What is the book that changed your life?

[BarryRX]

Was it Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, or perhaps it was The Stranger by Camus. For me, there were different books that had big impacts at different stages of my life. When I was just a boy, I remember being moved by "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and by "The Yearling". As a teenager, "Atlas Shrugged" and "A Catcher in the Rye".

[NotGolfer]

Profoundly.....the Bible!!

[kittygilchrist]

The Bible is what God Said...if you have a better truth than your Creator, ehhhhh.
The devil is a liar, opposing the truth of God on earth.

[rubicon]

Fifty Shades Of Grey:D

Ok Ok Super Joy by Paul Pearsall

[Bonnevie]

I remember being very moved by "The Grapes of Wrath".

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Was it Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, or perhaps it was The Stranger by Camus. For me, there were different books that had big impacts at different stages of my life. When I was just a boy, I remember being moved by "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and by "The Yearling". As a teenager, "Atlas Shrugged" and "A Catcher in the Rye".

I'll agree with Siddhartha and A Catcher in the Rye never read "Atlas Shrugged"
but was influenced by "Nausea" by Sartre.

[redwitch]

Can't say any one book has changed my life but more than a few have had some influence on me. Atlas Shrugged, Stranger in a Strange Land are two that I reread about every five years. Johnny Got His Gun brings me to tears every time I read it.

[eweissenbach]

"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" By Stephen Covey

[TheVillageChicken]

Worlds in Collision was the most thought provoking book I ever read.
As far as life changing, The works of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Milton made me change my major from English Lit to Electrical Engineering and Open Marriage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Marriage_(book)) nearly ruined my life.

[graciegirl]

Worlds in Collision was the most thought provoking book I ever read.
As far as life changing, The works of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Milton made me change my major from English Lit to Electrical Engineering and Open Marriage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Marriage_(book)) nearly ruined my life.


You are one funny guy.

Can't think of a book that changed my life, but my study of science and the scientific method changed the way I looked at some, possibly most, problems.

[tucson]

Profoundly.....the Bible!!

I agree, the Bible taught me how to attain eternal life through Jesus, changed my life 40yrs ago.

[manaboutown]

"How I turned $1,000 into a Million in Real Estate in my Spare Time" by William Nickerson stands out. I picked it up during my lunch hour at Brentano's in D.C. in 1966. I ended up buying a 4 unit building on Capitol Hill for $1,000 down and followed the book's recommendations, i.e., rehab to increase value; do 1031 exchanges and so on. It has gone on from there 48 years and counting. That book changed my life more so than any other book by itself although certainly other books have significantly impacted how I view and do life.

Great question to contemplate. Thanks BarryRX!

[Loudoll]

As a child: Angel Unaware by Dale Evans
As a teen: The Bible

[JP]

The Fountainhead

[Ohiogirl]

I think I read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead as a teenager - must have been too young because I think I missed all the symbolism, etc, just thought they were good stories - time to reread, I guess.

Also remember reading "War and Peace" by Tolstoy in high school and just remember struggling with all of the names and nicknames. Think that one could have benefited by some editing!

How about "To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee? I also read "Exodus" by Leon Uris as a teenager, which probably opened my eyes more than any other book or news show about the Holocaust.

[Halibut]

I'm still waiting to be changed, but I did read I'm Okay, You're Okay when it came out in 1969 and it definitely made me begin to think of different ways I might approach problems or hurdles in my life. I've never revisited it and would likely find it laughable now, but heck, I was 17 at the time. ;)

[eweissenbach]

I'm still waiting to be changed, but I did read I'm Okay, You're Okay when it came out in 1969 and it definitely made me begin to think of different ways I might approach problems or hurdles in my life. I've never revisited it and would likely find it laughable now, but heck, I was 17 at the time. ;)

Still an instructional book on interactional psychology. I wrote a paper in Grad school in the early eighties on transactional psychology vs Gestalt theory and used that book as one of my primary sources.

[tomwed]

Walden Pond..... You don't own the cow, the cow owns you. Less is more.
The other one was also "I'm OK, Your OK." [Do you remember the board game Cop Out?]

[clod]

Living free in an unfree world by Harry Browne. Atlas Shrrugged is a close second.

[villager]

The Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol.

