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thepopethatsme t1_j5e494v wrote

You might as well read something huge like The Count of Monte Cristo

It’s excellent. And has themes in there that you might relate with/find interesting

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Season666 OP t1_j5e4h28 wrote

Read it last time! Was absolutely fantastic!

👌😂 I see what you did there😉

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thepopethatsme t1_j5e5jp6 wrote

Amazing - in that case go for Les Mis next. I’m about halfway through now but it’s been one of the best books I’ve ever read. Also recently did Crime and Punishment and War and Peace. Love a 1000+ page book 😂

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Season666 OP t1_j5e5nxy wrote

Someone else just said crime and punishment, gonna add that now for sure. Definitely will go for Les Mis. Thank you! They're absolutely fantastic right? 😊

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hour_of_the_rat t1_j5e64mj wrote

If you want to read it again, just look under 'Educational' in the prison library.

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Anything by Kim Stanley Robinson, or Dan Simmons--both literary sci-fi. Gap Into Space, very weird sci-fi by Stephen R. Donaldson. Samuel R. Delaney, more weird sci-fi.

Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott.

Non-fiction books by Mary Roach.

Gore Vidal, essays, and historical and contemporary literature.

The Name of The Rose

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Season666 OP t1_j5e68r0 wrote

Ahhh Shawshank is one of my favorites..👌

Thanks for your recommendations! Appreciate it

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vmar5646656565 t1_j5e7qog wrote

Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson took a little time to get through and I greatly enjoyed it.

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jrkowling t1_j5e6o72 wrote

might as well get a blueprint of the prison layout stashed in the book.

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Disastrous_Animal_34 t1_j5e3sof wrote

Robin Hobb’s Farseer series gives you 13 meaty books.

Good luck.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e464t wrote

I thought it was a trilogy LOL.

Heard they're good, thank you!

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Elbi2 t1_j5ed08i wrote

I came here to suggest that! The farseer books are a trilogy that's part of a larger series called The Realm of the Elderlings and it is EPIC! one of the best series I've read. It ruined me.

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BreqsCousin t1_j5e7i7w wrote

The Wheel of Time is fifteen

(both are good, how long will you be in for?)

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redlipsandliterature t1_j5e6vly wrote

Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series for a bit of escapism?

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rubseb t1_j5ea30l wrote

Ymmv but from my experience with those books, they're likely to make your sentence feel longer, not shorter.

The Wheel of Time turns, but not very fast apparently.

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mR-Smeeth t1_j5e9kwc wrote

If you enjoy this then any of Brandon Sandersons books will be your next series. He finished the wheel of time series.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e7j6u wrote

Looks good to me, added to list. Thank you!

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ExhibitionistBrit t1_j5e3me1 wrote

They let you just pick the books you want in there!? I’m quite suprised.

I recommend yellow blue tibia, a sci-fi mystery of sorts beginning in stalin’s Russia and taking you up to the chernoble era

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Season666 OP t1_j5e3pq6 wrote

Well, there is the prison library.

However, you can have your people send you books from approved vendors. Usually barnes n noble or Amazon i think.

Thank you!

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lanadelrage t1_j5e3sb9 wrote

Why are you going to prison? I’ll recommend you books based on your crime :)

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Season666 OP t1_j5e3zkc wrote

I just realized this would come up, should have stated.

Delivery charges, MDMA and alprazolam (Xanax).

Same shit I went for before, dealing droogs.

Keep in mind, they won't let any books through they deem inappropriate. However, that's usually only if the cover of the book has something dumb on it. The only book they kept back last time was an LSD book because on the cover it said something along the lines of "LSD mafia"

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lanadelrage t1_j5e4xe8 wrote

That sucks man. Hope you’re not in too long and you’re able to get a job/get your life back when you’re out.

Ok, here’s my recs:

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh. It’s about a girl who wants to use pills to spend an entire year sleeping so that her cells will replace themselves and she’ll be a different person when she wakes up. It’s hilarious and moving and I’ve never related to anyone more.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. A man escapes prison in Australia and flees to Mumbai, where he becomes part of the cities criminal eco system. It’s a true story, except for the made up bits.

