We aim to inspire in you a lifetime pursuit of learning. In an effort to do so, TWR is exclusively collecting top book list recommendations and a personal reason why it was recommended by famous, interesting and influential people.
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Most recently known for his role as Raymond Tusk in "House of Cards"
Actor
Producer
Director
If you would be just as content winning a local Golden Gloves fight as you would making a pile of money as a professional, then fine, go become a boxer. But if the whole idea is for you to get rich, my God, stay in school and learn a profession.
Mila 18 Leon Uris
It illuminates the courage of ordinary people-backs to the wall- who, with whatever small weapons they could steal, held off the German army for a while and made them pay a price for this piece of genocide.
True at First Light Ernest Hemingway
Captures beautifully the feel of Africa and the passion and ethos of the hunt.
For Whom the Bell Tolls Ernest Hemingway
The story of people, some for whom the conflict is terribly personal, and some whose only stake is common humanity, find a simple sort of courage that pushes them to do the right thing even in the face of death.
Soldier's Pay William Faulkner
A look at The Great War and the path it started leading to more and worse conflicts, while still championing man's ability ( quoting loosely) not only to endure but to prevail, because he has a soul.
Light in August William Faulkner
A beautifully told story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, complete with their weaknesses and strengths, cowardice and courage and their ability to survive life. The prose is poetry.
Narrator, actor, voice over actor,opera singer, activist
All shared interests have a way of keeping us from each others throats, but a shared interest in literature goes right to the guts of what makes us civilized.
Any of The Travis McGee Mysteries John D. MacDonald
"Travis McGee is my favorite continuing character of all time. He’s a boat bum, philosopher, veteran, and “salvage expert” who specializes in helping people who have been conned or ripped off in every way imaginable. McDonald proves better than anyone that pulp fiction can also be really great literature. They’re twenty-some titles in this series. Each references a color. Start with The Deep Blue Good by. Read them in order."
A Prayer for Owen Meany John Irving
"Twenty years ago, I found a dogeared copy that someone had left behind at LAX. I picked it up and started to read it on a flight to Peru. It was the fastest sixteen hours I’ve ever spent on a plane. Great writing, great story, unforgettable character. A few months later, I put it back where I found it. I hope someone else picked it up and did the same."
Flashman! George MacDonald Frasier
"The Flashman Chronicles are a series of adventures that involve a soldier who serves in the British Army during the Victorian era. With the exception of the titular character, the books are historically accurate, but outrageously fun because Flashman - who narrates all the adventures - is a shameless coward who somehow winds up getting promoted through the ranks because he’s constantly getting and taking the credit for things he didn’t actually do. There’s no more entertaining or politically incorrect way to learn history than through the eyes of Harry Flashman."
Me Talk Pretty One Day David Sedaris
"The funniest essays by the funniest writer I know of."
Cryptonomicon Neal Stephenson
"I normally avoid the whole techno-geek, sci-fi genre, especially when it comes in 900 pages, but this book absolutely blew me away. Nazis, code-breaking, computers, bit-coin, data-havens, U-Boats, war heroes, and some very dangerous dentists. It’s a big bite, but if you’re not afraid of a commitment, dig in. It’s a lot of fun."
Reading, ironically, is something you do in solitude that makes you feel less alone.
Skippy Dies Paul Murray
"Skippy Dies Paul Murray Skippy, our main character, dies on page 6 of this novel, and the rest of the book spans the hilarious/tragic moments in a Catholic boarding school leading up to his death. In a plot that’s half Dead Poet’s Society half The Sandlot, a group of libido-driven, insult-spewing, catholic school boys experiment with drugs, girls, and time travel."
Red Harvest Dashiell Hammett
"The inspiration for movies like Fist Full of Dollars and Yojimbo and Last Man Standing, this is a noir about a detective pinning all the gangs in one town against each other. This is a badass book, and it’s written in a perfect noir voice that has since been parodied/copied by everyone."
Why Does The World Exist? Jim Holt
"This book seeks to answer the question posed in its title. The author decides by page 30 that the question is not a scientific nor purely religious one, but something that must be considered through the lens of philosophy. It sounds difficult (and, at times, it is) but Holt carries you through the complicated math and philosophy with a kind of nerdy excitement that’s contagious."
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar Cheryl Strayed
"Cheryl Strayed became famous for her book Wild, about a hike along the Pacific Crest Trail following a divorce and the death of her mother, but after all that living she spent time as an anonymous advice columnist for a website called The Rumpus. BEFORE you judge me: this is not a “gushy” book. Open it up, and see for yourself Strayed’s no-bullshit approach to helping people out."
The Watchmen Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
"Maybe you’re reading too many novels and think comic books aren’t “smart” literature. Or maybe you’ve read too many issues of Spiderman without picking this book up. In any case, this Graphic Novel about semi-retired superheroes is a near-perfect piece of art. Moral quandaries! Meta-comics within a comic! Lessons about grief and loss! Plus: murder and suspense."
"Amy Farrah Fowler" | Lead actress on NBC's hit show, The Big Bang Theory
Neuroscientist (yes, really)
The Big Bang Theory's book club.
I love to read in bed with my cat snuggled next to me.
As a Driven Leaf Milton Steinberg
"I love historical fiction. This book takes place around the time Jesus lived and focuses on the politics of religion and secular society."
To Be Sung Underwater Tom McNeal
"The plotline might sound like this is a book about a woman longing for a love affair but it’s actually a very male-heavy story about lost opportunities."
Geek Love: A Novel Katherine Dunn
"This is an incredible novel about a group of circus performers and “sideshow freaks”. It is really bizarre but really fantastic."
The Secret History Donna Tartt
"I love this book because it focuses on a group of college students who find themselves committing a horrendous crime. They all have to figure out how to cover it up and it’s a really interesting portrait of a really exceptional situation."
One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez
"This is a very long book about one family’s history, set over a hundred years. It’s written in the style of magical realism, which literally means anything can and does happen."
Actor/Entertainer known for his roles in Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation and as the hose and executive producer of PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow
Reading for me is the best entertainment money can buy. It allows me to transport myself to worlds of experience far beyond my own in my imagination. -Levar Burton
To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee
"Through Atticus Finch and the telling of his story through his son’s eyes, I learned about the humanity of the Southern Gentleman, and the values of fairness and the duty of all to champion the disempowered."
The Prophet Kahil Gibran
"Quintessential book of poetry, Gibran muses on life and love, devotion and God. A most eloquent meditation on the more esoteric aspects of life."
Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior Dan Millman
"The book had a huge impact on me in my late 20’s. A classic coming of age autobiography in the traditional of Joseph Campbell’s “A Hero’s Journey.”"
The Road Less Traveled M. Scott Peck, M.D.
"The first book of psychobabble I ever enjoyed. If you are willing to listen, Dr. Peck tells you the truth about what keeps us from being real in every moment."
Parable of the Talents Octavia Butler
"Octavia Butler is my favorite science fiction author of all time, period. God rest her soul."