50 BEST SOCIOLOGY BOOKS OF ALL TIME

Many students find themselves compelled to learn more about the social sciences because of their broad, interdisciplinary nature. In that spirit, this list also pulls from a spectrum of perspectives, providing a small sample of highlights from a few different topics relevant to sociologists. Because of space constraints, some subjects and titles had to be left out. But this doesn’t mean that exclusions have nothing to offer! For the widest scope possible on one of the most in-depth fields around, try and track them down as well.

Classics

1. On Behalf of the Insane Poor (1843) by Dorothea Dix: While individuals with mental health conditions (especially those in lower tax brackets) still grapple against marginalization today, the absolutely nauseating acts nurse Dorothea Dix witnessed at asylums were even more dehumanizing.
2. Rules of the Sociological Method (1895) by Emile Durkheim: Almost anything by the heavily influential sociologist Emile Durkheim should be considered essential reading, but this one in particular is notable for outlining research strategies and models.
3. The Communist Manifesto (1848) by Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx: Regardless of whether or not one agrees with the core tenets and practices of communism, the most controversial economic treatise ever published still impacted humanity (and, of course, its social structure) in a major way.
4. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905) by Max Weber: In spite of the title, Max Weber did not intend for his book to be read as an in-depth inquiry into Protestantism. Rather, one of his most famous works explores the relationship between society and religion.
5. Coming of Age in Samoa (1928) by Margaret Mead: Anthropologist Margaret Mead found some valuable sociological, historical and psychological lessons in her studies of indigenous peoples, precipitating a greater understanding of the adolescent and female experiences.
6. The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949) by Joseph Campbell: For sociology buffs who love literature and anthropology, this undeniable classic dissects commonalities in religious and folk narratives and characters from various eras and geographic locales.
7. The Lonely Crowd (1950) by Reuel Denney, Nathan Glazer and David Riesman: Although some of the research has changed over the decades along with shifts in American culture, this landmark read brought up some revolutionary, provocative ideas about self and social interaction.
8. The Sociological Imagination (1959) by C. Wright Mills: C. Wright Mills delves deeply into sociology’s structure, function and ultimate goals, providing practitioners with some amazing insight into their field — offering up some intellectual challenges about the nature of reality along the way.
9. Madness and Civilization (1961) by Michel Foucault: This incredibly illuminating book begins in the Middle Ages and traces the complex history of what society does and does not deem mentally imbalanced, its marginalization of various groups and how it justifies such intolerant behavior.
10. Stigma (1963) by Erving Goffman: In almost every society, anyone who does not fit into a specifically dictated norm ends up sent to the margins, regardless of whether or not they truly deserve it. One of sociology’s seminal works makes sense of the whys and how behind this phenomenon.
11. The Social Construction of Reality (1966) by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann:The concept of social construction remains a core component of sociological studies, and any students wanting to learn more about the influential relationship between individuals, groups and their perceptions of reality would do well to pick up Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann’s ruminations on the subjects.

12. The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) by William James: Although more a work of psychology and philosophy than sociology, students concerned with researching interplay between religion, the individual and the congregations and denominations in question should still consider this book essential.
13. The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (1912) by Emile Durkheim: The religious beliefs and rituals all over the world receive skillful dissection and analysis regarding how they influence the societies surrounding them.
14. The Sociology of Religion (c. 1921) by Max Weber: As one can easily glean from the title,The Sociology of Religion concerns itself with understanding the role of faith in shaping human society for better or for worse.
15. The World’s Religions (1958) by Huston Smith: Originally titled The Religions of Man, Huston Smith’s classic work is oftentimes cited as one of the most adroit introductions to comparative religion around.
16. Our Religions (1994) by Arvind Sharma: Significant scholars representing seven of the world’s most heavily populated religions describe the core tenets that attract followers to their respective faiths.
17. The World’s Wisdom (1995) by Philip Novak: Sociology students with a keen interest in writing about interplay between religion and society should make an effort to read sacred texts from around the world.
18. The Good Heart (1998) by His Holiness the Dalai Lama: In his lecture from 1994, the Dalai Lama offers up his own interpretations of Jesus’ teachings, resulting in a fascinating interfaith comparison between Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism.
19. The Battle for God (2000) by Karen Armstrong: Explore the three Abrahamic faiths, and the patterns they share when fringe groups hold the rest of the faith hostage with fundamentalism and violence.
20. When Religion Becomes Evil (2002) by Charles Kimball: Wake Forest professor and reverend Charles Kimball outlines the five major warning signs of a religion (or a segment of a religion) giving in to violent fundamentalist urges.
21. God is Not One (2010) by Stephen Prothero: Using both academics and personal experience, this Boston University professor delves into the eight largest religions in the world and highlights the major differences that nurture heavy conflict.