[panamachica]

'The Late Great Planet Earth' by Hal Linsey

[CFrance]

I've never gotten over Old Yeller.

From an educational standpoint, I learned a lot from The Wall and Exodus.

[Barefoot]

I'm still waiting to be changed, but I did read I'm Okay, You're Okay when it came out in 1969 and it definitely made me begin to think of different ways I might approach problems or hurdles in my life.

I thought "I'm OK, You're OK" was an interesting book when I first read it.
Over 40 years later, I still find still find transactional analysis helpful in understanding behavior.

[Lbmb24101]

I was influenced by Wayne Dyer's Many Lives, Many masters. Very impressive book. And also, Beatty Eady's Embraced by the Light. That book brought much consolation after mom's passing.

[tomwed]

I thought "I'm OK, You're OK" was an interesting book when I first read it.
Over 40 years later, I still find still find transactional analysis helpful in understanding behavior.


I find it interesting that this book, affected so many. To live in the villages you have to be pretty comfortable leaving others behind. Hopefully they are comfortable letting you go. I wonder if I'm OK, Your OK has something to do with both of those decisions.

Your the last person to mention the book so i posted here. the discussion is open to anyone.

[socrafty]

"Who moved my cheese?" Helped me through a few big changes in my life.

[lamplighter]

. Probably "Grace and Grit" by Ken Wilber although most of it was taken from notes written by his beloved dying wife. It touches everyone who reads it.

[Villages PL]

His life's work was in nutrition and he proved that animal protein promotes cancer. Cancer was my main concern because everyone in my family had it. After reading his book I became a vegan to help avoid getting cancer.

Becoming a vegan was a big change in my life and now I feel a lot more hopeful about my future. Cancer doesn't seem like a big threat anymore.

[manaboutown]

Oh, one more, "Leisureville" by Andrew Blechman. Had I not read it I probably never would have heard of The Villages.

[onslowe]

Most of us have read many, many books. I believe my life has been influenced by great numbers of books, and regrettably I can't single out just one to add to this great thread topic.

How can I count all the books that stirred my life long passion for reading and further reading? How can I make a workable list and then narrow it down to one? I'm a relgious man, but to just blurt out The Bible would be very inaccurate. Biographies, autobiographies, travelogues, novels of all sorts, histories, and so on and so on.

They all have in ways affected my life, some in big ways, some in unnoticeable ways. And without any offense or smart alec attitude toward BarryRX ( who stands tall among the posters here) I am sure others feel as I do.

[tomwed]

i know what you mean

[2BNTV]

Most of us have read many, many books. I believe my life has been influenced by great numbers of books, and regrettably I can't single out just one to add to this great thread topic.

How can I count all the books that stirred my life long passion for reading and further reading? How can I make a workable list and then narrow it down to one? I'm a relgious man, but to just blurt out The Bible would be very inaccurate. Biographies, autobiographies, travelogues, novels of all sorts, histories, and so on and so on.

They all have in ways affected my life, some in big ways, some in unnoticeable ways. And without any offense or smart alec attitude toward BarryRX ( who stands tall among the posters here) I am sure others feel as I do.

:agree:

[Wandatime]

I read half of Atlas Shrugged and got bored and quit. If it is so good that it has changed lives, perhaps I need to revisit it with renewed vigor. I cried over The Grapes of Wrath, and over To Kill a Mockingbird. Fifty Shades of Grey was fifty shades of stupid as far as I'm concerned.

I guess the books that literally most changed my life were the ones I read in college, because once I got a degree I really started moving up in my career. So I'm going with Business Accounting, Physics I and II, American History, etc.

Now if you want to talk about the best books I ever read, that is a horse of a different color. I'll list these in no particular order: Last of the Breed, The Light Between Oceans, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides, The Green Mile, The Hour I First Believed, The Cider House Rules, Tuesdays With Morrie, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cold Mountain, Snow Falling on Cedars, Lord of the Flies, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, The Help, I Know This Much is True, oh Lord, I could go on and on. I do love a good book.

[CFrance]

I read half of Atlas Shrugged and got bored and quit. If it is so good that it has changed lives, perhaps I need to revisit it with renewed vigor. I cried over The Grapes of Wrath, and over To Kill a Mockingbird. Fifty Shades of Grey was fifty shades of stupid as far as I'm concerned.