Junky by William S. Burroughs. If you like this one, it’s a great introduction to the beat authors!

Are Prisons Obsolete? By Angela Y Davis. Short non fic on the utter bullshit that is the prison industrial complex.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley- dystopian future where people constantly pop pills handed out by the government to change their mood.

How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan. Non fiction. It’s about what we can learn about humanity from the study of psychedelics.

The Dying Earth Series by Jack Vance. This one has nothing to do with drugs or anything, it’s just a completely awesome series of fantasy books that make you feel like you’re in another world. I always re read it if I want to get away from my current surroundings. It’s the adventures of this dickhead scam artist wizard fucking around in a world where the sun has died so everyone knows the world could go dark at any moment. No one has anything to live for so everyone is just going wild.

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hour_of_the_rat t1_j5e5nzg wrote

>Shantaram

I'd stay clear of this. Every page has about twenty metaphors / analogies. It is 90% fiction, per recent interview because of the new, now cancelled, miniseries.

It is long though, about 900 pages. There are worse things to read. I read it almost 20 years ago, and wanted to read it again now that I am back in India, and quit at page 70.

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littlegreycellss t1_j5e68y8 wrote

Terry Pratchetts discworld series has so many books and they are amazing, funny and just really good. There are 41 novels so if you like it, youd be good for a while haha! Good luck!

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Season666 OP t1_j5e6b8w wrote

Holy cow! What's the premise about?

Thank you!

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littlegreycellss t1_j5e6isc wrote

Okay so it sounds ridiculous but its a flat world that rests on the backs of 4 elephants who stand on a turtle and that drifts through space. There are different themes in the series, like wizards, witches, ancient history, industrial revolution. So there is something for everyone! The books arent really in order so you can just pick whatever sounds best. The books are mostly just funny fantasy situations and the writer makes fun of a lot of cliches :)

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Season666 OP t1_j5e6lwb wrote

Ah okay I've heard about these! Didn't realize that's what it was. Will definitely check it out thank you!

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archerysleuth t1_j5eb68e wrote

For the watch series start with guards guards, the death ones start with Mort, the witches start with equal rites, Moist van Lipwig ( industrial books) start with going postal, the Rincewind books with the colour of magic and then there are completely separate books like rolling pictures, small gods that are standalone. The Tiffany series is more young audience and starts with the wee free men. I highly recommend starting with the watch as it not only helps with world building it is a complete cast your going to love soon. The witches gave more fun with takes on shakespeare, vampire or fairy tale stories. The Rincewind books might be hardest to get into as the first two or so are a bit more complex. Same with the first of the witches being less fun and more world building. Here is a more comprehensive explanation https://bookriot.com/discworld-reading-order/ Im

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KnackHD t1_j5e6hke wrote

What did you do to get imprisoned

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BlarneyBlackfyre t1_j5e55gn wrote

Stephen King’s Dark Tower Series

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Season666 OP t1_j5e5b33 wrote

Yuppppp that's at the top of my list! Ive purposely waited to start them for my incarceration. Thanks 👍

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khug t1_j5e80aj wrote

The Expanse series would be my pick

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cupio_disssolvi t1_j5e7j8r wrote

If there's one book I'd absolutely recommend, it's The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.

Good luck, hope you won't be in for long.

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Raspberry_Riot t1_j5e9cpk wrote

Once you’ve finished that one try Alain De Botton’s ‘Consolations of philosophy’ - it’s a wonderful book and can stand alone or as a companion piece to the Boethius. De Botton probably writes better than anyone alive on this subject

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DenseVoigt t1_j5e8ic0 wrote

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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Season666 OP t1_j5e960v wrote

I cant remember what weir book I read before but I enjoyed it. Thanks!

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DaveyAngel t1_j5e67dv wrote

Mervyn Peake's "Gormenghast" trilogy. I recommend this to everyone.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e74ii wrote

Writing it down, thank you!

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[deleted] t1_j5ea22v wrote

Robertson Davies sang the praises of the Gormenghast trilogy. That is incredibly high praise, as Davies was one of the greatest Canadian writers.

