Elegant Tips for Learning How to Be More Organized

Are you an organized person or the opposite? Whatever category you fall in, this article gives you tips on how to get more organized both at home and office. Read on to find out.

Home Environment:

· Your children's stock of old books are probably occupying a whole lot of space in your home. They may have grown or already left for college. It's time to declutter them and contact places where old books are collected in your locality.

· Your own wardrobe is full of clothes that you no longer need or wear. Get rid of them and donate them to old clothes' home. Buy completely a new wardrobe of clothes. You will look good, feel good and feel confident.

· Your kitchen is a mess full of old tea pots, cups, saucers, cookers, frying pans etc. Again it's time to stop hoarding them and let go of them. Sure, they might contain lots of valuable memories, but how long will you hoard them? Simply let go, declutter and donate them away to the needy people in your area.

Doing the above three steps, you make space in your home. There is good aura and energy flow all around your home. You are able to do all the household work more mindfully, happily and even sleep better.

Work Environment:

· Keep your office desk neat and clean. Do not pile up books and paper clutter on your desk. Use the paper basket in your office to throw away all the paper clutter that you do not need and are unnecessarily occupying space on your desk.

· Keep your shelves organized with books. If you need one or two books to read, take them out from the shelf. Do not hoard them on you desk for too long. After one or two weeks, when you are done with them, put them back to their places in the shelf.

· Your locker is where you put your personal things like an extra pair of shoes, an extra set of clothes, umbrella etc. There may be several partitions inside and you may choose to put paper files on the top partitions. Keep these files updated with the stuff that are important and you need to refer. Otherwise old and useless documents can be thrown away. Ask somebody's help in this case if you are not sure of something.

Just like your home, your office is now organized with a good sense of aura and good energy flow. You are able to do your tasks more freely, prospectively and fruitfully.

Summing up, these are my tips to get organized at home and office so that your productivity is maximum, with you rising up to your full potential.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Elegant-Tips-for-Learning-How-to-Be-More-Organized&id=9491738

22 books Mark Zuckerberg thinks everyone should read

           


Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made a tradition of dramatic New Year's resolutions, and in 2015 he decided that he'd read a book every two weeks.

"Books allow you to fully explore a topic and immerse yourself in a deeper way than most media today," Zuckerberg wrote on his personal Facebook page. "I'm looking forward to shifting more of my media diet towards reading books."

To achieve this, he started the A Year of Books book club, in which he discusses the books he's reading with members of the Facebook community.

We've put together a list of his picks and why he thinks everyone should read them.

'The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation,' by Jon Gertner

Amazon

Today's Silicon Valley natives may disagree, but Jon Gertner argues in "Idea Factory" that the golden age of innovation took place between 1920 and 1980 within the walls of AT&T's Bell Labs.

Gertner tells the story of some of the country's greatest and most ingenious inventions of the century, including the first fax machine, the first long-distance TV transmission, and the introduction of cellphone technology.

Whatever incredibly advanced devices come out of the digital age probably got their start somewhere inside Bell Labs.

'World Order,' by Henry Kissinger

Amazon

In the weeks following the birth of his daughter, Max, Zuckerberg says he's been thinking a lot about the importance of creating a peaceful world for future generations.

"World Order" instructs the reader on the finer points of how various countries have traditionally dealt with one another, made mistakes, and learned to show compassion for different points of view.

It is a book perfectly suited for a modern age in which global conflict can sometimes seem impossible to resolve.

'Why Nations Fail' by Daren Acemoğlu and James Robinson

Amazon

"Why Nations Fail" is an overview of 15 years of research by MIT economist Daren Acemoğlu and Harvard political scientist James Robinson, and was first published in 2012.

The authors argue that "extractive governments" use controls to enforce the power of a select few, while "inclusive governments" create open markets that allow citizens to spend and invest money freely, and that economic growth does not always indicate the long-term health of a country.

Zuckerberg's interest in philanthropy has grown alongside his wealth in recent years, and he writes that he chose this book to better understand the origins of global poverty.

'The Rational Optimist' by Matt Ridley

Amazon

"The Rational Optimist," first published in 2010, is the most popular and perhaps the most controversial of popular science writer Matt Ridley's books.

In it, he argues that the concept of markets is the source of human progress, and that progress is accelerated when they are kept as free as possible. The resulting evolution of ideas will consistently allow humankind to improve its living conditions, despite the threats of climate change and overpopulation.

