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1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Pulling together evidence unearthed by archaeologists, geneticists, historians, anthropologists, and paleolinguists along with first-person accounts of the period, Mann upends accepted wisdom about human civilizations in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. For me, this book was a revelation.
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1Q84
. Fiction
“It’s hard for me to talk about this in perspective as a big Murakami fan…Despite the ambitious volume (1500+ pages in Japanese version), I found it a simple sweet love story, with a parallel world of a disappearing woman and a man searching for her.”
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A Brief History of Time
A story on cosmology from one of the most otherworldly thinkers I have had a great honor of knowing. A fascinating, mind-bending exploration of our universe — a must!
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A Clockwork Orange
. Fiction
A bizarre, frightening vision of the future, yet a testament to the need for music and culture. It comes with a whole lexicon of words that I new well by the last page.
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A Day at elBulli
An insight into the ideas, methods and creativity of Ferran Adria, the most creative chef working today
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A Fine Disregard
. Non-Fiction, Architecture & Photography, Art
First book I read that made modern art accessible.
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A Long Way Gone
. Non-Fiction, Biography/Memoir
I believe it’s important to be aware of what goes on in the world. This book gives a first-hand look at the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone.
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A Personal Matter
. Fiction
A heart-wrenching story about the struggles of a man becoming a father. Amazing writing.
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A Piece of Cake
. Non-Fiction, Biography/Memoir
This book was extremely inspiring. About a woman who who grew up alone, bouncing to different foster homes, suffered from child abuse/molestation/countless issues and triumphed into a successful attorney. Her story inspires, makes me grateful and reminds me to count my blessings.
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A Reason for Hope
. Non-Fiction, Biography/Memoir
In its details about her current work in animal welfare, I was inspired to become a vegetarian. A beautifully written memoir of her life
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A Shopkeeper’s Millennium: Society and Revivals in Rochester, New York, 1815-1837
An examination of the Second Great Awakening, which Johnson argues transformed the country and helped coalesce the consciousness of America’s emerging middle class. This book so influenced me that I decided to focus my studies on 19th social history, particularly class identity and conflict.
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A Short History of Nearly Everything
. Non-Fiction, Science and Nature
A book for the curious that everyone should read.
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A Song of Ice and Fire (Series)
. Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy
An incredible epic that defies prediction.
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A Space on the Side of the Road: Cultural Poetics in an “other” America
Kathleen Stewart not only writes about West Virginia, but also writes in and with it. She shows that, as an anthropologist, you cannot remove yourself from the story — context is critical.
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A Thousand Splendid Suns
. Fiction
This is a novel that took me to a cruel reality of women in Afghanistan. It is a beautiful story supported with many, many facts that make the reading experience truly enjoyable. It is incredible what women in the Middle East have to go through. A real eye-opener.
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A Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Used this for my thesis in grad school and undergrad.
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After Dark
. Fiction
Taking place over the course of one night, part dream, part reality.
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Akira
. Fiction, Comic/Graphic Novel
Katsuhiro Otomo’s sci-fi masterpiece, Akira regarded by many as the finest comic series ever produced.
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Alexander Hamilton
A very engaging book that takes the reader back to the founding of America through the story of a truly self-made man.
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Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
About one of the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designers of his generation, Alexander McQueen. This book is to look at (for hours!), but also to read his ideas, inspirations, and deep thoughts on race, class, sexuality, and religion.
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American Medical Association Family Medical Guide
. Non-Fiction, Diet and Health
When I was a kid and I was sick, I would head to the bookcase and use the self-diagnosis flow charts in this guide to try and figure out the cause. Perhaps I was drawn by the desire to solve the mystery, or maybe it was just the satisfying infographics. Either way, I became a writer and my sister became a doctor and this book may have had a hand in both.
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And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic
. Non-Fiction, Politics and Current Events
It is more than a masterpiece of investigative reporting; it has educated the world and me about the AIDS epidemic.
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Another Roadside Attraction
. Fiction
A quintessential homage to the children of the 60s.
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