Life Changing books

[grokim]

I was thinking the other day, after reading some of the threads on the nings about books, how they (books) can impact us. I was curious what books you've read that have impacted you or changed you in some way.
For me two books I connected with right away and just made a huge differences was Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I know some people dont like these books, particularly The Awakening, but I will always love it because it impacted me in a deeper way. It just spoke to something and helped me to realize a lot of things.
So Nerdfighters, what books have you read thats affected you deeply. That maybe it changed your life, or comforted you during a hard time? Maybe it got you into reading, or caused you to think about things on a different level? It can be more than one book, and if you feel comfortable enough share why it affected you.

[Hannah]

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen helped me to overcome my eating disorder.

I think the book that has had the most profound effect on my life was The Diary of Anne Frank. Pretty self explanatory, really :)

After that, probably Being and Nothingness by Satre and Fear and Trembling by Kierkegaard. Those two books are pretty much the sole reason why philosophy is my passion.

[grokim]

I read Kierkegaard for the first time this year in philosophy of the Modern Mind. Aside from my American Literary Traditions course it was my favorite class I've taken.

[Michelle]

I loved The Diary of Anne Frank :)

ive never read Just Listen, how is that?

[Natasha]

Oh, i hope to read Just Listen this week! My mom just bought it recently for me. Now i cant wait to read it!

[Music=Life]

I love Just Listen! I read it about two months ago

[Gena]

Wow. I didn't know so many people read Just Listen! I love that book! It definitely changed my life and it changed my opinions on music in a huge way. Owen Armstrong deserves awesome awards. I know people complain that Just Listen copies from Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, but I think both are special in their own ways.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and Wicked by Gregory MacGuire come to my mind as well for many reasons. Especially Wicked, because it really makes you look outside of, well, looks and first appearances, and it really makes you think about what "good" and "evil" are.

[grokim]

I think Owen Armstrong is the love of my life, and I say think because he is fictionaly, but if he was real than I'd know.

[Krysta]

I have always been a religious person and relatively optimistic, but a little while ago, I was having a really hard time in my life. Doubt, depression, suicidal thinking, and things like that pretty much ruled my entire existence. There were times when I almost couldn't get out of bed because I felt like I couldn't face the world.

And then I found "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis. The book is comprised of letters from an upper ranking devil named Screwtape to his nephew, a tempter-in-training named Wormwood. Each letter dealt with certain ways to tempt humans and reactions to the interference of The Enemy, God. As I read these letters, they made me laugh, and they made me realize that my problems could have been much worse, and I began remembering the times where I have felt the hand of God affecting my life. I know that some people just read it as satire, but it struck an important chord with me.

This book saved my life.

[grokim]

I go to a Christian College and I love it when we read C.S. Lewis. My Christian THeology Prof. made a comment once about how he should be a book in the Bible because he is just that amazing.

[Brigid Wallace]

Thank you! I'm reading it right now, as I had lost the book for a while. I know exactly what you mean, this book is amazing. It may sound sentimental, but I had to write you a note and let you know that you're not the only one. I'm so happy for you. And I hope I can get as much out of the book as you did.

[Ingrid]

I read C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity" at a tough time in my life and it was life changing event for me. I read all his apologetics and reread all the "Narnia" books in short order. If you liked Lewis you would also probably like G.K. Chesterton, he is a Catholic apologist with a real sense of humor and wit.

[Cavalier]

the things they carry, it changes the way you look at war and death