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_Dusty_Mustard_ t1_j5e74bv wrote

Maybe look into getting credentials or certificates while in there.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e7xft wrote

Oh for sure. Sadly in my state you have to have a certain amount of time to do college courses, (4 year minimum) and I'm really hoping my time is that or under. So we'll see. They dont offer much else sadly.

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ChihuahuasWin t1_j5e7xry wrote

When you cook ramen, dump out the water, put in a couple of those butter cup things most facilities give, put the seasoning on it, and a splash of milk. Changes everything.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e8fv7 wrote

Bruh, I know how to make cook ups! 😂😂😂

Frying the noodles does change the game tho, appreciate it.😉

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Illienne t1_j5e8fwm wrote

Imperial Radch Series by Ann Leckie, if you like science fiction.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e8wxa wrote

Quick google search and I'm intrigued! Thanks!

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organicmiso t1_j5e8rmg wrote

Fiction: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. Very ponderous, lots to think over and digest.

Non-fiction: Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis. Assuming you’re in the US, this book provides some great insight into how we ended up with the current system of incarceration. Remains relevant despite being written near the start of the millennium.

Good luck friend. (edit: formatting)

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Season666 OP t1_j5ea769 wrote

Thanks! Definitely interested in the prison obsolete book. I have an idea that it probably jives with how I personally feel about our prison system and how fucked it is.

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julimaa t1_j5e8wzg wrote

Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, its a German author so you have to check if its available in English too

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Season666 OP t1_j5eai23 wrote

Yes it was translated in english fairly quickly after first published. Thanks!

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DuckieGurl t1_j5f5ao2 wrote

I would recommend Siddhartha by Herman Hesse too then! It was recommended to me when I was a kid and I didn't get it, but then I re-read it as an adult and it was amazing.

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maX_h3r t1_j5e4gnh wrote

Antifragile, Taleb

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Season666 OP t1_j5e4wzh wrote

Just peeped that cuz never heard, looks good. Thanks mate

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bangdazap t1_j5e4kx4 wrote

Native Son by Richard Wright

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Shot-Donkey665 t1_j5e4vc4 wrote

I'm currently reading "Rejoice, a knife to the heart" by Steven Erikson. Sci-fi about an Alien AI intervening to stop our own self-made destruction

Really enjoying it so far.

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U_gotTP4my_bunghole t1_j5e65mr wrote

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

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Season666 OP t1_j5e73iw wrote

Yesssss! Such a good read. I'm sure I'll come across it again, thanks!

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VivianCirce t1_j5e869q wrote

You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train by Howard Zinn

A great inspiring story about the importance of personal involvement in social change

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Season666 OP t1_j5e8sjg wrote

Interesting... adding to my list, thanks!

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brademerika t1_j5e8ff4 wrote

The Count of Monte Cristo

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Season666 OP t1_j5e8tlq wrote

Already read, great prison read!😂😉🤙

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covermeincheese t1_j5e8hzp wrote

House of Leaves is my favorite. It's best in full color, as that edition has extra appendices in the back. But it's one that has prompted a lot of personal introspection over the years

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Season666 OP t1_j5e93c9 wrote

I like the sound of this a lot, putting it towards the front of the list. Thanks!

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covermeincheese t1_j5e95or wrote

It's also visually a very cool and unique book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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Pombear1123 t1_j5e8n4w wrote

A Boy Made Of Blocks is one of my favourite books, so always recommend that!

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postole t1_j5e8ppd wrote

I always recommend David Zindell. Neverness and A Requiem for Homo Sapiens, plus The Idiot Gods.

The Bahagavad-gita, the Qur'an, the bible.

And if you want to sleep well. Books that prepare u for IT-sertificates. Think MOUS, MCP - Stuff that can land u a job in tech support. It is not hard if you can handle the boredom :) And you take the examn after u get out. At an exam centre.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e9pck wrote

Ahhhhhh very crafty, I like it! Thanks man.

Got into the Bahagavad gita my last bit, more than the bible for sure. Quran didn't do much for me, couldn't even finish it honestly.

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postole t1_j5eckp0 wrote

If you contact your nearest ISKCON, centre for Krishna-consciousness, they will give you a ton of books for free. But be nice and donate something in return ;)

Best of luck brother.

