For me, it's any George Orwell book, or Catcher in the Rye.
George Orwell made me proud to be working class, and filled me with a wish to fight the establishment, and Catcher in the Rye was like reading about myself, and every time I read it, I learn more about myself.
What books have changed your life?
What books have changed your life, and how?
I'm not sure who will I offend with this post, however:
The Stranger by Albert Camus is the simple answer to the way I view everything that happens around me, only I was never able to put it in words the way Camus did. Summary of what the story tries to say: Religion is the product of people's desire and almost need to answer the famous questions: Who am I? What am I doing? Why do I exist? In his book Camus creates a character that is almost uncomfotable with the idea of death, but what the author really tries to explain is that once humans accept that they will die someday and they won't have an afterlife (no hell, absolutely no heaven), they will finally begin to live their lives in a way that is really worth living. People need to accept death in order to find themselves and not need philosophical suicide (believe in god). The way things are, are not because of god. People are the only ones in control of their decisions. We don't need a superior being or anything like that to exist, WE make our one reason to exist.
PD: Orwell's a genious, and Catcher in the Rye's great!
What books have changed your life, and how?
I n all honesty I would have to say the Bible, as I try to apply it in my daily living.
All books I have read have shaped and adapted my life. War and Peace in particular changes the life of everyone who reads it, and with me it was no exception. With the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, I found a way to live life without actually living it, which was fun. With Harry Potter, I found something that I can read when I'm depressed. I also read it when I'm not depressed, but it lightens the load.
East of Eden is a notable one, because it is what got me interested in classical literature. I now own many books in the Western canon, some well known and some only slightly.
The Giver, by Lois Lowry,
The City Of Ember by JeAnne DuPrau
The Bible (duh, lol)
Reconstructing Natalie by Laura Jensen Walker
aaaaaand
Harry Potter XD
Read the series of books by the author %26quot;David Pelzer%26quot;:
There are 3 to the series:
I) A Child Called %26quot;It%26quot;
II) The Lost Boy
III) A Man Named Dave
...we read the series in school and believe me, it would change anyone forever!
The Bible.
Romans 12. the whole chapter. i've memorized it. absolutely life changing.
{12:1}Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.{12:2}Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.{12:3}For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.{12:4}For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function,{12:5}so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.{12:6}Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;{12:7}or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;{12:8}or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.{12:9}Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.{12:10}In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;{12:11}not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;{12:12}rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;{12:13}contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.{12:14}Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.{12:15}Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.{12:16}Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.{12:17}Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.{12:18}If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.{12:19}Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, %26quot;Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.%26quot;{12:20}Therefore %26quot;If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.%26quot;{12:21}Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingles. The adventures she had, so real and I could relate to her. Her problems and feelings.
The Children of the Earth Series by Lean Auel. it is a great set of books about what early life in the stone age might have been like. The story is a good one but the information is spectacular.
The Dragon Riders of Pern Books by Anne McCaffery. Just plain awesome SciFi. Drama and Danger and Dragons all in the far far future and the middle ages... all in one.
Someone before me said %26quot;The Child Called %26quot;It%26quot; That book is wonderful and horrable all at once and deffinatly one that touched me deeply.
I guess the theme I find in the books I like is the %26quot;Useful Person%26quot; theme. All my favorite heroes are people who make themselves useful people, who have allot of common sense and who care for and have faith on other people as a whole.
I have read many books that have %26quot;hit home%26quot; in different ways, but the one that stands out the most in changing my life and my way of thinking has to be Tuesdays with Morrie; it has given me hope and inspiration.
