In my self-reflection on reading, I realize that I do not have a good habit of reading. My reading habits are quite casual; sometimes I can read fifty or sixty books in a year, and sometimes less than ten. However, all in all, over the years, I have still managed to read quite a few books. Today, I have carefully selected ten books from my past reading list to write reviews, which is also a way to review and summarize these books.
- **Siddhartha**
– Author: Hermann Hesse
– Nationality: German
– Year of Publication: 1922
“Siddhartha” tells the story of a young Indian Brahmin named Siddhartha. He leaves his hometown, abandoning traditional religious life to seek personal spiritual awakening and self-realization. Throughout his journey, Siddhartha experiences the life of an ascetic, the temptations of carnal pleasures and materialism, and a profound understanding of life and love. The climax of the novel occurs when Siddhartha attains enlightenment through introspection and communication with the river, ultimately becoming a ferryman who guides others.
Hermann Hesse wrote “Siddhartha” during a time of personal life and spiritual crisis, coinciding with the First World War and its aftermath. He was born into a Christian family, with grandparents who were missionaries in India. Despite initially following his parents’ wishes to attend a theological seminary, he later detached from religion (I advocate believing in God but being independent of religion). Although the book seems to tell the story of a Buddhist, I see it as a growth story of a Christian, breaking free from religion, returning to the essence of life – a process of degeneration, self-rescue, requiring a price, as well as great wisdom and courage.
If you are seeking deep spiritual meaning and a path of personal growth, I believe this book will resonate with you.
- **The Outsider (The Stranger)**
– Author: Albert Camus
– Nationality: French
– Year of Publication: 1942
As an INFJ, according to the MBTI analysis, like many INFJs, I am very fond of the books by Hesse and Camus. “The Outsider” is one of Camus’s representative works and an important piece in existentialist and absurdist literature.
The main character of “The Outsider” is a French Algerian named Meursault. The novel, narrated in the first person, describes Meursault’s indifference and alienation towards life. The turning point of the story is when Meursault accidentally kills an Arab on the beach. The subsequent trial is not only a judgment of his crime but also of his character and attitude towards life. In the end, Meursault is sentenced to death, a result of his indifference to societal norms and alienation from the essence of life.
This book made me realize that I am also an “outsider”. Although it is difficult to wear many masks and try to please others, at my core, I am indifferent and self-consistent. This book has encouraged me to bravely face myself and understand my true feelings, even if it means being different from those around me.
Knowing who you are and accepting it is an important process of personal growth. Everyone has their unique value and way of existence, and “The Outsider” reminds us that even when we feel out of place in the world, we need to find our own meaning and direction, despite the loneliness and difficulty of the process.
Camus is a genius, and I like many of his books. Another one I recommend is “The Plague.”
- **The Little Prince**
– Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
– Nationality: French
– Year of Publication: 1943
This is a book worth reading many times. I read it when I was young, and at that time, I didn’t feel much, perhaps because I lacked experience. In recent years, due to self-studying French, I have read this book many times in Chinese, English, and French, and only then truly appreciated its layers and depth.
There are many memorable quotes in the book.
For instance, he writes about the essence of love and emotions:
“One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
About sadness:
“When you’re feeling very sad, you will like watching sunsets.”
“That day, I watched forty-three sunsets.”
About emotional connection:
“Wheat is of no use to me, nor does the wheat field give me anything. I am indifferent to the sound of wheat. But you have golden hair. So once you’ve tamed me, it will be wonderful. Wheat is golden and will remind me of you. I will love the sound of the wind blowing through the wheat…”
About death:
“I can’t take this body with me. It’s too heavy.” said the little prince at the last moment
of the night.
“The Little Prince” appears to be a children’s literature work, but its philosophical and life-oriented implications far exceed the value of a children’s book. Each character in the book, such as the little prince, the pilot (me), the rose, the fox, the drunkard, the businessman, the geographer, the lamplighter, the king, the snake, all have corresponding philosophical symbolic meanings that make readers reflect. It truly is worth reading and re-reading.
- **The Moon and Sixpence**
– Author: William Somerset Maugham
– Nationality: British
– Year of Publication: 1919
A good book is one that keeps coming back to you after you close it.
When I first finished reading “The Moon and Sixpence”, I felt annoyed and uneasy because my initial impression of it was very negative.
The protagonist, Charles Strickland, abandons a comfortable middle-class life, forsakes his wife and children, betrays his friends, and violates social morals and interpersonal principles in pursuit of his artistic dream. In the end, he finds his artistic paradise and completes great works in his art sanctuary. However, he suffers from leprosy, dies ugly and alone. With his death, his great works and the art sanctuary also go up in flames.
In fact, there is neither the moon nor sixpence in “The Moon and Sixpence”. The title comes from a review of Maugham’s novel “Of Human Bondage” published in the Literary Supplement of The Times, which said that the protagonist Philip Carey, like many young people, “is enchanted by the moon in the sky and blind to the sixpence at his feet”. The moon refers to the high and lofty ideal. The sixpence refers to the worldly life. Maugham liked this saying, so he named the book after it.
I also love art. During the pandemic, there was a period when I was addicted to painting, locking myself at home and painting for more than half a year. The result of the addiction was that I even forgot about my daughter’s reading and meal times. This is something I cannot tolerate. Therefore, I had to give up looking at the moon and continue to bend down to pick up my sixpence, which is the responsibility of being a mother.
On second thought, whether looking up at the moon or bending down to pick up sixpence, the outcome is the same—as King Solomon said: “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity!”
Thus, this book forced me to think more deeply and explore what we really need and how not to be vain.
I thought and thought, and thought again. My answer might disappoint some friends.
I say, people need God.
- **Walden**
– Author: Henry David Thoreau
– Nationality: American
– Year of Publication: 1854
“Walden” describes Thoreau’s life in a small cabin near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, for over two years. In such a life, the enjoyment of the spirit is richer and deeper.
The result of reading this book is that it turned me into a minimalist. Of course, the core idea of “Walden” is not minimalism; there is a distinction. But I didn’t understand this at the time, just riding on the momentum of “Walden” to read many books related to minimalism, and practiced minimalism from 2017 to 2021. Later, I realized the narrowness and intolerance of minimalists and therefore gave up minimalism, but that’s another story.
From today’s perspective, it seems more reasonable to treat “Walden” as a seasoning for busy modern life. Thoreau recorded the seasonal changes of Walden Pond in the book, reflected on the passage of time, and the opportunities for introspection brought by solitary life. These descriptions have both philosophical depth and poetic beauty, and are very enjoyable to read.
- **The Story of the Romans**
– Author: Yano Shusaku
– Nationality: Japanese
– Year of Publication:
What attracted me to learn about the story of the Romans was the image of the great man in the Book of Daniel in the Bible. Some expositors have mentioned that the image, from the gold head, silver arms, bronze belly, iron legs to the feet of iron and clay, is a prophecy of the change of empires. For example, the gold head represents Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, then replaced by the silver arms, i.e., Medo-Persia, followed by the bronze belly, Greece, and then the iron legs, Rome. So, in 2019, I began to read related history. During this period, I read “The Fading Crescent: Lost Babylon,” “World Empire Stories: The Persian Empire,” “Alexander the Great: The Great Conqueror,” “The History of Post-Macedonian Warfare” and other historical books. “The Story of the Romans” left the deepest impression on me and was the most beneficial.
“The Story of the Romans” consists of fifteen volumes, which might seem daunting at first, but it’s not difficult to read at all. It details the history from the rise of the Roman Republic to the decline of the Roman Empire. The author, a Japanese writer Ryotaro Shiba, examines Western history from an Eastern perspective. This cross-cultural viewpoint provides us with a new dimension in understanding and interpreting Roman history. Through in-depth but accessible historical research and vivid narration, he presents significant events, important figures, and socio-cultural changes in Roman history.
Although the Roman Empire disappeared with the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire, its influence still persists today, with some aspects even being applicable to corporate management. Therefore, “The Story of the Romans” is highly regarded by many entrepreneurs, with Chinese businessmen like Yu Minhong and Wang Shi recommending this book.