I guess the books that literally most changed my life were the ones I read in college, because once I got a degree I really started moving up in my career. So I'm going with Business Accounting, Physics I and II, American History, etc.

Now if you want to talk about the best books I ever read, that is a horse of a different color. I'll list these in no particular order: Last of the Breed, The Light Between Oceans, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides, The Green Mile, The Hour I First Believed, The Cider House Rules, Tuesdays With Morrie, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cold Mountain, Snow Falling on Cedars, Lord of the Flies, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, The Help, I Know This Much is True, oh Lord, I could go on and on. I do love a good book.
Love your list. I'd add The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany. She's Come Undone. But that's a whole 'nother thread.

[Wandatime]

Love your list. I'd add The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany. She's Come Undone. But that's a whole 'nother thread.

Ohhhh, I haven't read A Prayer for Owen Meany. I'm ordering it now. Do recommend the other two! :clap2:

[CFrance]

Ohhhh, I haven't read A Prayer for Owen Meany. I'm ordering it now. Do recommend the other two! :clap2:
It's one of the few books I've read twice. Hope you enjoy it!

[salpal]

"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

[Bonanza]

I really don't believe a book has "changed" anyone's life, although books certainly provoke thought.

For me, I would have to say it was the "Dick and Jane" series of books. That has to be the books that changed everyone's life because it is those books that taught us how to read!

[CFrance]

I really don't believe a book has "changed" anyone's life, although books certainly provoke thought.

For me, I would have to say it was the "Dick and Jane" series of books. That has to be the books that changed everyone's life because it is those books that taught us how to read!
I hated their perfect family, though.:angel:

[PTennismom0202]

The Wind in the Willows.

[Wandatime]

I really don't believe a book has "changed" anyone's life, although books certainly provoke thought.

For me, I would have to say it was the "Dick and Jane" series of books. That has to be the books that changed everyone's life because it is those books that taught us how to read!

I almost failed first grade because of Dick and Jane! I already knew how to read, so when we were issued the books I just sat there and read all day, ignoring everything going on around me. Once I finished the book I was bored and proceeded to cause trouble for the rest of the year.

[tomwed]

I hate to admit it but it was a Superman coloring book. His uniform needed one of those crayons that comes in a Crayola box of 64 and I only had the eight pack. Since then my self image was dangerously low.
Until I read "I'm OK, Your OK, even though you got the Crayola box of 64 and I didn't". It was a spin-off. That's when I adjusted.

[tedquick]

Can’t do just one, but here's my answer: As a child, My Friend Flicka and Thunderhead. Mustn’t forget Heidi. As a teenager, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Lately, probably The Shack and Cross Roads. I also must put Proof of Heaven in there as well. I’m ignoring dozens of self-help books, many of which have been named in this thread. While also the Bible and its lessons are important, I’m more inclined to think that each of these has had some effect in my thinking and the molding of who I am recognizing that we all are compilations and composites of all that we’ve seen, heard, smelled, touched and heard (whoops, should be tasted). Haven’t thought about some of these books in years so, BarryRX, thanks. I love this thread.

[Shirleevee]

Can’t do just one, but here's my answer: As a child, My Friend Flicka and Thunderhead. Mustn’t forget Heidi. As a teenager, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Lately, probably The Shack and Cross Roads. I also must put Proof of Heaven in there as well. I’m ignoring dozens of self-help books, many of which have been named in this thread. While also the Bible and its lessons are important, I’m more inclined to think that each of these has had some effect in my thinking and the molding of who I am recognizing that we all are compilations and composites of all that we’ve seen, heard, smelled, touched and heard. Haven’t thought about some of these books in years so, BarryRX, thanks. I love this thread.

Florence Nightingale as a child and Atlas Shrugged/The Fountainhead later on.........small world.

[graciegirl]

I hate to admit it but it was a Superman coloring book. His uniform needed one of those crayons that comes in a Crayola box of 64 and I only had the eight pack. Since then my self image was dangerously low.
Until I read "I'm OK, Your OK, even though you got the Crayola box of 64 and I didn't". It was a spin-off. That's when I adjusted.

Thank Goodness. I love your sense of humor.

