100 Books to Carry Through the Fog

This is not a ranking, but a gathering.

This is a personal and evolving list of books that have shaped my thinking, stirred my emotions, or simply stayed with me long after I turned the last page. They span multiple genres—fiction, philosophy, poetry, memoir—and the order in which they appear has nothing to do with their status or importance. Some are classics, some obscure, some philosophical, some poetic—but all matter to me.

It is my "100 must read books bfore you die" list.

I’m still building this list, so consider this a living archive. Each title will eventually include a short reflection or reason why it belongs here.

📚 The List (Work in Progress)

1. A Short History of the World — H. G. Wells

A sweeping overview of human civilization—from prehistoric times to the modern age. This book helped me trace the arc of our collective story, showing how empires, ideas, and inventions shaped the world I live in today. It gave me a clear understanding of how we became what we are—through conflict, curiosity, and the slow layering of knowledge.

2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — Yuval Noah Harari

A bold and sweeping narrative of human evolution, culture, and cooperation. Like Wells’ history, this book helped me understand how we became what we are—through myth, shared belief, and the power of storytelling. It reframed my view of progress and reminded me how fragile and strange our species truly is.

3. Norwegian Wood — Haruki Murakami

A quiet, melancholic novel that made me feel lonely in the saddest possible way. It stirred something deep—an aching realization that in every possible way, I am alone. The silence in its pages echoed mine.

4. Don Quixote — Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes, is both a satire of outdated chivalry and a celebration of human resilience. Through the deluded yet noble quests of Don Quixote and the earthy wisdom of Sancho Panza, the novel shows how imagination can blur reality but also keep hope alive. Beneath the comedy of tilting at windmills lies a powerful reminder that even flawed dreams can inspire courage and faith in humanity.

5. Mutiny on the Bounty — Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall

6. Pitcairn’s Island — Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall

7. The Three Musketeers — Alexandre Dumas

8. The Man in the Iron Mask — Alexandre Dumas

(More titles coming soon…)

Eventually, I’ll write a post for each book—why it matters, when it found me, and what it left behind.