Recommend some must-read literature

[Park]

Heart (Cuore) by Edmondo De Amicis

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-School-b...dp/1410103153/

The diary of this schoolboy portrays real life situations that trace a natural roadmap for character building, compassion, solidarity, courage, integrity. This all comes about as the best choice a person can make as soon as he/she realizes that, rich or poor, bright or dull we are of the same stuff. The essential brotherhood or all persons becomes the center choice of its characters. Also this wonderful story never depends on myths and religion to teach generous attitudes and integrity to youngsters. The book tells one, without any superfluous discourse, that ethics and morals are human choices that we do choose because they are obviously the harbingers of harmony between people and a source of lasting joy.

This italian novel, written in the mid 19th century and dealing with the fictional diary of a boy during his third year at a school might seem a bit sentimental and moralizing to modern audiences. It reminds us of a time when literature saw as one of its missions to try to inculcate certain moral values on its readers, values that might seem old fashioned today. Like being a good citizen, loving your country, being nice to the less fortunate than you, working hard, studying hard, etc.

I read a copy of this book long time ago, and it stayed in my memory forever since.

[FoxOnStilts]

American Gods by Neil Gaiman. My favorite book ever. Since high school I've read it at least once a year.