What book have you read that's had a pronounced positive effect on your life?

I rarely read, but one book that impacted my life was The Painted Bird.

I’ll have to go with the Holy Bible… although I do not believe it in it’s entirity….

The one book that changed my perspective on a few things was “Don’t sweat the small stuff- and it’s all small stuff”. I wanted a self help book and this was simple enough, with real life lessons in it, not just a whole bunch of concepts you can;t follow

Siddhartha

I read it when I was about 20 and it had a considerable impact on the way that I look at things.

I read a book to help with quitting smoking. It didn’t help. I did read the holy Qur’an. I have read the Bible, but I didn’t take it seriously.

edit :: grammar

I recently got one that will affect me in a profound way :)

Varieties of the scientific experience, by Carl Sagan (R.I.P.).

Feeling Good by David Burns

Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Well maybe not a pronounced positive effect but I do enjoy them.
I also read a lot of Natural Cure books. I like to go “herbal” if I can.
Good Question Polly Math!!! (((HUG)))

I’m going to sound like a total dork, but Harry Potter. I’d almost go as far as saying that they saved my life. They gave me hope for light when I was in darkness, good when I was surrounded by evil, and faith when I had nothing.

Anthem and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Made me realize I didn’t have to give people a claim upon my life that they didn’t earn.

Also, Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robery Kiyosaki changed the way I view money and finances, which has had a pretty profound influence on my behavior.

I like books by Augusten Burroughs. Although he is a homosexual male who grew up in a dysfunctional home after his mother gave him away to her crazy psychiatrist in MA and now lives in NYC, where I’ve never been, so we don’t have much in common in that sense, I feel we view the world the same on many different levels.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I know, it isn’t some deep, philosophical tome written by some great thinker or whatever, but I have never been able to relate so much to a fictional protagonist as I am to Charlie in Perks, and my ongoing personal transformation mimics the one he goes through in the novel.

@cinddmel – I thought of that one too, I love the line, “Would you rather be right or happy?”
That is a great recipe for a happy life in 7 words.

Other than that the Melody Beattie books taught me a lot about myself.

1984 put a healthy fear of government into me, as did Anthem and Fahrenheit 451.

After reading The Children of Men by P.D. James, I felt like I needed to have a baby just to prove it was still possible. My son’s 16 months old now. ^_^

All of the McCourt memoirs – Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, Teacher Man, by Frank and A Monk Swimming by Malachy – gave me a much greater respect for the land of my heritage, and the probable trials and tribulations in the life of the grandparents I’ve never met, and whose names I’ll never know.

@Seek_Kolinahr Oooh! I forgot about 1984. Good one.

There are a few for me. The Lord of the Rings series along with The Children of Hurin gave me a new appreciation of Norse culture, and an interesting new viewpoint on the issue of fate vs. independence. Conn Iggulden’s series on Genghis Khan gave me a new perspective on materialism, as Genghis (my favourite historical character) did not fight for freedom or to gain possessions. He fought for the sake of having an enemy to fight, to keep his people hard and strong, and to bring vengeance on those who tried to make his people weak. Other important ones were The Book of Enoch, Philip Pullman’s His dark Materials series, and Beowulf.

I tend to be readily affected by the arts. Almost every book I read, and almost every movie I watch, as well as many artworks give me a new perspective, new ideas, and a renewed sense of intellectual satisfaction.

CS Lewis “The Great Divorce.”

Siddhartha. I was seventeen and impressionable.

Most recently, Infinite Jest. I was nineteen and impressionable. I’m not sure I feel the same way Dave Eggers does (‘When you exit these pages after that month of reading, you’re a better person.’) but IJ was a pretty big deal for me.

‘The House Of Morgan’! I hope all is well with you and your son Polly. My Best, Your Friend, Jonathan

@Jonathan_1

Just because “Morgan” has to be my favourite name ever, what’s it about?

Portnoy’s Complaint.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

I actually have three+: Nietzsche: Thus Spoke Zarathustra; Ezra Pound: The Cantos;. The Portable Jung. I know I’m cheatin’ a little by pickin’ more, but isn’t that covered under Questioner’s Discretion?

Vasari’s, “Lives of the Artists”.

The Bible. I like Proverbs alot.

Leo Buscalia’s Books.

Ultra Metabolism by Dr. Mark Hyman.
I always new how to eat properly . In this book Dr Hyman explains in detail how the body processes food. It made everything Crystal clear. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to be healthy and liver longer.

@ Seek – The Book is very long and is about the life of J.P. Morgan. One of the richest men in history. Have a good one. My Best, Jonathan

@Jonathan_1

Ah. Yeah, bankers aren’t really my thing. Thanks for the suggestion. ^_^ You have a very good holiday season, Jonathan!
^_^

I would have to say Louise L Hay, but I like her cd’s as you obviously just listen. She has great hidden messages cd’s too, that are supposed to go deep into your subconsiousness. Yes shd did change my life.

I had to read Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond for a class I was taking. I actually found it to be quite useful in my personal life, too.

The Bible.
A self-help book that I read, but now get a refresher newsletter from that puts me in a good mood, is: http://www.thelugeman.com/