This article explores the 10 greatest books of all time. That said, I have to confess that I don’t read as much these days as I’d like to. Why? Cause I’m too busy creating articles, like this one. And when I’m not, I’m usually outside hiking and fly fishing, enjoying the great outdoors.
But my other passion is writing.
In fact, I wrote a 3-part book about two high school friends who get lost in a deep cave in Southwest Virginia. Unfortunately, when they get close to the end of the cave, there’s a freak underground accident that blows out their headlamps, and kills the only guy who knows the way out of the underground labyrinth.
And to make a long story short, it took me just about 19 years to complete this series. So yes, I’d say that writing is my passion.
However, I haven’t been focused on the literary side of things lately, as I’ve been busy building an audience for my blog. And just, in general, getting used to my new early retirement lifestyle. Or, more specifically, my gung-ho total adventure lifestyle, which is a spiritual path.
Another thing, I’ll mention, regarding my passion for writing, is that. Well.. it took a long time to complete my 3-part book. Moreover, I was also working full-time during this whole time period. And typically, just enduring my soul-sucking job, which at times I despised. While, at other times, I just found it to be a nuisance, like a gnat, distracting me from my true mission in life. In addition, I was also focused on becoming a full-time investor during this time with the specific goal of growing my portfolio to at least a million. Empowering me to retire early a few years ago.
Still, it took a lot out of me to accomplish all of these things by my 40s. So naturally, I needed to take a bit of a break from my writing after retiring early.
But now, it may be time to get back on track, concerning my dream of publishing my 3-part book series, which I really gave every part of me to finish.
Moreover, such was my psychological state when I began this endeavor of writing about those two high school kids trying to find their way out of that unlit cave that I almost gave up on my own life. To say then that it took everything out of me to complete this entire book series would be the understatement of my life.
And yet, the process of writing and completing the entire 3-part book absolutely helped to rebuild my entire sense of meaning and will to survive in this world. Yeah, it’s that kind of life-changing book…
Thus, the process of writing may have just killed me, as the ego, or the person I was before I began the series. But it also breathed a new life into me. And gave me a new sense of freedom in my life, as well as the reasons to continue to pursue my goal of seeing this thrilling and groundbreaking adventure-fiction book successfully published someday.
That said, no literary work ever gets completed without the influence of other writers from the past. So before I even dare to think about formatting my book series for publication, or seeking publication through an agent. I wanted to take the time to acknowledge the 10 greatest books and writers that I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Specifically the books, also, that I suspect had the most influence on my writing and books.
I will say that it’s been many years since I read all of these great books. Still, I’ll simply list each book and tell my readers my brief thoughts on each work.
So without further ado, here’s my list of the 10 greatest books that I’ve ever read in my life.
The Old Man and the Sea
by Ernest Hemingway
This is the greatest fishing tale ever told. Haunting. Minimalist writing. But just remember, no matter what you achieve in this life that your critics and detractors are always circling and ready to attack and destroy your prize. And so they might. But no one can erase the memories and spirit of that perfect fishing adventure. Ever. Or the perfect novella, for that matter.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
by Jean-Dominique Bauby
A man with locked-in syndrome blinking out a novel is one of the ultimate testaments to the will of the human spirit. And, by contrast, my job of publishing my 3-part book should be easy. In theory.
Johnny Got His Gun
by Dalton Trumbo
So many wars have been fought throughout history. Was the cause worth it? No, we can’t ask the soldiers who lost their lives on the battlefield. Or can we? Apparently, we can. Fight for the powers that be, for the profit of the war machine? For freedom? Or use the code to tell it like it really is?
Post Office
by Charles Bukowski
Work for years and years at a job you hate. The slavery, the drudgery of the bureaucracy. The absurdity. The blood, sweat, and tears of a postal worker. Finally, you resign in disgust and defeat. Decide to write a book. No wonder I enjoyed Post Office so much. Reminded me of my career, except that I didn’t quite have the guts to quit. Or rather, I wisely waited for the payout to take my permanent leave of absence.
Deliverance
by James Dickey
Drift down a whitewater river in the South with your best friends. Encounter some backwoods boys, who are intent on mayhem and violent assault of unimaginable depravity. Suddenly, your weekend adventure becomes a life-and-death struggle for survival and a classic battle of good vs. evil. But will good men prevail in the end? That is the question. Cause only good men can stop evil ones. Or can they without becoming evil?
The Hero With A Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell
Of all the books I’ve ever read. This one had the biggest impact on what I wanted to achieve as a writer. Joseph Campbell explored many mythological heroes throughout the ages and claimed there was a commonality among their paths to attaining hero status. Or a universal template. Whether you believe this template exists, or not, is beside the point. The point is that you will discover that many of the mythological hero’s struggles mirrors most of, or at least a part of, the universal trials and tribulations common to each human life and existence.
Papillon
by Henri Charrière
After enduring nearly four years of solitary confinement on islands off the coast of French Guiana, Papillon finds himself imprisoned on the remote Devil’s Island. Staring down into the sea from a high cliff at a rocky inlet, it would seem to almost anyone that escape from this place would be absolutely impossible. Yet, as the waves roll in far below him, Papillon finds hope in the seventh set, and formulates a daring plan of escape. But will he survive the ordeal? The only thing that’s certain is that no one should ever underestimate the sheer will and determination of a man in search of freedom.