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duckbusiness t1_j5e8qvl wrote

A Gentleman in Moscow

The Three Body Problem trilogy

All the Stephen King

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defenestrator2000 t1_j5e8qx3 wrote

The Malazan series should get you through a few years. It's stupidly good and epic

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Season666 OP t1_j5e9v6c wrote

Thanks man, adding.

I shit you not, if it's something I GET into, I'd have all of them read in 2-3 weeks.😂😂😂

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defenestrator2000 t1_j5ezlab wrote

All good. There's around 10 or so books, each well over a thousand pages so you're set for a while I'd hope haha

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SudoPi t1_j5e8upo wrote

Some books/series' that should last you some time:

Fantasy

  1. Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson (4 books out so far, all with more than 1k pages)
  2. Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (Standalone brick of a fantasy novel)
  3. The Green Bone Sage by Fonda Lee (Completed series with 3 books that center a mafia family + really tight martial-arts inspired magic system)
  4. Babel by R.F. Kuang (Standalone fantasy)
  5. Locked Tomb Series (3 books out so far, fun and mysterious tone to each of the books so you could spend lots of hours piecing together information? - Necromancy and SPACE involved!)

Contemporary

  1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  2. The Book Thief by Mark Zusak
  3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
  4. Stoner by John Williams

Apologies for the lack of formatting OP and descriptions for the latter half of the recs, I realized that you might be going to prison real soon so I will drop the list here and see if you have any interest in the titles! Best of luck my friend in there, take care of yourself and you'll come back stronger and better than ever! Have a good time with all the books too, the recommendations here seem great :)

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Season666 OP t1_j5eady1 wrote

Thank you! I have some time before I gotta go, but I can check on those myself. Appreciate the overviews tho cuz now I don't have to google em! Those all sound great honestly, adding to the list! Green bone sage sounds pretty tight!

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SudoPi t1_j5og2sr wrote

No worries, feel free to drop me a message anytime if you ever want to talk about them! Hope everything goes smoothly dude :)

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Mrsparkles7100 t1_j5e8ysk wrote

Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. First couple of books is a case of the author finding the right style. However after those the books flow better. Sci/Fantasy humour setting. Around 20 books in the series.

“The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it’s as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues”

“The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.

Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.

But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.

This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.”

Air America. Is about CIAs covert airforce they created. Mainly creating various companies to support their covert actions.

“Air America – a secret airline run by the CIA – flew missions no one else would touch, from General Claire Cennault’s legendary Flying Tigers in WW II to two brutal decades cruising over the bomb-savaged jungles of Southeast Asia. Their pilots dared all and did all – a high-rolling, fast-playing bunch of has-beens and hellraisers whose motto was ‘Anything, Anywhere, Anytime’. Whether it was delivering food and weapons or spooks and opium, Air America was the one airline where you didn’t need reservations – just a hell of a lot of courage and a willingness to fly to the bitter end.”

Deadly Illusions. In-depth and a heavy read. About KGB spymaster who recruited the Cambridge Spy Ring( large spy scandal in British government from 1930s -50s). Then played a game of wits against Stalin and US/UK governments when he defected to The West.

Just started on Blackmail of a Nation part 1. All about US intelligence agencies and their partnership with Organised Crime and how their relationship evolved over the decades. Look up Operation Underworld.

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Season666 OP t1_j5eas1n wrote

Someone else mentioned discworld right when I posted, definitely checking them out!

I love reading about real spy stuff, so a big thank you on those recommendations as well! Definitely checking those out. Thank you!

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AuroraDraco t1_j5e94ys wrote

Stephen King - Fairy Tale was a pleasure to read

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warlokzz t1_j5e96bi wrote

The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.

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No-Kaleidoscope4356 t1_j5e97re wrote

The longest series I have read is by Louis Penny. There are like 18 books, all about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, based in Canada, mainly Quebec. He is one of the best characters I have ever read. So if you are looking for a long ass series, keep you occupied for a while, I recommend this.

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Season666 OP t1_j5eb1xm wrote

Awesome thank you! Adding to the list.

