The Catcher in the Rye
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Has there been a book which changed your life? Which one? Why?
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The Robe. I found the book to be very inspiring, how a Roman converts to a Christian.
Anne Hawn wrote: "Someone else saw my review and she said she was going to read it. I figured it was time to read it again, so I joined her and a few others joined us."I've been meaning to give Bondage a go (heh), and hey, what's one more book among the dozens I'm juggling? Might join you on that group.
Bia wrote: "Harry Potter, because I'm pretty sure I'd never have read anything else or learned to speak English if it wasn't for this series. Also I think Pride and Prejudice and Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar- n..."I'm glad you mentioned Harry Potter. Before it was published there was a strong idea in publishing that kids wouldn't read over about 280 pages. When the fourth Harry Potter came out at 734 pages, there were a lot of librarians who thought the kids would never read it. Well, they did, and many kids read it who had never done any leisure reading. I had read the series myself and felt there was magic in Rowling's writing and I knew why kids and adults loved it. I ordered 4 copies for my small branch library and I could hardly keep them on the shelves. When the paperback copies came out, I got 4 more and that still wasn't enough. The kids read them over and over.
When the kids finished with whatever book was current, I guided them to The Chronicles of Narnia , The Redwall Series , A Wrinkle in Time and other children's literature.
Rowling's series changed children's literature. Since the Harry Potter series, children's books are longer and more complex which gives authors time to make more complex characters and plots, and there are a lot of kids who are reading now who would never have read books outside of school.
Minerva wrote: "Bia wrote: Well, they did, and many kids read it who had never done any leisure reading.Hah, I was definitely one of them. I remember when I finished number 5, I made a stack of all the books just to see how much I'd actually read. Right there and then, I honestly believed that I woulnd't be able to read that many pages ever again.
Pages are nothing. Content is everything.
It is so hard to define why Rowling's books are so good. The writing is tight from book 1 to book 7, but that hardly explains their popularity. I agree that there is some kind of magic connection between readers and Harry. People of all ages and walks of life seem to be able to relate to him. There are some characters who just seem to capture something of our childhood and they become real. Characters like Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Anne Shirley of Green Gables, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie Brown, and numerous others seem to touch a chord in most of us and we care what happens to them. We root for them, we hate the ones who hurt them. We want them to succeed and show the world that they, and we, can beat the odds and come out on top.
Anne Hawn wrote: "Mike wrote: "Some interesting choices here. In particular, I will now read Of Human Bondage; I love some of his other books, and have been meaning to read it for years. The important..."
I'll see if I can find it, Anne.
I am a big fan of Ashenden, Cakes and Ale and, especially, The Razor's Edge. I have just finished The Magician, an early work that I found extremely creepy - not for the fainthearted!
Peter Matthessien's "The Snow Leopard". Besides getting me involved in snow leopard conservation, the book pushed me in the direction of seriously studying Buddhism as a spiritual path.
Although after 20-odd years of following Buddhism, I decided to withdraw for several reason, my admiration for the book remains firm.
Although after 20-odd years of following Buddhism, I decided to withdraw for several reason, my admiration for the book remains firm.
I have read numerous books that have changed my viewpoint or actions, however, Erich Fromm's The Sane Society created the strongest change. Reading this book opened my eyes to life, culture, history, people, materialism, and religion. It was as if a 1000 piece puzzle fell into place and I saw the big picture. I bought all of his books that are in print and read them as a priority. Glad I did.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I read Huckleberry Finn in high school. I really identified with the title character and the experience helped me to be tolerant of all races. It sensitized me to recognize hypocrisy, too.
Not sure a book has ever changed my life. But severalhave certainly had a major impact. I recall reading
my first Ludlum novels.
When I closed the cover and finished one, I was left
with such a feeling of satisfaction and wonderment
I felt the need to share what I had just experienced.
This was before the internet, and sites like this did not exist to share those amazing books with a wide audience.Those feelings of euphoria and awe of the amazing journey that good books are capable of taking
you on.
Probably the first book that captured and mesmorized
me like no other was Rich Man,Poor Man. Other books
by Shaw,Wilbur Smith, Robert Ludlum and others have done the same.
Life changing ? Don't know about that. But certainly they left a lasting impression, and countless hours
of top-shelf entertainment .
