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My favorite book recs
16
items A mix of books that changed how I think — from philosophy and magical realism to stories that challenge comfort zones. Perfect for anyone who loves ideas that stay in your head long after you close the book.
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Self Improvement
Books
A mix of books that changed how I think — from philosophy and magical realism to stories that challenge comfort zones. Perfect for anyone who loves ideas that stay in your head long after you close the book.
Hands down the best Magical Realism book
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Paperback:
A haunting look at isolation and how quickly love turns to indifference when we stop being ‘useful.
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Best Latin America Magical Realism
One Hundred Years of Solitude|Paperback
I've been struggling with feeling like I'm not a good parent; and work and stress have taken over me. I started reading this book so I could get some tips on how to deal with the life of being a parent. So far it seems to give nice tips on how to ove...
Raising Good Humans: Mindful Guide
Still reading this one, but so far this is what I have gotten from this book: in life, how finding purpose sustains us through suffering.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
I love stories about the human conditions. This one I liked b/c it reminded me of how fragile freedom and truth can be — and how easily we can lose both without noticing.
1984: 75th Anniversary Edition by Orwell
I love History and in particular WW, This is a beautifully written World War II story that weaves the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. Loved this one!
All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel
Best book for when you feel down --shows that the heaviest things we carry aren’t in our hands, but in our hearts.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
If you like The Hunger Games, this is a must-read.
Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)
One of the best epic poem books I have ever read
What exactly is so impressive about Dante's Inferno? : r/literature
I first read Dante's Inferno in Highschool and it cpativated me. Dante’s Inferno is not just a story—it’s an unforgettable journey through the darkest parts of the human soul. The first part of The Divine Comedy, it follows Dante’s descent through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. Each circle represents a different sin and punishment, painted in vivid, often disturbing imagery that blends theology, philosophy, and poetry. What makes Inferno so timeless is its structure and symbolism. The punishments are not random acts of cruelty—they’re moral mirrors. Every sinner’s torment reflects the nature of their earthly choices, creating a kind of moral geometry that still resonates today. The poem’s layered allegory—political, spiritual, and psychological—means every reader can find a different truth in its verses.
I didn’t expect an 18th-century book to feel this modern—smart, cynical, and oddly hopeful all at once.
Candide by Voltaire:
I just finished Candide and honestly didn’t expect it to be this sharp or funny. Voltaire’s sarcasm hits hard—mocking blind optimism, religion, and power—but it still feels surprisingly modern. It’s wild how the story keeps throwing disasters at Candide, yet somehow stays hopeful. The ending line, “we must cultivate our garden,” really stuck with me—simple, but it says everything.
⭐ 4.5/5 — quick, clever, and still totally relevant.
This book makes you wonder — are we trading real happiness for convenience without noticing? Read it!
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Now the movie makes more sense to me after reading this book.
Holes: Louis Sachar, Radunsky, Ibatoulline
Self Improvement
Books I have found to help my mental state
After reading this book, I came to realize that our mindset shapes everything — from learning and relationships to careers.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
I tried the examples in this book in my own life and I found that this is a very practical, science-backed guide to making small changes that lead to big results.
Atomic Habits: Easy Way to Build & Break Habits
I've been struggling with feeling like I'm not a good parent; and work and stress have taken over me. I started reading this book so I could get some tips on how to deal with the life of being a parent. So far it seems to give nice tips on how to ove...
Raising Good Humans: Mindful Guide
This is a new book I discovered and that I have started reading. Key things so far: Learn to live fully in the present, escaping anxiety and ego-driven thought patterns.
The Power of Now: Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment