1

To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
4.22 of 5 stars

4.22 avg rating 1,440,547 ratings

score: 291, and 3 people voted

The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3.8 of 5 s tars

3.80 avg rating 1,199,691 ratings

score: 200, and 2 people voted

Cannery Row
by John Steinbeck
3.96 of 5 stars

3.96 avg rating 43,508 ratings

score: 184, and 2 people voted

The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography
by Simon Singh
4.23 of 5 stars

4.23 avg rating 6,167 ratings

score: 99, and 1 person voted

The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal

by Desmond Morris
3.91 of 5 stars

3.91 avg rating 3,368 ratings

Want to Read

score: 98, and 1 person voted

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China

by Jung Chang
4.2 of 5 s tars

4.20 avg rating 29,854 ratings

score: 97, and 1 person voted

Future Shock
by Alvin Toffler
3.69 of 5 stars

3.69 avg rating 1,892 ratings

score: 96, and 1 person voted

Shogun
by James Clavell
4.31 of 5 stars

4.31 avg rating 56,429 ratings

score: 95, and 1 person voted

The Fountainhead
by Ayn Rand
3.8 of 5 s tars

3.80 avg rating 148,023 ratings

score: 94, and 1 person voted

10

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

by Robert M. Pirsig
3.69 of 5 stars

3.69 avg rating 76,969 ratings

score: 93, and 1 person voted

11

Men Without Women

by Ernest Hemingway
3.74 of 5 stars

3.74 avg rating 2,787 ratings

score: 92, and 1 person voted

12

The Remains of the Day

by Kazuo Ishiguro
4.08 of 5 stars

4.08 avg rating 55,511 ratings

score: 90, and 1 person voted

13

Siddhartha
by Hermann Hesse
3.91 of 5 stars

3.91 avg rating 181,991 ratings

score: 89, and 1 person voted

14

Lolita
by Vladimir Nabokov
3.83 of 5 stars

3.83 avg rating 289,254 ratings

score: 88, and 1 person voted

15

A Moveable Feast
by Ernest Hemingway
4.02 of 5 stars

4.02 avg rating 37,897 ratings

score: 87, and 1 person voted

16

Daisy Miller
by Henry James
3.32 of 5 stars

3.32 avg rating 10,650 ratings

score: 86, and 1 person voted

17

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck
3.76 of 5 stars

3.76 avg rating 812,348 ratings

score: 84, and 1 person voted

18

Infinite Jest
by David Foster Wallace
4.35 of 5 stars

4.35 avg rating 23,987 ratings

score: 83, and 1 person voted

Also, even though I started reading fiction books to get my Reading Comprehension up, after 3-4 good sized books I found that reading also trains your "ear" and helps with Sentence Correction. More and more I was able to pick out the issue with the sentence simply because it did not sound right and not because I ran through my 13 point check-list for CR questions. Eventually I scored 42 on verbal - back then it was 96th percentile, not too shabby for a foreigner. Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that reading fiction books can be very helpful for your GMAT and not only that -when I moved to the US, I found that besides good grammar, reading Hemingway, Steinbeck, and Fitzgerald books gave me insights into the culture and history that helped to blend in a bit better. (Many of the classic books listed are a required reading in the US high schools). If you are not a native speaker and serious about getting a good verbal score - I would highly recommend you pick up a reading habit. Here is a list of fiction books I found most interesting. However, I hope that if you find any interesting books, esp. something that really impacted you, you will post them here as a recommendation and I will add them to the list (I am also looking for a recommendation for a new book to read).