Contemporary Classics

22. Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997) by Jared Diamond: Sociology aficionados, students and professionals who also enjoy reading about history, ethnography, geography and politics (among other topics) will probably find this critically lauded Pulitzer winner a thoroughly engaging read.
23. Bowling Alone (2000) by Robert D. Putnam: Though time has witnessed a movement away from some of Robert D. Putnam’s studies and observations, his frank discussions of why so many Americans migrate away from civil and neighborly engagement still ring true in many aspects.
24. Culture Jam (2000) by Kalle Lasn: Subcultures are just as important to sociologists as the prevailing hegemonies surrounding them. Adbusters co-founder Kalle Lasn introduces readers to the old art of culture jamming in response to conspicuous consumption and manipulative advertising.
25. Sexing the Body (2000) by Anne Fausto-Sterling: Contemporary sexologists make some very compelling scientific cases for gender being based more on sociological paradigms rather than something inherently biological. Many, such as Anne Fausto-Sterling, hope to dispel many of the myths surrounding those who don’t fit into the confining cultural binary.
26. The Blank Slate (2002) by Steven Pinker: All social science students are familiar with the concept of tabula rasa, but Steven Pinker believes that using it as a model will yield erroneous results and thinking.
27. The Wisdom of Crowds (2004) by James Surowiecki: Though the “crowd mentality” has a tendency to devolve into madness, this journalist argues that there are some very valuable lessons in productivity to be learned from it.
28. Freakonomics (2005) by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt: In spite of its merging of economics and pop culture, some sociologists looking for something a little bit lighter than Durkheim, Foucault and Weber find Freakonomics a neat read.
29. The Lucifer Effect (2007) by Philip Zimbardo: Psychologist Philip Zimbardo explores the highly complex sociological and psychological factors that send previously stable, good-hearted people over the edge and compel them to commit violent crimes.
30. Guyland (2008) by Michael Kimmel: Adolescent boys in America grow up with some potentially damaging social norms regarding acceptable, arbitrarily “masculine” behavior foisted upon them. This controversial read explores the sociology behind some of these hazardous mindsets and what needs to be done to curb them.

Ethnic Studies

31. Tally’s Corner (1967) by Elliott Liebow: This groundbreaking study of African-American poverty, ethnography and urbanism should be placed on the syllabi and personal reading lists of sociology students and professionals alike.
32. Coming to America (1990) by Roger Daniels: Now in its second edition, Coming to Americaexplores the unique experiences of immigrants fleeing to the United States in search of new opportunities — many of whom tragically never really find what they’re seeking.
33. A Different Mirror (1993) by Ronald Tataki: History, sociology and anthropology lessons merge together through stories and perspectives shining light on the nation’s rich, multicultural heritage.
34. Other People’s Children (1995) by Lisa Delpit: Learn about the myriad ways in which the public school system tends to marginalize minority and impoverished children based more on stereotypes rather than personal aptitude, and how these practices compromise their futures.
35. Race Rules (1996) by Michael Eric Dyson: This essay collection explores the difficult but absolutely necessary questions behind racial divides in America, which persisted even into the succeeding millennium.
36. The Earth Shall Weep (1998) by James Wilson: The grim reality of Native American history after the Europeans ravaged their culture and land provides ethnographers and ethnic studies students plenty to ponder.
37. Asian American Dreams (2001) by Helen Zia: Part memoir, part journalistic inquiry, Asian American Dreams opens readers up to the marginalizing experiences of the eponymous demographic both in school and mainstream society.
38. Harvest of Empire (2001) by Juan Gonzales: This history book delves deeply into the complex past, present and possible futures of the Latin American peoples, serving as an excellent introduction to this particular corner of ethnic studies.
39. Unequal Childhoods (2003) by Annette Lareau: For examples of class and race divides still present in the United States, one need only look at the public school system. From there, these gulfs only widen and cause distress in the surrounding societies.
40. “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” (2003) by Beverly Daniel Tatum: One psychologist dissects how younger generations form and come to terms with their racial identity, paying especially close attention to African-Americans receiving an education in predominantly Caucasian schools.

