What are some books that have changed your life?

[maverick_starstrider]

Are people really listing books that "changed their life" or just books they liked?

 

[Fragment]

Any book that they read and just adored, or had an influence on them, or just think that others should read. Of course I don't think any book will completely change someone, but a small change here and there definitely adds up, does it not?

 

[maverick_starstrider]

Well I don't know if any book has every changed me directly but when we read the stranger and catcher in the rye in school it was a life changing experience. The reason being that I got quite depressed when most of my class mates found nothing to relate to in them and thought the holden and meursault were some sort of emotionally disfunctional sociopaths. I however REALLY related to the characters and absolutely empathized with them and the stories which made me realize that I'd probably never see eye to eye with the majority of people. Although, like I said, that was more the context of the book and its perception by others then the actual written words themselves

 

[maverick_starstrider]

American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis

 

[Fragment]

I second American Psycho; it truly gives a rather accurate depiction of the motives behind killing. It is a hard book to put down once you start, I had to read it in one sitting:shy:

As a question probably directed to Astronuc (Judging from his expertise), is a newer edition of Encyclopaedia Brittanica as good as an earlier one? (let's say 15th edition as compared to 11th)

 

[Kenneth Mann]

1984. Opened my eyes. Can't get em closed again.

This is a book that I would definitely endorse - - though the fact that its title is in the past might be a turn-off to some. I hope not.

I would also suggest two other somewhat similar negative utopias:
Brave New World (Huxley)
We (Zamyatin) -- I tried twice to read this one and didn't finish. I got hung up on the Russian poetic style.

KM

 

[Kenneth Mann]

Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Empire series.

I don't fully follow. This was one title of the 7-book Foundation series. I enjoyed them all. (also the three added books by Benford, Brin and Bear.) These would make a great subject for a video series some time in the future. I don't think that the industry is quite ready for them yet.

KM

 

[DaveC426913]

Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Empire series.

I tried so hard. Really I tried. Please forgive me... :sob:
I tried to read it. I just couldn't get through it. I was a third of the way through it before I realized that the plot wasn't going to start, this was the plot.

: tears geek badge off vest and throws on floor :

 

[Fragment]

More reflection has summarized my initial aim of the thread: what book do you believe should be on one's bookshelf? (regardless of subject) It can be a textbook, a short novel, a collection of children's short stories, really anything.

 

[fourier jr]

i don't know how anyone can list 1984 without also listing brave new world. those two belong together! here's another that I think is a million times better though, since it's about stuff that actually happened. american journalist milton mayer went to a small town in germany after WW2 to live with some "ordinary" Germans (a baker, a tailor, a policeman, etc) who became Nazis & made friends with them, etc over the course of a year or so to find out how they made sense of it all. he put his conversations in this book:

the famous (?) poem about Pastor Niemoller is actually a found poem which I think was taken from a quotation in the 13th chapter, excerpted here on the publisher's website:
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/511928.html

"when the Nazis attacked the Communists, he was a little uneasy, but, after all, he was not a Communist, and so he did nothing; and then they attacked the Socialists, and he was a little uneasier, but, still, he was not a Socialist, and he did nothing; and then the schools, the press, the Jews, and so on, and he was always uneasier, but still he did nothing. And then they attacked the Church, and he was a Churchman, and he did something—but then it was too late."

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Similar, but different.

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came..."

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

This is a book that I would definitely endorse - - though the fact that its title is in the past might be a turn-off to some. I hope not.

The title is a code for 1948. He was describing disturbing trends in his own day.

 

[Tibarn]

Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad is an excellent book.

I would also recommend Machiavelli, both The Prince and Discourses on Livy. The difference between the two was surprising, to say the least.

 

[Huckleberry]

I don't fully follow. This was one title of the 7-book Foundation series. I enjoyed them all. (also the three added books by Benford, Brin and Bear.) These would make a great subject for a video series some time in the future. I don't think that the industry is quite ready for them yet.