Recent Classic Fiction

These are usually well known books that have some of the best style and rich vocabulary.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - One of the most romantic books on the list. Though it will capture you, leave a very warm feeling and may even make you cry, the main value of the book is its stunningly beautiful language and great history insights (Do you know who a bootlegger is?). 4 Amazon stars based on 1,223 reviews. Review by diogoguitarrista: "The book is easy to understand because it is a romance. While reading, you imagine the scene, every detail. You may find some "elder" words reading it, such as "any body" instead of "anybody", but nothing like you would find reading an original text by Christopher Columbus . Still, the story has a rich vocabulary." Someone said that the book has some tough parts that could make one cry, but I did not even got "sad". The bottom line: it worth both your time and your money Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - the most well know of Steinbeck's masterpieces. Not the best value for the money with only 92 pages, but it has the most cultural value as everyone in the US read, watched, or heard of it. 4.5 Amazon stars based on 1033 reviews. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck - a story about a group of good-natured bums living in Salinas, Northern California in the 1920's and 1930's - the book has plenty of humor to keep you cracking through all 200 pages - a quick read. A movie with the same title has been made based on this book. 4.5 Amazon stars based on 233 reviews. Daisy Miller by Henry James - definitely one of the most romantic books by James, but he has fantastic English - 3 line sentences and more on 128 pages. No reliable Amazon rating is available for this book A Movable Feast by Earnest Hemingway - a very inspiring book about the writer's years in Paris. Ideal book for a trip, but works well for GMAT too - great language, good sentence structure, and great useful vocabulary. 4.5 stars on Amazon and recommended by several members as well.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - great language and style. Also the annotated edition will keep you much more in sync with all the references. The most famous of Nabokov's pieces and one that coined a name for itself in history. 4.5 Amazon Stars. Sidartha by Herman Hesse - if you ever wondered about the meaning of life or how to be happy read through a short book about an Indian boy who seeks enlightenment and satisfaction. This is one of the most famous works by Hesse. He received a Nobel prize for his life-long contribution to the world's literature. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - fantastic language and a very interesting book about the life of a British butler. A movie has been made based on the book, but it is not even 10% as good. 256 pages and 4.5 Amazon stars based on 196 reviews. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - 2,500 Amazon reviews probably speak for themselves. This was the first book I read after starting business school - good language, captivating plot that will have you read through nights and a lot to learn about early 20th century Japan and the role of a Geisha. I read it over a course of several weeks and when I was finished, I felt a part of me was missing. To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee - this story grew with and around single family in small city Monroeville, which said to be Herper Lee's hometown. Herper Lee delineated each character through the eyes of Jean Louise who was a girl between 7-8 yrs. This story helps identify each character based on its vicinity and consequences. (Recommended by priyankur) Men without women by Earnest Hemingway - compilation of fourteen short stories so good reading guide for them who think that reading novel could waste precious preparation time. Stories are distinct and readers have enough room to juxtapose their thoughts with those of author. (Recommended by priyankur) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (P.S.) - The book is meant to be read with concentration and a sound mind (which is very important in papers like GMAT). It is not only psychologically motivating (if understood), but also trains the reader's mind for complex texts. (Recommended by aknine)

Heavyweights (500+ Page Fiction Books)

Longer books but worth every page

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - a timeless classic and required high school reading, this book covers the lives of several families caught in the 1930's great depression. 464 pages of great English, interesting story, and full of cultural references. 4.5 Amazon stars based on 599 reviews. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand - a masterpiece by a master. Though very idealistic and sometimes extreme, Ayn Rand delivers a great story with strong structure, and many themes that will force you think about your life. 752 pages will slip by too quickly - you will miss the company of this book. 4 Amazon stars based on 974 reviews. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - a "continuation" to the Fountainhead and the last book by Ayn Rand her last and best masterpiece. I am reading it right now and thoroughly enjoying it. I am 150 pages

through and look forward to another 1,000 for a rewarding read. Wild Swans by Jung Chang - a fascinating journey through the 20th century history of China - may not be the best style book, but extremely captivating and educational. 544 pages and 4.5 Amazon stars based on 359 reviews. Shogun by James Clavell - let the 1,200 pages not scare you - this will be a fast read about 17th century Japan. A TV-series was made based on this book. Good English, though language can get tough sometimes. 4.5 Amazon stars based on 309 reviews. Guns Germs and Steel " - fascinating book for history freaks. Certainly improved my RC skills. An enjoyable book as well. (recommended by pbanavara)

Non-Fiction

Captivating and educational

The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal by Desmond Morris - if you want a new perspective on the human race, learn what makes us who we are, laughing most of the way, this book is for you. 256 pages and 4.5 Amazon stars based on 52 reviews.

