Books that changed your life?

[Bluebellsinparadise]

Please tell me about the books that changed your life. I am going through a period of change/ growth and would love some inspiration! Name changed as feels very personal, but have been on here years (I’m not trying to push any books!).

These are mine:

The seven habits of highly effective people- Stephen Covey It was a revelation to me as a 20 something learning the habits that many people around me seemed to have learned from their (professional) parents - it positively helped me grow as a person too. Wish I’d have been taught these at school.

You are a Badass by Jen Sincero Wow this book had such a profound effect on me when I read it a few years ago. Lots of reviews seem to say similar. I became happier after struggling with mental health, my career skyrocketed in less than a year, I suddenly got treated with more respect, and I doubled my income. It had an incredibly empowering effect on me and helped me overcome imposter syndrome. I’m re-reading it now as I feel a bit stuck and already I’m having lots of new exciting opportunities present themselves to me. It’s also helping me overcome another period of self doubt.

So I’d love to hear your recommendations! They could be from any genre.... fiction to science or self help.

Bit of an update from me about the impact of You are a badass on my life. I started re-reading it a month ago and applying the principles to my thinking and attitude. I read it five years ago and it had a massive impact, but stopped going to the ‘mental gym’.

Anyway this week I’ve seen phenomenal success from applying the principles over a few short weeks. I’ve been approached by two employers in my sector (unsolicited) offering me a promotion (which I’m not actually interested in as I want to change career direction). I was offered a new job which I interviewed for last week- the book gave me a massive confidence boost and the interviewers said they were blown away by my answers . I also received 2 further interview invites for jobs I applied for.

This time last months I was in the depths of depression, so stressed and on the point of burnout feeling trapped in my job. I know it’s me doing the work, but if you suffer from self sabotage or limiting self beliefs, then I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I also recently read Brene Brown which I know people rave about, but it did nothing for me.

Atomic Habits by James Clear. I read it last year and it really helped me get a grip on creating small habits daily. I started to feel really happy and impressed with myself after a bought of depressing the year before. It helped me massively with the final year of my Masters and also with my fitness…. I feel like I need to listen to it on audio again for some re-inspiration.

Also to a degree, Stephen King’s The Shining (my favourite book) and The Harry Potter series because they kicked off my true love for books and reading. I have always read but not consistently before I picked up The Shining in my early 20s and devoured it. I then got hooked on HP. I have read so many SK’s since I love him. I now read approx 30-50 books a year and I would say reading is the biggest pleasure in my life so The Shining was life-changing in that it got me into this wonderful hobby.

@AndTheReasonIsYou see my post above, this book might work for you like it did me, or it might not. But worth a try as it’s an easy/ fun read.

@sociallydistained what a lovely post and a different take. Reading really does open up a world of possibilities!

Great thread! Feel the Fear is an excellent book and has helped me in numerous situations.

Irma Kurtz - The Great American Bus Ride fuelled my travel bug and made me appreciate the vignettes of life on the road. And Donna Tartt's The Secret History. In addition to being a ripping yarn, her use of language is so beautiful: "and the nights, bigger than imagining, wild and disordered with stars..."

Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
Stonemouth - Iain Banks
The Time Keeper - Mitch Albom
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Paul Torday
Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goleman

A range of stories by Ursula K le Guin, especially "the left hand of darkness" . She made me think about culture, socialisation, religion and sexuality in totally different ways. Great original ideas.
I do love some of Margaret Atwood's books too. The handmaid's tale is brilliant, as is Alias Grace.

If any of you are on Instagram, look up @aneed2read by Ed Cunningham. He is like the “book doctor” and recommends lots of books for specific things like confidence, motivation, anxiety etc. His page is very similar to this thread.

Illusions by Richard Bach. (If you don't know him you may have heard of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull). A mystical allegory with a message that you can't change other people or events, but you do have control over how you react to them. Maybe I should reread it.

Another vote for Feel The Fear. It's an old book now but an absolute classic. It taught me how to nurture lots of different areas of my life so if one caves in (relationship breaks up or you lose your job etc) all the other thriving areas support you and give you things to look forward to. It's genius and it works. It also taught me the art of Win-Win decision making, which I taught to DC and have seen DS use this year to overcome what could have been a horribly stressful disappointment.

@Bluebellsinparadise and @ArielBlue you've convinced me on the Badass book. I will read it.

I’m going to try Badass too. I was slightly put off by some of the comments on Amazon about it being religious but there are also many positive comments that I have downloaded it anyway

@AndTheReasonIsYou I didn’t get a religious vibe? How odd. You can choose to interpret the ‘higher power’ as energy/ god/ spirituality/ the ways of the universe or whatever. It’s all personal to the reader. She barely mentions God and I got the sense she’s more spiritual than religious... but it’s really not a woo-woo book. It’s quite practical really, which is why I liked it!

Can’t believe it. Today I was offered another interview. I’ve never had such success in applying for jobs before. I swear it comes down to really going for it and believing in myself, due to following the principles in the badass book.

Has anyone read Matthew Syed. ? He’s had a lot of press coverage due to football and Olympics. His marginal gains and diverse thinking theories really appeal to me ... but wondering which book to start with as he has loads!

Following!! Having just finished treatment for breast cancer I'm feeling motivated to be/do more in my life so would love to hear some easing ideas. Thanks 😀

@Abkbjbjb Congratulations on finishing your treatment! There are lots of great suggestions up thread - on really varied topics.

I’ve not had a health scare like you, but had suddenly realised I was letting life pass me by and felt ‘done to’ rather than being in control. It’s something that Jen Sincero (Badass book) calls ‘the big snooze’ and that really resonated with me and kicked me up the bum to be the architect of my own life!

I’m sure there are loads of self help books to help overcome self limiting beliefs (if that’s true for you as to the reason you feel you’re not fully living your life) - the other one mentioned here is Feel the fear and do it anyway which is a classic I need to read- it’s on my list!!

Great thread !
My kindle wish list just got a lot bigger

I’m surprised some of the big hitters haven’t been mentioned. Like the Secret, the Alchemist, Brene Brown books and the power of now .... all of which did not speak to me but are phenomenally popular.

Totally this

‘The Courage To Be Disliked: How to free yourself, change your life’

Three years later I use the philosophy daily

It’s written in an odd style but worth persevering!

Happy by Fearne Cotton was recommended by a friend when I had postnatal depression and was just what I needed.

Rich Dad Poor Dad had a big impact on my future plans and finances.

Currently rereading Atomic Habits which is a great book and shows the power of small, incremental changes.

Loved I am a Badass too, I need to add that to my reread list.

Libby Purves, How Not to Be A Perfect Mother

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseni - I read it on a long car journey (as a passenger) and during the first holiday with my now husband. I can remember passages in that book which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I literally could not put it down. It has stayed with me forever and I have read it more than once. Seems very poignant at the moment with what is happening in Afghanistan. Well, poignant probably doesn't cut it really. Terrifying and horrifying is probably a better description.

@SpeckledlyHen

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseni - I read it on a long car journey (as a passenger) and during the first holiday with my now husband. I can remember passages in that book which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I literally could not put it down. It has stayed with me forever and I have read it more than once. Seems very poignant at the moment with what is happening in Afghanistan. Well, poignant probably doesn't cut it really. Terrifying and horrifying is probably a better description.

Gosh, yes. I often think back to this book.

Especially in light of what's happening in Afghanistan now. I would love to read it again, but I can't bring myself to do it now. So gut wrenching.

The book you wish your parents had read (and your children will be glad you did) by Phillipa Perry

A really fantastic book for parents. I am so glad I read it, and really wish my parents had!!