What book changed your life?

[DisneYE]

As I was browsing books on Amazon I came across a review by someone who said a book changed their life.
The review was so compelling I decided to download it.
I read it in 2 days, but I could have finished it in 4 hours, it was so beautiful. I just don't have that many hours devoted to reading in a day.
The book is: "When breath becomes air" - By Paul Kalanithi
I loved it & although I don't feel it would radically change my life, I learned a lot from it and my soul felt refreshed when I finished it.

I'm really happy I came across it and thought I would ask this community.

Is there a book that changed your life? Or one that was really compelling and it helped you become a better (or different) person?

Would prefer to hear about shorter books, not encyclopedic ones like the Bible, or LOTR or Atlas Shrugged or War and Peace by Tolstoy.
These are great, have read all of them when I was younger & are quite inspirational. I just don't have the time to read these type of books.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Catch-22, heller

first..I was the only student in my class to read the entire book

second, in the ealry 70s it was a book that was used in dramatic reading contests while I was a debate student in high school

but basically it was Capt Orr....because i very paranoid of what can happen in the future...so am always prepared...in my car right now are blankets, food, tools, 20 bottle of water , etc because of the highly predicted earthquake in californina and oregon.... I always list him as my favorite fictional character and the movie helped by the visual of the actor who played him

I went to a book fair in NYC to have heller autograph my high school copy.

 

[lilmc]

Real Food: What to Eat and Why​

by Nina Planck and Nina Teicholz

 

[georgina]

At first my reaction was none that I could think of.

Later I thought of books from my childhood that had a profound effect on me, The Velveteen Rabbit and the Pooh stories. As a child I had a vivid imaginary life with my stuffed animals. It was a great comfort to me as I did not connect well with people.

 

[JaxDad]

Catch-22, heller

first..I was the only student in my class to read the entire book

second, in the ealry 70s it was a book that was used in dramatic reading contests while I was a debate student in high school

but basically it was Capt Orr....because i very paranoid of what can happen in the future...so am always prepared...in my car right now are blankets, food, tools, 20 bottle of water , etc because of the highly predicted earthquake in californina and oregon.... I always list him as my favorite fictional character and the movie helped by the visual of the actor who played him

I went to a book fair in NYC to have heller autograph my high school copy.

Do you keep crabapples in your cheeks?
;-)

Great book. Definitely one of my favorites as well.

 

[Toolulu22]

Of course, many books have made a profound impression and even poems and short stories. I will never forget “In the cemetery where Al Jolson is buried”- read in my freshman year of college. Haunting.

I‘m so thankful for the wonderful teachers and professors I had, who selected powerful and moving works when I was a student. I’ve always loved to read, though I do it less now.


The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz is a short book, recommended by someone many years ago. I remember the main ideas of that book to today, and they help me to live a peaceful life.

 

[lisaviolet]

I can't pick one.

This book did not change my life (none have). In fact I struggled to get through it, as even though he is an award-winning author I can't stand his writing style - Ian Mc Ewan, Atonement.

But I do remember doubling over in emotional pain and shock due to turning one page. That is some reaction.

I have read some wondrous books as an adult but I too have to go with books of my youth for let's say the most impact on me -

The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings - magical.

Forever, Judy Blume - we passed that book around every which way.

But a gift as a child made me long for far away places, so maybe that is the best choice. And I did live in Japan - The Mermaid and the Red Candle (I wore that book out)

 

[chickapin parterre]

Do you keep crabapples in your cheeks?
;-)

Great book. Definitely one of my favorites as well.