The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh - the only book on this list with a flawless record of 5 Amazon stars based on 255 reviews. If you are interested in code and how cryptography works - this book is almost a step by step guide very interesting if you are into puzzles. Future Shock by Alvin Toffler - The book is dense and idea rich and yet just 385 pages in length. (Recommended by urchin)

Other Recommendations

1. Non Fiction and Business Business Books mba-books-good-books-to-read-prior-to-mba-merged74557.html - a collection of over 70 different book recommendations to enrich your views on Global Policy, Poverty, Leadership, Project Management, and just inspiring business books 2. The Economist Magazine (JohnLewis1980) 3. National Geographic Magazine (nitya34) _________________
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i'm looking forward to all the time i'll have back once apps are over. i wanted to find out the must reads prior to entering b-school. nytimes had a great article a while back about ceo libraries and what they reveal about the leader. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/21/busin ... aries.html here's an excerpt
Forget finding the business best-seller list in these libraries. I try to vary my reading diet and ensure that I read more fiction than nonfiction, Mr. Moritz said. I rarely read business books, except for Andy Groves Swimming Across, which has nothing to do with business but describes the emotional foundation of a remarkable man. I re-read from time to time T. E. Lawrences Seven Pillars of Wisdom, an exquisite lyric of derring-do, the navigation of strange places and the imaginative ruses of a peculiar character. It has to be the best book ever written about leading people from atop a camel. Students of power should take note that C.E.O.s are starting to collect books on climate change and global warming, not Al Gores tomes but books from the 15th century about the weather, Egyptian droughts, even replicas of Sumerian tablets recording extraordinary changes in climate, according to John Windle, the owner of John Windle Antiquarian Booksellers in San Francisco.

so, what are those books that professors reference all the time, jock mbas mention to act like they know what's up, or books your bosses are reading? and since i don't want to spend all my time reading only about management or leadership, what other insightful, witty, life-changing books have you read?

Books Recommended in This Thread and the Number of Recommendations

Finance Books
1. Blue Blood and Mutiny: The Fight for the soul of Morgan Stanley 2. Handbook of Corporate Finance: A Business Companion to Financial Markets, Decisions and Techniques 3. Banker to the Poor - book about the Grameen Bank and microfinance in the third world, and delves into how capitalism and the free market can be harnessed to return value to vulnerable communities x3 4. Liar's poker - a bit dated but its gives you a sweet intro to the S&T world x2 5. Ugly Americans (HFs) 6. When Markets Collide 7. Damn it feels good to be a banker - And Other Baller Things You Only Get to Say If You Work On Wall Street x2 - by Leveraged Sellout (it looks brilliant if it's the same quality as the blog)

Economics Books
1. Travels of a T-shirt - is pretty fun, written by a prof at georgetown - she explores the global economy (and the institutions that govern it) by following the creation, life, and death of your average t-shirt. 2. The World is Flat - Do not Buy 3. Passionate Economist 4. The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More 5. The End of Poverty - Harvard Alum and Professor at Columbia's Global Earth Institute, Sachs presents interesting, simple (perhaps even common sense) solutions to tackling the following obsctackes we will face in the upcoming century namely: the environment, poverty (extreme - less than $1-2/day) and population growth (in the poorest countries). 6. Common Wealth - regarding Jeffrey Sachs - as someone who works in international development,

I'd like to point out that for all his popularity among the general public, most people working in the field think a lot of his "big ideas" are sheer lunacy. Particularly the idea of a "big push" to massively increase the amount of official development aid to developing-world governments. He's a very smart guy, and End of Poverty (as well as Common Wealth) are both interesting books with a lot of good information - but the policy prescriptions they contain are totally off the mark. 7. The White Man's Burden - t provides an outstanding analysis of not only successes and failures of trying to develop the third world, but at lot of it also applies to life in general (politics, economics, society, etc). 8. The Forgotten Man 9. The Chicago School - For those thinking about going to Chicago and going to economics 10. Vienna and Chicago, Friends or Foes? - For those thinking about going to Chicago and going to economics 11. Rise and fall of great powers by Paul Kennedy. though i read it about 10 years ago(when the book was too good for me). i immensely liked it. It beautifully captures a history of all great powers(economic and military) from sixteenth century to mid twentieth century. wonderful analysis and breadth in my humble opinion.