Zuckerberg says that he picked up this book because it posits the inverse theory of "Why Nations Fail," which argues that social and political forces control economic forces. "I'm interested to see which idea resonates more after exploring both frameworks,"Zuckerberg writes.

'Portfolios of the Poor' by Daryl Collins, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford, and Orlanda Ruthven

Amazon

Researchers Daryl Collins, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford, and Orlanda Ruthven spent 10 years studying the financial lives of the lowest classes of Bangladesh, India, and South Africa.

A fundamental finding that they include in "Portfolios of the Poor" is that extreme poverty flourishes in areas not where people live dollar to dollar or where poor purchasing decisions are widespread, but instead arises where they lack access to financial institutions to store their money.

"It's mind-blowing that almost half the world — almost 3 billion people — live on $2.50 a day or less. More than one billion people live on $1 a day or less," Zuckerberg writes. "I hope reading this provides some insight into ways we can all work to support them better as well."

'The Three-Body Problem' by Liu Cixin

Amazon

"The Three-Body Problem" was first published in China in 2008, and the English translation that came out last year won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel, an award for sci-fi book of the year.

It's set during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, and kicks off when an alien race decides to invade Earth after the Chinese government covertly sends a signal into space. It's notable because it's been reported to be indicative of a cultural shift in China, where rapid modernization and progress have captured the public's imagination.

Zuckerberg writes that it's a fun break from some of the heavier material he's been reading in his book club.

'Genome' by Matt Ridley

Amazon

Ridley is the only author to appear on Zuckerberg's list twice.

His 1990 book "Genome" is an exploration of both the evolution of genes and the growing field of genetics.

"This book aims to tell a history of humanity from the perspective of genetics rather than sociology,"Zuckerberg writes. "This should complement the other broad histories I've read this year."

'The Muqaddimah' by Ibn Khaldun

Amazon

"The Muqaddimah," which translates to "The Introduction," was written in 1377 by the Islamic historian Khaldun. It's an attempt to strip away biases of historical records and find universal elements in the progression of humanity.

Khaldun's revolutionary scientific approach to history established him as one of the fathers of modern sociology and historiography.

"While much of what was believed then is now disproven after 700 more years of progress, it's still very interesting to see what was understood at this time and the overall worldview when it's all considered together," Zuckerberg writes.

'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari

Amazon

First published in 2014, "Sapiens" is a critically acclaimed international best seller by Hebrew University of Jerusalem historian Harari. He uses his book to track the evolution of Homo sapiens from hunter-gatherers into self-empowered "gods" of the future.

"Following the Muqaddimah, which was a history from the perspective of an intellectual in the 1300s, 'Sapiens' is a contemporary exploration of many similar questions," Zuckerberg writes.

'The Varieties of Religious Experience' by William James

Amazon

William James (1849-1919) is "considered by many to be the most insightful and stimulating of American philosophers,"according to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy from the University of Tennessee.

"The Varieties of Religious Experience" is a collection of written lectures that explore the religious consciousness and the mechanics of how people use religion as a source of meaning, compelling them to move onward through life with energy and purpose.

"When I read 'Sapiens,' I found the chapter on the evolution of the role of religion in human life most interesting and something I wanted to go deeper on," Zuckerberg writes.

'The New Jim Crow' by Michelle Alexander

Amazon

Alexander is a law professor at Ohio State University and a civil-rights advocate who argues in her book that the "war on drugs" has fostered a culture in which nonviolent black males are overrepresented in prison, and then are treated as second-class citizens once they are freed.

"I've been interested in learning about criminal justice reform for a while, and this book was highly recommended by several people I trust," Zuckerberg writes.

'The End of Power' by Moisés Naím

Amazon

Zuckerberg launched his book club with this lofty title from Naím, former executive director of the World Bank and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

It's a historical investigation of the shift of power from authoritative governments, militaries, and major corporations to individuals. This is clearly seen in what's now become a Silicon Valley cliché: the disruptive startup.

"The trend towards giving people more power is one I believe in deeply," Zuckerberg writes

'Creativity, Inc.' by Ed Catmull

Amazon

"Creativity, Inc." is the story of Pixar, written by one of the computer-animation giant's founders.

Catmull intersperses his narrative with valuable wisdom on management and entrepreneurialism, and argues that any company should consciously avoid hampering their employees' natural creativity.

"I love reading first-hand accounts about how people build great companies like Pixar and nurture innovation and creativity," Zuckerberg writes.

