Mind stimulating books?

Question

Can anyone recommend any mind stimulating books? Any novels- classic, fiction, nonfiction (excluding biographies, please)- that would be interesting but a challenging read. I'm trying to improve my vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as expand my thinking.

I like fiction, especially mystery, sci-fi, horror, but any good mind- boggling nonfiction would be great as well.

Oh, I'm 17, (female, if that's of any importance) so something along or above that reading level would be appreciated.

If you could recommend anything, I'd appreciate it!

Answer 1

1984 by George Orwell

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Answer 2

I suggest Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Harper Lee, and Margaret Mitchell to start with. They're all great writers who will improve your vocabulary and/or really make you think.

You might like Immortal by Traci L. Slatton. It made me think about all sorts of stuff. Like life in general.

They make novels called "Smart Novels" that are supposed to improve your vocabulary, as they are made for SAT prep. They're usually romances and I think that there is even a vampire one, if you're into that.

Answer 3

It has to be Lord of the Rings, all 3 of them, it is very descriptive, not a lot of dialog, but it is WELL worth it to expand your thinking.

Answer 4

René Descartes - Discours de la Methode

Answer 5

Well you could read Maus, it is a biography but it is told in story form in an unconventional matter. The Devil in the White City is also a biography but of a serial killer, which is excellent. Flowers for Algernon is also very good, but might be a little too juvenile  for your taste.

Answer 6

The Silent Planet Trilogy - CS Lewis

The Screwtape Letters & Mere Christianity- CS Lewis

Lord of the Flies

Fahrenheit 451

Dune Saga- Frank Herbert

Answer 7

Please read The Shining by Stephen King. It's the best horror novel ever, I guarantee that you'll enjoy it. And try The Poet or The Black Echo by Michael Connelly, he writes amazing crime/thrillers. Or why not try some Dickens, like A Tale of Two Cities or Great Expectations.

Enjoy!   :)

Answer 8

Okay, I have a bunch of possible suggestions:

Philosophy:

There's a book called "Plato: Five Dialogues"

It features five of Plato's early dialogues in which he writes down the method and philosophy of Socrates.  The dialogues are Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo.  You can either buy the book--it is very cheap at only around 6 dollars--or you can find these five dialogues on line.  Socrates is a lot of fun to read about!  The reading level is pretty difficult, but it's just easy enough that a high school student could make their way through it, and potentially learn a lot!

Next, also philosophy

"Meditations on First Philosophy" by Rene Descartes.  You can also get these online for free, or buy a book of them.  Pretty difficult, but on the easier side as far as philosophy goes.  These Meditations were the start of modern philosophy and will get you thinking!  Probably a good way to improve vocabulary.

Other non-fiction:

(MY BIGGEST RECOMMENDATION) I'd recommend "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman," or "What Do You Care What Other People Think?"  Both are by Richard Feynman.  Feynman was a physicist who won the noble prize in 1965 for his work with quantum electrodynamics.  Like Einstein, he's become a cult figure thanks to his very interesting character.  These two books are interesting stories from his life.  The books are hugely inspiring because he is such a genius and he made his life so interesting.  They are a very good introduction into the mind of one of the greatest thinkers of all time.  They are also easy and VERY fun to read!

(There's also a collection of the two books together called: "Classic Feynman:  All The Adventures of a Curious Character."  Easily one of my favorite books of all time)

Fiction:

Sci-Fi can be a really interesting genre if you're reading the right people.  I'd recommend Arthur C. Clark and Isaac Asimov, though you've probably already read some!

Answer 9

Modern British novels always make me think-- Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and E.M. Forster's "A Passage to India" are both amazing pieces of literature.  Anything by James Joyce is a thinker, too.  You might also read Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury"-- the whole stream-of-consciousness thing makes it a fun challenge.

Answer 10

uhm the time machine - sci-fi

twilight series - fiction

the color purple

the great gatsby

mark twain.