So basically, my partner (mid 20s) is a huge bookworm and I feel like they have read everything I could possibly think of.
They have a scientist mindset, are incredibly interested in politics and history, study philosophy and japanology and in general love enigmas, poetry and anything that would satisfy a certain intellectual itch.
Had read and found great E.A. Poe, Lovecraft, Orwell, Oscar Wilde, Nabokov, Goethe, all of the Tolkien, Sapkowski, Markus Heiz, Azimov and so on to name a few. So basically almost all of the classics in both English and German and more still.
Some of favourites were "Parfum" by Süskind, "Idiot" by Dostoyevsky and "Faust" by Goethe.
I had given them Atlass Shrugged before (which was love-hated for Rend's philosophy) and Master&Margaret (which was adored).
I'm thinking something in the direction of deeply philosophical, perhaps societal issues + "change how you look at life" kind of book, but I can't come up with anything decent… Other then "The Playground" by Powers and/or "Kalyma Tales" by Shalamov, perhaps.
Would appreciate any help at this point.
by Fit-Pea4981
5 Comments
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Pirsig. Get him a signed copy or something.
If they loved Master and Margarita and Faust, I’d recommend “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” by Nietzche, it’s a mind-bending philosophical journey that’ll challenge and transform how they see life.
David Brin , NASA Scientist turned scifi author. The Uplift Saga
If they like fantasy, try Malazan Book of the Fallen. Lots of really philosophical questions and political stuff going on. Many real world parallels.
Plus they are 10 massive books. Will keep them busy for a while if they like it!
Siddartha by Hesse is a great change how you look at your life book, it’s no secret but is one of the most amazing books of all time.
If they have read everything I just finished a random indie book I picked up by chance that amazon suggested after I read Siddartha called Hindu Myths a modern retelling by Praharaj and it was actually really good, very philosophical even though it starts off funny and one of the more unique books I’ve ever read.