Last night in class my prof asked if any of us had ever read a book that changed our life. I hadn't really thought about it before, but right away a couple of them came to me.
Mine are:
The Catcher in the Rye. There's a part in it where he's talking about going to the Natural History Museum on class field trips as a kid, and he talks about how the museum always stays the same. Here's the quote:
Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you'd be so much older or anything. It wouldn't be that, exactly. You'd just be different, that's all. You'ld have an overcoat on this time. Or the kid that was your partner in line the last time had got scarlet fever and you'd have a new partner. Or you'd have a subsitute taking the class, instead of Miss Algletinger. Or you'd heard your mother and father having a terrific fight in the bathroom. Or you'd just passed by one of those puddles in the street with a gasoline rainbow in them. I mean you'd be different in some way - I can't explain what I mean. And even if I could, I'm not sure I'd feel like it.
That really made me realize for the first time how the smallest things can affect our personalities, outlook on life, etc. The smallest moments can change us.
Harry Potter. I read these books as I was transitioning from my late teens to adulthood... I think I read the first one when I was about 17 or so, and now I'm 27. I really feel like many times as I began to take on more responsibility or leave behind the carefree days of living with the parents and having a part-time job, my transition was aided by thinking of the responsibility that Harry and his friends were taking on. The idea in these books of the "choice between what is right and what is easy" also really helped me make a difficult decision last year, about whether to go on strike when I was already in a difficult financial time.
So what about you? Are there books that have changed your life? Which ones, and how so?
Of Mice and Men ... awesome!
of all the books i've put my nose into and curled up with the one that had the most impact on me was Classic Christianity. It really opened my eyes to a lot of truths and the truth set me free.
To Kill a Mockingbird--poignant and humorous. A wonderful tableau of the Old South.
Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. Somehow, it was hotter then. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.
~~Harper Lee
Forever Amber--a glimpse into the Court of Charles II in Restoration England.
Plantation Trilogy--by Gwen Bristow. It was three novels set in Louisiana spanning after the revolution and up to World War I.
I also forgot the Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes. If you love American History, then these are the books for you. The book starts out in pre-Revolution Boston with The Bastard.
They didn't change my life but I could read them over and over again.
"Bambi." I'm serious. Read the original. Even though I was brought up in an environment that wasn't pro-hunting, this read clinched it for me. Disney's film version is just pale in comparison.
"The Secret Garden." What a great story, a young, spoiled girl comes to a huge mansion in Yorkshire after her parents die of cholera in India. She discovers the secret of the mansion, the young son of the lord, who is bedridden and worried that he will surely die soon. Add the animal-charmer son of the house cook, throw in a neglected garden behind a secret wall with a locked gate and you have the recipe that the three children concoct to bring the garden back to life and heal the sadness in all of them. Along the way, they also are able to reach the heart of the lord, who had carried his own sadness of the death of the boy's mother to the point that he was unable to love his son. A testimony to love conquers all. *pulls out the kleenex*
Everything by Albert Payson Terhune. He wrote "Lad A Dog," and many other wonderful books about the collies of Sunnybank farm. He was one of the first people to suggest that muzzles were inhumane. Along with him comes Anna Sewell, of course, really one of the first animal rights activists with her gem, "Black Beauty."
"Fahrenheit 451," by Ray Bradbury. The idea that people would love books so much that they would risk their lives by becoming living books by memorizing them still haunts me. So many of his other stories and books are so incredible, he's really in a class by himself.
Probably almost trite, but "The Hobbit, and "The Lord of The Rings," Most of us in here can agree, I'm sure.
I'm sure I'll come up with more, but these come to mind the quickest.
There are a lot of book that I enjoy, with Lord of the Rings probably at the top. But as for books that have changed my life I'd say Huxley's "Brave New World." Its horrifying description of a completely controlled and conformist society has been a big influence of much of my social and political ideology. Also, Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" which describes in chilling detail just how we could end up in such a world as Huxley warned us about.
I should also add "It's Like This, Cat." It was one of the first book I ever read as a kid and it helped instill a love of reading that has stayed with me so many years later.
I cannot believe I'm beating Molden to the punch on this one, but here goes...
Playboy. ;D
What? You knew somebody was going to say it... ;)
Seriously, I'd have to say Orwell's 1984 and Huxley' Brave New World had a huge impact on my social and political views.
Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five marked the first time I really thought about the concepts of Fate and freewill, and it opened my eyes on both.
Of course, Capt. Johnson's A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates has been an invaluable resource.
But, isn't that a magazine?????
Quote from: Lady Nicolette on July 24, 2008, 06:12:06 PM
But, isn't that a magazine?????
Not if you keep several of them in a binder...WHAT...I'm just sayin'!!! :PI read voraciously...anything and everything...so to narrow it down to one book...wow. I would have to say, the one book that I have actually called a former english teacher and thanked her for introducing me to is "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles. I don't know what it is about that book, but it really touches me.
