The books that change my life are the ones that shift my paradigms of the world, and the first one that comes to mind is The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green. We’re all playing power games, and if you don’t understand that, you might not be playing well. It also shows you how not to be manipulated by other people, and explains so much human behaviour. Brutal, and definitely paradigm-shifting.
That’s so interesting. i’ve never heard of it but I think it would be really good to add this to my reading this. Thanks, Ashleigh. I hope you’re writing something new!
Thank you. I’ve had some suggestions from other readers, too, and I love how many books I’m hearing of for the first time. I’m going to look this book up today.
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It taught me that life was difficult for everyone, not just me, and influenced my life from the time I read (a long, long time ago).
Alice, I agree with you that being a reader is what has changed my life and every book impacts me in some way. That is after all, the focus of my writing.
However, to answer your question, I think Roots by Alex Haley was an extraordinarily impactful book. It isn't my favorite by a long shot but having read it when I was quite young, it opened my eyes to the brutality that can exist among people if we allow it. It also showed me the inherent value of every person.
Another book I don’t know at all. I’m grateful for suggestions like this because it’s sending me along a quiet reading adventure over the next few weeks and months. Thank you!
This year I finally got round to reading 'Wild'by Jay Griffiths...a definite life changer, an exploration of what it is to be wild as we join the author on her journey around the globe with different indigenous peoples. The writing of Kathleen Jamie always feels profound - Ive adored her books, poetry and recent prose in equal measure.
As I think on it though, you are right. Ive read 80 books so far this year and each has given me something - likely even the odd couple I only scored a 1 out of 5.
So many books! Recently, the memoir written by Raynor Winn after she and her husband lost everything - their home, their livelihood, everything - at the same time as he was diagnosed with a debilitating, life threatening illness, and they chose to walk The Salt Path rather than lie down and be defeated. A marvellous tale of love and hope and resilience.
Thank you, Cate. I think I have this book on my shelf at home, the title pulled me to it, but your recommendation helps me go back and start reading. I don't know how I missed so many comments but I'm very grateful to have found them!
Right? Although I have read this one, I agree! (Dare I say the long winding start lost me and my youngest recently, though, when I tried to read it to him...)
The Diviners by Margaret Laurence so profoundly impacted me that I could not focus enough to write an essay about it for the CanLit class I was taking. And when I did finally write it and handed it in late I think I received a mercy pass.
I've never read it, and I can't quite believe it right now. I've heard of it many times. This is so helpful, thank you Bernadette, and everyone who has taken time to share a book they love.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the building of Europe’s cathedrals, couched in a gripping tale of love and betrayal and the dawn of commerce. The “church “ is in there too. The power of the clergy over every human activity and the way people lived in those very olden days. I live in France so for me it was particularly germane. When Notre Dame burned, I cried for a week.
This sounds fascinating. I know the title, and yes, I've never looked at it. As I was just saying to Matthew Long, who kindly commented with another book suggestion, this is a good way for me to create a reading list for the next few weeks and months.
Thank you! That’s kind. I always love buying books and am excited to spend some time when I’ve finished this draft getting this and the other books people have so generously suggested xoxox
At the top of my list sits Pema Chodron’s book “When Things Fall Apart,” a narrative of her life unraveling as she manifests a new life to become a sage and beloved Buddhist teacher. With a talent for storytelling and no nonsense lessons on Buddhism and meditation, Chödrön through this book has changed my life and I have no doubt that I am one of many who place this book at the top of their list. A transformative journey.
Steven, I am a big fan of Chodron's work as well and this book in particular. I read this during a particularly difficult time in my life and it helped me a great deal.
I also have it in the audiobook format which is excellent as well. I have listened to it countless times, during walks, resting, and when I am struggling with feelings. Her teachings are profound and yet simple to grasp. She is a gem.
The books that change my life are the ones that shift my paradigms of the world, and the first one that comes to mind is The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green. We’re all playing power games, and if you don’t understand that, you might not be playing well. It also shows you how not to be manipulated by other people, and explains so much human behaviour. Brutal, and definitely paradigm-shifting.
That’s so interesting. i’ve never heard of it but I think it would be really good to add this to my reading this. Thanks, Ashleigh. I hope you’re writing something new!
