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Books that were challenging but worth it
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items Sometimes reading should be hard. Sometimes a book should feel like homework. Sometimes the effort you put in will increase the value you take away. Here are some not-easy books that changed the way I think about reading and life.
Sections
4
Lengthy
Disturbing
Dense
Religion
Lengthy
Doorstoppers that carry some weight
A marathon. A classic. A home run. Plenty of twists and turns in a dazzlingly unique setting. Read this one now.
Dune - Frank Herbert
Best biography I've read to date. TR became one of my heros after reading this. Commit and you won't regret it.
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt - Edmund Morris
Pages upon pages upon pages of heart-wrenching drama. You need to be strong to make it through. Difficult themes throughout.
A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara
Possibly the most singular human alive. He is making history. Love him or hate him, get to know him a bit more.
Elon Musk - Walter Isaacson
Incredibly frustrating guy. Frustratingly incredible guy. The point is that this is a man worth remembering. This book does a wonderful job of immortalizing Jobs.
Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
Disturbing
Whether old or new, get a little uncomfortable
Terrifying, but incredible for the same reason. I still replay in my head the part where they're watching the house from a distance. Unreal.
The Dunwich Horror - H. P. Lovecraft
Reading on the edge of my seat. The imagery and world-building was shocking. The book doesn't hold your hand, but that's ok.
Annihilation - Jeff VanderMeer
No preparing for this mayhem. This story is complicated and hard to read, but it was riveting. I had to reflect on this one.
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Classic horror. The setting gives me chills still. The cast of characters makes you question who deserves your sympathy. Incredible story.
The Island of Dr Moreau - H. G. Wells
So much lore stems from this one. It's the alien invasion story that has captivated us for generations. Emotional ride.
The War of the Worlds - H. G. Wells
Honestly sickening. Stomach turning. Unique emphasis on biology. VanderMeer remains one of my favorite authors and I'm glad I read this one.
Borne - Jeff VanderMeer
Dense
Sensing a theme here, so look closer
Read each saying at least three times. Take the time to digest it. This ancient text is known to us and reprinted for a reason. Unbelievable wisdom happening in there.
The Analects - Confucius
Amazingly relatable for an ancient Roman emperor's diary. Tremendous respect for this human. Get your highlighter ready.
Meditations - Marcus Aurelius
Combat as an elegant metaphor for living. Tough read for anyone interested in ancient Eastern wisdom.
The Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto Musashi
Another gem from the ancients. Reveal your blind spots. Open your world view. This one traveled through time for you.
The Art of War - Sun Tzu
Religion
Listen to understand, not just to speak
Picking it up was an act of courage. Finishing it was faith. Hitchens is not for everyone. Expect to battle a sense of offense. Expect to confront some unsettling claims.
God Is Not Great - Christopher Hitchens
Few ask the questions. Even fewer consider the answers. Ehrman elegantly and respectfully tackles an important topic. Opened my eyes.
How Jesus Became God - Bart Ehrman
The line between fiction and nonfiction can be fuzzy. Ehrman is a seasoned scholar who helps clarify what Revelations is and is not. Are you ready to hear what he has to say?
Armageddon - Bart Ehrman