I am a complete Science Fiction afficionado, and as a result, the bulk of my library consists of sci-fi works.

DUNE is probably my favorite book.
My imagination goes into overdrive whilst reading the Dune series.


Second is probably;






Alas, I am embarrassed to admit that I am sorely lacking in the classics. I don't think that I've ever actually read Shakespeare.

Brave New World really affected me even though the ending upsets me to no end!

'Message To The BlackMan In America' by Elijah Muhammad

"Holy Tablets" by Dr. Malachi York

PurpleJedi said:

Alas, I am embarrassed to admit that I am sorely lacking in the classics. I don't think that I've ever actually read Shakespeare.

Remember that Shakespeare wrote plays not books. They were predominantly supposed to be watched not read. Many people prefer contemporary texts to classics, nothing to be embarrassed about. There's some great modern work out there (and some that will become classics in their own right). Sadly, all too often people believe that the classics are in some way 'better'. No - they're just older, the best books are subjective.

maplenpg said:

PurpleJedi said:

Alas, I am embarrassed to admit that I am sorely lacking in the classics. I don't think that I've ever actually read Shakespeare.

Remember that Shakespeare wrote plays not books. They were predominantly supposed to be watched not read. Many people prefer contemporary texts to classics, nothing to be embarrassed about. There's some great modern work out there (and some that will become classics in their own right). Sadly, all too often people believe that the classics are in some way 'better'. No - they're just older, the best books are subjective.

1) Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden: Blaine Harden is an author and journalist whose most recent book is Escape From Camp 14, a New York Times and international bestseller that has been translated into 27 languages. It's the story of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only person born and raised in a North Korean prison camp to escape to the West.

2) My Lobotomy by Howard Dully: In 1960, at 12 years of age, Dully was submitted by his father and stepmother for a trans-orbital lobotomy, performed by Freeman. During the procedure, a long, sharp instrument called a leucotome was inserted through each of Dully's eye sockets into his brain. Dully took decades to recover from the surgery to the point where he could function in society. In his 50s, with the assistance of National Public Radio producer David Isay, Dully started to research what had happened to him as a child. Dully first related his story on a National Public Radio broadcast in 2005, prior to co-authoring a memoir published in 2007.

3) Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital by Eric Manheimer: A memoir from the medical director at Bellevue from 1997-2012.

Recently I've re-read Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird then the "new" book from her called Go Set A Watchman. Atticus Finch changes somewhat, but it's still fairly consistant with the first book, I thought. I'd be interested in hearing what Black readers thought of it, especially those from the southern United States. I'm from Canada, so a lot of the Civil War references went over my head, and most of the southern sayings.

[Edited 8/18/15 21:38pm]

I've many, many favourites but if I had to recommend one absolute must read it'd be Bad Men by Clive Stafford Smith.

Empress said:

In my opinion, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best books ever written. A true classic that everyone should read at least once. Having said that, I wouldn't waste 2 cents on the new book Go Set a Watchman. Harper Lee and the money hungry publishing house should've kept this one in the vault. It serves no purpose and only diminishes the greatness of To Kill a Mockingbird.

No argument about To Kill A Mockingbird being one of the best books ever written. But I thought Go Set A Watchman was at least interesting. The flashbacks to Jean-Louise's childhood didn't add much, but the conversation with Uncle Jack and the observations about the failings of men was very good I thought. Kind of the between-a-rock-and-a-hard place situations that many men find themselves in rang true with me.