'The Better Angels of Our Nature' by Steven Pinker

Amazon

Zuckerberg admits that this 800-page, data-rich book from a Harvard psychologist can seem intimidating.

But the writing is actually easy to get through, and he thinks that Pinker's study of how violence has decreased over time despite being magnified by a 24-hour news cycle and social media is something that can offer a life-changing perspective.

It should be noted that Bill Gates also considers this one of the most important books he's ever read.

If you'd like to save some time, check out our summary of the book.

'On Immunity' by Eula Biss

Amazon

Zuckerberg says that Biss' investigation into the benefits of vaccination is necessary to read, considering the anti-vaccination movement in the US and parts of Europe.

"The science is completely clear: Vaccinations work and are important for the health of everyone in our community," Zuckerberg writes, adding that this book was highly recommended to him by scientists and public-health workers.

"This book explores the reasons why some people question vaccines, and then logically explains why the doubts are unfounded and vaccines are in fact effective and safe," he says.

'The Player of Games' by Iain M. Banks

Amazon

"The Player of Games" was first published in 1988 and is the second in the "Culture" series. It explores what a civilization would look like if hyper-advanced technology were created to serve human needs and surpassed human capabilities.

Zuckerberg writes that he went with a sci-fi pick as a "change of pace." The novel is also one of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's favorite books due to its entertaining way of exploring plausible advancements in technology. 

'Gang Leader for a Day' by Sudhir Venkatesh

Amazon

Venkatesh is a Columbia University sociology professor who, in a radical sociological experiment, embedded himself into a Chicago gang in the '90s.

Zuckerberg says that Venkatesh's story is an inspiring one of communication and understanding across economic and cultural barriers.

"The more we all have a voice to share our perspectives, the more empathy we have for each other and the more we respect each other's rights,"Zuckerberg writes.

'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' by Thomas S. Kuhn

Amazon

If there was ever a philosophy book to read by a physicist, it's probably "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions."

Since its initial publication in 1962, this look at the evolution of science and the effect it has on the modern world has become "one of the most cited academic books of all time," according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Zuckerberg thinks that being aware of how scientific breakthroughs are the catalysts for social progression can be a "force for social good."

Kuhn's book is best known for introducing the phrase "paradigm shift," representing instances in scientific history when a perspective was fundamentally shifted, like when quantum physics replaced Newtonian mechanics. 

'Orwell's Revenge' by Peter Huber

Amazon

Huber, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, published this unofficial sequel to George Orwell's "1984" in 1994, a time when internet and telecommunications technology was opening up new methods of communication. The novel imagines a world in which citizens use the technology that once enslaved them to liberate themselves.

"After seeing how history has actually played out, Huber's fiction describes how tools like the internet benefit people and change society for the better," Zuckerberg writes.

'Energy: A Beginner's Guide' by Vaclav Smil

Amazon

Originally published in 2006, "Energy" starts with a basic explanation of what energy is and then moves on to more complex subjects, including the quest to create more efficient and environmentally friendly fuels. It's by University of Manitoba professor Vaclav Smil, one of Bill Gates' favorite authors.

"It explores important topics around how energy works, how our production and use might evolve, and how this affects climate change," Zuckerberg writes, noting he also plans on reading Smil's book "Making the Modern World."

'Dealing with China' by Henry M. Paulson Jr.

Amazon

Zuckerberg has been intensely fascinated with Chinese culture over the past several years. He's been learning to speak Mandarin Chinese and has stated that one of his long-term goals is convincing the Chinese government to let its people use Facebook.

"Dealing with China" by the former US Treasury secretary explores China's recent rise in global influence and how it affects the entire world.

"Over the last 35 years, China has experienced one of the greatest economic and social transformations in human history," Zuckerberg writes. "Hundreds of millions of people have moved out of poverty. By many measures, China has done more to lift people out of poverty than the whole rest of the world combined."

'Rational Ritual' by Michael Suk-Young Chwe

Princeton University Press

Zuckerberg thinks this book by UCLA economist Michael Suk-Young Chwe can help its readers learn how to best use social media.

"The book is about the concept of 'common knowledge' and how people process the world not only based on what we personally know, but what we know other people know and our shared knowledge as well," Zuckerberg writes.

Chwe's idea may sound complicated, but it's essentially a breakdown of the psychology behind people's interactions with others in public settings, and how they use these communities and rituals to help form their own identities.

http://www.techinsider.io/end-of-year-mark-zuckerberg-book-recommendations-2015-12

35 books everyone should read at least once in their lifetime

Books have the profound capacity to stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Whether they're written for children, sci-fi lovers, mathematicians, or fiction aficionados, certain stories transcend their genre and should be read by everyone.