That is after-all why many of us are lured back to reading. To find those books that inspire, entertain,educate,and embellish our lives.
The Book of Mormon changed my life, as it has so many others.
For One More Day by Mitch AlbomBefore I read this book for my Literature class, my mother and I weren't always in good terms. Worse, really. I was in school when I finished the book, and when I got back home, I hugged my mother. Since then, we've been as close as two needles on the same twig.
Reading this book made me realize how badly I've taken, not just my mother, but both of my parents, for granted.
“I also believe that parents, if they love you, will hold you up safely, above their swirling waters, and sometimes that means you'll never know what they endured, and you may treat them unkindly, in a way you otherwise wouldn't.”
David wrote: "The Book of Mormon changed my life, as it has so many others."I'm with you!
Two: TOM SAWYER made me want to become a writer, and CATCH-22 influenced my style. Loved those quirky characters.
I've always wanted to read catch 22. Is it good? I'm 17 and I'm just wondering if I'd like it.
I read Catch-22 at 15 and loved it.Give it a shot, but as they say, your mileage may vary.
Okay I will, thanks :)
Okay I will, thanks :)
Definitely "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris. I now think about what I believe; I don't just let it be spoon-fed to me.
Try Hitchins; he's even better.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Back in 1992 when I was a gawky teenager wearing braces (the boys used to call me `metallica'), with a self confidence reading of zero, I was introduced to this book by my teacher. The imagery was so vivid and captivating, that it was impossible to NOT believe that everything you believed was possible was in fact really possible! I spread my wings and learned to fly, to soar, to dive. I became so confident and carefree that people could not (cannot) believe that I ever was not so at one time. Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Les Miserables helped me to understand the christian ethic.
In Jerusalem I found a second-hand copy of a book titled 'The Way Of All The Earth' by John Dunne. Reading it was a real eye-opener, it made me less cynical of humanity and has generally made me a more positive person.Much of it is about Eastern religions and the quest for 'Being' as Dunne puts it.
John Dunn was a flat out great writer and preacher. You can ignore the religious content and still admire his ability. Another preacher with a special gift would be Jonathan Edwards, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," but I can't really ignore what that man was saying and the impact on other people, some of which we're still experiencing.
Lord of the Flies is the first book that really sparked my love of reading. Had to read it for high school. First school book I ever enjoyed. Also got me thinking about childhood, society, and life in general.
Alan wrote: "In Jerusalem I found a second-hand copy of a book titled 'The Way Of All The Earth' by John Dunne. Reading it was a real eye-opener, it made me less cynical of humanity and has generally made me a ..."That is one of my favorite books. I try to read it every 10 years or so and find something new in it each time.
Anne Hawn wrote: "Anne Hawn 0 minutes agoFor years, I have been asking people if there was a book which changed their lives. Of Human Bondage and Marjorie Morningstar changed mine. The first taught me that peop..."
I think Of Human Bondage would have to be one of mine too - there are so many that have changed how I've seen the world, but that one was so beautiful and memorable.
I can't remember if I read the book or saw the moviefor OF HUMAN BONDAGE. Kim Novak was in that, right? She just caught hell for her face lift after presenting at the Oscars. She's got to be 80. What's she supposed to look like? Very good English actor whose name I can't pull out of the hat, last name Harvey? I did read a lot of Sumerset Maugham short stories. They were mostly about the English treating the natives like sub humans.
Dune This book got me interested in the interplay of politics, sociology, and religion as well as science fiction in general when I first read it in 1983. I have read it countless times since then, and always keep a paperback copy of all six books of the series that I feel free to write in the margins, mark with highlighter, and dog-ear to my heart's content.
when i started to actually read the instruction manuals for any kind of equipment or appliance.oh and them 120 piece put-together computer desks. do not try to put one together without reading it. i marked down my 3rd psychotic break trying that.
I'd have to say Nothing To Envy, Real Lives in North Korea. This was obviously a recent read, from a couple of years ago, but it opened my eyes to some of the amazing capabilities that we humans have when we are faced with unbelievable situations. Obviously it was a curiosity to read about a country that has such a unique and cruel political system. They call it the 'totalitarian state' and the system embeds fear into every resident, where family members must blow the whistle on each other for 'crimes' against the state. It definitely showed me that the North Korean people aren't evil, they're in fact victims, and some of them are incredibly strong people too. It also tells of a personality cult where people inflict cruelty on others for their own survival. It also showed me another side to humanity that I had never known about before.
