Franz Kafka's The Trial. Gave me a very useful perspective on the meaning and reality of life.



Introduction to Physical Sciences (or something like that which was a text book for a course of similar name when I was in the 7th grade). In a sense saved my life. Before I was an oddball loner, terrible at sports, not doing that well in school, and basically wondering what was ever going to become of me. After I found something I was good in school and that I could be useful at in the future.


The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Opened my eyes to the racist history of the US and helped me shed whatever vestiges remained of a youth spent living in white trash neighborhoods in Texas.

Shakespeare's complete set of plays. Taught me to love great literature for its own sake.


The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The first clear instruction as to why a society based on pure capitalism and plutocratic rule only serves well for a minority.


There are probably a few more I should include, but that would require more thought than I care to devote to this.