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.

@SpeckledlyHen I’ve read a thousand splendid suns. It’s an amazing book and had a big impact on me. It didn’t change my life but it continues to make me feel huge gratitude for my life circumstances and rights as a woman. I would go as far as saying it’s the best fiction book I’ve ever read and I have read many! It is indeed poignant at this awful moment in history for the women in Afghanistan.

@Aceray That’s a great list. I love Ferne’s podcast -also listened to it on mat leave. Atomic habits is a great book- I read it last year on audiobook. I combine activities as a result (exercise and podcasts) and use a fair few of the tips. Good to read another badass book fan- it really motivated me to make big life changes!

@flipflopslap I read this book last year just as Covid hit. I don’t think I have managed to implement much of it due to Covid and homeschooling.... everything kind of fell apart with 2 young ones at home while we worked. But thank you for reminding me to re read it. I think it might be similar to the HTTTKSTL book mentioned earlier.

James Smith - Not A Life Coach is very good if you feel you are at a crossroads in your life. I suppose the theme is a little bit like Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Makes you question your current choices and challenges you to make changes.
Good as an audiobook too.

A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle.

It was actually recommended to me on here by another Mumsnetter during a particularly bleak spell in my mental health problems.

It taught me so much about life and happiness, I understand myself and those around me more than ever before. It helped me process lots of old trauma. In the weeks after finishing it, I'd never felt more content in my life - realised I'd never known peace like it.

As a previous poster mentioned uptrend, all these self help books are 'mental gym' however, and I've learned this bliss and zen doesn't just hang around forever without sustained effort and puting the teachings into practice. Its so easy to slip back into old habits, let your ego creep back unchecked.

I would second A New Earth. There was another book much earlier than that that changed my life. The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. It was the book I needed at the time.
Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch also had a profound effect on me.

@CarpeVitam

The Women's Room, Marilyn French.

Ah yes, me too.

@Themadcatparade

When things fall apart, by Pema Chodron. Beautiful words and beautiful stories of experiences, it pretty much teaches you to embrace the pain in your failures and challenges you to grow. It’s the one which made the most sense during a break up and The one I go back to time and time again when I feel that things are actually falling apart!

Also she has a lovely soothing voice like listening to a friend so even better when listening to the audio version.

Love this book. Full of profound wisdom

@Polecat03 you are so right about the need to keep visiting the mental gym... you need to develop new habits and ways of thinking- and challenge the self limiting beliefs that creep in and hold you back. This sounds like a great book- thanks!

This is a great thread and I've downloaded a few samples so thank you!

Can anybody recommend some reading (maybe already mentioned) about how to manage feeing overwhelmed and feeling of sinking whilst simultaneously stuck in a rut? 😅

I see this thread is going to be very expensive (book addict here!)

@Skybluepinkgiraffe

In all seriousness I bet your local library has some of the classics. I’ve discovered my library service has lots of books online to download to the kindle, so I’ve managed to save money. I did take out an audible subscription but you can buy so few titles with the credits - it works out very expensive after the trial period so I cancelled.

[quote Bluebellsinparadise]@Skybluepinkgiraffe

In all seriousness I bet your local library has some of the classics. I’ve discovered my library service has lots of books online to download to the kindle, so I’ve managed to save money. I did take out an audible subscription but you can buy so few titles with the credits - it works out very expensive after the trial period so I cancelled.[/quote]
I think it probably does. I have too many unread books on kindle and audible, plus proper books, yet I go 'ooh' when I see more recommended.
I think I need to go on a purchasing fast and read what I've got

Thanks for this thread! I had 4 audible credits to use before I cancel and I've gone for -

Feel the Fear
Badass one
Atomic Habits

I need a fourth. I struggle with sticking to stuff (including listening to audibles). I'm also nearly 40 and single and feel like I'm just drifting along watching other people live their lives I.e entering into relationships, having kids (though I don't want that) progressing up the career ladder etc etc. I feel like nothing great ever happens to me. Nothing majorly bad, there's a lot of people worse off than me, but I need a hand to lift it up so to speak.

Could also do with less drinking alcohol/mindless eating.

Any audible suggestions apart from actual therapy?!!

Upton Sinclair, The Jungle. Transformed my politics.

I haven’t read it, but I have seen the 5 second rule listed for those struggling with motivation. The reviews look good.

I think a book that will help you find your passion as it’s easier to push yourself further when you enjoy something, would be a good addition to your list. What you describe is really common I think.

I’ve realised that while I enjoy my field of work, I don’t really enjoy the tasks I do. I know this because I have to make a lot of effort to motivate myself! So I’ve got a new job that aligns more with the tasks I want to do. It’s take me years to find out what I enjoy/ don’t enjoy... and of course I have changed too. Does that resonate with you? If so, I think the badass book will be helpful.

I think so often we just fall into things without making a choice.... we enter the big snooze. But you absolutely can make a choice to do something else and if you want something badly enough you can achieve it (within reason!)

All jobs have boring parts to them for sure, but they should feed your soul on some level. Or a relationship may not really bringing you joy, and needs re-evaluating.

So many people go through life not living the life they want and never realise. Quite sad really.

That was meant for @ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff

Thanks @Bluebellsinparadise I'll check that one out.

@Guineapigbridge

How to Talk so kids Will Listen - changed my parenting. And no, *@Bluebellsinparadise* I cannot for the life of me get my husband to read it. He continues to lecture the kids instead of listen to them and it drives me crazy.

I found He's Just Not That Into You in my twenties to be very useful in navigating dating and understanding men. It made me realise how simple men are, on the whole.

Mine either...so I photocopied lots of the one page cartoons from 'How to talk...' and stuck one at a time on our bathroom window. So he had to read it while brushing his teeth. Changed it every week or so. He got the drift of the book and is thoroughly on board 😎

I have recently read, and 'done' The Magic. Surprisingly not too woo, which I had a assumed it really would be. Very practical 28 day list of things to do. All about gratitude but also made me realise I have got some very biased ideas about money that I need to be aware of. Have also stated sorting out my finances after finding 'Meaningful Money podcast' recommended on mumsnet and taking on board the ideas.

Everything That Remains by the Minimalists. Set myself free from ‘stuff’ and really inspiring.

@Lavenderpillow

Everything That Remains by the Minimalists. Set myself free from ‘stuff’ and really inspiring.

I concur. I've subscribed to their emails for several years, and listen to the podcasts regularly too. I have the book, not read it yet, but have enjoyed to odd excerpt that Joshua has read out. Have you seen their documentary @Lavenderpillow?

Oops, no it's their latest book I recently bought: Love people, use things

@ChocolateHelps I love this! Going to steal this idea!

Surely you should borrow the Minimalists book from a library