Not too long ago, I posted a list of some of my favorite movies. I am adding to the list from time to time. It’s here: https://dwanethomas.com/my-favorite-movies/. Many of you responded with your own recommendations. I am sure I will be adding movies for a while.
One person asked for a list of my favorite books, particularly literature books. What follows is my response.
Personally, I can’t image not having read:
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
- The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. (Some parents object to this series. I get it. There is some controversy here.)
- My girls really like the Anne of Green Gable Series.
I am a big fan of Shakespeare. But, I only found out I liked Shakespeare after college. Never read any in high-school. Back then I was more fit for the mountains and barbarous carves where manners ne’er were preach’d! (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.)
The history I know, I have learned mainly via biographies. All of them far more interesting than anything l learned in college history classes. And, I have a degree in history. Still haven’t used it. Anyone interested in buying a used college degree?
I generally don’t read autobiographies. I just flip the book over and read the “about the author” section.
As for other books, I organize my lists into three main life categories. The categories are based on the old Benjamin Franklin quote: Early to bed, early to Rise, makes a man Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.
Healthy:
- How to Not Die by Dr. Michael Greger. (Dr. Greger is an entertaining writer)
- Superfoods by David Wolfe
- Forks over Knives by Gene Stone, T. Colin Campbell, and Caldwell Esselstyn
- Though not a book, I have enjoyed the documentary: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead by Joe Cross
Wealthy:
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
- The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino.
- The 12 Life Secrets: Your Ultimate Answers to Getting Everything You Want by Robert Stuberg. (I often listen to the audiobook for a half-hour every morning while getting ready, or while working out.)
Wise:
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Pretty much any book by Zig Ziglar
- On Writing Well by William Zinsser
- The Book that Made Your World by Vishal Mangalwadi (Just need to warn you. There are a few disturbing stories in the book.)
- The Pledge by Michael Masterson (Careful with this one. 95% awesome. There are some adult themed sentences in the book. I honestly would not recommend this one for anyone in high-school. College may be okay. This really is a book written for adults.)
- The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
This is not an exhaustive list, of course. I could have added more. In fact, I will likely add more to this list as time goes on.
I know some of you will respond with your own recommendations. Just know that it may take me a while to respond to you. I do try to respond to everyone, but sometimes it takes me a while.
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If you are learning Latin, I have written a book with all of my best tips and strategies. It’s available as a free download here: https://dwanethomas.com/via/
If you are interested in learning Latin, you can go through the classes on my site 24/7. I recommend the book Lingua Latina by Hans Ørberg. If you tackle the book and find yourself bogged down, you may find the classes on my site helpful. To join, just click here: https://dwanethomas.com/join/
If you want a more professionally filmed experience, check out the best-selling DVD series: Visual Latin.
Or, if you want to skip Latin, and just jump right into learning English words from Latin and Greek roots, you may enjoy the series Word up! Warning. Word up! is a bit wacky. You will learn a lot… but, you may find yourself rolling your eyes, too.
By the way, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Not trying to pull a fast one on you. I only promote what I believe in.