Women’s Studies

41. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) by Mary Wollstonecroft: One of the earliest feminist treatises ever written laid the groundwork for later movements — all it asked was that women enjoy perfectly equal social standing as men.
42. The Second Sex (1949) by Simone de Beauvoir: Before the women’s movement gained considerable momentum in America, this French existentialist pointed out the marginalization and “otherness” oftentimes foisted upon females.
43. The Feminine Mystique (1963) by Betty Friedan: In the book that almost single-handedly launched the Second Wave of the feminist movement, Betty Friedan explored the plight of American housewives and pleaded for social justice.
44. The Female Eunuch (1970) by Germaine Greer: Though not everyone will necessarily agree with the fiery, radical takes on feminism by writers such as Germaine Greer and Angela Y. Davis, sociologists with a love of studying sociopolitical movements and subcultures will find them absolutely fascinating.
45. Women Race & Class (1983) by Angela Y. Davis: This incredibly controversial activist offers up her take on the eponymous subjects, based on experiences gained during one of the nation’s most volatile eras.
46. Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center (1984) by bell hooks: bell hooks delivers an incredibly powerful message about how even movements meant to combat marginalization still end up kicking some members to the fringe.
47. The Beauty Myth (1991) by Naomi Wolf: One of feminism’s core complaints revolves around the objectification and obsession with female beauty and body shape, which receives a thorough history and dissection here.
48. ManifestA (2000) by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards: Young feminists looking to lead the next generation of empowered women — as well as sociologists studying them — will find plenty of useful information and inspiration between ManifestA‘s covers.
49. Female Chauvinist Pigs (2005) by Ariel Levy: Explore one of the more nebulous corners of the women’s movement, where some ladies deliberately exploit their sexuality to impress men, yet still label such actions empowerment.
50. The Purity Myth (2009) by Jessica Valenti: Savvy Jessica Valenti analyzes how social and media perceptions and stigmatizations of female sexuality actively hold back — if not outright endanger — young women.
    

25 Worthwhile Classics To Read:

1. 1.Hamlet – Shakespeare

2. 2.The Odyssey – Homer

3. 3.Through the Looking Glass (and what Alice found there) – Lewis Carroll

4. 4.Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

5. 5.Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’ Dell

6. 6.The Tell-Tale Heart – Edgar Allan Poe

7. 7.Journey to the Center of the Earth – Jules Verne

8. 8.Moby Dick – Herman Melville

9. 9.The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

10. 10. Dracula – Bram Stoker

11. 11.The Jungle – Upton Sinclair

12. 12. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

13. 13. War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy

14. 14. The Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger

15. 15.The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas

16. 16.Don Quixote – Miquel de Cervantes Saavedra

17. 17.The Idiot – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

18. 18.To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

19. 19.Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad

20. 20. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

21. 21.The Call of the Wild – Jack London

22. 22.The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck

23. 23.This Side of Paradise – F. Scott Fitzgerald

24. 24. Siddhartha – Hermann Hesse

24. 25.The Death of a Salesman – Arthur Miller

12 Useful Websites to Improve Your Writing:

1. Words-to-Use.com — A different kind of thesaurus.

2. OneLook.com — One quick dictionary search tool.

3. Vocabulary.com — The quickest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary.

4. ZenPen.io — A minimalist writing zone where you can block out all distractions.

5. 750words.com — Write three new pages every day.

6. Readability-Score.com — Get scored on your writing’s readability.

7. YouShouldWrite.com — Get a new writing prompt every time you visit.

8. WriterKata.com — Improve your writing with repetitive exercises.

9. IWL.me — A tool that analyzes your writing and tells you which famous authors you most write like.

10. HemingwayApp.com — Simplify your writing.

11. FakeNameGenerator.com — Generate fake names for your characters.

12. Storyline.io — Collaborate on a story with others by submitting a paragraph.

 

NEW ELEMENT DISCOVERED!

