What was the most intellectually challenging and/or thought provoking book you've read?

I don't know....I have read so many thousands of books in my life, and many challenged me in so many different ways...the first one that came to mind was "Night" by Elie Wiesel.

I wanted to ask you, OP--did you ever finish "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"? I remember you and I were both having a tough time time plowing through it. I think we started reading it around the same time...did you finish or stop reading?

I agree with the pps - Night is amazing! It is so beautifully written, yet about such horrific events in the authors life, it will stay with you forever.

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman

That would be hard to say, but most recently, I would have to say it was "In the Garden of Beasts". It's about the US Ambassador to Germany (as well as his wife and two adult kids) during Hitler's rise to power and just before WWII. It's taken from personal diaries, private and official correspondence, interviews, and etc.

It talks about things ranging from the US policy in regards to the Jews, their concern with whether or not Germany was going to re-pay their debts to the US, and the drastic shift in their opinions based on their observations and experiences with the Nazi's. It also talks about things like this daughters relationships with various Nazi officials, various people who were persecuted by the Nazis, and also a Soviet Diplomat who was a Soviet spy.

It's a fascinating book, but it's a very deep and painful topic (obviously).

It would have to be either Brave New World or 1984. Both for the same reason- there is no such thing as a utopia, no matter how you look at it.

It's hard to say. I usually only read fiction for fun, so I tend to select things that won't be challenging or disturbing. If I'm not enjoying my fiction, I have no problem moving on to something else. But, for the most part, I tend to read nonfiction: biographies, spiritual or esoteric books, or instructional books (like couture sewing techniques, or health and nutrition 'revelations').

The most challenging book for me was A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. I've read parts of it several times, always either seeing new/deeper meaning, or wondering what I'm missing.

Ha, I am still working on it. I am probably about 2/3 of the way through it, but I still can't get into it much so it's been a slow read for me. It's not bad, but it's not enthralling to me either :-/ I will finish it though...I always finish what I start, with very rare exception.

Public Fiscal Administration Policy textbook.