Jon Stewart Answers: What Book Should Everyone Read? | The Daily Show

"Line your desk with Kurt Vonnegut, and you cannot go wrong." Jon Stewart shares the must-read books from his favorite author and the memory of interviewing him on The Daily Show. #AftertheCut #DailyShow #KurtVonnegut

Subscribe to The Daily Show:

Follow The Daily Show:

Follow Comedy Central:

About The Daily Show:
Jon Stewart and The Best F**king News Team host The Daily Show, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program analyzing the biggest stories in news, politics, and culture through a sharp, satirical lens. The Daily Show redefined the late night show category on TV and, with an audience of over 51M across social media platforms, has become a launching pad for some of the biggest stars in entertainment.

The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.

[jeroenbakker]

"optimistic cynical humanism" - that's what I was looking for

[willdrewing]

"I have told my sons that they are not under any circumstances to take part in massacres, and that the news of massacres of enemies is not to fill them with satisfaction or glee. I have also told them not to work for companies which make massacre machinery, and to express contempt for people who think we need machinery like that." KV

[TheVampirelass]

I volunteered for The Vonnegut Museum at a conference for authors and publishers . I was there 3 days and every day people would come up and tell me their stories about how Vonnegut changed their lives. Some were just fans, but many of them had known him personally. He was so deeply loved and appreciated by the people who knew him. Read Vonnegut! His books will change your life.

[derpett]

I so happy Jon came back for this, we really needed him.

[waywardlaser]

Calvin and Hobbes the complete collection

[frederickvanpelt]

I've always enjoyed Jon Stewart 's perspective, to my ears he is the sound of sanity.
The way he fought for the 9/11
First responders shows his character in the face of government hypocrisy. To know that he values Kurt Vonnegut's writing says a lot.
Thanks for all you do Jon Stewart, America needs more people like you.

[godalmy]

I call myself a cynical optimist humanist, and I would describe you and Vonnegut the same way. I remember when you interviewed Vonnegut and WOULD love to see the doodle! Bill Maher had interviewed him as well as he was releasing his Man Without a Country book, and Vonnegut said something about Mother Earth's immune system kicking in soon to flush all of humanity out. That day, I had already given up on humanity and felt like, see Vonnegut gave up too, so I guess there is no hope. Then I watched YOUR interview of him and cried at the clear reverence in your eyes as you spoke to him and decided that I could never give up on humanity because no matter how much of a losing battle it seems to be, I want people like you and Vonnegut to be able to see me alongside you fighting till the end: not to win, just so that those who are brave enough to keep hoping don't have to go at it alone. I love you and him so much! Thank you!! Your interview really saved me that day, and I'll never forget it!

[justinmas]

Dyslexia makes reading a chore but I have read every book Kurt wrote. Sirens of Titan, pure genius.

[GaladrielFlowers]

Kurt Vonnegut is one of the people who made me realize that life is worth living every day, instead of just finding the way out-because once you’re out, you’re still going to be there. You just won’t ever be the same again.

[TheBcvg]

Vonnegut FTW. I was introduced to him as required reading in high school and just kept going... also Meditations by Aurelius.

[Scott-hcom]

I've read a lot of Vonnegut, and that explains so much about Jon!

[LC-owzz]

"Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt"
I love Kurt Vonnegut

[TheOldHippiebilly]

Vonnegut and Twain are my top two favorite American authors.
Both are as relevant today as they were when they were writing.

[jamesharns]

Slaughterhouse Five is a masterpiece, one of my favorite books ever!

[OldManBears]

I LOVE Vonnegut, I actually tried writing to him when he was alive. I'm so happy to see that Jon is a fan, and giving him some much deserved props.

[porschesbs]

Best part of seeing a live show, seeing Jon Stewart answer questions from the audience.

[madcuzubad]

That was short and sweet, salient. It makes so much sense for Jon to be into Vonnegut, he's been a favorite of mine admittedly starting with Sirens of Titan.

The mantra "if this isn't nice, what is?" has truly helped me to appreciate my own life. Cannot recommend pretty much anything he's written, enough.

[dogwood]

Thanks Jon. I saw him speak once. One of the two best speakers that I ever heard. The other was Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both in '85.

[ronwaggoner]

This dialog hits me in my heart... Kurt Vonnegut was an amazing human being!!

[justaguy]

I agree, Vonnegut is a unique writer. I'd also include his science fiction alter ego, Kilgore Trout.