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by university physicists. The new element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons and no electrons, and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 15 assistant neutrons, 70 vice-neutrons, and 161 assistant vice-neutrons. This gives it an atomic mass of 247. These 247 particles are held together by a force that involves a constant exchange of a special class of particles called morons.

Since it does not have electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium added to one reaction caused it to take over four days to complete. Without the administratium, the reaction ordinarily occurred in less than one second.

Administratium has a half-life of approximately three years, after which it does not normally decay but instead undergoes a complex nuclear process called “reorganization.” In this little understood process, assistant neutrons, vice-neutrons, and assistant vice-neutrons appear to exchange places. Early results indicate that the atomic mass actually increases after each “reorganization.”

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government, large companies, health facilities and universities; and will often be found in the newest, best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reactions where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising. 😀

 

MIT Acceptance Letter & Response: FUNNY!

The first letter is one MIT sends out, The second is one they got back! 😀 

SATIRE! HAHA!

 

 

April 18, 1994

Mr. John T. Mongan
123 Main Street
Smalltown, California 94123-4567

Dear John:
You’ve got the grades. You’ve certainly got the PSAT scores. And now you’ve got a letter from MIT. Maybe you’re surprised. Most students would be.
But you’re not most students. And that’s exactly why I urge you to consider carefully one of the most selective universities in America.
The level of potential reflected in your performance is a powerful indicator that you might well be an excellent candidate for MIT. It certainly got my attention!
Engineering’s not for you? No problem. It may surprise you to learn we offer more than 40 major fields of study, from architecture to brain and cognitive sciences, from economics (perhaps the best program in the country) to writing.
What? Of course, you don’t want to be bored. Who does? Life here is tough and demanding, but it’s also fun. MIT students are imaginative and creative – inside and outside the classroom.
You’re interested in athletics? Great! MIT has more varsity teams – 39 – than almost any other university, and a tremendous intramural program so everybody can participate.
You think we’re too expensive? Don’t be too sure. We’ve got surprises for you there, too.
Why not send the enclosed Information Request to find out more about this unique institution? Why not do it right now?

Sincerely,

Michael C. Benhke Director of Admissions

P.S. If you’d like a copy of a fun-filled, fact-filled brochure, Insight, just check the appropriate box on the form.

………………………………………………………..

May 5, 1994

Michael C. Behnke
MIT Director of Admissions
Office of Admissions, Room 3-108
Cambridge MA 02139-4307

Dear Michael:
You’ve got the reputation. You’ve certainly got the pomposity. And now you’ve got a letter from John Mongan. Maybe you’re surprised. Most universities would be.
But you’re not most universities. And that’s exactly why I urge you to carefully consider one of the most selective students in America, so selective that he will choose only one of the thousands of accredited universities in the country.
The level of pomposity and lack of tact reflected in your letter is a powerful indicator that your august institution might well be a possibility for John Mongan’s future education. It certainly got my attention!
Don’t want Bio-Chem students? No problem. It may surprise you to learn that my interests cover over 400 fields of study, from semantics to limnology, from object-oriented programming (perhaps one of the youngest professionals in the country) to classical piano.
What? Of course you don’t want egotistical jerks. Who does? I am self indulgent and over-confident, but I’m also amusing. John Mongan is funny and amusing – whether you’re laughing with him or at him.
You’re interested in athletes? Great! John Mongan has played more sports – 47 – than almost any other student, including oddball favorites such as Orienteering.
You think I can pay for your school? Don’t be too sure. I’ve got surprises for you there, too.
Why not send a guaranteed admission and full scholarship to increase your chance of being selected by John Mongan? Why not do it right now?

Sincerely,

John Mongan

P.S. If you’d like a copy of a fun-filled, fact-filled brochure, John Mongan: What a Guy! just ask.

13 WONDERFUL OLD ENGLISH WORDS TO USE TODAY

As the years pass, language evolves.

