I have thought about this for some time and the answer is NO. A book has never changed my life, at least not to my knowledge.
Many books I have enjoyed and maybe even helped me through times in my life but not one I can say has changed me in any way. I loved Life of Pi, this was given by my partner when we first started dating. I absolutely loved the book and we later watched the stage show in the theatre that we both worked in. That was a truly wonderful experience, one of my favourite books coming to life, simply magical.
I also loved The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, recommended by a good friend of mine when I was dealing with growing up in my university days. A really inspiring novel that leaves me with fond memories of my early twenties.
I also read a lot of Virginia Andrews novels as a teenager. These novels really helped me through my teenage years, as ways of escapism but also encouraging me through life when sometimes it felt difficult. It was the help of these novels that really threw me into reading and I became addicted to reading for a few years before I left my hometown for the big smoke of Belfast. Flowers in the Attic was and probably still is a complete classic, albeit slightly disturbing. I recommend anyone to read this book.
How about yourselves? Have you ever had a book that has changed your life?
Wayne βπ½
I wouldn’t say a book changed my life but one which affected me profoundly and that is Voices in City by Anita Desai. Another was My God Died Young by Sasthi Brata. I still have the copies I bought at 15.
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Oh wow amazing! I must say, Animal Farm was a big one for me when I was a teenager.
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You’ve given me some food for thought, Wayne. I have read some of the books you mentioned, but not all. Kindle here I come!
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Would love to try a Kindle one day.
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Oh, I hope you can. As an avid reader I can’t function without mine.
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Amazing!
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I have read several books which I have enjoyed, but nothing life altering. Two books I would strongly recommend are β The Grapes of Wrath β and Rohinton Mistryβs β A Fine Balance β. Most of you will be familiar with the first, but not the second, which is India- centric and set during the Emergency era. A compulsive read!
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Oh wow thanks for sharing Lov! I must check those out.
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Surely you must have read the grapes of wrath? All time classic!!
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Never heard of it. I will have to investigate.
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I enjoyed The Alchemist, like you, as recommended by my homeopath decades ago! Changed my life? Not really, but enjoyable just the same. I really loved, The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans a fantastic work of fiction!
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Oh thanks I must read that one π
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I read a lot and have always done so but I donβt recall any particular book as life changing or enhancing.
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Thank goodness itβs not just me π
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π
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I agree. I don’t think a book changes your life but the right book at the right time can help you through a period in your life. I love The Alchemist! I had completely forgotten about Flowers in the Attic. What a book (and yes a tad bit disturbing)! I still need to read Life of Pi though. Great post!.
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Thanks so much!!!! I agree, books are great for helping through certain times in your life π
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