KM

It's already being workeed on, unless things have changed. And it's got just the right people to do it too. I wish them lots of luck. This would be something I would very much like to see.

Ex-New Line Cinema founders Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne have moved on to become producers and they've just set up their first project. The two will produce an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation, an epic sci-fi story that was first published in 1951. Asimov actually wrote a complete series of Foundation books, however Shaye and Lynne only plan to adapt the first book for now and if successful, potentially finish off a trilogy like they did with Lord of the Rings.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/07/29/isaac-asimovs-foundation-trilogy-headed-to-the-big-screen/

edit- hmm, looks like things might have changed for the worse.

Foundation science fiction trilogy, with Roland Emmerich attached to direct. Emmerich will produce along with Michael Wimer,...

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/01/16...ation-trilogy-with-roland-emmerich-directing/

Wilmer was a producer for 10'000BC. A few of Emmerich's sci-fi directed films include Universal Soldier, Stargate, Godzilla (1998), The Day After Tomorrow, 10'000BC and 2012. I just hope they keep it true to the books and not go all 'blockbuster style' on this one.

 

[Astronuc]

I don't fully follow. This was one title of the 7-book Foundation series. I enjoyed them all. (also the three added books by Benford, Brin and Bear.) These would make a great subject for a video series some time in the future. I don't think that the industry is quite ready for them yet.

KM

I think the common reference is "Foundation Series", after the title of the first book.

Prelude to Foundation (1988)
Forward the Foundation (1993)

Foundation (1951)
Foundation and Empire (1952)
Second Foundation (1953)

Foundation's Edge (1982)
Foundation and Earth (1983)

I really didn't like to read fiction until I read this series. I read Foundation and Empire first, then Foundation and then Second Foundation, since I did not know that there was a series/order. I read the book as part of my English (literature) elective in high school. I also read Heinlein's Glory Road and Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. I read the prequels then sequels about 5 years ago.

It was interesting to read the Foundation series at the time (~1974, with the backdrop of the US and Vietnam War), since I could see parallels in world. It was also interesting in the role of nuclear technology, which was understandable given that Foundation was written in 1951, and many people had unrealistic expectations of nuclear energy.


I think the Foundation series would make an awesome SciFi movie - but only if done right. Unfortunately, what appeals to me (the plot and characters rather than action) would probably not appeal to the masses.

 

[Astronuc]

As a question probably directed to Astronuc (Judging from his expertise), is a newer edition of Encyclopaedia Brittanica as good as an earlier one? (let's say 15th edition as compared to 11th)

I have no idea. I haven't read EB in decades. From the advertisements, it's still probably high quality.

Written by Nobel Prize winners, expert authors and curators, and established authorities on nearly every subject imaginable, this 32-volume set . . . .

The set I used to read 35-40 years ago belonged to an elementary school teacher who taught 6th grade. Her son was a neighborhood friend, and I'd spend time (several hours a week) sitting in their living room reading articles.

 

[Kenneth Mann]

I think the common reference is "Foundation Series", after the title of the first book.

Prelude to Foundation (1988)
Forward the Foundation (1993)

Foundation (1951)
Foundation and Empire (1952)
Second Foundation (1953)

Foundation's Edge (1982)
Foundation and Earth (1983)

I really didn't like to read fiction until I read this series. I read Foundation and Empire first, then Foundation and then Second Foundation, since I did not know that there was a series/order. I read the book as part of my English (literature) elective in high school. I also read Heinlein's Glory Road and Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. I read the prequels then sequels about 5 years ago.

It was interesting to read the Foundation series at the time (~1974, with the backdrop of the US and Vietnam War), since I could see parallels in world. It was also interesting in the role of nuclear technology, which was understandable given that Foundation was written in 1951, and many people had unrealistic expectations of nuclear energy.


I think the Foundation series would make an awesome SciFi movie - but only if done right. Unfortunately, what appeals to me (the plot and characters rather than action) would probably not appeal to the masses.