Well....I keep M&Ms in my car during the winter....they do melt in the yuma summer heat.....after many years of practing driving past midnight for hours andnot crashing i can stay awake and drive safely and not have to practice crashing the car when I eat a bag of peanut M&Ms. the dye is highly stimulate and will keep me awake till the light of dawn....I discovered this after several holiday niights eating cheekfuls of of Christmas m&m almonds at night and then trying to crash into my bed and fall asleep.....could not stay asleep.....just driffing away in the wrong currtent...so much for Swedish chocolate !!!! So when I am on a mission at the age of 66,,,,it is impossible to stay awake and drive with a cup of cofffee...but give me that yellow bag......contradictions go out the window


1. A problem, task, situation, or course of action in which the outcome or solution one desires is especially difficult or impossible to achieve due to contradictory, illogical, or paradoxical rules, regulations, or conditions.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

The only book that truly continues to change my life is the Holy Bible. I do agree with Georgina about Pooh and the Velveteen Rabbit. In fact, I should read the Velveteen Rabbit again sometime from the library. I definitely have been touched by many books including some Love Inspired series books and I remember really liking Lisa Wingate's series that began with Tending Roses which meant extra to me. Great thread

 

[chickapin parterre]

I can't pick one.

This book did not change my life. In fact I struggled to get through it, as even though he is an award-winning author I can't stand his writing style - Ian Mc Ewan, Atonement.

But I do remember doubling over in emotional pain and shock due to turning one page. That is some reaction.

saw the movie...but I understand the turning of one page can be emotional and shocking....the best novel I have read...and did not change my life at all...was 5 quarters of an orange by Joanne Harris...I did not want to turn that page, I remember the emotion welling in me....that is why I think it was the best novel writtien. The book may have very well changed lives...as I cannot find any copies at bookstore of 5 quarters of an orange...sure on-line, but not on the random book shelf

 

[georgina]

My church book club is currently reading The Language of God by Francis Collins (head of the human genome project). As a scientist I find his insights interesting but not life changing.

The only book that truly continues to change my life is the Holy Bible. I do agree with Georgina about Pooh and the Velveteen Rabbit. In fact, I should read the Velveteen Rabbit again sometime from the library. I definitely have been touched by many books including some Love Inspired series books and I remember really liking Lisa Wingate's series that began with Tending Roses which meant extra to me. Great thread

 

[chickapin parterre]

At first my reaction was none that I could think of.

Later I thought of books from my childhood that had a profound effect on me, The Velveteen Rabbit and the Pooh stories. As a child I had a vivid imaginary life with my stuffed animals. It was a great comfort to me as I did not connect well with people.

great thread...forgot about pooh.....read selections to my high school students, gave dramtic interpations on church retreats during talent night and son and I actually played Pooh sticks and though it wasn't Eyeore, it was a beaver carrying a stick....okay...my wife alwasy calls me Eyeore and wonders about my attachment to the disneyland Indy jones tunnel.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I have to pick just one? OK, this one;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbroken_(Zamperini_biography)
Spoiler alert; if you think you have a hard life, you have no idea.

 

[Frwinkley]

Beautiful Boy.

No book has really changed my life, but many of stuck with me. I'm fascinated by stories of addiction and redemption. The pain exhibited through the author's writing (he is writing about his son's struggles) is so heart-wrenching.

 

[NannyBeBe]

There are two.
Beautiful Joe, by Marshall Saunders. I read it the first time when I was just a little girl. Now, at age 75, I have not forgotten it.
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Phillip Keller. I never really knew how much God loves me until I read this book.

 

[DisneYE]

I have to pick just one? OK, this one;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbroken_(Zamperini_biography)
Spoiler alert; if you think you have a hard life, you have no idea.

I saw the movie and loved it.
Is the book better than the movie?

 

[DisneYE]

Beautiful Boy.

No book has really changed my life, but many of stuck with me. I'm fascinated by stories of addiction and redemption. The pain exhibited through the author's writing (he is writing about his son's struggles) is so heart-wrenching.

I love those stories as well - this one looks good. Just added it to the shopping cart.

Thanks for the replies so far- keep'em coming.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I saw the movie and loved it.
Is the book better than the movie?

I never saw the movie - sorry.

 

[Frwinkley]

I love those stories as well - this one looks good. Just added it to the shopping cart.

Thanks for the replies so far- keep'em coming.

Since you like these types of books, are there any others you can recommend?

 

[tvguy]

Books and movies have brought great entertainment to me, but never had either change my life.