A Book that Changes your Life

[superdog]

I am grateful and feel lucky that I enjoy reading so much.

Lately, I have been reading less, and listening to books more. But I am working on getting back into reading.

That said, I have thought about many books lately and how they have effected me at the time, and how they effect me now.

I think one of the most profound books I have ever read was "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman. Others have effected me as well, for sure.

But I do think about this one quite a bit and the lessons still ring true. If fact, they are more relevant to me today, than they were when I first read it while in college at around 22.

A buddy at the time was surprised I had not read it. He told me it would change my life. It did. Albeit slowly.

So, as I look into adding to my reading list, I look for inspiration from you fine folks. What books have changed your life?




**Interesting side note, I still see this buddy quite often. We do dinner once a month or so. And we still talk books quite a bit.

[Dino944]

"Tuesday's with Morrie" and "For One more Day" - both by Mitch Albom. Both were quite moving and also gave me a lot to think about when it comes to the loss of people in your life. I read them almost 20 years ago and there were lessons I learned that still come to mind even after all these years.

[East Bay Rider]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. I used to re-read it every 10 years or so but thinking about it now is been about 20.

[brandrea]

Great topic Seth.

Without hesitation it was this book.

It was published in 1989 and I had just l graduated college and started my career. Every single thing in the book resonated with me and reinforced the teachings from my parents.

I made both my kids read the book when they turned 16 and they have already started using the advice from the author (and mom and dad).

This book is a must read for young people IMHO.


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[Blansky]

I read a lot of self help books which were extremely popular back in the day when I was in my late teens and early 20 and most had something positive to add to my life.

But the most memorable thing that ever happened to me was in about Grade 8 or 9 Lit class (literature) I had a teacher named Mr Stemcowski, who taught me how to think, analyze and make decisions.

THAT is the most profound thing I remember about my school years. I left school before finishing Grade 12 but that previous Lit Class, prepared me for the world.

[crew]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Great topic Seth.

Without hesitation it was this book.

It was published in 1989 and I had just l graduated college and started my career. Every single thing in the book resonated with me and reinforced the teachings from my parents.

I made both my kids read the book when they turned 16 and they have already started using the advice from the author (and mom and dad).

This book is a must read for young people IMHO.


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Good call Brian.
This book is a great read in common, or maybe uncommon, sense. It greatly influenced my habits during my 20’s and 30’s which resulted in financial comfort in my 60’s.

[Mifune]

very influential on my youth.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by crew

Good call Brian.
This book is a great read in common, or maybe uncommon, sense. It greatly influenced my habits during my 20’s and 30’s which resulted in financial comfort in my 60’s.

Nice John, and exact same here.

Good to see that a Canadian author sold some books south of the border

[Dan Pierce]

I read lots of bios and autobiographies, from entertainment to business. Each has their share of cautionary tales as well as inspiration.
dP

[MrGoat]

Man Seth, this is an incredibly insightful question. I had to really sit back and think, realistically, I can’t choose just one.

I posed this question to my better half (she’s a book worm) and she can’t answer either.

I’m going to go with these 4 to start because they’re the first 4 that come to mind

Back story, my mom was a voracious reader. She taught me to read at a young age and tried her best to make time with me to read a book on nights she was home. She also gifted me all 4 of these books. They all helped me in one way or another throughout my life.


First is the Bible. Then these three at different stages of life.





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[Chewbacca]

Tropic Of Cancer By Henry Miller

[OYptL]

I’ve never read a book other than History books in high school. I can handle a good long article with ease but never have read a book. I have recently started to think that I wanna try a book on the Civil War. Something I just would be soo into I couldn’t put it down and learn about how the war between the states started and evolved.

[Pix]

If you like Jimmy Buffet's Music, his books are a good read at the beach!

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by OYptL

I’ve never read a book other than History books in high school. I can handle a good long article with ease but never have read a book. I have recently started to think that I wanna try a book on the Civil War. Something I just would be soo into I couldn’t put it down and learn about how the war between the states started and evolved.

I would recommend Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson as a good overview of the civil war that is very readable. 800+ pages though.

[Mifune]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Tropic Of Cancer By Henry Miller

Book of the five Rings...

