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[TheMissingLink]

 

[Natetan]

Books that have touched me or affected me in some way:

The phantom tollbooth
Hatchet/The Island
Dragon lance: Dragons of autumn twilight (longest book i had read in 5th grade 400 pages!)
The jungle
1984
The selfish gene
Hard Boiled wonderland and the end of the world
Woman in the dunes
Confessions of a mask/Sun and steel
Anna Karinina

 

[Salazar]

Woman in the dunes

Good heavens, yes. Terrifying.

 

[Big Chief Crazy Cone]

Might not come as a surprise given my avatar, but this series, in its entirety, really has changed my life. When I was young, it expanded my views on the world, and certainly put plenty of words in my vocabulary. As I got older, the layers and satire of the strips just kept falling away, especially the later collections. The juxtaposition of Calvin and Hobbes and their viewpoints and ways of living actually taught me a lot about relationships and life in general and certainly have shaped my personality in more ways than one.

 

[Big-ass Ramp]

Huh, a lot more Mormons here than I would have thought.

 

[Daigoro]

soooo good! (must dig up my copy now)

good for you. (i mean it)

 

[linsivvi]

Issac Asimov's Foundation (and the original trilogy). I remember borrowing this book from a local library. It totally changed the way I think as I was growing up, and opened up for new things. He was certainly one of the brightest minds of the 20th century.

 

[Blindfutur3]

It's nice to see that quite a few of the books in here I have waiting in my backlog.

 

[Zzoram]

Dune

 

[Bernbaum]

The shins

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Fraeon]

Issac Asimov's Foundation (and the original trilogy). I remember borrowing this book from a local library. It totally changed the way I think as I was growing up, and opened up for new things. He was certainly one of the brightest minds of the 20th century.

Was going to post this too. I was 11 when I read those last.

Maybe I should reread them now that it's been way over a decade since I read them last.

 

[Timo]

I read them both around the time I had my first major break up, and they helped me a lot. Somehow.

 

[RSTEIN]

Might not come as a surprise given my avatar, but this series, in its entirety, really has changed my life. When I was young, it expanded my views on the world, and certainly put plenty of words in my vocabulary. As I got older, the layers and satire of the strips just kept falling away, especially the later collections. The juxtaposition of Calvin and Hobbes and their viewpoints and ways of living actually taught me a lot about relationships and life in general and certainly have shaped my personality in more ways than one.

I'm with you! I often have tears when I read the strips.

 

[-PXG-]

Oh good, you got banned

Here are mine, but there are so many more I could list

Great works. I still need to read Down and Out. Night was very powerful. The Stranger was good too.

 

[Jay Sosa]

I read a lot of books but mainly scifi and satire or humorous books so I have to say none.

I do think though that a lot of the TV shows I watched as a kid partly made to to what I am now. All these melodramatic depressing shit like Niclas, Perrine and stuff like that.

Btw: I asked that before in other threads: "What is the point of just posting big ass pics?"
It would be a lot more interesting if you could explain how these books changed your life don't you think?

Intense, dystopian thriller, where people keep "sleeves" which store their memories, to be restored if they die. Only thing is, Catholics arrange not to be resleeved since they believe their soul does not transfer. So people murder Catholics, knowing they can't be testified against.

And how exactly did that change you?

 

[CrayzeeCarl]

I approve.

 

[JumpJeff84]

:lol

Since you are obviously impaired, I will restate the question which you failed to read correctly: If you haven't had a life-changing experience, why are you telling others what constitutes a valid reason to have one?

EDIT- You can PM me when you get unbanned.

You might be waiting awhile for that PM...I think when Juniors get banned it's for good.

 

[kaizoku]

thanks for all the trouble of posting must read books, but this thread is about life changing books, have these books really changed your life?

This literally changed the way I looked at the world. I didn't just read it, I studied it in college and it felt like for the first time ever, I had REALLY read a BOOK. First time through it was just an awesome horror story. But then we dissected it and my mind was blown apart and my eyes opened to a whole new layer of thinking and understanding.

First of all, the skills and type of thinking required to analyse the book have been the most useful skills ever. I see the world in a different way, everything can be analysed and observed. I guess its similar to a masterchef exploring every nuance of taste vs a fat dude enjoying his fast food. I had thought good books and stories were just guys pouring out prose, but this changed that.

Second, the amount of work and planning that went into this was beyond extraordinary. It wasn't just a good story, it was a multi layered, finely constructed work of art. I can't fathom how Bram Stoker conceived it nevermind pull it off.

Third - the actual content was so compelling. Man vs Beast, East vs West, crossing of borders both physical and metaphorical, attitudes to sex and changing times and all sorts of things were touched on. There was this mountain of subtext that I hadn't even detected first time through.

Fourth - the power of excellent teaching, this dude was awesome, funny as hell and taught me so much.

All these things I have taken into my daily life, it was a pivotal event which changed the way I consumed and experienced the world.

