Most original, exciting, fresh, mindblowing? Doesn't have to be theory, non-fiction, or even leftist. I just wanna get to know more exciting books.
My own answers:
Non-fiction: Debt - The Last 5000 Years and A Paradise Built In Hell were paradigm shifts for me, in a great way.
Fiction: Gonna have to be The Trojan War Will Not Take Place. Yes it's a play from 1935 but it was more interesting for me than many more current books, and the anti-war message is unfortunately still fresh.
I really enjoyed Stoner for the writing and the introspective nature of the idea that even the most banal life is a story worth telling. Also the tender moments where Stoner realizes he could've gone down a different path and still rejects it. I don't mind the individual responsibility too much because it accepts the early 20th century American ideal as fact, and only presents his choices within the bounds or already acceptable bourgeois society. Like we only see events from his very limited conception of what's possible, and it's very reasonable that given the material circumstances of his upbringing and his sheltered existence within the university system he wouldn't be able to conceptualize a broader horizon than libertarian individuality.
Thanks for taking the time to share! On more thought your explanation really resonates; I'm particularly thinking of when he says to himself 'at least she can drink' and I really felt his conviction. I think my main conflict was why I found those values so enticing. Probably I still want to believe in the american ideal on some level because it's such a comforting myth.
Yeah we're (assuming you're American) all programmed from birth to desire the American dream, so when we see it thoughtfully portrayed our lizard brains are like "yes yes yes qsmmmmmm" despite a deeper understanding of the fact that it's built on the slaughter and misery of millions.