[manlio]

* The Doors of Perception, by Aldous Huxley. [0]

So famous it became a bit of a cliche. I read it years ago and it didn't make any sense to me. But now that I've been studying Buddhism and practicing meditation for a while I picked it up again and I found it nothing short of brilliant, packed with interesting insights on philosophy, the arts, theology, the history of mysticism and the quest for the meaning of life. I know it sounds trite, but I simply wasn't ready for it the first time.

* The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera. [1]

I read this 10 years ago. It touched my heart back then and it did it again this time. It's one of the few works of fiction that changed, a little or a lot, the way I think about love, relationships, loneliness and happiness.

I can't wait to re-read it a third time, in 10 years.

[0] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5128.The_Doors_of_Percep...

[1] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9717.The_Unbearable_Ligh...

[tonyhb]

Island by Huxley is also a fantastic book with great social commentary on the west vs. an idealistic society. It's interesting to see, for example, his early take on preventative vs curative medicine in "modern" society, or how education needs to be reformed. One of my all time favourites.

[dominotw]

I wonder how much of Huxley's work is influenced by his friendship with Jiddu Krishnamurthi.

I am only marginally familiar with K's work but have no knowledge of Huxley's . Would be curious if someone who has read both can comment about the similarities/influences between the two.

[himanshuy]

The Unbearable Lightness..... is my favorite and the only fiction I have read. Never knew a fiction could be so full of emotions.