 

[hiryu]

Because of these books I lost 90 pounds, lowered my cholesterol by 100, lowered my triglycerides by 650, lowered my blood pressure to normal levels, and stopped taking three prescription meds.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Blew my mind.

I've always been really interested in space and stuff but this seems like it may be intimidating. Is it too technical or just really fascinating?

 

[prodystopian]

I've always been really interested in space and stuff but this seems like it may be intimidating. Is it too technical or just really fascinating?

It is not too technical. Take this with a grain of salt (I have a B.S. in Astronomy), but it should be accessible to anyone. It is not easy material, but it is written for people with hardly any background in the material and is meant to familiarize the reader with the concepts, not teach them math/physics.

 

[Falch]

Blindness, Saramago.

If there is any book that shows the decay of civilization in such a self interested way, this is it.

oh yes. Although I prefer the Double.

 

[Phntmbanana]

The book that immediately comes to mind is Catch-22, its my favorite book of all time because it manages to have a great story, along with being political and thought provoking.

 

[Steppenwolf]

Teached me about hygiene and good behaviour when i was a kid.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Age 9 or 10: First political book, made me a liberal that I am still today. Not exactly the most accurate book out there, I didn't understand a good quarter of it, but it was really funny, and had a profound influence on me. Especially on how people will lie to your face to get their opinion across.

Age 14: Made me a realist liberal. I am not going to take the things said in this book by heart or anything, but did show me that you have to work your ass off to do what you believe or else people will do a lot of things to try to discredit or fight against you. I know, strange message, but that's what I got out of it.

Age 16: I had always hated the romantics, and this book solidified my opinion and gave me reasons they are fucking stupid. Changed the way I listened to people talking about "the good ol' days" and hippies talking about the perfection of nature. Shut the fuck up, the old days sucked, and nature is trying to natural select me out of existence, because without modern medicine, I would have died after a year (stupid cleft lip). Main reason why I hate movies like "Avatar" and "The Last Samurai"

Age 17: Changed my view of why history happens. People are a part of it, but no amount of great leaders is going to let you overcome geographic limitations. Race based study of history is total bullshit.

 

[skads_187]

has anyone read these and are they recommended?

 

[afternoon delight]

There are so many. I can't believe there are people who think books can't change your life.

 

[Shorty]

lmao

 

[skads_187]

lmao

lol i guess that answers my question.

 

[Kuramu]

"Consciousness Explained" by Daniel Dennett

I put the book down and sat outside on the deck and watched my thoughts with the realization that I wasn't what I had thought I was.


"In Search of Schrodinger's Cat" by john gribbin

Quantum Mechanics blew my mind when I first read this in high school.

 

[Jarlaxle]

It is not too technical. Take this with a grain of salt (I have a B.S. in Astronomy), but it should be accessible to anyone. It is not easy material, but it is written for people with hardly any background in the material and is meant to familiarize the reader with the concepts, not teach them math/physics.

I've taken an Astronomy course and an Exploration of Space course in college so I should be alright. I just really don't feel like reading a whole book filled with math/physics. I'll definitely have to check this out now. Thanks.

 

[AnkitT]

1984 - Really put complacency in perspective to me. Explained what we as a "society" really are capable of. The ending and the imagery will stay with me for a long time.

Pale Blue Dot - Just reading the clear cut plan that Sagan had for the species in space was amazing. I started out being a non-believer, but his views really convinced me what our goal as a species really should be.

 

[Jay Sosa]

lol i guess that answers my question.

Isn't that the book with the infamous amazon review?

Yep it is and I guess thats what he was referruing too, I thought you was as well..

 

[skads_187]

Isn't that the book with the infamous amazon review?

Yep it is and I guess thats what he was referruing too, I thought you was as well..

not sure, i had read ppl talking about this on a local off-topic forum a long time ago, dont know what its about, all i know is people said it changed the way they think, blah blah blah.
no idea if its any good.

 

[BigBlue1974]

Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Still give it a read through every year or so.

 

[Sanic]

Slightly OT, but i've never read Dune. I take it I should correct that problem? What are the central themes?

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

Not a book, but a short story: Why Don't We Complain? by William F. Buckley, Jr.

 

[ChubbyHuggs]

First book I ever read on my own.

First "adult" book, I ever read encouraging me to read bigger books (6th grade).

My new found passion for reading (7th grade).

 

[Gilby]

Dune

YES. Not necessarily the whole book for me though, just the Litany Against Fear. If I go through that in my head I can make myself do almost anything. If only I remembered it more often...

 

[Jay Sosa]

not sure, i had read ppl talking about this on a local off-topic forum a long time ago, dont know what its about, all i know is people said it changed the way they think, blah blah blah.
no idea if its any good.