“The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer 💖
Thank you. I’ve had some suggestions from other readers, too, and I love how many books I’m hearing of for the first time. I’m going to look this book up today.
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It taught me that life was difficult for everyone, not just me, and influenced my life from the time I read (a long, long time ago).
Thanks, Linda. I haven’t read it, although I’ve seen it, lots. I’m going to take a look. xoxo
Alice, I agree with you that being a reader is what has changed my life and every book impacts me in some way. That is after all, the focus of my writing.
However, to answer your question, I think Roots by Alex Haley was an extraordinarily impactful book. It isn't my favorite by a long shot but having read it when I was quite young, it opened my eyes to the brutality that can exist among people if we allow it. It also showed me the inherent value of every person.
Another book I don’t know at all. I’m grateful for suggestions like this because it’s sending me along a quiet reading adventure over the next few weeks and months. Thank you!
This year I finally got round to reading 'Wild'by Jay Griffiths...a definite life changer, an exploration of what it is to be wild as we join the author on her journey around the globe with different indigenous peoples. The writing of Kathleen Jamie always feels profound - Ive adored her books, poetry and recent prose in equal measure.
As I think on it though, you are right. Ive read 80 books so far this year and each has given me something - likely even the odd couple I only scored a 1 out of 5.
Thank you for this, Vicky! I don't know how it took me so long to see this comment. I am really looking forward to searching for Wild!
So many books! Recently, the memoir written by Raynor Winn after she and her husband lost everything - their home, their livelihood, everything - at the same time as he was diagnosed with a debilitating, life threatening illness, and they chose to walk The Salt Path rather than lie down and be defeated. A marvellous tale of love and hope and resilience.
Thank you, Cate. I think I have this book on my shelf at home, the title pulled me to it, but your recommendation helps me go back and start reading. I don't know how I missed so many comments but I'm very grateful to have found them!
The Hobbit because it has hobbits in it.
Right? Although I have read this one, I agree! (Dare I say the long winding start lost me and my youngest recently, though, when I tried to read it to him...)
The Diviners by Margaret Laurence so profoundly impacted me that I could not focus enough to write an essay about it for the CanLit class I was taking. And when I did finally write it and handed it in late I think I received a mercy pass.
I've never read it, and I can't quite believe it right now. I've heard of it many times. This is so helpful, thank you Bernadette, and everyone who has taken time to share a book they love.
Pillars Of The Earth - Ken Follett
Thank you! I’ve never read this, somehow! To add to the list.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the building of Europe’s cathedrals, couched in a gripping tale of love and betrayal and the dawn of commerce. The “church “ is in there too. The power of the clergy over every human activity and the way people lived in those very olden days. I live in France so for me it was particularly germane. When Notre Dame burned, I cried for a week.
This sounds fascinating. I know the title, and yes, I've never looked at it. As I was just saying to Matthew Long, who kindly commented with another book suggestion, this is a good way for me to create a reading list for the next few weeks and months.
xoxox
Were I rich I’d order you a copy from Amazon.
Thank you! That’s kind. I always love buying books and am excited to spend some time when I’ve finished this draft getting this and the other books people have so generously suggested xoxox
At the top of my list sits Pema Chodron’s book “When Things Fall Apart,” a narrative of her life unraveling as she manifests a new life to become a sage and beloved Buddhist teacher. With a talent for storytelling and no nonsense lessons on Buddhism and meditation, Chödrön through this book has changed my life and I have no doubt that I am one of many who place this book at the top of their list. A transformative journey.
Steven, I am a big fan of Chodron's work as well and this book in particular. I read this during a particularly difficult time in my life and it helped me a great deal.
Thanks, Matthew. This is a good reminder to me today to get a copy for myself. Yesterday went sideways and I didn’t look it up yet. xox
Thank you. It sounds like a perfect book for where I’m interested in reading at the moment.
I also have it in the audiobook format which is excellent as well. I have listened to it countless times, during walks, resting, and when I am struggling with feelings. Her teachings are profound and yet simple to grasp. She is a gem.
Good idea. I have so much time in the car at the moment with the kids and then without them while they are whereever I just placed them!