10 Books You Must Read in Your Lifetime

I am a voracious reader. I have been since I was very young. While most of my friends were reading Sweet Valley High serial type books, I was allowed to run free through my parents' vast library and read to my heart's content.

I was very lucky.

In my life, I have read many books that have touched me in many ways and left an inescapable impression upon my mind. Whenever I am asked to recommend a book to someone, one of these ten inevitably arise. I would like to share with you that list:

A Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

Huxley wrote this fiction novel in 1932 and it has been the best warning against scientific utopianism ever conceived. At its core, the basic message of this novel is that it will be what we perceive as comforts that will be our undoing. By genetic conditioning, mood altering drugs, and chronic happiness of all, it would seem that this 'brave new world' is everything we as human beings could dream of...but, if you peer just under the surface, you will find that you could not be more wrong.

It is interesting to me that more people I know have not read and treasured this incredible novel. Do yourself a favor and give it a read!

1984 - George Orwell

On the other end of the spectrum in future worlds, we have George Orwell's masterpiece, 1984. If there is a better novel written on the psychological, technological, physical, and social dangers of totalitarianism and political authority, I would love to read it. However, there hasn't been and that is why 1984 immediately comes to mind when discussing the importance of language in shaping human thought and the idea of doublethink (the ability to hold two contradictory ideas in one's mind at the same time and believe them both to be true). Ever wonder where the term, "Big Brother" came from? Read 1984 and find out!

A Brief History Of Time - Stephen Hawking

The first time I read this book, I was about 12 years old. I could not put it down. Since then, I have read it for a "refresher" more than a dozen times. I have never been one to be what anyone would consider an expert on anything scientific or mathematical, but the theories presented in this novel make me feel like I could be. It contains interesting information on Professor Hawking's theories on time travel and wormholes that is undeniably fascinating!

A Scanner Darkly - Phillip K. Dick

Most of you may know this title as a movie, but, as all of us book nerds like to say...the book is SO much better. Set in the future, this fiction novel follows the story of Bob Actor/Fred and his adventures as an undercover dealer of the dangerously addictive drug, Substance D. The story is incredibly engrossing and the distinct undertones of what addiction has and is doing to society is enthralling. A very interesting read!

What Was Asked Of Us - Trish Wood

This is a history of the Iraq War as told by the soldiers who fought in it. In these brazenly honest, heart breaking accounts, we learn directly what our men and women experienced first-hand. Every question you have ever had and wanted to ask about this war are answered here. I highly recommend it!

An Incomplete Education - Judy Jones and William Wilson

I am always a huge fan of facts. I can read for hours tiny little bits of trivia and information, just for fun! This would be one of those books. Not only is it informative, it is also very entertaining!

Fast Food Nation - Eric Schlosser

This is a fantastic in-depth look at the Fast Food industry in the U.S. I would also recommend that you watch the documentary, Food, Inc. as a companion piece with it. However, do not blame me for recommending this book if you find yourself unable to eat a Big Mac/Whopper/Sonic Burger/etc ever again!

Odd Girl Out - Rachel Simmons

"Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of." Well, at least that is what everyone thinks until you get slammed up against a locker for some other girl's boyfriend commenting on your band shirt, "Awesome shirt! I love that band!"

Oh, well maybe that is just me.

This book explores the under-culture of aggression and violence that almost every girl experiences in their life with acute accuracy and honesty. She delves into anger, cliques, bullying, jealousy, and competition excellently. This is a must read for teachers, counselors, parents, or anyone who needs illumination of the social issues facing girls, today.

100 Things You're Not Supposed To Know - Russ Kick

As I stated before, I am a huge fan of random trivia and knowledge. The more obscure and "dangerous" it is, the more I want to know. This book, published by the Disinformation guys at Fine Communications, is chock full of little tidbits either unknown or relatively obscure. I learned a lot from reading it, and as it suggests, it changed the way I look at the world.

A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

When my mother sends me a book, I read it. I don't mean I put it on my list of "To be reads" and get to it eventually, I read it. I was absolutely in awe of this book. Written in the voice of America's women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers, this book is nothing less that the TRUE history of this fine country I call home. And, yes, even after reading this, I still call it a fine country. Our story is one filled with trials, tribulations, humiliations...yet always, in the background, there lingered an absolutely brilliant sense of hope for the future. To truly understand what we have come from, and what we will continue to strive for, I suggest you get your hands on this wonderfully well-written book!

And, there you have it. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. After all, I am always looking for more great books to read!