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throwawaymassagedad t1_j5e98k7 wrote

Oscar Wilde's essays and letters that he wrote while in prison and THE BALLAD OF THE READING GAOL

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8amflex t1_j5e5831 wrote

Maybe something that will help you in there mentally, something on mindfulness or character development?

Unless of course you're looking for fiction as more of a distraction in which case I'd ask what you're into and go form there?

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Season666 OP t1_j5e5g1s wrote

Both work for me.

I got real into meditation and eastern philosophy during my last bit. I really enjoyed autobiography of a Yogi, I believe that's what started it.

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8amflex t1_j5e6a4c wrote

I'd recommend JPs 12 Rules for Life and Beyond Order if you can get them.

Probably a different direction but definitely interesting and not without merit.

I'm just rereading Hemmingways The Old Man and The Sea - short but powerful novella and one of my favourite stories.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e6ia2 wrote

Just did a brief Google search on JP, writing that down seems good. Thanks!

I should reread that too. I read it when I was younger and it kinda just went over my head.

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8amflex t1_j5e6k07 wrote

Hope you find some good ones.

Best of luck to you in there mate, be safe

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ohcharmingostrichwhy t1_j5e5dk4 wrote

Death in Venice (really anything by Thomas Mann, but especially this), Pieces for the Left Hand, Autumn Street, Life of Pi, Brave New World, Doctor Zhivago, Crime and Punishment (seriously), A Confederacy of Dunces, Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, And Then There Were None, The Jungle, Siddhartha, and anything by Fredrik Backman and Charles Dickens. Good luck.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e5j6p wrote

Just reread brave new world, always a classic. Life of Pi was good, I'll check out the rest.

Thank you.

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ohcharmingostrichwhy t1_j5e6mmv wrote

No problem, I hope it helps. I’d also recommend looking into short story anthologies.

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bertieboy777 t1_j5e5ua8 wrote

"A man in full' is a great read, with a prison element too.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e62fs wrote

Tom Wolfe? Sounds so familiar but can't remember why, pretty sure I haven't read it. Thank you!

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bertieboy777 t1_j5e68o9 wrote

Yes Tom Wolfe. They recently announced a Netflix series based on it so that's maybe where you heard about it.

It has a focus on stoicism, so you could pair it with Marcus Aurealis' Meditations if it interested you.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e77db wrote

Possibly, I know I've read something else by Wolfe, was a while ago tho.

Okay cool, thanks for the suggestion!

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landonpal89 t1_j5e6iks wrote

Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon, it’s nonfiction and long (around 1000 pages) but is fascinating. Even with the length, I’ve read it multiple times.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e6usm wrote

Actually sounds interesting (after a quick Google search), especially having a cousin with down syndrome. Thanks!

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Live_Tax7209 t1_j5e6iqk wrote

Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. There are 8 novels, 5 novellas and 7 graphic novels. Should keep you going for a while. They are amazing.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e6qly wrote

Sounds interesting, definitely going to check em out! Thanks

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Jack-Campin t1_j5e6u9t wrote

A few books about Go (the Japanese boardgame). There's an international community of people who play over the internet.

r/baduk is the Reddit sub about it.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e7d4y wrote

Someone else mentioned this to me because I'd be away, I never saw a Go board inside tho.

I wondered about it after that murder mystery movie where the old man and his nurse play it.

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justme78734 t1_j5e6uk1 wrote

How to substitute drug deal for kingpin. Written by u/Season666 and deposited in my DM. 😆

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Season666 OP t1_j5e7fun wrote

My autobiography comes out next year.

Nice try tho!

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[deleted] t1_j5e7kc6 wrote

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[deleted] t1_j5e7s43 wrote

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[deleted] t1_j5e7wmw wrote

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Season666 OP t1_j5e8d15 wrote

Haven't seen that since it came out so sorry mate, went right over my head!

I'm getting plenty of stupid comments and I'll always respond, sorry I didn't get the joke! 😂🤙

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justme78734 t1_j5e8j56 wrote

The Alchemist or anything by Coelho would be good. Also the Stephen King short story books. He has lots of them. Shawshank Redemption is in one of them. Everything's Eventual is a good one....

