Within the last year, Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

My god how I loved this book as a teenager.

Yes, that’s pretty much the knowledge/maturity range for people who think libertarianism makes any sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

My god how I loved this book as a teenager.

In my early 20s I was politically indifferent but after reading Atlas Shrugged, I became staunchly anti-Democrat and voted Libertarian in the next election.

When I grew up a bit, I examined Libertarianism more closely and saw in theory it sounded good but was unrealistic.

Many people are lazy, self-centered and greedy. They cannot be trusted to maintain properly all the roads, bridges, police and fire departments, the military, and a judicial system to resolve disputes and enforce contracts. I came to the conclusion Libertarianism could only be viable in a state of anarchy or some kind of monarchy where thousands of little kings oversaw their patch of land who maybe would maintain public services or maybe not depending on who ascended the throne.

And so, I evolved into a semi-Libertarian Republican.

Anonymous wrote:Based on above responses, the thread title should be retitled to, Books that makes you feel deeply depressed.

If that's the case then A Little Life should be on the list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shuggie Bain - it's about working class, Irish Catholic life. The narrator (and author) is gay but it's mostly about trying to grow up in working class Glasgow. I cried for days.
Narrow Road to the Deep North - an Australian novel about a prisoner of war in Burma.

i read Shuggie Bain, it was the most torturous, miserable read I've ever inflicted on myself.

Really? That is sad.

Anonymous wrote:Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

My god how I loved this book as a teenager.

Kindred by Octavia Butler

The Doll Maker by Harriet Arnow


From Goodreads:

“The Dollmaker is a 1954 novel by Harriette Simpson Arnow that tells the story of Gertie Nevels, a strong-willed woman from the Kentucky hills who, with her family, is forced to migrate to industrial Detroit during World War II. The novel explores themes of cultural displacement, the struggle to preserve one's heritage in the face of industrialization, and the sacrifices a mother makes for her children. Known for its vivid characters and powerful prose, the book was a critical success and is considered a landmark work of Appalachian literature.”

This book is about the resilience of the human spirit, but also made me feel a sense of hopelessness and pain. I usually hand books over to my DD when I’m done reading them, but I didn’t want to inflict this on her. I did keep the book though, so maybe someday I will.

Anonymous wrote:In the nonfiction category: Far from the Tree

Hopefully it makes me a better parent and more empathetic in general. Blew me away.

+1

I was about to share that one, too. One of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Fascinating, well-written, and infused with empathy in every way. I loved it.

In college, I was assigned to read a book that affected me very deeply after I finished reading it.

And the content has stayed w/me ever since.

It is called “Tuesdays With Morrey.” (Sp?)

"Wave: A Memoir" by Sonali Deraniyagala

This book is relentless in its pain and grief, though, so be prepared...especially if you are a mother.

The Kite Runner.

I read Tell The Wolves I’m Home at the beginning of the pandemic. It was coincidental. Made it quite poignant. Really lovely book.

Anonymous wrote:Shuggie Bain - it's about working class, Irish Catholic life. The narrator (and author) is gay but it's mostly about trying to grow up in working class Glasgow. I cried for days.
Narrow Road to the Deep North - an Australian novel about a prisoner of war in Burma.

i read Shuggie Bain, it was the most torturous, miserable read I've ever inflicted on myself.

Shuggie Bain - it's about working class, Irish Catholic life. The narrator (and author) is gay but it's mostly about trying to grow up in working class Glasgow. I cried for days.
Narrow Road to the Deep North - an Australian novel about a prisoner of war in Burma.