In a Reddit thread, users were asked what is a book that everyone needs to read at least once in their life?

So in honor of World Book Day, here are the top 35 books based on Reddit responses.

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig

Amazon.com

The story of a father and son's summer motorcycle trip across America from Minnesota to California, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is at its heart a philosophical journey.

The travel narrative is filled with fundamental questions on how to live your life and conversations between the father and his son: “The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.”

Submitted by Reddit user Exit_Smiling.

"Watership Down" by Richard Adams

Amazon

First told to his daughters as a bedtime story, Richard Adams weaves the tale of a band of rabbits who abandon their comfy holes in the English downs after one of the rabbits has a vision of it being destroyed by tractors.

"Watership Down" follows them as they encounter evil rabbits, crows, a fox, rivers, and countless other dangers as they journey to find a new home.

Submitted by Reddit user joeallenrealty.

"The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow

Amazon

An American professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, Pausch became famous after giving an upbeat lecture titled "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" after learning he had pancreatic cancer and had three to six months of good health left.

After the success of his lecture, he co-authored the book "The Last Lecture" on the same theme of enjoying every moment in your life. 

Submitted by Reddit user kkup.

"A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Amazon

One of the best rough guides to science, and written so that it could be accessible to the general public, Bryson describes everything from the size and history of the universe to the rise of human kind in "A Short History of Nearly Everything."

He also spends time talking about the eccentric archaeologists, anthropologists, and mathematicians who have contributed to the world's greatest discoveries.

Submitted by Reddit user I__just__cant.

"Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl

Amazon

Published in 1946, "Man's Search for Meaning" was written by Viktor Frankl about his experience as an Auschwitz concentration camp inmate during WWII.

Filled with a rich understanding of the psychological experiences of his fellow inmates, Frankl ruminates on the meaning of life, and how every society has decent and indecent human beings.

Submitted by Reddit user Nugatorysurplusage.

"The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman

Amazon

Written by a Vietnam veteran as an allegory of the Vietnam war, "The Forever War" follows reluctant soldier William Mandella as he leaves earth to battle the mysterious alien race, the Taurans.

But because of time dilating during his spaceship travels, he ages 10 years while 700 years pass by on earth. Mandella then returns to a completely different planet that he can no longer recognize.

Submitted by Reddit user brokenscope.

"Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Amazon

Sagan somehow manages to explain 15 billion years of cosmic history while touching on philosophy, religion, and our society.

This book is written so even those without a strong science background can understand it, and manages to convey the profound unity of the cosmos.

Submitted by Reddit user Jeff_richardsss.

"Bartleby The Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street" by Herman Melville

Amazon

A short novella, "Bartleby The Scrivener" is an absurdist tale of a man named Bartleby who works at a New York law firm. Bartleby is a great worker, until one day he is asked to proofread something and simply says, "I would prefer not to."

That becomes his stock, passive response as he slowly ceases all activity much to the chagrin of the flabbergasted narrator.

Submitted by Reddit user flagrance.

"Maus: A Survivor's Tale" by Art Spiegelman

Amazon

A Pulitzer prize-winning graphic novel, "Maus" tells the story of a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust and his son, a cartoonist who is trying to come to terms with his father's story.

Illustrated with cats and mice to represent the Nazis and Jewish people (respectively), Maus is both about the bleak and horrifying truth of life under Hitler, as well as the son's relationship with his aging father.

Submitted by Reddit user waluvian.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway

Amazon

This graphic war story follows Robert Jordan, a young and idealistic American demolitions expert, fighting in the 1937 Spanish Civil War with the antifascist guerrilla forces.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" takes place over 68 hours while Jordan is trying to find a way to blow up an enemy bridge, struggling with the passive leader of the guerrilla forces, and falling in love with a young Spanish woman.

Submitted by Reddit user RueKing.

"Kafka on the Shore" by Haruki Murakami

Amazon

This mind-bending Japanese novel blends two interrelated plots between 15-year-old Kafka, who is on a mission to find his mother and sister, and the older Nakata, a mentally-challenged man who has the ability to speak with cats.

The two characters are on a collision course throughout "Kafka on the Shore," which is a metaphysical journey filled with magical realism. 

Submitted by knitALLtheclothes, who also recommend Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World and IQ84.