Since the days of Chaucer and Shakespeare, we can all agree English has become less flowery.

Some fantastic vocabulary just dropped out of everyday conversation.

Author Mark Forsyth writes about the words we’ve lost. From his book “Horologicon” to his Tumblr and published articles, I have compiled a list of the best words that need reviving.

⦁ . Ultracrepidarian (n):”Somebody who gives opinions on subjects they know nothing about.”
Example: Too many ultracrepidarians discuss the conflict in Syria.

⦁ . Snollygoster (n): “a shrewed, unprincipled person, especially a politician.”
Example: Many consider Chris Christie a snollygoster after the Bridgegate scandal.

⦁ Zwodder (n): “a drowsy and stupid state of body or mind.”
Example: Without my morning coffee, I remain in a zwodder all day.

⦁ Philogrobolized (adj): “conveys a hangover without ever having to admit you’ve been drinking.”
Example: Pedialyte freezer pops can save even the most philogrobized partier.

⦁ Grufeling (v): “To lie close wrapped up and in a comfortable-looking manner; used in ridicule.”
Example: Avoid grufeling in the face of a challenge.

⦁ Clinomania (n): “an obsessive desire to lie down.”
Example: Without adequate sleep, you’ll suffer from more than clinomania.

⦁ Hum durgeon (n): “an imaginary illness; also “the thickest part of his thigh is nearest his arse.”
Example: You should never claim hum durgeon to miss work.

⦁ Quomodocunquize (v): “to make money in any way that you can.”
Example: Rather than quomodocunquizing, invest your money wisely.

⦁ Fudgel (v): “pretending to work when you’re not actually doing anything at all.”
Example: Sometimes fudgeling can actually increase your focus.
⦁ Snecklifter (n): “a person who pokes his [or her] head into a pub to see if there’s anyone who might stand him [or her] a drink.”
Example: Snecklifters never pay for their own whiskey – or offer to buy one for you.

⦁ Ergophobia (n): “the morbid fear of returning to work.”
Example: The worst employees suffer from extreme ergophobia on Mondays.

⦁ . Famelicose (adj): “constantly hungry.”
Example: I’m famelicose for a grilled cheese.

⦁ . Groke (v): “to gaze at somebody while they’re eating in the hope that they’ll give you some of their food.”
Example: My dog constantly grokes at me longingly while I eat dinner.

 

 

 

The World As I See It: An Essay By Albert Einstein

Einstein at his home.

“How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he sometimes thinks he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people — first of all for those upon whose smiles and well-being our own happiness is wholly dependent, and then for the many, unknown to us, to whose destinies we are bound by the ties of sympathy. A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving…“I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves — this critical basis I call the ideal of a pigsty. The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. Without the sense of kinship with men of like mind, without the occupation with the objective world, the eternally unattainable in the field of art and scientific endeavors, life would have seemed empty to me. The trite objects of human efforts — possessions, outward success, luxury — have always seemed to me contemptible. “My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings and human communities. I am truly a ‘lone traveler’ and have never belonged to my country, my home, my friends, or even my immediate family, with my whole heart; in the face of all these ties, I have never lost a sense of distance and a need for solitude…” “My political ideal is democracy. Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized. It is an irony of fate that I myself have been the recipient of excessive admiration and reverence from my fellow-beings, through no fault, and no merit, of my own. The cause of this may well be the desire, unattainable for many, to understand the few ideas to which I have with my feeble powers attained through ceaseless struggle. I am quite aware that for any organization to reach its goals, one man must do the thinking and directing and generally bear the responsibility. But the led must not be coerced, they must be able to choose their leader. In my opinion, an autocratic system of coercion soon degenerates; force attracts men of low morality… The really valuable thing in the pageant of human life seems to me not the political state, but the creative, sentient individual, the personality; it alone creates the noble and the sublime, while the herd as such remains dull in thought and dull in feeling.“This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of herd life, the military system, which I abhor… This plague-spot of civilization ought to be abolished with all possible speed. Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism — how passionately I hate them! “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery — even if mixed with fear — that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man… I am satisfied with the mystery of life’s eternity and with a knowledge, a sense, of the marvelous structure of existence — as well as the humble attempt to understand even a tiny portion of the Reason that manifests itself in nature.”   The text of Albert Einstein’s copyrighted essay, “The World As I See It,” was shortened for this Web exhibit. The essay was originally published in “Forum and Century,” vol. 84, pp. 193-194, the thirteenth in the Forum series, Living Philosophies. It is also included in Living Philosophies (pp. 3-7) New York: Simon Schuster, 1931. For a more recent source, you can also find a copy of it in A. Einstein, Ideas and Opinions, based on Mein Weltbild, edited by Carl Seelig, New York: Bonzana Books, 1954 (pp. 8-11). THANK YOU!