Leadership Books
1. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future 2. We need Managers, Not MBAs - It's a scathing look at MBAs. If anyone reads this again, please keep an eye out for the part where he reveals the statistics that something like 70% of MBAs quit their jobs within two years of graduating (suggesting that the vast majority pick "wrong"). I cant find the exact stats anymore, so please, if you see it, take note of the page

Behavioral Books
1. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking - There's a little pop psychology to it, but it has some interesting insights. 2. Fooled by Randomness 3. Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell: I had thought about many of the theories he exposes way before this came out, but it's still an interesting/easy/quick read. 4. Predictably Irrational - is by a fuqua prof that is a total boy genius. it's behavioral econ. 5. Why We Buy - if you have any interest in running a business that is consumer-facing (CPG, banking, retail, restaurants, the post office) this is a must-read. or if you just wanna know why the bananas are where they are in the grocery store. Behavioral Econ. 6. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler - written by a lawyer and an economist from the University of Chicago. The book sort of sits at the intersection of public policy and business, and provides examples of how consumers can be 'nudged' towards decisions that are in their economic/physical/emotional/etc... best interest. You get the point after the first few chapters, but it's worth finishing nonetheless. (recommended by CS11)

Investment Banking Books

1. More than Money by Mark Albion - No, its not a rant against banking - he says thats the right path for some - but it is a very real depiction of MANY MBA attitudes and it will make you consider your goals. Frankly, in retrospect, this short book is probably the single most important thing I could have read before getting my MBA. It so accurately captures exactly what so many of us have thought or felt at some point - about jobs, about money, about careers - I virtually promise that it will resonate with you at some level. Its also worth noting its a short and easy read. 2. Tearing Down the Walls: How Sandy Weill Fought His Way to the Top of the Financial World. . .and Then Nearly Lost It All - to all future investment bankers 3. Monkey Business - which was a very quick read that provides an interesting look into the IB

landscape in recent times. x2 4. Barbarians at the Gate - really is a must read. I thought it was great and included all of the major Wall Street legends, Kravis, Wasserstein, Fortsman, Lipton, etc. x2 5. Risk Takers 6.Pioneering Portfolio Management 7. The accidental investment banker - Jonathan Knee - pretty funny; give you a very good idea over the Ibank world. Not great though. 8. Den of Thieves - well-researched book that brings up a number of scandals involving Michael Milken, Ivan Boesky, Martin Siegel, and others 9. 21. When Genius Failed 10. The Money Culture by Michael Lewis - It is a collection of articles published by Michael Lewis in various magazines in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I thought it made a brilliant read not just because Michael is a very funny guy. His articles were very insightful and, in some cases, prophetic. He has consistently been critical of levels of debt in wall street since the 1980s (if only everyone else took notice). He takes particular joy in poking fun at the LBO players and the value they add to a takeover target. His criticism of the American Express card had me splitting my sides laughing. This book will not be too much fun for those without enough knowledge of wall street history (especially of the 80s and early 90s when Japan and not China was considered threat #1 to US supremacy). A recommended light read for those long flights to b-school. (recommended by BSD Lover) 11. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator - This book is a timeless classic for anyone moving to any form of trading / investment (recommended by BSD Lover)

M&A Books
1. M&A Titans M&A Titans: The Pioneers Who Shaped Wall Street's Mergers and Acquisitions Industry - about some of the legendary dealmakers in Wall Street's golden era (recommended by JB32) 2. Deals from Hell: M&A Lessons that Rise Above the Ashes - (especially relevant for future Darden IB's since it was written by a Darden prof.) - case study about 10 of the worst deals of all time. (recommended by JB32) 3. The Big Deal by Bruce Wasserstein - The book is loooooooooonnnngggg (like 1,000+ pages), but provides a history of deal making by industry from the 1950's up through 2001 (published in 2002). It's amazing how much M&A shaped many of the familiar brands we know today. Then, the second half of the book chronicles how a deal gets done and who the main players are. I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to be a dealmaker. (recommended by JB32)

Design Thinking Books

1. The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage - Martin shows how leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Cirque du Soleil, RIM, and others use design thinking to push knowledge through the stages in ways that produce breakthrough innovations and competitive advantage. 2. Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation - Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, introduces the idea of design thinking and its a humancentered approach to problem solving that helps people and organizations become more innovative and more creative.

