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It’s a love affair that’s lasted my entire life and will be with me until I kick the bucket at some point.
Some of my favorites that really made an impact on me are In Cold Blood, This Boy’s Life, and My Dark Places. But there are so many other great ones that I love, as well!
What books changed your life?
Let’s see how folks on AskReddit responded.
1. Devoured it.
“I remember when I read Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. I was about 10 years old and I had seen the movie a dozen times before I found out it was a book. I devoured it in 2 days.
I was hooked on the whole series for decades and it started my obsession with books. I will read anything but historical fiction is my favorite and it started with the Earth’s Children series.”
2. My Side of the Mountain.
“My side of the mountain. I was young and have always camped and loved the outdoors (still do) but this book had such an exciting story!
Its about a boy who runs away from home and plans to live in the wild on his own. He goes to a library and checks out a bunch of books on survival and lives in the forest.
He even burns the base of a large tree and hollows it out and makes a living space inside. Its a super easy read but I loved every page.”
3. For all the smokers out there.
“The Easy way to stop smoking by Allen Carr.
I had zero intention to stop smoking when I started reading that book. To say I was sceptical about it would be an understatement. I was a heavy chain smoker. Smoked more than anyone I knew. But I went cold turkey after I read it. 3 years strong. I have not had a single puff since finishing that book.
If you smoke. You want to read this book now. I wish I read it earlier.”
4. A classic.
“Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.
“The things other people have put into my head, at any rate, do not fit together nicely, are often useless and ugly, are out of proportion with one another, are out of proportion with life as it really is outside my head.””
5. A journey.
“There is a Monster at the End of this Book.
It really led me on a journey to overcome my fears and deeply examine what it means to be a monster. Also, pulling really hard against Grover to turn the pages helped me get buff. Really I was helping Grover face fears he was not ready to face.
But we faced them together.”
6. A good one.
“Where the Red Fern Grows.
It still has the best imagery of any book I’ve ever read.
A must read for dog lovers.”
7. Made a big impact.
“The girl with the dragon tattoo when I was 18.
I didn’t go to highschool for reasons and this book made me go get my high school degree and go to college because I wanted to become a journalist because of that book.
I graduated college last month.”
8. Bonkers.
“A Brief History Of Time.
The insanity and complexity of the universe was explained in understandable terms, bonkers.”
9. Think about it.
“Thinking Fast and Slow.
I had no idea how my over-reliance on my intuition was impacting my ability to think through tough problems.
It has forever changed the way I look at the world.”
10. Have to check this one out.
“The End of Mr Y.
My ex partner threw it at my face during an argument and knocked down and burst my forehead. So I left her and totally changed my ambitions in life.
Kinda funny. Sometimes I see that book and scowl, and wonder what people think is going on.”
11. Powerful.
“Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.
An incredible sci-fi book that was written in the 80s and is a mix of apocalypse fiction, socio-political critique & resilience.
Completely changed my world view & put me on the path to sustainable off-grid living, which I’m really grateful for.”
12. Still resonates.
“The Phantom Tollbooth.
I reread it after hearing that Norton Juster passed.
It may have resonated more with me at 32 years old than reading it as a child.”
13. Gave me hope.
“Neuromancer. It somehow gave me hope.
Might have been at a low point in my life, I really can’t say. But I started collecting books again, reading more, and I put up with way less s**t from people.
There’s got to be a reason somewhere, so I’m giving credit to William Gibson”
Now we want to hear from you.
In the comments, tell us about the books that changed your life.
Please and thank you!
