What is a Good Book (In My Opinion)?

A. Table of Contents:

a) Length of the Book

b) The Longevity of the Book

c) The Author

d) Language and Presentation

e) Original Language

f) Books with Thoughts and Knowledge Beyond My Level

g) Notes and Exceptions

h) Best Wishes

B. Presentation

a) Length of the Book:

The shorter, the better (except for novels, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and specialized research books).

First, because human knowledge is vast, but my time and mental focus are limited, shorter books suit me well.

Second, the concise length of a book shows the author's skill in presentation, allowing space for me to think and ponder (although this should be combined with other criteria below).

Example: "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is short, but every sentence packs powerful meaning, making it a perfect example of a concise book.

Note, some books may be concise but lacking in detail.

b) The Longevity of the Book:

I prioritize classics of all time.

The fact that a book has survived for so long and is still read today proves its powerful ideas. A book ahead of its time is a treasure worth selecting.

Example: "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius has survived for centuries and continues to inspire readers with its deep insights into life and leadership

c) The Author:

The author should be a renowned, timeless figure.

An author who can stand the test of time and continue to inspire future generations clearly possesses great vision and thoughtfulness. They are worthy role models for me to follow and learn from.

Especially those who write for humanity, not personal gain.

Example: Leo Tolstoy is a renowned author whose works like "War and Peace" have left a lasting impact on generations, proving his timeless wisdom.

However, some modern authors also have broad visions worth learning from.

d) Language and Presentation:

The language should be simple, and the presentation orderly.

The language should be easy to understand, not too extravagant or elaborate. Even specialists need to remember that when writing a book, their readers are the general public, not just themselves or their outstanding students. True knowledge comes from helping others understand what you've learned and experienced, not keeping it all to yourself.

Orderly presentation: A detailed table of contents helps readers easily navigate. After finishing the book, just looking at the table of contents brings back the knowledge and ideas without needing to reread from the start. If a part of the book is particularly inspiring or thought-provoking, the table of contents will lead you right back to it.

Example: "Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari presents complex ideas about human history in simple, engaging language with clear structure, making it accessible to a wide audience.

e) Original Language:

For those learning foreign languages.

When I read a book in its original language, I get a more direct view than from translations. Translations inevitably alter the original ideas based on the translator's perspective. No matter how well they translate, it reflects their thoughts, not the author's.

However, reading a translation can be advantageous if I want to cross-reference and compare.

Example: Reading "Les Misérables" in French offers a richer, more nuanced experience than any translation can provide.

f) Books with Thoughts and Knowledge Beyond My Level:

To improve my understanding, it's essential to break through my current level.

If I fear that the author's ideas are too complex, my mind will never expand.

In this case, I prefer reading the author's original work rather than analyses or critiques to experience, think, and analyze directly for myself (dare to be yourself). Afterward, I may read analyses for reference.

Example: "The Republic" by Plato challenges readers to explore deep philosophical concepts, far beyond everyday thinking, yet it expands our understanding of justice and society.

But if time is tight, and I can't fully grasp the work, I’ll turn to analyses (after first reading the original several times and understanding the table of contents).

g) Notes and Exceptions:

Some books evoke strong emotions, empathy, and bring me positive thoughts, faith, and hope in life. Even if others don’t see it that way, I still consider them good.

Sometimes, just one sentence in the book helps me, and I still find it valuable. I mark the page or jot down those words.

Example: Even if a book like "The Little Prince" is seen as a children's book, its deep philosophical messages resonate with me, making it timeless and valuable.

h) Best Wishes:

Readers of this article are probably also book lovers, eager to grow as I am. These are the criteria I've gathered for selecting books. I hope they help you in your learning journey.

I wish you health, wisdom, and the strength to contribute to humanity's collective progress.