Accounting Books
1. The Portable MBA in Finance and Accounting

Marketing Books

Why We Shop: The Science of Shopping" by Paco Underhill. I found it very interesting especially for those with an interest in CPG, brand management, marketing, retail and even consulting. Its a quick read and very entertaining. I definitely find myself thinking differently every time I walk into a store now.

Management Books
1. How Would You Move Mount Fuji?: Microsoft's Cult of the Puzzle -- How the World's Smartest Companies Select the Most Creative Thinkers - to all future Management Consultants... 2. The Halo Effect:... and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers - Wow! Good book. It pretty much blows apart a lot of the analysis people do to find out what makes a company "successful".

International Relations and Policy Books

1. confessions of an economic hit man 2. Rise and Fall of Empires 3. Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein: Must read. it opened my mind to sooo many things. please go read it, it gets long but towards the end it's amazing. 4. Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism - Sixty percent of the world's population live on 6% of the world's income. The author argues that capitalism, if it accepts a social conscience out of self-preservation, can eventually develop a world where poverty is on the decline. 5. The Post American World - By far one of the most accessible poly-sci books around. Zakaria presents brutally honest opinions on the state of the U.S. in contrast to the rest of the World. He brings forth the challenges that face the U.S. and the world in the 21st century. Good read, not heavy at all. 6. No Logo is a bit dated but a lovely attack on globalization. if i weren't already too old, i'd grow up to be naomi klein. 7. Fortune at the bottom of the pyramid. by Dr CK Prahalad. a must read for all those interested in social entrepreneurship and non-profit careers.

Career and Networking Books

1. Ahead of the Curve x2 - best book I've read on business school - more specifically HBS - looking at a top bschool from the pov of a non-business candidate gave me an amazing idea of the whole thing. 2. Never Eat Alone - Its a great book about the power of networking and how to build a strong network

Green Books
1. Hot, Flat, and Crowded - which is about why we need a green revolution. While i'm just 1/3 of the way through, it's excellent so far... He's got some hard facts scientifically, politically, and economically about why we need to care about our planet and makes it easier for me to explain to another layperson why we need a green revolution. 2. Green to Gold by Daniel Esty x2

IT and Operations
1. Black Swan - not recommended (I read part of the book when it came out but just got sick of it and never finished. If true "black swan" events by definition cannot be predicted or foreseen in any way, what's the point of it?) 2. The Goal - is something you'll probably read in your ops class. the best textbook ever, the worst

novel ever. i'm a closet ops geek, so i dug it.

Poker and Gambling Books

1. Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments - Dan Harrington 2. Read 'em and reap 'em 3. Bringing down the house

Fiction and Other

1. The prince - Niccolo Machiavelli: I don't know why but I recently picked it up and it's full of pretty interesting stuff. It is not about business but it gives you an idea of how Power was seen in the 1500. 2. Guns, Germs, and Steel - overview of Human Civilization, focusing on the question why Eurasians took over other continents rather than inhabitants of other continents - a bit repetitive but a good read - a lot of interesting information 3. Nathan McCall's Them - t's an interesting read, and a great book to invoke discussion amongst peers who view the world differently. 4. 9. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - (not for the faint-hearted; story of a young boy in Africa). A diary/journal of sorts of a young boy who escaped the "recruitment" of rebels in Sierra Leone. Witness of death and consumed by drugs at a young age, he manages to escape through a very graphic yet inspiring story. Now in the U.S. 5. The snowball - Biography about Warren Buffet - I got this one as a present and thought it would be amazing, however I still haven't really started loving it (ive read around 25% of it- its looong) but I guess if you like biographies then you'll like it. x2 6. The Last Tycoons - Cohan's thoroughnesshe interviewed over 100 current and former bankers and assorted bigwigsunearths a trove of colourful titbits, many quite racy . . . Illuminating are Mr. Cohans descriptions of the scheming, politicking, and general dysfunction that was Lazard. Economist 7. Atlas Shrugged - the last and best of Ayn Rand's books - beware 1,000 pages and not really a travel size.