"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Amazon

Originally published in French as "Le Petit Prince," this novella tells the story of pilot who crashes his plane in the Sahara desert and is greeted by a young boy who claims to be from a different planet.

As the pilot repairs his plane, he learns the life of "the little prince" who yearns to return to his home planet. Though told as a children's story, "The Little Prince" is one of the most poignant and profound books in French literature.

Submitted by Reddit user StoryDone.

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Amazon

"The Road" won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007, and with good reason. Set in a post-apocalyptic nuclear winter, a nameless man and his young son wander through the cold, dark, and bleak world where everyone has turned into their basest selves.

McCarthy writes in a minimalist style that suits the terrain as the man and boy struggle to find food and stay away from the roaming cannibalistic gangs who enslave the weak. But maybe, just maybe, there is something worth living for.

Submitted by Reddit user spundnix32.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Amazon.com

This book, which is full of magical realism, depicts the village of Macondo and its residents. It begins wth José Arcadio Buendía, the man who built the village, dealing with the shadows of a civil war and the ghost of the man he killed.

The story really does cover 100 years as each generation of the Buendía family is weighed down by past mistakes and spirals towards destruction.

Submitted by Reddit user UselessWisdomMachine.

"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Amazon

Two families — the Trasks and the Hamiltons — live in California's Salinas Valley. The novel follows each generation's struggle with morality, right and wrong, and the bleak issues caused by sibling rivalry.

Steinbeck considers "East of Eden" his greatest novel. "I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this," the author said.

Submitted by Reddit user tit_juggler.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

Amazon

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" was written in the 1930s, but most of Carnegie's advice remains true today.

The interpersonal skills he recommends may seem obvious — like smiling and remembering people's names — but plenty of fans recommend this classic how-to guide as a fundamental book about human decency.

Submitted by Reddit user West4th.

"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Amazon

"Crime and Punishment" is the story of Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor ex-student inSt. Petersburg who formulates a plan to kill a pawnbroker for her cash, arguing that he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime.

A master at understanding human nature, Dostoyevsky weaves a world set against 19th century St. Petersberg as the murder takes a toll on Raskolnikov's conscience.

Submitted by Reddit user AimingFor30Days.

"The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Amazon

Russia in the 1870s sets the background for this tale of patricide and family rivalry. Part murder mystery, part courtroom thriller, and part social commentary, "The Brother's Karamazov" follows the lives of three brothers and their father.

The last book of Dostoevsky's career, "The Brother's Karamazov" is worth the 800+ page read.

Submitted by Reddit user ARatherOddOne.

"The Stranger" by Albert Camus

Amazon

Winner of the Noble Prize for literature, "The Stranger" begins with Meursault learning of his mother's death. His lack of an emotional response sets the tone for the rest of the novel as events lead to Meursault murdering a man.

Divided in two parts, the story follows Meursault's life both before and after the murder, and leads the reader through his trial and impending execution.

Submitted by Reddit user gewikinson.

"Dune" by Frank Herbert

Amazon

"Dune" is to science fiction what "Lord of the Rings" is to fantasy. Herbert is able to create complete histories, politics, religions, and ecological systems of this feudal interstellar society.

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Paul Atreides transforms into a mysterious man known as Muad'Dib as he sets out to avenge the murder of his father, and leads a revolution that earns him the emperor's throne.

Submitted by Reddit user NikolaTesla1.

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Amazon

In "The Handmaid's Tale," Atwood imagines a future where the United States has become The Republic of Gilead, where women are strictly controlled. Unable to have jobs or money, they are either forced to be chaste, childless "Wives," housekeeping "Marthas," or reproductive "Handmaids" who turn their offspring over to the Wives.

The tale is told by Offred, a handmaid who can still recall the past and explains how the misogynistic society came to be.

Submitted by Reddit user mandyvigilante.

"Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery

Amazon

One of Mark Twain's favorite books, "Anne of Green Gables" is the story of a couple on Prince Edward Island who send for a boy orphan to help them out on the farm. Instead, they are given the 11-year-old redhead Anne Shirley. 

Her imagination and penchant for trouble inspires plenty of comedic adventures as she ages from 11 to 16, meets new friends, and begins an arch rivalry with Gilbert Blythe.

Submitted by Reddit user mandyvigilante.

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

Amazon

"Fahrenheit 451" is set in a dystopian future where literature (and all original thought) is on the brink of extinction. Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn printed books — as well as the houses where they're hidden.