And now you are here with us. If you had read the owner's manual you would know that at the same time that they clicked the picture for your I.D. card, they painlessly inserted a small chip that makes you love this place, and the developers and eventually changes the way you vote.

I hope you're o.k. with that. I used to be normal too. But I am happy now.
Oh. That name is taken.

Merry Christmas Tomwed. I think I just piffled. I know I didn't woot.

[PattyCakes]

"A Prayer for Owen Meany" was the foundation story for the movie "Simon Birch." The movie was very well done but the book is even better.

[TheVillageChicken]

Regarding "I'm OK..You're OK," I had a torturous four year tour teaching Leadership and Management at one of our service academies, and this book as well as "Games People Play" were incorporated into our curriculum. The idea was that Transactional Analysis could be used when dealing with subordinates in a work environment. I discovered that it only would work if the subordinate was not familiar with the concept. My boss actually used it every day when dealing with staff, and it was a joke because we knew when he was changing states and when he was stroking us. We also taught a five step counseling process and, of course, we received performance counseling ourselves. At one of my sessions, the boss asked if I would like a cup of coffee. Then he asked about my wife, and proceeded to ask about my vegetable garden. When he got to the garden, I pointed out to him that I thought we had established enough rapport and that we should move on to step two. I am pretty sure I saw smoke coming out of his ears.

[2BNTV]

I believe we all become better people by the books we read and the people we hang around with.

I also believe we educate ourselves by what we choose to read.

I can't say one book has changed my life but the bible has had a profound effect.

There are many thought provoking books that have enlighten, all of us.

[DaleMN]

Catch 22. All you need to know. :doh:

[LI SNOWBIRD]

"A Prayer for Owen Meany" was the foundation story for the movie "Simon Birch." The movie was very well done but the book is even better.

I very much agree, along with "Hotel New Hampshire " and "Garp". I have "A Widow for One Year" in backlog.
Not to mention "To Kill a mockingbird" which I quote on my TOTV page.

[2newyorkers]

I was recently asked if a day goes by that I do not read. The answer is "no". Reading is a superpower that I use daily. Yet, the book(s) that hooked me on reading was The Bobbsey Twins. Go figure...

[tomwed]

A friend of mine teaches Biology at Lawrenceville Prep in NJ.
The 2014-2015 tuition charge for boarding students is $55,350, for day students, $45,780. In addition, there is a required medical fee of $785 for boarders and $490 for day students, and a technology fee of $485 for boarders and $330 for day students.
She teaches in the HS but it's the same tuition for K-8 too.

The students, for the most part are the children of Princeton parents.

I remember in 2002 everyone who could read had to read Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. A book written by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Here's a link. click here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_and_Dimed)

"When someone works for less pay than she can live on ... she has made a great sacrifice for you .... The "working poor" ... are in fact the major philanthropists of our society. They neglect their own children so that the children of others will be cared for; they live in substandard housing so that other homes will be shiny and perfect; they endure privation so that inflation will be low and stock prices high. To be a member of the working poor is to be an anonymous donor, a nameless benefactor, to everyone. (p. 221)"

I read it too. I don't think it changed my life but it got me thinking. I hope it changed their lives.

[CFrance]

A friend of mine teaches Biology at Lawrenceville Prep in NJ.
The 2014-2015 tuition charge for boarding students is $55,350, for day students, $45,780. In addition, there is a required medical fee of $785 for boarders and $490 for day students, and a technology fee of $485 for boarders and $330 for day students.
She teaches in the HS but it's the same tuition for K-8 too.

The students, for the most part are the children of Princeton parents.

I remember in 2002 everyone who could read had to read Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America is a book written by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Here's a link. click here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_and_Dimed)

"When someone works for less pay than she can live on ... she has made a great sacrifice for you .... The "working poor" ... are in fact the major philanthropists of our society. They neglect their own children so that the children of others will be cared for; they live in substandard housing so that other homes will be shiny and perfect; they endure privation so that inflation will be low and stock prices high. To be a member of the working poor is to be an anonymous donor, a nameless benefactor, to everyone. (p. 221)"

I read it too. I don't think it changed my life but it got me thinking. I hope it changed their lives.
Yay, tomwed. It was good. There is another, better one on the subject, and I am struggling to remember the title. It's better because it followed actual, real-life situations of some working people at the poverty level, and their struggles to survive, and the many catch-22 situations they were put in because of their jobs. Dang. I'll think of it.