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pincho_de_tortilla t1_j5e8ue0 wrote

Seconding the Alchemist…the gorgeous imagery just lifts you up out of reality and takes you somewhere magical.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e9bpo wrote

I like your description 🙂🤙

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pincho_de_tortilla t1_j5e9q9o wrote

Thanks!! I’d also recommend Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. It’s set in Barcelona before/during/after the civil war and really takes you on a dark and twisty journey. Also all the places he wrote about are real (I live here and walk by them every day) so if you ever visit, you can walk around and see all the things you read about!

Also sending the good vibez while you do your time. My brother is a heroin addict so I’ve seen how going on a bender can make you a whole different person. It’s rough but you got this!

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Season666 OP t1_j5e9arl wrote

Added the alchemist, I've seen it posted around a lot. I enjoy King and have read a lot, and can find many of his books in the prison library already. Thanks man!

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mantooths t1_j5e6zko wrote

Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson took a little time to get through and I greatly enjoyed it.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e7ov3 wrote

Without any spoilers, is it like "realistic" or more fantasy take on what terraforming would/could be like?

Just curious, adding to my list. Thanks!

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mantooths t1_j5ejeid wrote

Kim Stanley Robinson is well known for creating realistic utopian futures. Extremely talented writer. Fantasy take that is so well thought out, scientists often question him for ideas.

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mantooths t1_j5ejoj8 wrote

I’ve also enjoyed biographies written by women lately. You skip a lot of the fanboy writing that gives biographies too biased a feel. Mary beard’s SPQR about the 1st millennia of Rome and Alexis Coe’s You Never Forget Your First about george Washington. I hope your time flies quickly buddy

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Nienazki t1_j5e753j wrote

Joe Abercrombie First Law series. Larry McCourth Lonesome Dove series.

Maybe Brandon Sandersona Cosmere Universe.

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Season666 OP t1_j5e80j3 wrote

Thank you! Adding to list, joe Abercrombie is up there too since I've seen this mentioned around before.

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Nienazki t1_j5e8irk wrote

Imo it's one of the best grimdark fantasy.

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hohoho95 t1_j5e8reu wrote

I'd recommend Jonathan strange and Mr norrel by Susanna Clarke if you fancy a historical fantasy that will keep you going for a while. It is about 2 magicans that bring the lost art of magic back to England during the Napelonic wars. It explores Faerie Folklore in a very interesting way and makes Fairies terrifying in a way they rarely are modern depictions.

The entire bibliography of Kazuo Ishiguro I'd say is worth your time but specially remains of the day. He has spent his entire career exploring memory and how we look back on our and has his own instinct style of unreliable narration.

Pale Fire by Vladmir Nabokov is an interesting novel in which the narrative takes place inside the Analysis of a poem by a friend of a poet that has recently died. Its a bit of a puzzle of a novel but I wouldn't say it's overly difficult.

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg is an interesting classic of Scottish literature about a Calvinist who commits terrible crimes that are justified through his religion. It has alot of unreliable and gives you the story from the main characters point of view as well as an outsiders point of view looking back on the events in the future so it's very interesting.

Neil Gaimans is great at short stories and has an interesting collection called smoke and mirror that has a great variety of different stories that mostly fantasy elements.

Anyway they are the books I enjoyed recently if any of those catch your interest.

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Season666 OP t1_j5ea22n wrote

Checking them out, thank you! Appreciate when someone gives a brief synopsis as well!

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hohoho95 t1_j5ee19w wrote

No worries! I hope you find some enjoyable books in this thread

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[deleted] t1_j5e9a1t wrote

Well, I'm not sure if I should recommend this, but I think it's important for everyone to read, after the Bible of course.

Please don't take this the wrong way, because I'm not trying to be a smart ass. My only hesitation is that it might be depressing to read this in jail.

Nevertheless, I would recommend "The Gulag Archipelago" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The full three volumes.

It is worth the journey.

May God watch over you and your family.

1

[deleted] t1_j5e9me1 wrote

Two more recommendations.

  1. Anything by Dr. Peter Kreeft.

  2. If you ever feel like your soul is in torment, and everyone reading this knows exactly what I mean.

Read the saints.

I'm not kidding. Just go right down the shelf. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Anyone of them.

You'll find peace.