Animal Farm
by George Orwell
I was gonna list 1984, at first. And while both are worthy of inclusion in this list of the 10 greatest books that I’ve ever read, I’m only going to comment on the former of these two masterpieces of dystopia.
In Animal Farm the important message here is that governments can become totalitarian and authoritarian following populist revolutions. And for all your heroic work and efforts for the improvement of the state in the aftermath, you’ll be rewarded by being shipped off to the slaughterhouse at the end of the day. Don’t want to have your skin and property stripped away? Well then, I’d suggest staying single gentlemen, and avoiding at all costs the fri-vorce courts, where men in society continually get fleeced in the name of maintaining the standard of living your ex has become accustomed to.
Also, if you don’t want to be a sheep, then quit following the herd straight to the trough filled with Kool-Aid. Moreover, if you don’t wanna be a mindless parrot, then stop regurgitating all the catchy slogans and lies of the LSM. No, most of this isn’t in the book. I was just thinking for myself, being the change I want to see in society. And if enough of us do that, well, maybe, just maybe, we can prevent the complete collapse of Western Civilization into the totalitarian regime that George Orwell depicted in Animal Farm. But that’s up to all of us. Still, one only needs to continue to acquiesce to mindless government authority for the totalitarian dream state to become a complete reality.
That said, the opposite is also true. Always do what’s right in your own heart without fear of the consequences and that’ll stop society’s descent into totalitarianism, which requires your perpetual fear and blind obedience to justify and fuel its eradication of all human freedoms and civil liberties.
The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield wonders what happens to the ducks in a Central Park lagoon in the winter. Of course, we all know they fly south. But what about the fish underneath that frozen block of ice in the winter? Now how do they get by? Yeah, this troubled adolescent seems to care more about the ducks and fish than anyone else around him, who are all bound to be phonies at their core. But he has a very real dream, which will never become a reality. To be The Catcher in the Rye. And who will stop all those children from falling off a cliff? I used to wonder what Holden’s strange dream meant. And sometimes, I wish I’d never found out. No doubt, there’s a certain part in all of us that longs to stop the inevitable and often troubling march we all go through as we mature into adults.
Siddhartha
by Hermann Hesse
Somewhere between the fourth and seventh centuries BC. Siddhartha leaves his wealthy home and family to travel with the ascetics in search of enlightenment. But if you are seeking enlightenment, no, you probably won’t find it in the pages of this book. Nor even, in the life long journey of Siddhartha as he seeks enlightenment. Nor will you find it in the seeking. Yes, you can end up enjoying carnal pleasures, money, and power, as Siddhartha did. And even enjoy reading this spiritual masterpiece. But no, none of these activities will fulfill your quest to attain enlightenment, either.
But I tell you after reading this book long ago that the words and thoughts that I write, even now, are of no importance. And all tangible things themselves might be illusions. Yet, the river, life’s experiences, are where the answer lies. Still, even time, itself. Is not real–and is just a lie.
If so, perhaps, there is only the infinite occupied by the endless love you might find someday hidden inside the depths of Siddhartha’s eyes. And, in your eyes, too. Or in the eyes of a stranger at peace with the world. More to the point, all concepts, words, and philosophies break apart, crumble, and die, save the total awareness you might discover, but never seek, as you merge as one into the infinite whole. That said, you could just take a heroic dose of shrooms and maybe find enlightenment that way, too.
Subscribe:
Thank you for reading my post about the 10 Greatest Books Of All Time. If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please subscribe so that I can send you notices about my future posts. Subscribing is FREE and I don’t spam or share your email. Also, please share this post with your friends, family members, and co-workers on the usual social networks. This will help support this blog and grow my audience.
Disclaimer:
Please note, as well, that this post contains affiliate links, meaning, I recommended products and services I’ve used or know well and I may receive a commission if you purchase them too (at no additional cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Feature Picture:
Feature Image by Samson Katt from Pexels.
Gary Alan
After a long career in the publishing industry, Gary Alan left his corporate job to pursue his next adventures in life as a blogger, writer, investor, fly fisherman, hiker, and traveler. He is the author of the adventure fiction book, 'Big Thunder-Hearted River'.
Good list. Appreciate the backstory on writing while trying to invest and retire early, congratulations on being successful!
Glad you liked the reading list and backstory, John. Seems like it’s time to get back at it, though. Maybe all of us has a story to tell..
Well said! I’m about 42,000 words into what I hope will be a 75,000 word novel. I haven’t read much recently but I need to find the time to order your book and read it as well. Thanks again for the words of encouragement a while back.
Where would you put “To Kill a Mockingbird” on a list? It is one of my favorite books.
It’s been so long since I read “To Kill A Mockingbird” that I can’t really say. That said, since you mentioned it, many of my readers will see it here and some will read it. Among the other books that I’ve listed above. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy all these reads. Glad you stopped by, Alan, with the recommended read.
I taught nine stories to juniors in high school for nine years, but could not finish catcher in the rye after trying to read it many times because most everybody in my culture grew up differently. We didn’t have time to whine as children because we were all us working and going to school.
When people whine, I like to offer them cheese… Hope you find a good book that inspires you. And you can share with others and your students.