I had an unintended reading-hiatus in my first few years at university and when I started reading again, I realised how much my brain had stagnated. Books make you think in general, but some books really develop your thoughts and thought-processes. Today’s TTT with The Broke and the Bookish is about those books that force you to think, even if it’s uncomfortable or unusual. These books are in order from least-enjoyed to most enjoyed, not in order of best thinking.
1. I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Towards Relationships and Romance by Joshua Harris:
I don’t really agree with most of what this book says or it’s tone for that matter, but it forces you to consider your approach to romance and even just thinking through it is a worthy experience, despite reaching different conclusions.
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Again a book I did not enjoy overall, but stimulated much thought about science, ambition and family.
3. Bumped by Megan McCafferty
In light of many governments’ attempts to regulate reproduction or the right to reproduction, this is a fun and thoughtful read.
4. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
Made me think about the simple, down-to-earth lifestyle. It also made me realise that I’d make a pretty crap Amish.
5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
This book has a lot of imagery and symbolism. If you are the literary type who likes analysing a novel from every nook and cranny, you’ll love this more as an adult than as a kid. There are also some wonderfully odd situations that challenge convention, and some math problems too.
6. Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Cryptography and mathematics in a thriller – this one made the cogs turn full-speed.
7. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
The current lack of organ donors features in this futuristic dystopian. Makes you think a lot about healthcare, politics and religious fanaticism.
8. Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coelho
It was between this one and The Prophet by Khalil Gibran – they’re both wonderfully philosophic and you can’t read them unless you’re going to focus wholeheartedly. I chose Coelho because this anthology of his is a little more applicable to the modern reader.
9. Rape Girl by Alina Klein
Todd Akin and friends need to read this book, hopefully it will make them use their noggins too. I’m super annoyed by all the misconceptions regarding rape.
10. The Road to Mecca by Athol Fugard
Makes you think of society’s incessant insistence to oust those who do not conform. Infuriating
I’d forgotten about Bumped, great book for the list
Great list! I didn’t know that Coelho wrote a book called Like the Flowing River, I’m going to have to look in to that now
Here’s my TTT for this week =)
Frankenstein is a great choice. I don’t find it very enjoyable either, but I do like thinking about it and teaching it.
Ah! I forgot about Dan Brown’s books. They all have made me question a thing or two. Great list
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Bumped is a TOTAL thinker…happy to see it on your list!
Great list!!! I didn’t even think of Bumped…Rape Girl sounds like it’d benefit A LOT of people too.
I read “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” when I was dating my husband (at his prompting, might I add). It was interesting. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but it did make you think.
Your mention of Alice in Wonderland made me think again of how many children’s books are really wonderful books for people of all ages.
Great list!
Yes! I’m having fun rediscovering children’s books exactly because of that.
These sound really interesting, particularly the McCafferty given that I have Handmaid’s Tale on my list! I’ve read Frankenstein and Alice..but haven’t even heard of most of the others.
The Handmaid’s Tale is one I really want to read as well! And it was quite popular with this week’s TTT.
I like that you included books that you didn’t particular like but made you think! Digital Fortress wasn’t bad… I didn’t like Deception Point much… Dan Brown definitely hit his mark with the Robert Langdon series, that’s for sure!
Sorry it took me a bit to get to your TTT! Been a busy week!
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Thanks for picking up on that – it was a big step for me, giving credit to books I didn’t like. And no worries, weeks can be busy, I get that