My current read: Mystical Poems of Rumi :) Review coming soon!

Mystical Poems of Rumi

Currently, I am reading this book! Will soon post its review here. 🙂

BOOK REVIEW: THE BOY WHO SPOKE TO STARS BY BEN MILES.

‘Forget everything you’ve ever learned about the stars and they’ll once more be
transformed into angels, or into children, or into whatever you want to believe
at that moment. It won’t make you more stupid – after all, it’s only a game.’
– Paulo Coelho

This book commences with this wondrous and thought-provoking quote, of another well-known author; Paulo Coelho.

If taken heed, this quote is more than a quote – it not only is functioning as a piece of quotation, but as an advice. A stupendous advice to carry on – carry on with your life and your mind – whatever happens. Imagination, perception, stars, humans, life, universe, freedom, peace, angels – these words continually erupt  in the memetic brain of a homo sapien like me, when I try to rack my brain to decipher its intention or meaning.

Coming further to this book that I am going to touch upon in a nutshell, here are the awesome details:

BOOK: The Boy Who Spoke to Stars

AUTHOR: BEN MILES 

EDITION: © 2014 (FIRST EDITION)

PAGES: 267

HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO READ: 2 DAYS

PLOT SUMMARY:

This book unfolds a very tantalizing, wondrous, and a  magical tale  that revolves around a family – especially between two kids; a 13-year-old Kasper and a 14-year-old Loki. Both are cousins. Their lives were going normal until Kasper’s elder brother Edmund dies in a very tragic accident, and then their lives take over a new leaf – where they glean a lot of things. Kasper is a very innocent and a normal boy until after 4 years of his elder brother’s death, he incessantly blames himself and constantly encounters nightmares in his slumber. Those nightmares haunt him, but who knew they’ll become real one day?  Loki fell asleep almost instantly; her body willing her to rest, to escape … whatever was needed. Kasper could hear her slow breathing in the darkness. He wondered how they’d ended up deep inside the cliff, running from whatever that thing outside was … and as he lay there, waiting for slumber to come to him, three words kept repeating in his head … arrested, abducted, murdered … the list of their vanished parents. All gone in separate ways.

Somewhere in the dark the truth was waiting. And the stars were watching.

The Boy Who Spoke to Stars is the first book in a trilogy. It is about death, secrets and forgiveness. The story follows kasper and Loki as they learn a shocking truth about their parents and uncover an ancient war…

CHARACTERS: While this tale revolves around two main characters dubbed as Kasper and Loki, both are cousins and their bond is more powerful than anything one can ever imagine. Their stars are connected, their lives are connected. Then, there are Kasper’s parents Rose and Solomon, both geniuses of their own departments. Rose is an astrophysicist, something we get to know about later in while devouring the book – and Solomon is seen as an engineer – but let me tell you, they both aren’t normal people preoccupied with their fields, but they have hidden an ancient secret in their hearts that is found later by their kid, Kasper. We are also introduced briefly to Kasper’s elder brother Edmund, who seems a very friendly, responsible and a sensible young fellow – someone Kasper admired too much and then blames himself for Edmund’s tragic death. Loki’s parents are Gus and Pippa – Gus being a well-known Psychiatrist. The tale takes a bad turn during the days when Kasper is continuously haunted by some strange nightmares, and a psychological tendency in him to continuously hear an inner voice blaming him for his brother’s tragic demise 4 years ago – and then one day when the eclipse arrives, Kasper’s dad suddenly vanishes; leaving Kasper in one of his 2nd fear and he treks upon a new path. The story goes on and on, people get murdered on his path, while he and Loki team up and befriend a new stranger called Tenro, who strangely knows everything about the kids’ and their parents’ lives and discloses a few of the ancient secrets and their parents’ guilt of past that leads both of them into different circumstances, and they experience often threatening and often spiritual moments. Then we meet some other characters, that I also truly grew fond of.  And who can forget the unknown, unseen monster called The Gloaming? He protects the stars and lives of humans, too. In this book, we are also confronted with sacrificial aspects of life. This incredible tale is worth reading and gripping! The other things are for the readers to discover!

