Books
А и Б Стругацкие - "Понедельник начинается в субботу"
An absolutely indispensable book. As Holy Scripture, it is a required reading for any family member, and it will be on the test. In fact, at times family members would hold discussions contaioning nothing but quotes from "Понедельник..." We will stop here. Just read it.
И. Ильф, Е. Петров - "12 Стульев" и "Золотой теленок"
Also holy Scripture. For Advanced users. If you don't understand the books,
  1. You're a complete foreigner
  2. You're from a completely different generation
  3. You don't have any sense of humor
  4. all of the above.
Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett - "Good Omens"
Holy Scripture by definition. Great ideas, delicious language, delightful main characters. Also a source of many quotes
J.R.R. Tolkien
If the name doesn't tell you enough, leave the page immediately.
М. Булгаков - "Мастер и Маргарита"
Probably the best image of the devil you can get. Кот-Бегемот и Коровьев can compare to Crowley. The language and imagery are unrivaled.
George Orwell - "1984"
A great reality check. One of the scariest books ever. Great style, great characters, great language. As an exercise for the reader, try finding a way out.
Milan Kundera - "Unbearable Lightness of Being"
A beautifully written discussion of personal freedom, relationships and responsibility. Wonderfully anti-kitsch, anti-communist, anti-possessive.
Neil Gaiman - "The Sandman" series
an alternative view of mythologies, religions and... well, humans. Fascinating characters, keen observations and amazing ideas.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr - "Cat's Cradle" and other writings
Not even after having read his books several times, can one say what the books are about. Vonnegut is beyond storyline. One can say, though, what his books are not - that is, boring, unoriginal, mediocre, unchallenging. Just bloody read them!
Mark Twain - anything and everything you can find
It really is self-explanatory. If not... you know the drill, leave the page immediately.
Jack Kerouac
For the style. For the spirit
Ayn Rand - "The Fountainhead," "Atlas Shrugged"
For the ideas. May be scary. May be the most inspiring thing you ever read. Prepare to embrace (or have to defend against) the idea that true humanism is the exact opposite of altruism. You will love it, or hate it - nothing else is possible. Welcome to the black-and-white world.
 

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