Which books changed your life or mind?

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Kathy B
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Post by Kathy B »

Most influential...
When I was young - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
A little older - Uncle Tom's Cabin
College years - Pride and Prejudice
Most recent - India and the Awakening East by Eleanor Roosevelt
sarah78
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Post by sarah78 »

I really love all of Mitch Albom's books...but when I read Tuesdays with Morrie...I was touched...



And i just read Skinny Bitch...the quotes from the slaughterhouse employees...and the thought that you are not just eating the meat but the pain and suffering the animals went through as well...what can I say I? I finished it three days ago and still haven't ate meat...
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sweetos
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Post by sweetos »

perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky
claudibee
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Post by claudibee »

'To kill a mockingbird' was one such book. I read it at sixteen for the first time and now I'm in my late forties i should read it again for a more adult perspective. Having said that Harper Lee made her case against prejudice so well that a member of any age group should be able to read the book and think about how badly human beings can behave towards each other. My daughter is 13 and I am going to buy another copy and see if she would like to read it.

Kind regards

Claudibee
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AmandaB
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Post by AmandaB »

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.

This is a book about the Jewish Holocaust during WWII. I was in elementary school (grade 7) when I first read this book, and have read it at least 5 more times since then. This book shaped who I would become in regards to social justice, and helped to shape my beliefs in acceptance of differences. It is a truly amazing story about the strength of the human spirit.
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Original Cyn
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Post by Original Cyn »

Good question.

When I was younger it was the Chronicles of Narnia. They hold a very special place for me.

But as for really changing my life it would have to be a book called "Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting" by Lynn Grabhorn. My friend gave it to me as a bday gift and after getting over my initial speculation that it was more new age nonsense I got to reading it and discovered that it really made sense to me. It discusses how your emotions are what draw certain things to you (yes, sort of like the secret). But the way Lynn wrote it makes it relatable.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't note Dean Koontz "Intensity" as something that changed my life because after reading that particular book I decided I wanted to be a writer!
GWA
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Post by GWA »

The dictionary: because it showed me just how many great words there are available in the English language that aren’t being used enough or properly.

GWA.
averysparent
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Post by averysparent »

The Ugly American -- by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer (an eye opener for me)

and

Guess How Much I Love You (A great children's book that touches my heart every time I read it to my son. It says so much with so few words.)

But I also agree with Cherry. Every book has had something to offer in my life, big or small.

Happy reading everyone!
Fish.
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Post by Fish. »

Erm,
yeah, im also going to mention the Harry Potter books because i started readind them so young, and they got me back into reading in the first place.
Second, the Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I read it when i was Fourteen, it was i guess the very first thought-provoking book that i read, and even though i did not, and still don't agree with the philosophy that the book preaches, it remains my favorite-most book of all time. Opened my mind to alot of new stuff.
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Anti-Hero
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Post by Anti-Hero »

'Desperation' by Stephen King gave me a moment of lasting clarity and much enjoyment whilst reading. I read it whilst cruising the Baltic whilst trying to also have fun with friends and family, and it was from the ships library, so if I could read it again without time limits or having to strain to find the time in the first place, I'm sure I and anyone else could get a lot more out of this book than I got the first time around.

'Cradle and All' by James Patterson taught me a lot about life and death and God and the Devil. It got me thinking about alternate perspectives and beliefs and although I have now forgotten what it taught me, I will no doubt give it another read and try to regain that lesson and inspiration it first gave me.

'Cell' by Stephen King inspired me in so many different ways. It kind of made me not only value my life and loved ones, but the ending evoked some kind of sadness or even depression in me that kind of took me to another world for a few days. I even woke up believing the events happening in the book were happening in the real world. Such an effect.

'Noughts and Crosses' by Malorie Blackman is a very heart wrenching book concerning the differences between blacks and whites. Very much a Romeo and Juliet story, with the problems for the two star-crossed lovers being their skin colour. I'm not a crier by any means, but this is the one book that managed to make me do so. Another that teaches you to appreciate life. Has a sequel I didn't bother to read incase it ruins the first book for me.

'The Green Mile' by Stephen King again, taught me to appreciate life and evoked a sadness in me that I didn't think was really possible. The way you bond with some of the characters is amazing and this is such a fabulous book to read. Another awe-inspiring book from Stephen King.

That's all for now.
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theQ
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Post by theQ »

I really liked If Morning Ever Comes by Anne Tyler.
NecroCombine88
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Post by NecroCombine88 »

Tales from the Time Loop by David Icke
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aykoola
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Post by aykoola »

Crima And Punishment (Dostoevsky) and King Radovan's Treasure (i translated it directly) from a serbian writer called Jovan Dučić.
jtothero
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Post by jtothero »

Yann Martel's Life of Pi. Made me realize my own desire to always seek the "better story" instead of the more rational explanation.
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aykoola
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Post by aykoola »

Just read it. though i don't like Robinson type of adventures, i must say it was quite a nice read.
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