Have you ever read a book that changed your life?

Question

And I'm not talking about Dr. Phil...

Or the bible...

Answer 1

Yes.
Napoleon biography. Huge book- probably 800 pages. I never felt so passionate for something before, or was so engulfed in reading. I was taken off to other places...and inspired in character, and to believe in my own will and my own desires and visions, and to have big ones, and be fiery about pursuing them, and knocking down people who are pessimistic, or ramming through tough obstacles to my own desires....
I read many books about him in addition to that one because of how much I gained form it.
I admire him immensely, and I despise how people make fun or criticise him.
I wrote my first research essay about him in my first semester in college and also for my entrance exam- I did so well! Up to that point I never believed I would be able to make it through college, much less get in. Because of my love for that subject, I went through with flying colors and impressed all my teachers with how well I could write- they suggested I be a tutor. I made the highest A in English class.
It changed my mind about my own capacity and skills in school, and it showed me just how passionate I could be.
An invaluable experience!!

Answer 2

Yes, I think so. I think you can only answer this question, by the way, if the book you read was read more than 3 years ago. Otherwise, you don't have time enough to tell its impact.

"The Birth Order Book", by Dr. Kevin Leman, was recommended to me probably 15 or 16 years ago. It made me really understand my family relationships, I have to say it did make changes in my understanding and my life. He has a new one called "The NEW Birth Order Book". I think everyone should read it. It will open your eyes to why we are the way we are and what makes us tick.

Answer 3

Yes. "Living the Martial Way" and "Driving Mr. Albert" both changed my life for the better. Nothing is quite as satisfying as finishing a book and thinking about it afterwards, knowing that in some way it has made you a literally different person. It makes me read, so that I may find another author who can touch my heart. Mine have always changed me for the better. The first "Living the Martial Way" made me a more pragmatic philosopher and more assertive in the way I do things. More devoted. "Driving Mr. Albert" made me think of my grandfather, and life in general. I read it a long time ago, at a time when I was lost. It gave me direction knowing I wasn't the only one without direction, and seeing a mans journey. I think it made me want to have some journey's of my own.

Answer 4

Six years ago, a great friend of mine gave me a new years present in form of a book "Ethics for a New Millennium" once I finished the book I was so confused, but as the days went by I was able to see life in a different way. Somehow I found that I was on the right path in life, but with the wrong outlook.

Answer 5

well " the art of war" by sun tzu, helped me focus and survive my divorce.
the four agreements, helped me find positivity again and innerpeace.
"WE "by Yvevgevny Zamyatin, helped me open my mind a little more and helped me in all of my classes, because I learned how to research more effectively, read "gulag",buy anne applebaum, "a short history of mathematics", alot of the dictionary of symbols,noam chomsky and arrundati roy's essays, "1984 "by orwell,dissident soviet writers, soviet history, myths about mephistopheles,ouranos, adam and lilith,and many other subjects that my other classes discussed and I did not have to do much studying because I had done so much research to understand the context of the book and the symbolic meanings in it.
"life strategies for success" helped me alot and I have become more self aware because of it, but I think it would not have had the same effect, had I not had the awesome professor that I had, I would not have done the reflect and respond assignments in the book, these questions helped me raise my self awareness level and I answered them in two page essays, for an A, I doubt would have put in all that effort if I had just picked up the book in a book store or online, perhaps I would have, but class forces me to do, what I can put off until later.
the most insightful book, besides the falon gong book, I read that helps me maintain perspective and a sense of humor is "Boys are stupid ,throw rocks at them", this is perhaps the greatest book of all time

Answer 6

Yes, The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder totally changed the way I look at things. It's got a philosophical theme throughout the book. Very interesting...

Answer 7

Too many to name.

As a preteen, I devoured books on myth and magic and they taught me to dream and reach. I read the bible, cover to cover and I read Carlos Castenada and learned that I could take many paths on my journey. I've read books for simple pleasure where one passage stayed with me. "oak leaves curled into fists"... I can't even remember what the book was but that image was so strong that I've never looked at an oak leaf in fall without thinking of that sentence.

Answer 8

Fast Food Nation and The American Way of Death and How We Die. Absolutely all three will provide an eye opening understanding of human conditions with easy to understand content. And yes all three changed my views and misconceptions and my life. Worth the read for sure.

Answer 9

Kitchen Priveleges By Mary Higgins Clark!OMG awesome book!

Answer 10

Jonathan Livingston Seagull...
It told me that I must never stop learning, never settle for mediocrity (don't be like the rest of the flock...existing to eat and fly from meal to meal) and always strive to excell in what you choose, no matter how difficult the path may be. There is always someone there to show you the way. I read it 30 years ago and although I'm older now, it still applies.

Answer 11

Yes I have, I read the Book of Mormon and it changed my life. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to learn more about it. Don't believe what others say about it. I didn't. So I read it. Read it and let yourself decide if it changed you or not. Don't let others influence your life by thinking that it's a bad book.

If anyone has questions... I'll try to answer them. Course, I'm only human.