If you're trying to walk with God, He will guide your hand.

1

Rmcmahon22 t1_j5e9awz wrote

I hope things work out for you.

I’d be very happy to provide recommendations! What kind of books do like to read, and what are a couple of books you’ve enjoyed?

1

rundesirerun t1_j5e9bu5 wrote

Shantaram by Gregory David Robert

1

KeaAware t1_j5e9ce9 wrote

American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

Everything by Lois McMaster Bujold

Everything by Naomi Novik.

And, best wishes to you.

1

xAsYmBoLx t1_j5e9clj wrote

John Scalzi's Old Man's War series is excellent. And any John scalzi book if you like sci-fi

1

NeroWrought t1_j5e9mlr wrote

Anything by Brandon Sanderson!

1

Raspberry_Riot t1_j5e9szx wrote

Marching Powder - by Rusty Young as you may find it fascinating and relatable in some way

God of small things - by Arundhati Roy for it’s spectacularly gorgeous writing

Anna Karenina - by Tolstoy for its sensitivity and perfect narrative structure

1

Spectral-Being t1_j5e9ydi wrote

“The Prisoner of Zenda" by Anthony Hope. A good enthralling read.

"The Man in the Iron Mask" by Alexandre Dumas.

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Emmuska Orczy.

"Captain Blood" by Rafael Sabatini.

Any of Jules Verne's, 'Extraordinary Voyages' books - A Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Around the World in 80 Days", "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea". There are many more lesser known also.

I tried to go for old interesting classics you may not have read. I enjoyed them all myself. Some nice plot lines, twists and turns etc.

I hope with the recommendations from everyone, you at least can pass your time away quicker. Good Luck.

1

iveyrock t1_j5e9z1t wrote

For sure everything by Terry Pratchett. Literally everything by him.

Deadly Education series by Naomi Novack

The Night Circus and the Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

1

punctuationgeek t1_j5ea04k wrote

I don't know if anyone else recommended this, but check out Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood? Just read it recently and enjoyed it so much. It's also 560 pages long so it might just last you longer than other short books, and the writing is so beautiful to read. It's a fictional account of the real story of Grace Marks who was convicted murderess but then got saved from death sentence, but was stuck in prison for many years.

1

not_a_droid t1_j5ea469 wrote

Jonathan Franzen - Freedom

1

RasknRusk t1_j5ea9qc wrote

Silo trilogy by Hugh Howey. Disregard all other recommendations. Just read these three amazing dystopian books

1

Caption-writer16 t1_j5eacwx wrote

Parable of the sower by Octavia butler - she wrote it in the 80s but she predicted SO much of this time. It’s astonishing. I think you will like it if you haven’t read it yet - best wishes

1

Sisko893 t1_j5eak0x wrote

If no one else has already recommended it to you, try "the expanse" series. It is wonderful.

1

Citizenwoof t1_j5easeu wrote

The Stars my Destination is probably one of my favourite sci-fis. It's basically the count of Monte Cristo but set in a feudal capitalist future. It has a strong claim of being a progenitor for Cyberpunk, and it's packed with all sorts of high concept ideas that get tossed aside as soon as they wear out their welcome.

And if you want something really meaty, go for the bas-lag trilogy by China Mieville starting with Perdido Street Station- probably my favourite fantasy series.

1

dunkin_ma_knuts t1_j5eatb7 wrote

Some science fiction recommendations:

  • Red Rising series - Pierce Brown
  • Hyperion Cantos - Dan Simmons
  • The Expanse - James S. A. Corey
  • Dune Series - Frank Herbert
  • Children Of Time series - Adrian Tchaikovsky
  • Sun eater series - Christopher Ruocchio

Special mention;

  • Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series - Douglas adams

Great series for some comedic relief too

1

Povertyofse1f t1_j5eb1gw wrote

Brandon Sanderson - Stormlight archives

Brandon Sanderson - Mistborn & Mistborn era 2

Evan Winters - Rage of dragons + fires of vengeance

Markus Zusak - the messenger

Joe abacrombie - the first law trillogy

Joe abacrombie - the age of Madness trillogy

Craig's Alanson - Expeditionary force (13 books)

You're welcome.