I agree with your assessment of the series. I also liked the additions by the other three writers:

1) "Foundation's Fear", by Gregory Benford
2) "Foundation and Chaos", by Greg Bear
3) "Foundation's Triumph", by David Brin

Some call these the 'second Foundation Trilogy'. They don't add new directions or plot lines - - - they just expand a lot on what Asimov had already written about the period involving Harry Seldon. Still I found them interesting.

Obviously, talking to me about this series is like preaching to the choir.

KM

 

[epenguin]

The Stranger was the most influential book I've ever read, it changed me forever, and I'm glad.

But the best book I read is Sartre's Nausea

The story is excellent but even more so is the writing which expresses a rich use of language, even in a translation from the French. The book is deep, it's not an easy read.

I'll give it this: it made me sick.

As for the story, I must have skipped the page where there was a story.

 

[Kenneth Mann]

Since this is about Any book, I decided that General forums would be a good place, feel free to move. What books do you deeply love, have changed you, or believe that every literate person should have?

Fragment

I think that maybe instead of "changed" we could probably use the term "influenced". It is not so important that books change us, so much as that they have some effect upon our thinking. They may change our thought directions, or just as likely, they may reinforce and clarify what we already assume - - - or they may introduce us to something totally new. Its all just as valuable.

KM

 

[Ivan Seeking]

A lot of good books have already been mentioned, but one that I would have to add is the Bible.

Best line: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

 

[Astronuc]

I agree with your assessment of the series. I also liked the additions by the other three writers:

1) "Foundation's Fear", by Gregory Benford
2) "Foundation and Chaos", by Greg Bear
3) "Foundation's Triumph", by David Brin

Some call these the 'second Foundation Trilogy'. They don't add new directions or plot lines - - - they just expand a lot on what Asimov had already written about the period involving Harry Seldon. Still I found them interesting.

Obviously, talking to me about this series is like preaching to the choir.

KM

Thanks for that! Until you mentioned those books, I had not heard of them. After I reread the entire Asimov epic, I read the 5 part trilogy of the HHGG. Then I got busy with other things.

 

[Kenneth Mann]

Speaking of large series "masochists" I also enjoy the books of Jordan's (and now Sanderson's) "Wheel of Time" series. I can't say that they had any great influence on my outlook, but still I have enjoyed reading them. I like to call the books literary "tone-poems", in the way that they paint such vivid pictures, almost impressionistic in nature, of the settings, the scenery the customs and the general atmosphere of that imaginary world.

KM

 

[epenguin]

Christmas Humphreys - an obscure book on Buddhism, which I can't locate.

.

It is however a good start to know the author and title.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140134832/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Read that, long ago. Need to find it myself and re-read. Didn't change my life, knowingly, so it is safe. He was a successful barrister (top court lawyer in UK) which is an aggressive and highly lucrative profession, so that always struck me as incongruous. Heard him speak once many many yr. ago. I must say that, fairly or unfairly, the memory I have carried from that and connected with the above apparent incongruity was rather of him saying Bhuddism was good for other people, i.e. that the peasants of Burma and the then undeveloped Thailand were happy as they were, don't disturb their souls with all this development (which was the rage and our scientific religion) what good is it?

However along that theme a book I do recommend and which could be life-changing is Zen and the Art of Motor Cycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. (I think they have inserted one or two "i"s into the author's name for sales purposes). This might be useful for people not very brilliant at experimental science like me and easily bored by it.

 

[epenguin]

Sir Arther Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes short stories.

Edgar Allen Poe's short stories and poetry.

These must be the best value for money. I can read them again after a few years and have no idea who the culprit and what the solution is, that's recycling! But they are good each time.

 

[epenguin]

I'm going to have to read 'Shogun'.

It is 1210 pages. A reviewer said 'I have only one criticism. It is too short.' I agree.

 

[Astronuc]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140134832/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Read that, long ago. Need to find it myself and re-read. Didn't change my life, knowingly, so it is safe. He was a successful barrister (top court lawyer in UK) which is an aggressive and highly lucrative profession, so that always struck me as incongruous. Heard him speak once many many yr. ago. I must say that, fairly or unfairly, the memory I have carried from that and connected with the above apparent incongruity was rather of him saying Bhuddism was good for other people, i.e. that the peasants of Burma and the then undeveloped Thailand were happy as they were, don't disturb their souls with all this development (which was the rage and our scientific religion) what good is it?

