Name one book that helped to change your life

05/01/18

[Simon Green]

Here's one that definitely influenced me: "Red Planet" by Robert A. Heinlein.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Planet_(novel)

It's the first novel I can recall reading, around age 8 or so. It was the start of a lifelong love of speculative fiction, and Heinlein's Libertarian(ish) philosophy certainly put its imprint on me.

(The main chsracter's father discusses getting a pistol permit for his daughter. The grandfather chimes in:)

"That a free citizen should have to go before a committee, hat in hand, and pray for permission to bear arms - fantastic! Arm your daughter, sir, and pay no attention to petty bureaucrats."

[know.your.why]

Mans Search for Meaning. Viktor Frankl.

[upchuck]

"Alas Babylon", a 1959 thriller about a nuclear war. Still available, still relevant.

[GOP Poet]

I need to read this through. I dabbled when it first came out. But now know and the studies back it up—cognitive distortion correction is a powerful, powerful tool in helping eating disorders and many, many anxiety based disorders. Now too. It is being shown to alter brain chemistry shifts. Very solid foundational book! I need to pick this up. So happy to hear it helped you!!! I could use more of that.

[GOP Poet]

A book in that realm that had a big impact on shifting my life--well two of them. "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" I think it was called. And M. Scott Peck's book "The Road Less Traveled"

"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

― M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

[Atticus]

The Fountainhead. Never finished Atlas Shrugged.

Power of the Powerless by Christopher de Vinck.

Indirectly: The Rule of St. Benedict.

Reading now and could very well change many lives: “15 to 28” by Matt Deggs, an amazing college baseball coach. A true story of redemption by a witness to God’s grace and boundless love.

[AmericanMermaid]

The Bible

Intuitive Eating

[waterhill]

Yes

[circlecity]

Archie comics #206

[GOP Poet]

Also have to add to my collection of books I’ve posted here “Alcoholics Anonymous.” As a sober recovering alcoholic, this book not only saved my life and helped me put down the bottle of alcohol one day at a time. But offered me a program for living through to become a thriving, integrity based, contributing member of society. Freedom from bondage. And brought me back to my faith.

[Yaelle]

That is one cool story.

[whodathunkit]

My Side of the Mountain inspired me when I was young. With its message of family ties, sense of belonging, initiative and perseverance, I would still recommend it to young readers. I have read many of the books already mentioned but this one stands out in my memory as the one that started it all.

[GOP Poet]

Ahhhhhh :D!! Love it!!!

[GOP Poet]

True what you said about the Bible. It is a salve and a consistent teacher of wisdom and a grounding force in a very breezy existence.

[GOP Poet]

I will check this out. Thank you.

[Simon Green]

Archie comics #206

[generally]

Excellent answer!

I loved One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish when I was little. I must have read it 50 times!

And I’ve been a voracious reader all my life. Mostly non-fiction these days, but a novel now and then.

[P.O.E.]

Screwtape Letters.

Turned me onto C.S. Lewis.

[Yaelle]

2. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

---

It is not my favorite book but sometimes I feel like that tree, and (imparting good Jewish mother guilt) will tell my kids after they ask me yet again for more time, money, etc, “Go ahead, take it. I’m just an old stump.”

[Drumbo]

Most anything by Robert A. Heinlein - hard to choose one, but if pressed, “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”. I don’t believe anyone’s mentioned J.R.R. Tolkien - “The Lord of the Rings” remains a favorite. I carry a book everywhere - I read at least 4 or 5 a week. I read at stoplights. It’s an addiction. So many books, so little time.

[Yaelle]

That is the secret of emotional pain. You need to go through it. Feel it. Suffer it. It’s the only way to get to the other side. And it becomes just a distant ache after you do get past it. I’m sure there are pains that never get too distant but most of us don’t lose a child. And I hope even those unlucky ones get to a point where the pain is duller and where they can find small joys in life.