But when his wife commits suicide and a young neighbor who introduced him to reading disappears, Guy begins hoarding books in his own home.

Submitted by Reddit user Bobtheepicone.

"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

Amazon

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." One of the most-read children's books, Shel Silverstein tells the story of a tree that loved a little boy so much that as he grew older, she gave him everything she had.

Both about unconditional love and selfishness, "The Giving Tree" still inspires extremely different interpretations, and remains one of the most powerful stories ever written.

Submitted by Reddit user evolve18.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Amazon

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, "To Kill A Mockingbird" is set in Maycomb, Alabama during the Depression and follows the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, the trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman, and the mysterious character Boo Radley.

Despite its serious themes of rape, racial inequality, and gender roles, Lee's story is renowned for its warmth and humor.

Submitted by Reddit user gerwer.

"Animal Farm" by George Orwell

Amazon

An allegory and satirization of Soviet Communism, "Animal Farm" is about a group of animals who take over a farm after ousting their human master.

And though at first the animals work together and productivity soars, their new society begins to break down as certain animals start to believe that perhaps not all animals were created equal.

Submitted by Reddit user interrupting_candy.

"All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque

Amazon

Paul Baumer and his fellow classmates are convinced to join the German army in World War I only to live in atrocious conditions in the trenches years after year, struggling to gain insignificant bits of land.

The book shows the dark and gritty reality of war, as well as the effect it has on Paul and his young friends' psyches.

Submitted by Reddit user augenwiehimmel.

"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas

Amazon

Full of intrigue, love, fight scenes, and social satire, "The Count of Monte Cristo" is one of the best revenge books ever written.

It follows Edmond Dantès, a young  sailor in 19th century France who is falsely accused of being a Bonapartist traitor and imprisoned for six years. After acquiring a secret fortune from a fellow prisoner, he remakes himself and sets out to find — and repay — everyone in his old life.

Submitted by Reddit user ani625.

"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Amazon

The inspiration for the movie "Blade Runner," "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" is set in 2021, after a world war has killed millions of people, driving entire species into extinction. Those who remain build simulacra of past species including horses, birds, cats, sheep ... and humans.

Because the androids are so realistic, it's impossible to tell them apart from real people. But now it's bounty hunter Rich Deckards job to do just that — and then kill them.

Submitted by Reddit user LazySnake.

"Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Amazon

"Catch-22" follows Yossarian, a WWII bombardier whose men must keep flying more and more dangerous bombing missions. Yet if Yossarian tries to excuse himself from the deadly missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22:

A man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.

What starts as a comedy slowly turns into a nightmarish tragedy as the war becomes increasingly real throughout the novel.

Submitted by Reddit user Gyjf.

"Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

Amazon

Billy Pilgrim is a man who has become unstuck in time after being abducted by aliens, specifically Tralfamadorians for their planet's zoo. The book follows his capture, as well as his time as an American prisoner of war witnessing the firebombing of Dresden in WWII.

"Slaughterhouse Five" is a comically-dark novel that combines both fantasy and realism.

Submitted by Reddit user ForkToTheLeft.

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

Amazon

In the first book of the series, Arthur Dent is warned by his friend Ford Prefect — a secret researcher for the interstellar travel guide "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" — that Earth is about to be demolished. 

The pair escapes on an alien spaceship, and the book follows their bizarre adventures around the universe along with quotes from "The Hitchhiker's Guide" like: "A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have."

Submitted by Reddit user Gyjf.

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Amazon

"Brave New World" is about a government that is conditioning and drugging people to convince them they're happy.

Set in dystopian London in 2540 AD, the book explores themes of commodification, psychological manipulation, developments in reproductive technology, and the power of knowledge. 

Submitted by Reddit user -iPood-.

"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Amazon

After the success of a surgery that increases the intelligence of a lab mouse named Algernon, the first human test subject, Charlie, undergoes the procedure. Charlie keeps diary entries as his IQ grows from 68 to a stunning 185.

But then Algernon suffers a sudden and unexpected deterioration. The book follows Charlie's diary entries and Algernon's progress reports.

Submitted by Reddit user onowahoo.

"1984" by George Orwell

Amazon

In a dystopian world nearly 40 years after the second world war, what remains of Earth has been split into three superpowers after an atomic war — Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. 

Everyone in Oceania, including protagonist Winston Smith, is closely monitored by the government. Orwell explores issues of censorship, propaganda, and individualism in "1984" as Winston struggles to escape his monotonous existence.

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