Editorial Review
NAKEDTRUTHMAGAZINE . COM By : Jordan McCrary
What are the Top Five Books that One Must Read in Their Lifetime and Why ?
After seeing this question on an intellectual website , I decided to take a stab at it . My response received much more attention than I expected . This is what I said :
Narrowing the whole of literature down to five is , quite obviously , impossible . That said , as someone who has always read obsessively , is a " writer ," and has a lit degree , here are five selections that always rang true to me as “ important ” reads for citizens of the modern world , especially those who consider themselves deep thinkers . I ’ m kind of limiting things to the modern era . So , in no particular order , please enjoy my selections and why I chose them :
by Robert Pirsig . This book ' s incredible merging of story , philosophy , mechanics , psychology , history , writing , theology , and metaphor make it a unique , insightful literary masterpiece . It ’ s a hell of a work of art by the standards of narrative , plot , meaning , and style / execution . More importantly , though , if one chooses to take the intense time required to digest the content fully and read the book ( for me it took 3 close reads ), it will almost inevitably leave a positive mark in your mind , and , while a wonderful novel , the text will move any thinker deeper into questions that plague people and society in our complicated era . The book is both inspirational and mind-expanding , but , don ’ t let me fool you , the messages and insights it contains are not always easily recognized and are often somewhat disquieting . The dualistic message of the book makes the overall impression positive , yet real and far from " sunny ." It
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will shake anyone , even if that shaking helps rock them into a deep , peaceful sleep .
by Huston Smith . This nonfiction piece summarizes every major religion in the world by discussing the religions ’ origins , histories , principles , most popular myths , and followers . While the book ’ s summaries are far from adequate in terms of providing a level of detail sufficient to allow readers to “ learn ” a religion , they are fantastic in terms of providing anyone with a fairly thorough , quick , and workable understanding of any major religion . Smith ’ s true achievement , however , lies in his ability to simultaneously demonstrate the beauty , value , and cultural significance of every religion and to do so in such a way that even atheists / agnostics , the non-spiritual , the unfamiliar , and / or the devout follower can learn to see the unity in all faiths while also acknowledging the multiple avenues through which one can admire and appreciate each . This helps readers potentially develop a more informed , nuanced understanding of the connections , whether acknowledged or not , we all share as human beings with spiritual uncertainties . This book is a gem , and I will always be thankful for Smith ' s sparkling , enlightening contribution to my understanding of spirituality and the human condition .
by Bret Easton Ellis . This book is horrifying , and I do not recommend it for readers without very , very thick skin and strong stomachs . Its often flagrantly disgusting content almost makes one pity Ellis ' s Eminem-like style of commanding attention through pure , unadulterated shock value . However , much like Eminem ' s music , study into what lies behind the more easily noted profanity reveals deep , unique insights into topics such as addiction , capitalism , pornography , sex , power , psychosis ,