What should be the one mandatory book?

[GeorgW]

"An Almanac of Complete World Knowledge Compiled With Instructive Annotation and Arranged in Useful Order by Me, John Hodgman, a Professional Writer, in The Areas of My Expertise, Which Include: Matters Historical, Matters Literary, Matters Cryptozoological, Hobo Matters, Food, Drink, & Cheese (a Kind of Food), Squirrels & Lobsters & Eels, Haircuts, Utopia, What Will Happen in the Future, and Most Other Subjects"

Also known as John Hodgman's "The Areas of My Expertise".
The reading of said book must be accompanied by the audiobook.

*Looks up on Wikipedia*
:O
The narration has music by Jonathan Coulton! I must haz!

 

[Alar]

That's really hard to say, but probably because most of the books I really like are a part of a series. Maybe 'The Hobbit' or 'American Gods'. -shrug-

Book series are welcome, like I stated in the OP.

Ah! Well, in that case I would definitely recommend the Lord of the Rings... and a good deal of the Honor Harrington books by David Weber(at least the first three).

 

[Tommeh Brownleh]

Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy or Max Brook's Zombie Survival Guide. The former of which I haven't read myself but plan to. I've heard the former is really good, but I vote for Zombie Survival Guide because it has some really good tips for not only fighting the undead, but avoiding people using the same tactics.

 

[Flamezdudes]

1984 by George Orwell if I had to pick one mandatory book.

 

[GeorgW]

That's really hard to say, but probably because most of the books I really like are a part of a series. Maybe 'The Hobbit' or 'American Gods'. -shrug-

Book series are welcome, like I stated in the OP.

Ah! Well, in that case I would definitely recommend the Lord of the Rings... and a good deal of the Honor Harrington books by David Weber(at least the first three).

I was thinking about LotR as well. It's the basis of an entire genre.

Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy or Max Brook's Zombie Survival Guide. The former of which I haven't read myself but plan to. I've heard the former is really good, but I vote for Zombie Survival Guide because it has some really good tips for not only fighting the undead, but avoiding people using the same tactics.

You must read Hitchhiker's Guide! MUST! I command it!

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

Book: 1984, because it's a very disturbing, if somewhat unrealistic depiction of a dystopia.

Game: Final Fantasy IX, because it's the BEST. GAME. EVER.

Movie: Threads, especially for politicians, as it could show them the actual consequences of a nuclear war and convince them not to do it in the first place.

 

[Delsana]

Utopia... so you can all know what it's like to have a needle stuck into your child because it wasn't smart enough.

*cough Abortion*

 

[Torrasque]

I would say Brave New World or Animal Farm, because I love utopian / dystopian books.

I'd have to agree with Animal Farm.
The movie is not nearly as good as the book, but the book is excellent.

The only other book I can think of that is as deep as it is entertaining, is <url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Chimpanzee>The Third Chimpanzee.
Its all about how humanity evolved to become the dominant species on Earth, and the WTF that lead from us being chimps, to being humans.
Really interesting book, and his writing tone is really quite amusing.
I would have said God Delusion, but I have a hard time paying attention to that book. Its good, very well written, and brings up excellent points, but it just seems so incredibly dry =|

 

[Twad]

The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

It applies to so many things other than war.

 

[dark-mortality]

Even though it's a pretty advanced book technically, The lord of the rings is actually a well-made book. I wouldn't mind if it became mandatory, heck, it's a lot better than twilight.

I would be really happy if Mogworld became mandatory though >3

 

[AdamRhodes]

The Alchemist. It's simple to read and sparks some very interesting discussion, regardless of upbringing or locale. It's a very open book and is already an international seller. I think more people would have direction in their lives because of it. That's probably the biggest issue with modern humanity: lack of direction.

I agree, I really liked this book in high school. My teacher warned us that probably nobody would like it. But it might've been my favorite book in high school. Way better than Catcher in the Rye. What stupid, lousy book.

 

[Lukeje]

Strunk & White's: The Element of Style

I hope this is meant as a joke. See here [http://chronicle.com/article/50-Years-of-Stupid-Grammar/25497] for why that would be a really bad idea.

Anyway, I'd say that everybody has to read One Hundred Years of Solitude at least once in their life.

 

[No_Remainders]

The best book ever...

I dunno man, that's certainly not this...

 

[Brightzide]

The Gruffalo, or Of Mice and Men...I just like those books

 

[GeorgW]

The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

It applies to so many things other than war.

I've read it, it was surprisingly insightful and thought provoking.

The Alchemist. It's simple to read and sparks some very interesting discussion, regardless of upbringing or locale. It's a very open book and is already an international seller. I think more people would have direction in their lives because of it. That's probably the biggest issue with modern humanity: lack of direction.

I agree, I really liked this book in high school. My teacher warned us that probably nobody would like it. But it might've been my favorite book in high school. Way better than Catcher in the Rye. What stupid, lousy book.

I love that your teacher gave you books they knew you wouldn't like, and was honest about it. My teacher was the same way and I got a lot of unique and interesting book experiences from it.

 

[MetroidNut]

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Sweet zombie jegus. Ninja'd by the very first post.

Seriously, though, the Hitchhiker's Guide is brilliant. It's worth making everyone read it for the humor alone. But it also contains a life lesson of sorts, one that I'm quite fond of - the almost nihilistic idea that there's no meaning in this universe, but you should go enjoy life anyway.

 

[DeusExMathias]

"Armor" by John Steakley will always be one of my favorite books. Find a copy and read it!

(dammit! While checking the spelling of the author's name, I just found out that he died last fall. R.I.P., John Steakley)

 

[4173]

The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

It applies to so many things other than war.

I've read it, it was surprisingly insightful and thought provoking.

The Alchemist. It's simple to read and sparks some very interesting discussion, regardless of upbringing or locale. It's a very open book and is already an international seller. I think more people would have direction in their lives because of it. That's probably the biggest issue with modern humanity: lack of direction.

I agree, I really liked this book in high school. My teacher warned us that probably nobody would like it. But it might've been my favorite book in high school. Way better than Catcher in the Rye. What stupid, lousy book.

I love that your teacher gave you books they knew you wouldn't like, and was honest about it. My teacher was the same way and I got a lot of unique and interesting book experiences from it.

I've had a teacher or two say that as well, most prominently for Ethan Frome. I detest that book like none other.


Anyway, my answer is To Kill a Mockingbird.