Of course, books that "shaped" me as a child...the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries..."Oh! The Places You'll Go" and the "Birthday" book by Dr. Seus..."Were the Wild Things Are"...the Little House on the Prairie series..."Lord of the Rings" trilogy (oddly, not so much the Hobbit though...go figure). Hmmm, I sense a theme here...imagination, fantasy, intrigue....no wonder I'm a rennie!!!!
Quote from: Mad Jack Wolfe on July 24, 2008, 06:21:46 PM
Quote from: Lady Nicolette on July 24, 2008, 06:12:06 PM
But, isn't that a magazine?????
It's got pages! :D ;)
Indeed, by that loose (all pun intended) definition, I suppose that it could be called a book...
Right--the centerfold taught him about fractions..
1/3+1/3+1/3= Heaven on earth?
I have to say 'Green Eggs and Ham' (the best Dr Seuss book ever) taught me that breakfast really ISN'T that important!
And THAT changed my life, not to mention my eating habits! ;)
Imagine my confusion when I discovered that real women DON'T have staples in their bellybuttons! :o ;D
As a child Charlotte's Web.
As a young teen My Brilliant Career
As a young adult The Bible. I actually read the whole thing cover to cover ,beginning to end. It really made me look at the world in a different way. Politically, spiritually. It was a great stepping stone.
*I just went back and read this thread. Charlotte I so agree about Catcher in the Rye! Loved that book. I still think Hmm...if I take *this* road how will that change....
Quote from: Welsh Wench on July 24, 2008, 08:02:22 PM
Right--the centerfold taught him about fractions..
1/3+1/3+1/3= Heaven on earth?
I have to say 'Green Eggs and Ham' (the best Dr Seuss book ever) taught me that breakfast really ISN'T that important!
And THAT changed my life, not to mention my eating habits! ;)
I love that book, Green eggs and Ham.
Would you Could you in a house?
I cannot say 1 book, most books I chose to read change my life in some way but the ones I loved the most
Youth: Little House books by Laura Ingells Wilder, Little Britches; Father and I were ranchers Ralph Moody and Only Earth and Sky Last Forever Nathaniel Benchley
Teen: The Hobbit and Sword of Shannara as they intorduced me to Fantasy to which I still love this day, Have Space Suit will Travel Robert Heinlin
Adult: Battle Cry of Freedom by James Macpherson about the American Civil War and really shows how much indepth this time and conflict in American history was far more than about slavery and the Six Wives of Henry the VIII by Allison Weir
I've been a book worm ever since I can remember. So many good books have remained in my mind.
The "Little House" books, read most of them as a kid and faithfully watched the tv series. I didn't know a girl my age back then who didn't want to either be Laura Ingalls, or be her best friend, or time travel and show her the wonders of the modern world. (or was that just me, in all my dorkiness? ;)) This series taught me that you don't need to have a lot of money and material things to be happy. It taught good honest values.
Piers Anthony's "Split Infinity"- The very first fantasy novel I ever read as a teenager, that started me down the path of the rennie.
Piers Anthony's "On a Pale Horse"- On the surface, it can be viewed as light fantasy, but looking deeper, the topics of balanced souls, free will, and the right to die with dignity, were compelling. In particular, the scene where the atheist's soul disintegrated because he truly didn't believe in the afterlife. That part stayed with me for a long time.
Anne McCaffrey's "Pern" series-They didn't really change my life, buy have been a part of my life for so long. You think it was hard for Harry Potter to be over? I've been reading this epic series since I was a young teen, I think the first one was written in 1967, and they are still being written by her son Todd, (although I've heard they are probably going to be concluded soon.) I'm still 2 books behind! It'll be really weird when it's finally over.
Another nod to Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty", and to Walter Farley's "Black Stallion" series, and Marguarite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague."
They caused me to fall in love with horses at a young age, and thanks to wonderful parents, allowed me to have a horse. (Then when I read Split Infinity, Neysa the unicorn was my favorite character of course!)
Including books like LOTR trilogy almost goes without saying...
Harry Potter almost goes without saying too, these books are forever a part of our pop culture. Honestly, I can't really think of any other books that have been as big a phenomenon.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig - a decided slide-ways philosophical view on life taking a "some from column A, some from column B" approach. It shattered the illusion of how society says we should live our lives and define success. It was the first to strike a harmonic chord with me.
Illusions by Richard Back - VERY metaphysical. Ascribes to the idea that we attract every person and every situation into our lives.
Growing Yourself Back Up: Understanding Emotional Regression by John Lee. This topic struck a DEEP chord with me when I went to my 1st workshop with him. It explains a lot about some of the fights, hurt feelings that seem to come out of nowhere at times in relationships. I've read this book until it's nearly falling apart and usually by it as a gift for dear friends.