[OYptL]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

I would recommend Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson as a good overview of the civil war that is very readable. 800+ pages though.

Thank you very much Mike. I will definitely look into this a a first book at 800+ pages. I will update if I take this learning adventure on.

[White Collar Boy]

‘Post Office’ by Charles Bukowski. I read it a year or so after finishing high school, perfect timing for it really, and it renewed my interest in fiction.

[kieselguhr]

With winning in mind by Lanny Bassham

[Knappo 1307]

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, by Dee Brown. One of the most if not the most powerful books I've ever read.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by OYptL

I’ve never read a book other than History books in high school. I can handle a good long article with ease but never have read a book. I have recently started to think that I wanna try a book on the Civil War. Something I just would be soo into I couldn’t put it down and learn about how the war between the states started and evolved.

I don't know how old you are but your post reminded me of my son.
He's 26 with 2 BA degrees and an MBA (finance) so obviously capable but he also doesn't read many books unless it's for school. When he was young in middle school their policy was that each student was required to read 25 books and write reports on each. That was quite an obligation for any kid participating in school extra curricular and after school sports. Their heavy handed approach really just took the fun out of reading for him and even though he was successful in HS school with honors and college dean's list etc he simply doesn't get the joy from reading that many people do.
Such a shame. I wonder if the school admins know the effects those policies had on some students.

[Jster]

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

[OYptL]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I don't know how old you are but your post reminded me of my son.
He's 26 with 2 BA degrees and an MBA (finance) so obviously capable but he also doesn't read many books unless it's for school. When he was young in middle school their policy was that each student was required to read 25 books and write reports on each. That was quite an obligation for any kid participating in school extra curricular and after school sports. Their heavy handed approach really just took the fun out of reading for him and even though he was successful in HS school with honors and college dean's list etc he simply doesn't get the joy from reading that many people do.
Such a shame. I wonder if the school admins know the effects those policies had on some students.

Hi Bill. I’m 59 and just never had the urge to read a book. I was reading the Miami Herald as a young kid (13/14ish) 7 days a week as we had it delivered in the driveway every morning. I don’t dislike reading, I actually love it. I do love the big hardback picture books you see on coffee tables. I wasn’t hammered with the book reports it sounds like your son was thank God. Was a jock and started with the sports section when Dad was done and then found myself reading the Local and then the Main page and so on and so forth. Don’t know if trying to read an 800 page book will go over or not. I’m rambling now but thx for the response.
On a side note when my Mother passed she had amassed thousands of books and made one of the bedrooms a Library. She read between 5-10 a week. All sorts from Politicians to Romance and everything in between. My sister called the Miami Dade public library division and asked if they would be interested in them. They were and the next day a straight truck w/liftgate showed up and took them all. I still think that’s pretty cool.

[Dubshack]

King Leopold’s Ghost


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[Moondoggy]

Dale Carnegie, How to win friends and influence people., my Dad gave it to me when I was seventeen and applied the principles. Sadly not today to cynical and grumpy.

[HHIslander]

Seven Habits. It's a boring answer, but reading that book when I was much younger was a real game changer.

[woodsworth]

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

[ryangambrill]

A few of my favorites: with permanent spots in my library. Often revisit for reinforcement.

- atlas shrugged
- think and grow rich
- the richest man in Babylon
- untethered soul
- On Fire - OLeary - I cried like a baby for this entire book. So inspiring. Sat by the pool at the Diplomat hotel for 2 days by myself. Sunrise Sunset.
- Personal Power


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[superdog]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Dale Carnegie, How to win friends and influence people., my Dad gave it to me when I was seventeen and applied the principles. Sadly not today to cynical and grumpy.

one of my all time favorites.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by woodsworth

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Siddhartha definitely changed my life.

I actually read it over a weekend during one of my dads heart procedures. I finished it and there was a kid in the waiting room similarly waiting for his dad. I ended up giving it to him to read.

not sure if he ever did. but that act alone has had a profound effect on me.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

‘Post Office’ by Charles Bukowski. I read it a year or so after finishing high school, perfect timing for it really, and it renewed my interest in fiction.

I am going to look into this. it sounds interesting.