This is a book that gets more mesmerizing the more times one reads it. The actual story sounds bizarre and surreal, but its message is as relevant now as it ever has been. Any mildly perceptive reader would notice the undertones of the totalitarian state, the power of language, propaganda, and the manipulation of thought, which Orwell so painstakingly sought to weave into his narrative of Winston's doomed destiny.
Other Orwell's works that I find equally deserving of attention are Animal Farm (similar to 1984 in theme but even more surreal in the narrative aspect) and The Road to Wigan Pier (non-fiction work on the inequality of industrial England).
This book is the source of many of the most commonly-cited and essential concepts in our time. A few examples suffice: innate individual liberty; the nature and extent of the state's control over the individual; the tyranny of the majority; the benefits of diversities in experiences and opinions on social developments. Another reason why I recommend this book is that it marks Mill's remarkable transition from a strictly rational philosopher to an emotionally exuberant (only relative to his previous self) writer under the influence of his beloved wife.
I haven't read all of Mill's works of course. But I'd cautiously recommend Utilitarianism as at least one of, his masterpieces. It is written with a remarkable depth of philosophical pondering, a precise and artistic control of syntax and words, and an overwhelming strictness of rational thought. One work that I haven't read yet, but is supposed to be very worth the time as well, is The Subjection of Women, in support of equality for and empowerment of women.
It seems so pretentious to say that I enjoyed Hamlet. I admit that I don't understand all of it, or even most of it. But the point of this story, or at least so I think, is to get everyone guessing and thinking and interpreting for oneself. There's a reason that people say "A thousand readers, a thousand Hamlets." For me, I was most impressed with Hamlet's inner struggle with himself, his indecision, his cruelty and mercy merged together, his youthful impulse, and countless other aspects.
I wouldn't even try to talk in general about Shakespeare because honestly I haven't read much. The archaic language is definitely an impediment that seriously gets in the way of understanding if you're not a patient reader. That said, there are two that I enjoyed more than others: A Midnight Summer's Dream (relatively easy to understand and is an interesting story); Sonnet 18 (beautiful, classic, must-read).
A very apt illustration of US history. I got an eight hundred on US history after reading this book, without previously being exposed to much US history. I think this should do as my reason for recommending.
This is an exquisite book that follows the downfall of the exquisite heroine Lily Bart. Although the depicted society seems frivolous, wasteful, and dull, it doesn’t interfere with, but rather makes more conspicuous, Lily’s artistic personality and unique sensitiveness that make her rise above the usual dumbness of her social circle, even though her apparent stature slips relentlessly downhill.
