Sorry for the delay Oliver Hughes, Natalie Kyriakopoulou and Greta Healy, but here at last are the top ten books that have influenced me. Some of them are famous, some of them arent, but all mean a whole lot to me... Now in descending order, so HAH. 10) The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen Probably the first book my parents ever bought for me, they used to read it to me as a bedtime story, hoping Id grow up intelligent. 9) War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy If you dont know why this is on my list then well done, youve avoided me at my most egocentric. All the same, it was the first time in my life I tried taking on a big endeavour entirely under my own initiative, to raise money for a cause I cared about. 8) Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling Never really remained a fan of the series, but this makes the list because it was the first book I read without pictures! Another book that makes this list because of my parents, who patiently listened while I read them the same chapters again and again... 7) Ready Player One by Ernest Kline Looks Awful was the succinct review provided by Alex Valente, minutes after Id bought it. To my relief however, Ready Player One actually turned out to be a hugely entertaining book that was riddled with pop references and a great YA plot. 6) To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Most people put this one on their lists and say that itd take too long to explain their love for it. My reasons are fortunately a little simpler, one of the first works of literature I really felt like I got. This book has saved me in more Lit exams than I care to mention, always sauntering along with just the right theme or character in tow. 5) Pirate Cinema by Cory Doctorow The first book to make me REALLY passionate about a political issue. Cory Doctorow covers the DRM and Copyright wars with wonderful detail and provides all you need to know for why internet freedom is a wonderful thing that should be loved and protected. All wrapped up in a modern Oliver-Twist plot! 4) How to understand Israel in 60 days or less by Sarah Glidden The second book to make me passionate about an issue. This Graphic Novel tops Pirate Cinema because it perfectly captures my own thoughts and emotions on visiting Israel for the very first time. It taught me that if I truly want to consider myself open-minded, then its difficult to call yourself Pro or Anti anything. And now we enter the final three... 3) We by Yevgeny Zamatayin A beautiful book with some wonderful use of language, this book directly inspired Brave New World and 1984 and is better than both of them at being a true Dystopia. The first time when, to my delight, things Id learnt in another class (Business) played a huge part in my understanding of the novel. This book would probably be the one Id want everyone to read, if only to understand that in a modern world that demands efficiency and science, a little bit of anarchic culture makes things so much more fun! 2) Hyperion by Dan Simmons Hyperion is what happens if you take the Canterbury Tales, Keats Poems and a sci-fi world then blend them together into the story of Humanitys downfall. This book was the first that made me understand why mathematicians talk about how numbers can possess elegance, the plot structure in Hyperion is simply a lesson in elegance. Each of the pilgrims tales isnt written but instead carefully crafted to have its own unique feel. The Fall of Hyperion might be much bigger in scale, Endymion might have better characters and The Rise of Endymion might bring the whole series to an awesome climax, but Hyperion was where it started, so thats why it makes the list. 1) Legend by David Gemmell Always my first choice by a landslide, no other book has been more influential to me. Read so many times Ive had to buy new copies to replace the old ones when theyve gotten worn, this story is nowadays practically required reading for anyone interested in understanding how I think. On the surface only a moderately decent fantasy story, it disguises what is essentially a manifesto for the idealistic. This book is the one that I read when Ive had a bad day, or if Im feeling lost, or if life is just kicking me around like its personal plaything. I lose myself in Coward-heroes, Stroppy Warrior-princesses and an indefatigable army against an indomitable castle. This is the book Ive chosen. There was never any other choice. Not many High-lit books in my top ten choices...Huh, go figure. I guess Ill tag Seren, Jacob and Mary to give this a think next, be interested in what you choose!
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 20:34:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015