I don't remember the title. It was a small blue book. It seems to be out of print.

I have to read western books on Buddhism while remembering that they are western and looking in from the outside.

However along that theme a book I do recommend and which could be life-changing is Zen and the Art of Motor Cycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. (I think they have inserted one or two "i"s into the author's name for sales purposes).

I read that one. An English grad student told me that it had nothing to do with Zen. But then she came from a fundamentalist Baptist background. I don't think she really understood the book or Zen.

She was also contemplating a divorce from he husband, and a relationship with some other guy on the west coast. She was pretty stressed out.

 

[jgens]

I'll add a couple . . .

1) David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

2) The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

3) Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut

4) Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

5) Lord of the Flies by William Golding

 

[turbo]

If you are at all interested in cosmology and the intersection between GR and quantum theory, get a copy of "The Philosophy of Vacuum" by Saunders and Brown. You can get it in as-new condition from Amazon for about $40. My copy arrived recently, and I'm browsing.

 

[WiFO215]

Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is very inspirational and always leaves me highly motivated.

 

[DaveC426913]

Has anyone ever read/found a book called:

Lucifer's Psychoanalysis and Resultant Cure by Arthur <something>, J.S.P.S*.
(Just Some Poor Shmuck)

...or something like that. It's very Kurt Vonnegut-esque.

I read this book years ago, lost it and have never found refernce to it again.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Has anyone ever read/found a book called:

Lucifer's Psychoanalysis and Resultant Cure by Arthur <something>, J.S.P.S*.
(Just Some Poor Shmuck)

...or something like that. It's very Kurt Vonnegut-esque.

I read this book years ago, lost it and have never found refernce to it again.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/059514506X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

It was a trick finding that. I actually used "Just Some Poor Schmuck" for the search criteria.

 

[DaveC426913]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/059514506X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

It was a trick finding that. I actually used "Just Some Poor Schmuck" for the search criteria.

Awesome! Thanks! Been looking for years!

 

[epenguin]

I don't remember the title. It was a small blue book. It seems to be out of print.

If it was paperback it was probably a Penguin Book .

That was the one I read.

I've given link above where you can find one.

 

[S_Happens]

I can sincerely list two books that changed my life, although one has nothing to do with content and the other is much more for what it inspired, rather than the profoundness of it's content.

As a child I read everything I could get my hands on, but somewhere in jr high (grades 6-8) it just hurt my eyes too much to read for any extended period, so my reading away from school dropped to almost nothing. Long story short, when I was about 19, I picked up a Tom Clancy Splinter Cell novel (absolutely horrible piece of writing) so that I could look over someone at a hospital overnight and stay awake. I was able to read the unbleached paper novel through to completion without problems. I ended up finding out a few months later that I have a slight scotopic sensitivity (basically for me it simply becomes painful to read bleached white paper after a short while) that had been diagnosed back in elementary, but no one had taken notice or told me. Reading that book brought about the realization that I could read for extended periods without discomfort, and therefore my renewed love of reading actual books. WOOHOO!

The second book would be The Left Hand of the Electron by Isaac Asimov. I read this shortly after I rediscovered my love of reading. This book opened my eyes to the fact that nonfiction (even pure science/math) could be enjoyable. This was the turning point where I went from simply being able to do calculus/physics/etc (even though I understood the material and did well) to REALLY starting to understand the subjects and applications they had (I actually enjoy my old textbooks that I used to despise). It was then that the floodgates opened, and although now I try to squeeze some fiction in, my real passion lies with nonfiction.

 

[daniel_i_l]

The Elements of Style (Strunk and White)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style
Since I've read it I can't write a thing without being influenced by it's rules . It's truly amazing that such a short book can contain so much valuable information.