The old favourite - To kill a mocking bird, by Harper Lee. Such a timeless story about repression and blind hate for no other reason than that of another persons difference. It is so beautifully written, and a book I can always go back too time and time again, and always find something new.
Shannon Clayton - Mon, 19/09/2011 - 01:00
I'd have to say the Book Theif by Markus Zusak, sort of teaches you to not take things for granted and also not to just look at things in a bias way. Being set in Nazi Germany its a bit of a shocker. Def worth a read if you haven't already.
Elizabeth Thomas - Fri, 23/09/2011 - 12:25
Mine has to be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho , I was at a crossroads in life had alot of personal issues to deal with , I had read an interview with Tasmin Outhwaite in a magazine , Tasmin recommended it. It was so inspirational , I read it again before commencing this course as it inspires me to have a goal and go for that goal , any are achievable aslong as you tell yourself you can and will , have faith in yourself. x
Steve White - Wed, 07/03/2012 - 19:34
This would be the book I would choose too. My Polish Ex Fiancee bought me this book in Polish to help me learn Polish, it was the first present she bought me before we got together. I read the English version as the language was too difficult to learn in Polish. I now read lots off different foreign authors, they have a totally different view of the world. This book opened my horizons and I have embarked upon lots of life journeys because I know if I try hard enough I will succeed in everything I try. It worked with my new career path and this OU study.
Rhianne Hadley - Thu, 06/10/2011 - 15:13
Ah i dont think any one book changed my life on its own, but every book that i'v read and loved (and there is alot!) has touched me in some way, and i'd love to say it was some one deep and meaningfull true story about mankind, but it wasnt, it was The Mortal Instrument series, those books are amazing. I have to admit, i enjoy fiction alot more then real life :) although there are a few true stories out there that have touched me, Mummy knew is one of them, a story about a woman who was abused by her stepdad all through her life and her mother, instead of protecting her and fighting for her....knew all about it and stood by as it happened.
Avril Boulton - Tue, 01/11/2011 - 06:33
For me it has to be Testament of Youth by Vera Britten. I've read it countless times, and I always feel that it makes us in the UK at any rate, lucky to be living in a peaceful society and not having to suffer they way she did...
Sandra Leribaux - Wed, 21/12/2011 - 12:36
Well, i cant say there is a book that totally changed my life.. but there is always a book that i think about and talk about from time to time and unfortunately its based on a true story...so I just feel such pain, anger and sorrow when i think of it... Dont get me wrong, i read all types of books, happy ones!!!..BUT this one MOVED ME in all level.... the book is called ' A Child Called It' by Dave Pelzer
Sarah Hawkins - Wed, 25/01/2012 - 18:36
Iain Banks' The Crow Road was a comfort read and made me laugh when I was feeling unwell and depressed. It was important at the time.
Helen Phillips - Thu, 08/03/2012 - 21:55
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. It sparked my interest in science and maths and just as a bonus, nearly every page has a laugh out loud moment in it. A brilliant book which set me on a course that has ended up with me one year away from a psychology degree! Yeah for books.
Nehal Khetani - Wed, 14/03/2012 - 18:13
The story that changed my life was The Lord of the Rings by J Tolkien. In particular it was the last in the trilogy 'The Return of the King'. I was 8 years old and seriously underperforming in school, and had been written off by my teachers. It was only when I picked up this book accidentally in the library (I wanted Charlotte's Webb but my teacher gave that to another student as I was not 'intelligent' enough) and read it in 3 hours before writing a book report comparing Aragorn to King Arthur that anyone paid attention to me.
The book is easily my favourite of the trilogy as it is in 'Return of the King' where the hero of Lord of the Rings, Aragorn, comes into his inheritance. He truly transforms throughout the trilogy more so than any other character and it fascinated me as a child even though I did not understand the subtle nuances of why he did so. Now I do the book holds even more weight and holds pride of place in my bookcase!
Karen Brasher - Thu, 15/03/2012 - 14:33
A French book called 'Lost Dogs without collars.' It inspired me to study Psychology and to work with homeless people
Nicholas Jones - Mon, 19/03/2012 - 19:05
Hi I love Michael Ondaatje too, I've read most of his wonderful books. I suppose because he was a puiblished poet becfore becoming a published author his books have a other worldly feel to the naratives. A must read for all lovers of the Classics, which I later studied at the OU and History in general. Here is a link;
The book that is changing my life is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz who is a Toltec nagual. It is changing the way I percieve things going on around me and how I feel about them.
Melina Shaughnessy - Fri, 17/08/2012 - 12:57
For me it would have to be Pride and Prejudice (is italics not working?) because it introduced me to the delights of classics (unlike school which rather turned me off). I appreciated literature on a whole different level after that and exchanged my fairly light contemporary reads with books that were really challenging and thought-provoking, rather than simply entertaining. I then 'consumed' classics as if they were all going to be removed some time soon (think Farenheit 456).
Emma I - Thu, 06/09/2012 - 12:46
Under the Netby Iris Murdoch. This is a book that made me re-think what I value in life. I re-read it every year just to make sure I haven't gone 'off track' so to speak. The characters show how real happiness comes from true satisfaction with your everyday work and therefore you must choose carefully what you spend your time doing and it may not be what you think would make you happy. Hugo walks away from wealth and status and finds deep satisfaction mending watches for a living; Jake, previously workshy, finds satisfaction in the physical work of a hospital orderly which balances his sedentary and creative occupation of writing the rest of the time. I learnt it was OK to try things, change your mind and move on.