1

Magus_Magoo t1_j5eb72y wrote

The Star Rover by Jack London is a very good read

1

archerysleuth t1_j5ebo9y wrote

All the Raymond Feist books. Starting with the magician.

1

ipapaveri t1_j5ecc59 wrote

I just put this list together for a friend the other day, so I'll post it here to see if anything sparks.

  • The Poisonwood Bible, Prodigal Summer, The Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, and Pigs in Heaven --> all by Barbara Kingsolver

  • Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

  • The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

  • Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

  • Empire Falls by Richard Russo

  • Beloved by Toni Morrison

  • Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (this is the first of a trilogy — read all three, they're incredible)

  • The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

  • The City We Became by N. K. Jemison

  • Jitterbug Perfume, Skinny Legs and All --> both by Tom Robbins

  • The Historian, The Shadow Land --> both by Elizabeth Kostova

  • Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow --> both by Amor Towles

  • Case Histories, Behind the Scenes at the Museum --> both by Kate Atkinson

  • Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

  • Evidence of Things Unseen by Marianne Wiggins

  • Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

  • American Gods by Neil Gaiman

  • Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

  • The Hours by Michael Cunningham

  • The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

  • The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

  • The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

  • Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières

  • Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia

  • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

  • Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

  • The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

  • Tinkers by Paul Harding

  • Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

  • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

  • The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbary

  • Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguru

  • The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

1

Any-Fee55 t1_j5ed6d7 wrote

1Q84 series by murakami. Read it a while ago but pretty escapist if i remember correctly! Principles for dealing with the changing world order by ray dalio was insightful, altho a bit dense.

Props to you for voluntarily serving time. Just wanna say i like your vibes from your replies to the comments here, good luck!

1

ExhibitionistBrit t1_j5espok wrote

I would also recommend working your way through everything by Iain Banks, starting with the wasp factory.

1

books-ModTeam t1_j5eu6yf wrote

Hi there - Per rule 3.3, please post book recommendation requests in /r/SuggestMeABook or in our Weekly Recommendation Thread, but it looks like you've had quite a few recommendations already and we wish you the best! Thank you.

1

kunalpareek t1_j5fiv77 wrote

Well Murakami once wrote that the only way to ever finish Remembrances Of Times Past by Marcel Proust is to be in jail. Its a big one in many parts.

1

Odd_Put_2722 t1_j5gn791 wrote

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

1

pranav_2702 t1_j5e5mdp wrote

what did you do. just curious

0

Season666 OP t1_j5e5qko wrote

Replied to someone else with it if you want more, delivery charges tho.

1

SIMDecent_exposure t1_j5e6uwv wrote

Rather than books, might I recommend that you stop slinging benzos and going to prison?

If you refuse to take that advice, read all of James Clavell's Asian Saga. It is so very good.

−1

Season666 OP t1_j5e71b0 wrote

Appreciate the advice mate.

I don't normally sell drugs. When do I? When I'm strung out on heroin. To support my habit. Hence why I know going back will actually be a positive thing. I swore I wouldn't go back after the first time, getting strung out again had different ideas.

Thanks for the suggestion

11

SIMDecent_exposure t1_j5e7j6x wrote

Good luck. Hope you stay clean for good this time.

Those books are thick, and will burn a lot of hours. Perfect for prison, I would imagine.

3

Season666 OP t1_j5e83z8 wrote

Right on, added to my list. Thanks man

2

Degg20 t1_j5e7fsu wrote

How Nottoway go to prison an idiots guide to life

−1

basko13 t1_j5e7pxd wrote

You should have thought about better book keeping a bit sooner...

−3

Season666 OP t1_j5e88wx wrote

Not sure what you're inferring here but I have plenty of time to make a list of books I'd like to read.

Swing and a miss!

2

basko13 t1_j5e94jl wrote

Should have been a joke about financial crime...

1

Season666 OP t1_j5eawxb wrote

Haha shitttttt I read it too fast earlier. Ya got me.

Deff wouldve been better if I was dumb enough to keep records.

2

JustinEbriated t1_j5e4bh1 wrote

Try "Don't Drop the Soap" by Hu Phlung Pu

−7