I believe the book is called The Working Poor: Invisible In America, by David Shipler From a review:

Shipler shows how liberals and conservatives are both partly right–that practically every life story contains failure by both the society and the individual. Braced by hard fact and personal testimony, he unravels the forces that confine people in the quagmire of low wages. And unlike most works on poverty, this book also offers compelling portraits of employers struggling against razor-thin profits and competition from abroad. With pointed recommendations for change that challenge both parties (my ed.), The Working Poor stands to make a difference.

[SoccerCoach]

THE BIBLE ! Hence, my signature.

[tomwed]

Yay, tomwed. It was good. There is another, better one on the subject, and I am struggling to remember the title. It's better because it followed actual, real-life situations of some working people at the poverty level, and their struggles to survive, and the many catch-22 situations they were put in because of their jobs. Dang. I'll think of it.

I believe the book is called The Working Poor: Invisible In America, by David Shipler From a review:

Shipler shows how liberals and conservatives are both partly right–that practically every life story contains failure by both the society and the individual. Braced by hard fact and personal testimony, he unravels the forces that confine people in the quagmire of low wages. And unlike most works on poverty, this book also offers compelling portraits of employers struggling against razor-thin profits and competition from abroad. With pointed recommendations for change that challenge both parties (my ed.), The Working Poor stands to make a difference.

Although not a substitute for the book this interview click here (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment-jan-june04-poor_04-01/) gave me a sense of what you were saying. I don't know if I could read one sad story after another.

The Nickel and Dimmed Book is not as tough a read. The author works in Walmart, as a temp house cleaner, and in a fast food place as I remember. I guess I had similar jobs while I was in HS and breaks during college. For me, there was always light at the end of a short tunnel. I worked for Wedgewood during a summer break and I was side by side with a temp worker older then my dad and he was in a great mood one day because he was making the last payment on a refrigerator. My dad would buy scratch and dent appliances and fix them as needed but he didn't need to get a loan to buy one.

[Loudoll]

Uncle Tom's Cabin

[Wandatime]

Okay, based on the many comments on this thread I have just now finished reading A Prayer for Owen Meany. What a fabulous book; I couldn't put it down! Thank you so much for the tip. :read:

Now, again based on your suggestions, I guess I'm going to grudgingly go back to Atlas Shrugged, although I sure hope it gets better this time around . . .

Actually, I can't think of a better time to read it. It is 20 degrees here in Virginia and I am enjoying snuggling up with a blanket and my dog in front of the fireplace. :cold:

[CFrance]

Okay, based on the many comments on this thread I have just now finished reading A Prayer for Owen Meany. What a fabulous book; I couldn't put it down! Thank you so much for the tip. :read:

Now, again based on your suggestions, I guess I'm going to grudgingly go back to Atlas Shrugged, although I sure hope it gets better this time around . . .

Actually, I can't think of a better time to read it. It is 20 degrees here in Virginia and I am enjoying snuggling up with a blanket and my dog in front of the fireplace. :cold:
Wandatime, here is an interesting analysis of A Prayer for Owen Meany. I rarely read a book twice, but I'm thinking of reading this for a third time to look at it from the points in the analysis.
SparkNotes: A Prayer for Owen Meany: Analytical Overview (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/owenmeany/section11.rhtml)

[jblum315]

Dick and Jane. I used it to show my first grade teacher that I already knew how to read. She called my mother and Mom said oh yes, she's been reading for 3 years.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Okay, based on the many comments on this thread I have just now finished reading A Prayer for Owen Meany. What a fabulous book; I couldn't put it down! Thank you so much for the tip. :read:

Now, again based on your suggestions, I guess I'm going to grudgingly go back to Atlas Shrugged, although I sure hope it gets better this time around . . .

Actually, I can't think of a better time to read it. It is 20 degrees here in Virginia and I am enjoying snuggling up with a blanket and my dog in front of the fireplace. :cold:

I would also recommend "The World According to Garp', "The Hotel New Hampshire" both by Irving (I have "A Widow for One Year" in backlog.