Lorna Willis - Fri, 18/01/2013 - 20:28
Anne Frank's Diary was one of the first "adult" books I read as a child and it is such a sad but beautiful story that it has stayed with me ever since.
If no one has read it, I would really recommend it.
The old favourite - To kill a mocking bird, by Harper Lee. Such a timeless story about repression and blind hate for no other reason than that of another persons difference. It is so beautifully written, and a book I can always go back too time and time again, and always find something new.
I'd have to say the Book Theif by Markus Zusak, sort of teaches you to not take things for granted and also not to just look at things in a bias way. Being set in Nazi Germany its a bit of a shocker. Def worth a read if you haven't already.
Mine has to be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho , I was at a crossroads in life had alot of personal issues to deal with , I had read an interview with Tasmin Outhwaite in a magazine , Tasmin recommended it. It was so inspirational , I read it again before commencing this course as it inspires me to have a goal and go for that goal , any are achievable aslong as you tell yourself you can and will , have faith in yourself. x
This would be the book I would choose too. My Polish Ex Fiancee bought me this book in Polish to help me learn Polish, it was the first present she bought me before we got together. I read the English version as the language was too difficult to learn in Polish. I now read lots off different foreign authors, they have a totally different view of the world. This book opened my horizons and I have embarked upon lots of life journeys because I know if I try hard enough I will succeed in everything I try. It worked with my new career path and this OU study.
Ah i dont think any one book changed my life on its own, but every book that i'v read and loved (and there is alot!) has touched me in some way, and i'd love to say it was some one deep and meaningfull true story about mankind, but it wasnt, it was The Mortal Instrument series, those books are amazing. I have to admit, i enjoy fiction alot more then real life :) although there are a few true stories out there that have touched me, Mummy knew is one of them, a story about a woman who was abused by her stepdad all through her life and her mother, instead of protecting her and fighting for her....knew all about it and stood by as it happened.
For me it has to be Testament of Youth by Vera Britten. I've read it countless times, and I always feel that it makes us in the UK at any rate, lucky to be living in a peaceful society and not having to suffer they way she did...
Well, i cant say there is a book that totally changed my life.. but there is always a book that i think about and talk about from time to time and unfortunately its based on a true story...so I just feel such pain, anger and sorrow when i think of it... Dont get me wrong, i read all types of books, happy ones!!!..BUT this one MOVED ME in all level.... the book is called ' A Child Called It' by Dave Pelzer
Iain Banks' The Crow Road was a comfort read and made me laugh when I was feeling unwell and depressed. It was important at the time.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. It sparked my interest in science and maths and just as a bonus, nearly every page has a laugh out loud moment in it. A brilliant book which set me on a course that has ended up with me one year away from a psychology degree! Yeah for books.
The story that changed my life was The Lord of the Rings by J Tolkien. In particular it was the last in the trilogy 'The Return of the King'. I was 8 years old and seriously underperforming in school, and had been written off by my teachers. It was only when I picked up this book accidentally in the library (I wanted Charlotte's Webb but my teacher gave that to another student as I was not 'intelligent' enough) and read it in 3 hours before writing a book report comparing Aragorn to King Arthur that anyone paid attention to me.
The book is easily my favourite of the trilogy as it is in 'Return of the King' where the hero of Lord of the Rings, Aragorn, comes into his inheritance. He truly transforms throughout the trilogy more so than any other character and it fascinated me as a child even though I did not understand the subtle nuances of why he did so. Now I do the book holds even more weight and holds pride of place in my bookcase!
A French book called 'Lost Dogs without collars.' It inspired me to study Psychology and to work with homeless people
Hi I love Michael Ondaatje too, I've read most of his wonderful books. I suppose because he was a puiblished poet becfore becoming a published author his books have a other worldly feel to the naratives. A must read for all lovers of the Classics, which I later studied at the OU and History in general. Here is a link;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Histories-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B003AYZBMA/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_11 I had to choose just one book it would 'The Histories by Herodotus.
The book that is changing my life is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz who is a Toltec nagual. It is changing the way I percieve things going on around me and how I feel about them.
For me it would have to be Pride and Prejudice (is italics not working?) because it introduced me to the delights of classics (unlike school which rather turned me off). I appreciated literature on a whole different level after that and exchanged my fairly light contemporary reads with books that were really challenging and thought-provoking, rather than simply entertaining. I then 'consumed' classics as if they were all going to be removed some time soon (think Farenheit 456).
Under the Net by Iris Murdoch. This is a book that made me re-think what I value in life. I re-read it every year just to make sure I haven't gone 'off track' so to speak. The characters show how real happiness comes from true satisfaction with your everyday work and therefore you must choose carefully what you spend your time doing and it may not be what you think would make you happy. Hugo walks away from wealth and status and finds deep satisfaction mending watches for a living; Jake, previously workshy, finds satisfaction in the physical work of a hospital orderly which balances his sedentary and creative occupation of writing the rest of the time. I learnt it was OK to try things, change your mind and move on.
Anne Frank's Diary was one of the first "adult" books I read as a child and it is such a sad but beautiful story that it has stayed with me ever since.
If no one has read it, I would really recommend it.
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