WHAT I LIKED: I loved almost everything! This book contains its own unique beauty in its texts. 🙂

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Nothing at all! 🙂

GENERAL THOUGHTS:

The story beautifully portrays the pulchritude of nature, of stars and of our universe as a whole.  The author has left no stone unturned for us to not wonder, with our tongue sticking out slightly from the side of our mouth – as we delve deep into the truth of life, of fantasy – mingled with science-fiction. This is the first ever novel of Ben Miles, and a written proof to his breathtaking imagination, mingled with spicy scientific vocabulary and reflects his love for nature. I must congratulate Ben Miles for winning my heart over this magnificent work. It leaves the reader speechless, and persuades in a lovely manner to flip the pages again and again, in a desperate attempt to unlock the upcoming hidden happenings.

Another best thing about this book is that it is a young adult novel, with a huge touch of realism, psychology, beauty, astronomy, ancient mythical aspects – and the way it induces those subtle elements of life into a reader’s own imagination. The use of imagery in this book is first rate! It made the story and its characters alive in front of me, as if I can hear their screams, their hidden thoughts and powers. It is a multitude of tales, two paralleling worlds embrace us – and for once, we are lost in a deep ocean of wonder and awe. It also unravels a truth hidden in ourselves – about death, of life, of triumph, bliss and dystopic and spiritual awakenings. While there for a moment I used to froze and giggle at the thought of being inside a stodgy guard’s body and inside some animal’s body – the ending chapter, of wreckage of a building made me cry onto my pillow.  Indeed, I always held the belief that we all are made of stardust. 

THIS BOOK SHOULD BECOME AN EPIC BESTSELLER AND A MOVIE!  CANNOT WAIT FOR ITS NEXT PARTS!!

I won’t unleash much about what occurs in this brilliant piece of literature – as that should be left for the dear readers to unlock. 🙂

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION FOR EVERYONE!!!!! THIS BOOK IS EVEN MORE PRECIOUS THAN TIME ITSELF! IT IS TIMELESS, AND ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE READ! 🙂

MY REVIEWS OF SOME BOOKS ON GOODREADS:

The Diary of Anne Frank, New Edition by Harold Bloom My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book by the time I found it in some dusty corner of someone’s house back in 2008. I personally highly commiserate with this girl who expired in such abominable conditions, and writing for her was therapeutic. Overall, it is a sad yet true tale portraying the barbaric Nazi culture in vivid terms. Would recommend it to every age reader. 🙂 View all my reviews War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy My rating: 5 of 5 stars Overall, it was an awesome book. Too long, but well worth the read! I admire Russian Lit, and Leo Tolstoy has an incredible ability with words flowing . . . 🙂 However, most of the teens out there hold opposite views than my very own; they deem it as dry and dull. But in reality, I am also a teen, and as an avid teen reader, writer and a poetess – I must say it polished my mind into a new perspective about everything. No doubt, this book holds great significance in the bookshelves of ‘world literature’. :O) View all my reviews Sybil: The Classic True Story of a Woman Possessed by Sixteen Personalities by Flora Rheta Schreiber My rating: 5 of 5 stars Overall an interesting read. I will categorize it into a “fictional” tale, not as a “Non-fiction” genre book as it is claimed to be. Its fictional storyline proceeds fantastically, while delving deep into a reader’s puny mind. It gives a twisty and canny effect on the reader, leaving him overcast with a shadow of psychological thrill. Beware! Well, I read this book because of the popular notion worldwide that this book is one of the MERE causes of women worldwide being diagnosed with “Multiple Personality Disorder”, and as a Psychology student – I tried my luck of gleaning some info into this. View all my reviews

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