I think the only reason people talk about it is this:

9,237 of 9,626 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret saved my life!, December 4, 2007

By Ari Brouillette (Kensington, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Secret (Hardcover)
Please allow me to share with you how "The Secret" changed my life and in a very real and substantive way allowed me to overcome a severe crisis in my personal life. It is well known that the premise of "The Secret" is the science of attracting the things in life that you desire and need and in removing from your life those things that you don't want. Before finding this book, I knew nothing of these principles, the process of positive visualization, and had actually engaged in reckless behaviors to the point of endangering my own life and wellbeing.
At age 36, I found myself in a medium security prison serving 3-5 years for destruction of government property and public intoxication. This was stiff punishment for drunkenly defecating in a mailbox but as the judge pointed out, this was my third conviction for the exact same crime. I obviously had an alcohol problem and a deep and intense disrespect for the postal system, but even more importantly I was ignoring the very fabric of our metaphysical reality and inviting destructive influences into my life.
My fourth day in prison was the first day that I was allowed in general population and while in the recreation yard I was approached by a prisoner named Marcus who calmly informed me that as a new prisoner I had been purchased by him for three packs of Winston cigarettes and 8 ounces of Pruno (prison wine). Marcus elaborated further that I could expect to be raped by him on a daily basis and that I had pretty eyes.
Needless to say, I was deeply shocked that my life had sunk to this level. Although I've never been homophobic I was discovering that I was very rape phobic and dismayed by my overall personal street value of roughly $15. I returned to my cell and sat very quietly, searching myself for answers on how I could improve my life and distance myself from harmful outside influences. At that point, in what I consider to be a miraculous moment, my cell mate Jim Norton informed me that he knew about the Marcus situation and that he had something that could solve my problems. He handed me a copy of "The Secret". Normally I wouldn't have turned to a self help book to resolve such a severe and immediate threat but I literally didn't have any other available alternatives. I immediately opened the book and began to read.
The first few chapters deal with the essence of something called the "Law of Attraction" in which a primal universal force is available to us and can be harnessed for the betterment of our lives. The theoretical nature of the first few chapters wasn't exactly putting me at peace. In fact, I had never meditated and had great difficulty with closing out the chaotic noises of the prison and visualizing the positive changes that I so dearly needed. It was when I reached Chapter 6 "The Secret to Relationships" that I realized how this book could help me distance myself from Marcus and his negative intentions. Starting with chapter six there was a cavity carved into the book and in that cavity was a prison shiv. This particular shiv was a toothbrush with a handle that had been repeatedly melted and ground into a razor sharp point.
The next day in the exercise yard I carried "The Secret" with me and when Marcus approached me I opened the book and stabbed him in the neck. The next eight weeks in solitary confinement provided ample time to practice positive visualization and the 16 hours per day of absolute darkness made visualization about the only thing that I actually could do. I'm not sure that everybody's life will be changed in such a dramatic way by this book but I'm very thankful to have found it and will continue to recommend it heartily.

:lol

 

[HiResDes]

Jhumpa Lahiri- Interpreter of Maladies

Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms

Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon

Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War

 

[gutterboy44]

*Guns Germs & Steel Image*

Age 17: Changed my view of why history happens. People are a part of it, but no amount of great leaders is going to let you overcome geographic limitations. Race based study of history is total bullshit.

Came to post this. Have read this twice. Combined with some Richard Dawkins books you really start to understand the existence of humanity throughout history. Such a good book.

 

[Shanadeus]

Intense, dystopian thriller, where people keep "sleeves" which store their memories, to be restored if they die. Only thing is, Catholics arrange not to be resleeved since they believe their soul does not transfer. So people murder Catholics, knowing they can't be testified against.

If you read this book, and can still stomach Harry Potter without vomiting all over your goddamn screen, bravo. You're fucking weird.

Read those two, love them.
Unfortunately I've had a horrible time trying finding the sequels to Altered Carbon

 

[WanderingWind]

Read those two, love them.
Unfortunately I've had a horrible time trying finding the sequels to Altered Carbon

Don't bother. The sequels turn from the detective angle and make them all actiony. They're not very good as a result.

 

[lethial]

One of the funniest books I've ever read. It's like a Seinfeld episode in book form.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Yeah, LaVey was a pretty clever guy. His books are worth reading for many intentional laughs and the odd nugget of self-help wisdom.

 

[Dresden]

Don't bother. The sequels turn from the detective angle and make them all actiony. They're not very good as a result.

Yeah. Market Forces wasn't very good either.

But his Black Man/Thirteen is great, though.

 

[ThaiGrocer]

Cooking saved me a lot of dough over the years. Cost of food and health.

McGee, Harold
On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen; Completely Revised and Updated
First Scribner revised edition 2004
ISBN 0-684-80001-2

Scully, Phillip and Gilbar, Annie
The Ultimate Breakfast Cookbook
ISBN 1-55584-074-4
Schlosser, Eric

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
Paperback Edition 2005
ISBN 0-06-083858-2

 

[Schmattakopf]

I read most of these for the first time when I was too young to understand them. I am not sure why I was interested ones like the first two, but I'm glad I was.

 

[Vanillalite]

While I still think Ray way underestimates the human brain, and I might not believe in his timeline persay; I think this book really got me thinking about exponential growth. This was more fleshed out in his latter book The Singularity is Near, but I attribute the former book to really getting me started at looking at the world and productivity in this manner.