Lord Jim--Joseph Conrad
The "book" that has changed my life the most as an adult is not really a book but a transcript of the "Power of Myth" miniseries, featuring Joseph Campbell being interviewed by Bill Moyers. I read it in a bookstore exactly seven years ago this week, and was floored. This led to probably a hundred other books I've read since then (including several of Campbell's works) on a journey of deepening reflection and out of the box spiritual growth. It's impacted me as a writer, a professional and a person in general.
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan. I read it in 8th grade when I knew that I wanted to be a writer but hadn't written anything serious. It shaped my writing style into what it is today and what it will be in years to come.
I have to add Les Miserables. It is the most amazing book of redemption and forgiveness. The biggest problem this book has is that it is over 1,000 pages. I got bogged down in the section about Napoleon and his battles. I admit to skipping some in there. Jean Valjean is sentenced to prison for 5 years for stealing some bread for his sister's starving child. He adds to his sentence because he tries to escape. He is finally paroled and finds that he can't get a job because he has been in prison. Eventually he is taken in by a bishop who feeds him and gives him a bed for the night. In return, he steals some of the silver. When he is caught and dragged back to the bishop, the bishop tells the police that he was supposed to have the silver and that he has forgotten two silver candlesticks which he gives to Valjean.
Valjean realizes that his life has been ransomed and that he must do something with it. He "owes" God for the tremendous mercy the bishop has bestowed on him. The rest of the book is about how he responds to that trust. It is an incredible book and has a tremendous message. If you can't read the book, then listen to the musical. It captures something that is rare in these days.
yeh john those power of myth were great
Browsing this thread, I've decided that book for me was David and the Phoenix, a children's book I have not even rated here at GoodReads...I'll have to fix that omission soon, but first I'll have to think long and hard about why this book popped into my head now and why it made such an impact on me on a young reader, back in probably what was 1972. It's a book I only read once as a child, a book I lost track of after that and never heard mention of again for maybe 30 years, but it's a book that moved me more than any other I've read since then, and it's a book I've carried with me my entire life.
I have a story I feel the same way about. I think it was called "The Spoonbill" and it was in the children's series, "My Bookhouse." The boy accidentally shoots the spoonbill he loves with his new rifle. When the he bird flies up he just shoots at it without thinking and he kills it.It made a very powerful impact on me. The message was how easy it is to kill the thing you love. I think I was only 7 or 8 when I first read it and while, I am sure I didn't understand all the implications, it did make me aware that you had to be careful of things that you loved.
Thoreau's, "Walden Pond"Sometimes this book gets a bad rep, I attribute this to bias feelings many have for Thoreau himself and his notes on how men should strive to live up to thier best ideals of themselvs. I had been assigned this book in college, however I did not take it seriously and skimmed through it rather than actually reading and understanding what Thoreau is preaching. I decided to give it another shot about 6 months after I graduated and was blown away. Impressed with how much Thoreau could say while using so little words I often spent hours on just a few pages reading them over and over again, letting the words sink into my heart. "Waldens Pond" changed how I preceived myself in relation to society, the enviorment and my own identity . If you approach "Waldens Pond" with an open mind and slowly absorb what Thoreau is detailing, this book will change your life too.
Brian wrote: "Thoreau's, "Walden Pond"Sometimes this book gets a bad rep, I attribute this to bias feelings many have for Thoreau himself and his notes on how men should strive to live up to thier best ideals..."
I totally agree with you. You stop looking at the guy with the big farm as "lucky". You start enjoying what little you can really appreciate in bigger and bigger ways.
Have you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values? If not you might enjoy it too. The protagonist takes his son on a motorcycle trip and when they are sitting around the fire he reads Walden to him. I love this book because it discusses the difference between A Quality Education and just getting a grade.
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The important one for me wa..."
Mike,
I'm sorry you didn't catch our group on . Someone else saw my review and she said she was going to read it. I figured it was time to read it again, so I joined her and a few others joined us. The comments are still there on the book page, and you are welcome to add your observations to them.