Coincidence

This morning, I finished a book which I started yesterday afternoon.  At the risk of showing my profound ineptitude at being classically well-read, I will tell you that the book was The Island of Dr. Moreau.  It was exceptionally readable, and the story, the language, and the way it made you consider humanity were extraordinary.

The Island of Dr. Moreau followed fast on the heels of another book that completely absorbed me --- The Reason I Jump.  It was written by Naoki Higashida, a 13-year-old with autism, and it gives the clearest, most insightful, most soul-breaking look into what autism is I've ever come across.  It is simply magnificent, and it changed my heart and many parts of my life.  There is no way to recommend this book highly enough.

The "coincidence" of the title comes from the fact that, upon finishing Dr. Moreau, I thought I would write a blog post about books which have left a lasting mark on me.  Then, when I signed onto facebook today, I saw there was a "tag-along" happening, wherein people were listing 10 books that made a profound impact on them.  Not necessarily their favorite books, but ones that stayed with them.  So, here I go.  In no particular order:

1.  The Reason I Jump, Naoki Higashida

2.  Until Tuesday, Luis Carlos Montalvan

3.  Harpo Speaks! Harpo Marx

4.  Lamb, Christopher Moore

5.  Jesus the Son of Man, Khalil Gibran

6.  To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee

7.  The Island of Dr. Moreau, HG Wells

8.  With Malice Toward None, Stephen Oates

9.  In Cold Blood, Truman Capote

10. The Adams-Jefferson Letters