What is the most enlightening book you have ever read?

Question: What is the most enlightening book you have ever read!?

I love to read, and do so pretty constantly!. Lately I've been reading almost exclusively books about programming and things related to my job, but I want to find a classic novel, or even a modern novel, that will really engage me and allow me to take a departure from computer related books!. I used to love reading literature, some of my favorites were:

The Fountainhead
Lolita
The Sound and the Fury
Picture of Dorian Grey

So who has a favorite that they want to share, and a little insight about why this book was special to you!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Albert Camute "The Stranger"Www@QuestionHome@Com

Revolutionary Road
I recently read it on my trip overseas, and I felt for the first time so connected to the characters and how disillusioned their lives are at that juncture in their lives!. They had all these grandiose dreams and visions for how their lives would turn out, but life threw them curves and they felt at a standstill!. It was enlightening to read the book because I could relate to the frustration of the main characters, and felt that someone had finally written a book that captured the frustration of living a life according to convention!. The two main characters were dissatisfied with their lives in the suburbs and ached for something more!. Up until that point, I had feeling rather constricted by my life and everyone telling me that at certain points I should be doing this or that (getting married, buying a house, having a firm grasp on my career) and this book inspired me to throw those expectations out the window!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I was glad to see The Fountainhead on your list! We just read Anthem by Ayn Rand in our class (I teach high school English,) and everyone really liked it!. Now they want to read The Fountainhead!

I really like The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne!. It's all about Puritan ethics, stigma, forgiveness, perseverance, hypocrisy and guilt!. Lots of interesting symbolism!. Lots of subtle lessons!. Dark and lovely!. This is one book that no movie version comes remotely close to in capturing its spirit!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I actually recently read "Elsewhere" which is a story about what happens after death, and, while I know its fiction, it kind of makes me less afraid to die because it gives me a bit of hope that death isn't the end!. I can't remember the author's name, but the cover is blue and has a snowglobe with a cruise ship in it!. I highly recommend this book!. :-)Www@QuestionHome@Com

the alchemist by paolo coelho !.!. really different from what you usually read and very enlightening

by the river piedra i sat down and wept !.!. same author but very different story

those books work great for light reading also they have some interesting ideas about life and the universe and the way they work !.!.that's why i liked them Www@QuestionHome@Com

For a modern novel - I found Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen to be a simply wonderful book!. It was dark, mysterious, incredibly well written, had me completely engrossed from beginning to end!. It has my highest recommendation!. Check it out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

book that enlightened me!? it was the qur'an

book that amused me!? memoirs of a geisha ( it was my first time to read anything about the japanese people)

book i like!? Pride and Prejuidice , i love the story very much (liz & Darcy)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Good picks!.!.!.I vote for The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley; I gained a completely different perspective on race relations and an important part of American past (and present) that has been all too often glossed over!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I just finished reading " The Mercedes Coffin " by Faye Kellerman !. She writes so vividly , you feel you are " in " the book !.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Enlightening!.!.!. a free read, the Enigma Book!.

It's 10th on the list here: http://newfreebooks!.com

It's fun and really is enlightening!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

All time favourite: Pride and Prejudice

Modern: try Nick Hornby, "About a Boy", or "The Long Way Down", or "How To Be Good"!. They are simply breathtaking!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

its not a novel but if ur into faith based books then The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel is very well written and extremely engaging!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The five people you meet in heaven

and for a longterm commitment - read the left behind seriesWww@QuestionHome@Com

my favorite was the 7th book of harry potterWww@QuestionHome@Com

-Gone with the wind by margaret Mitchell: about Scarlett O’Hara, a young woman living in the south during the civil war!. Always the daddy’s girl she soon realizes that in this hard time she can no longer be served and has to struggle to survive!. She has to deal with confederate soldiers using her house as a headquarters, and life without service from a group of maids!. Deals with her love of a man engaged to another woman, and the lust of rhett butler after her!. Amazing, this is my favorite book ever!. Its very long but worth the read in every way!. (official sequel is Scarlett by Alexandria Ripley)!.
i was able to connect to the characters so much, and at the end of the book i bawled for days!. im not even kidding!.

-Shogun by james clavell: japan during the 1600s!. Dealing with the spanish and Portuguese trying to claim domination of the islands!. Follows the story of an Dutch sailor as he becomes an important piece of the japanese lords!. This is such an amazing story, my second favorite book!. (other books in the asian saga are Tai-Pan, Gai-Jin, King Rat, Noble House, Whirlwind)!.
this book was long, but my mom had read it when she was in college so she gave it to me and i fell in love with it!. the historical facts are close to the truth, and there is so much in the story that it just gave you so much!.

-Tree Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin: true story of Greg Mortenson after his failed attempt on K2!. He builds schools for young children especially girls!. So far he has build over 72!
this story is about success but it shows how hard it was for greg to start!. i cried so many times, and also i have family in iran so it was cool for me to read about that part of the world!. i actually met greg mortenson when he came to my school and i started to cry when he signed my book!. its amazing to know how hard some people work for something good in life!. it gave me hope that things will get better!.

i tried to pick just one, but i have so many connections to books!. but these were definitely my top choices, and changed my life!. i will always remember these books!. i loved them so much i brought them with me to college haha =]Www@QuestionHome@Com