memorial: life and death in a storm-ravaged hospital” by Sherri Fink.
HortonFLK on
Perhaps *The Innocents Abroad* by Mark Twain.
brusselsproutsfiend on
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
post_sane_world366 on
Just start reading, anything at first, after a while you will begin to discern what you think is good or bad. This will lead you to reading books that you enjoy. You might find you like the classics or you might only want to read detective novels but you will be ‘well read’.
allthecoffeesDP on
Communist Manifesto
nosleepforthedreamer on
Read what appeals to you. And not only that, but challenges you, stimulates your mind and your curiosity and creativity.
I am not well-read at all in classic Greek literature. But I hugely enjoy character-focused, psychological novels and shorter stories depicting individual or small groups of people: their perspectives, personalities, personal histories, memories, friendships, family lives, and so on. These narratives can take the form of drama, comedy, realism, even horror. Or a combination.
Examples of some that stand out to me:
Rebecca- Daphne du Maurier
Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte
Everyday Use- Alice Walker
Mary Wilkins Freeman’s short fiction
Hurst of Hurstcote and John Charrington’s Wedding by E. Nesbit
Charles- Shirley Jackson
I also like whimsical poetry, such as limericks. And Shel Silverstein’s poetry volumes for kids.
But it’s up to you. Find what brings you joy and then pursue it.
Netalula on
Anything available on the Gutenberg Project. Because it’s free. That’s the only reason
18 Comments
*The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself* –Sean Carroll
1Q84
The Odyssey by Homer
So many of the Greek myths are covered or at least touched upon here. If you want to sound “well read” (meaning cultured and educated), knowing your Greek mythology is essential. Plus it’s a wicked good adventure story.
As I was being wheeled into surgery under the influence of something wonderful, I remember blurting out, “Also, I’m well read, and I read a lot of books!” “Oh really, like what books?” The nurse asked me. “East of Eden” I answered. I’ve always found that moment interesting.
i reject the premise of this exercise.
Republic by Plato
Well, being “well read” almost literally means having read a lot of books. No single book can make you well read, I don’t think.
Pilgrim’s Progress or the King James Bible.
“The well-educated mind” by Susan Wise Bauer
https://a.co/d/1bcprTQ
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
The 48 Laws Of Power. It turns the entire intellectual history of the west into a very fun to read narrative.
Try anything by Rose George, Judy Melinek, Caitlin Doughty, or Mary Roach.
“The Gift of Fear” (a very important read) by Gavin De Becker.
“Five days at Memorial: life and death in a storm-ravaged hospital” by Sherri Fink.
Perhaps *The Innocents Abroad* by Mark Twain.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Just start reading, anything at first, after a while you will begin to discern what you think is good or bad. This will lead you to reading books that you enjoy. You might find you like the classics or you might only want to read detective novels but you will be ‘well read’.
Communist Manifesto
Read what appeals to you. And not only that, but challenges you, stimulates your mind and your curiosity and creativity.
I am not well-read at all in classic Greek literature. But I hugely enjoy character-focused, psychological novels and shorter stories depicting individual or small groups of people: their perspectives, personalities, personal histories, memories, friendships, family lives, and so on. These narratives can take the form of drama, comedy, realism, even horror. Or a combination.
Examples of some that stand out to me:
Rebecca- Daphne du Maurier
Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte
Everyday Use- Alice Walker
Mary Wilkins Freeman’s short fiction
Hurst of Hurstcote and John Charrington’s Wedding by E. Nesbit
Charles- Shirley Jackson
I also like whimsical poetry, such as limericks. And Shel Silverstein’s poetry volumes for kids.
But it’s up to you. Find what brings you joy and then pursue it.
Anything available on the Gutenberg Project. Because it’s free. That’s the only reason