A recent Business Week post about b-school summer reading lists got us thinking here at Manhattan GMAT. What other books might provide a good foundation for your first year? We turned to Chris Ryan, our Director of Instructor and Product Development, for some recommendations. His suggestions make good reading for incoming MBA students and curious applicants alike. 1. First and foremost, Chris recommends Larry Gonicks Cartoon Guide to Statistics , which will give you a jump on the hardest quant class in your first semester, one on which other important classes like Finance and Operations depend. If you actually understand the content in this book, you will do better in your stats class its as simple as that, Chris tells us. The title might sound silly, but the content is truly useful. 2. A more theoretical start for your reading would be Co-Opetition (Adam M. Brandenburger and Barry J. Nalebuff), which covers game theory and its practical applications for business. The authors argue that to maximize success, companies sometimes have to cooperate with traditional rivals. 3.You should also pick up something about the economic turmoil of recent months. Youre going to need to have an opinion, Chris says. Pair your selection with Roger Lowensteins When Genius Failed , which covers the rise and fall of Long Term Capital Management, a hedge fund that brought about a late-90s precursor to the current financial crisis. lus, for a b-school beach read, try Predictably Irrational (Dan Ariely), a nice introduction to behavioral economics.

George Bernard Shaw quoted: Reading made Don Quixote a gentleman. Believing what he read made him mad Oh am well on the way to being another Don Quixote (mind you, not Quixotic!) Reading comprehension and sentence correction questions are an integral part of the GMAT exam and one way to master your reading skills is to read a lot: not only trade journals and magazines but classic and contemporary literature too, by which I mean the amazing world of books (fiction, adventure, philosophical, political, epics, poetry, classics, history, law etc) Wondering what reading big, fat, ancient (and modern) tomes can do to your GMAT verbal score? Well, for starters, you come across new words and new usages for the words you are already familiar with. There are various new phrases, complex sentence structures and you get used to reading write and correct grammar. The direct result of the last part, that is getting used to perfect grammar sentences is that whenever you comes across a sentence with only slightest grammatical errors, your ears perk up in attention, a great instinct that comes in quite handy to solve sentence correction questions. It is a great way for non-native English speakers to improve their English comprehension skills. As they read books from diverse genres, they become more aware of more and more words and grammatical structure. GMAT test takers have reported an increase of 50 to 100 points in their GMAT scores, based totally on the improvement in their verbal skills on account of reading classic and modern literary works. Last and most importantly, these books prevent you from getting bored during the GMAT preparation phase. It is any day better to read a JRR Tolkien book or George Orwells Animal Farm than simply memorizing some grammar rules and tips. Here is a list of books that will help you in improving your reading and comprehension skills: A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens (Simply Brilliant and will get you used to complex sentence structures) Pride and Prejudice (Female folks will appreciate it moreJane Austens observation and wit is admirable) Animal Farm and 1984 George Orwell (superb creations by Orwell) Siddharatha Herman Hesse (you get used to philosophical jargons and learn a word or two about surviving the ordeals of life ..the moral of the story in fact is, if you can think, starve and be patient, you can make it big in any situation in life! ) To Kill a Mocking Bird Harper Lee Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger The Angry River, The Flight of Pigeons Ruskin Bond (if you appreciate the beauty and bounty of nature, then Ruskin Bond is the author for you. Great way to know and learn the words used to describe the various aspect of nature) Men Without Women Earnest Hemmingway (a compilation of short stories that will keep you hooked) The Fountainhead Ayn Rand (meant for the fountainheadsa great read) Freedom at Midnight, Gone with the Wind, Guns Germs and Steel etc are the books that tell of an important even in the history of a nation with vivid details. Management books such as 7 habits of highly effective people, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Outliers and others written by management gurus throughout the world.

In fact, you should look up the books on the BBCs list. It is a rather amusing list which says that most of the people have read only 6 books out of the 100 books listed below. (I have read more than 40 books on the list and I know at least a dozen people who have certainly read more than 40 or 50 books on the list)