Whether you want to understand Roman culture, politics, philosophy, and art, or seek modern life inspiration from this book, I believe it’s worth reading.
- **”The Alchemist”**
– Author: Paulo Coelho
– Nationality: Brazilian
– Year of Publication: 1988
A popular saying online goes, “Men remain boys until death.” This is only half true because women, too, remain young at heart until death. “The Alchemist” and “The Little Prince” are similar in that they both call to the youth within us.
The book tells the story of a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago, who dreams of a treasure buried near the Egyptian pyramids. To pursue this dream, he leaves his familiar life and embarks on a treasure hunt. In the end, he unexpectedly finds the hidden treasure at the most desperate moment.
The book reminds us to follow our dreams, listen to our hearts, and bravely face life’s difficulties and challenges.
Often, we grow old not physically, but mentally, thinking we are old, right? The best way is to become young again, continue on the journey, and keep searching for treasures.
“When you truly desire something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
- **”City of Girls”**
– Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
– Nationality: American
– Year of Publication: 2019
“City of Girls” is set in the 1940s in New York City and tells the story of a young woman named Vivian Morris. Vivian arrives in New York and works in a theater called “Lily Playhouse,” full of charm and vitality, and replete with rich sexual and free-spirited experiences. Here, Vivian experiences a variety of adventures, including romantic encounters and extremely bad experiences. As the story unfolds, she gradually understands love, friendship, and personal identity.
The most touching part of the book for me is: “The world is not straightforward; when you grow up, you think things will go a certain way. You think there are rules to follow. You think things are supposed to be a certain way. You want a straightforward life. But the world doesn’t care about your rules or your straightforwardness. The world is not straightforward, Vivian. It never will be. Our rules are worthless. Sometimes, the world just happens to you, that’s what I think. People can only do their best and move forward.”
Three key takeaways from this book are:
– Even in the worst situations, strive to be your best.
– Everything can be lost, but not professional spirit.
– Be true to yourself, including your desires.
- **”Essays”**
– Author: Michel de Montaigne
– Nationality: French
– Year of Publication: 1580
Want to study? Read Montaigne!
Want to fall in love and get married? Read Montaigne!
Want to set goals? Read Montaigne!
Want to seek death? Read Montaigne!
Want to have faith? Read Montaigne!
Want to learn social interaction and etiquette? Read Montaigne!
Montaigne, born in 1533, corresponds to the middle period of China’s Ming Dynasty. It’s surprising that nearly 500 years later, his writings still feel like talking face to face with an old friend – intimate, straightforward, and humorous! In today’s terms, I’m definitely a fan!
He said: Life is like a dream; we wake up and fall asleep, and sleep while awake.
He said: I need three things: love, friendship, and books. However, these three are interconnected! Intense love can enrich the content of books, and books are the most faithful friends.
He said: It’s arrogant to judge the truth based on personal shallow opinions.
He had so many golden sayings.
A side note: Before
reading Montaigne, it’s best to have a background in the Bible, and Greek and Roman history. Otherwise, it might be tiring to read, and many things might be hard to understand.
- **”The Theory of the Leisure Class”**
– Author: Thorstein Veblen
– Nationality: American
– Year of Publication: 1899
Veblen believed that the history of human society is an evolutionary tale of people competing with each other, chasing wealth, flaunting wealth, and thereby gaining respect, honor, and social status. In “The Theory of the Leisure Class,” he introduced the concept of the “leisure class,” referring to the social group that can maintain its lifestyle without engaging in productive labor. He explored how this class uses consumption behavior to display its status and power.
If “Walden” led me to the practice of minimalism (which later turned into spiritual minimalism), then “The Theory of the Leisure Class” made me reflect on things related to me personally, such as my hobbies, personality, taste, quality, elegant demeanor, and manners. If “Walden” is a mirror, then “The Theory of the Leisure Class” is a knife that carves my thoughts until it hurts.
But I think that’s the meaning of reading and reading good books, isn’t it?
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Above are the ten books I recommend! I hope you like them too!