Iron John by Robert Bly. Ahhh - the Mythology of Men. Robert - like Joseph Campbell, sees our lives as the embodiment of our own Hero Myth/Legend. In this, he observes the variety of roles men play through out their lives. He describes a healthy ascent into mature manhood. It also does an excellent job of explaining the truth behind the ever-popular Mid-Life Crisis.
And as referenced above, The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. An excellent treatment of the idea of the Hero's journey and examination of the world's mythology.
Finally, Jane Austen's body of work. She was a woman well ahead of her time and quite the snark with regard to matrimony. She was one of the first authors to publicly question the institution of marriage as it existed at the time. Her view of what it should be, an expression of mature love, between two partners (essentially equals - remember, this was the 18th century) - rather than to provide status, financial protection of her family/property, or to simply be "acceptable" in society's view. Her heroines always questioned the status quo on many fronts.
As a child, I remember being in my room surrounded by lots and lots of books many of which I still have today, tons of horse books, the Little House Set, Disney Books, Dr. Seuss, Black Stallion Books, soooo many.
In college I wrote a paper for my religion class, "The Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama". My research on that title surprised me as a 17 year old, very sheltered young lady. I was amazed at the process. It touched my interest in signs, intuitions and cultures outside of the U.S. I also studied Holocaust Literature as a 1 month intensive in college when I was 18. The truest dark side of humanity...since then I prefer to stay in the light...
The 4 books I keep close to me are:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman a "collection of prayerful meditations and Christian writings..."
Feelings Buried Alive Never Die... by Karol K. Truman - In it she discusses how we bring about illness and dis-ease to our bodies through feelings and experiences. It helped me to indentify toxic situations within myself and my life and the importance of 1) removing oneself from those situations and 2) finding the healthful alternatives.
For example I opened the book to this page...
"Chapter 15 Eliminating Stressors
How important and desirable is it to eliminate the stressors in our life?
Our body responds to stress with an alarm reaction. This alarm reaction in our brain signals our adrenal glands to produce a stream of stress hormones which are chemical messengers that instantaneously increase our supply of energy, sustain blood pressure and assist other hormones in functioning more efficiently..
Our immune system, our autonomic nervous system and our brain are directly impacted by these hormones, helping our body to adapt to the stress. The body's magnificent intelligence always serves us during stressful crises. If the stress continues for a prolonged period of time, however, serious damage may be caused as the production of stress hormones can and does get out of control. When these stress hormones are out of control, our body's biochemical balance becomes upset and functions entirely out of harmony. This then impairs our immune system and leaves us open and vulnerable to invasion of dangerous infections and cancer cells. According to some scientists, stress hormones also hasten and compound the aging process, Cortisol being one of them.
To answer the original question, "How important and desirable is it to elimminate the stressors in our lives?" , it is evident from the foregoing information that we would be doing our bodies a favor if we were taught how to minimize or eliminate as many stressors as possible on a daily basis."
Considering I eliminated a major stressor in my life earlier today, I take this as confirmation I decided wisely. :)
and one more...
Trust Your Vibes by Sonia Choquette "Secret Tools for Six-Sensory Living" - She shares with us that we all have that 6th sense of intuition, it's up to us to choose to listen and develop it.
Secret #9 Psychic Protection
"This week, protect yourself energetically by consciously creating good vibes. Speak positively to yourself and others, and recognize who and what feels good. Pay close attention to the energy around you at all times. Remember not to take any negative vibration or energy personally - simply refuse to be harmed by someone else's missed opportunity to love. Shield yourself with positive, loving energy, and stop any unpleasant energy with intention. And know that if the vibes are really bad, you can always freeze them."
IMHO - Sometimes it's just better to bow out gracefully and simply follow Elvis' lead and leave the building. ;D ::) :)
My all-time favs are:
The Autobiography Of Henry Vlll by Margaret George.
Clan Of the Cave Bear.
Forever Amber.
Gone With The Wind.
Anything by Steinbeck.
The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
As others have said it *is* hard to say any one book has changed my life. I have two more to add to my list that are highly recommended.
The Power of Attracton
A New Earth: Awakening to your Life's Purpose.
This says it all....
It changed my life. I never ate breakfast again. :D
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e65/welshwench/Greeneggsandham.jpg)
Wenchie, now THAT is truly disgusting!
In response to some other books mentioned, I read all of the Marguerite Henry books,some of them multiple times! "Forever Amber," was a family favorite as well, and we all read "Gone With The Wind," in my household. Other books that we read were the "Jeeves" books and "The Egg and I," by Betty McDonald, which inspired the Ma and Pa Kettle films.
We had a kind of obscure book in my home library called "The Well of Loneliness," by Radcliff Hall, which was written in 1928 about a lesbian and her difficulties. Although I'm decidedly heterosexual, I read it before I really understood the implications and developed a keen sense of the unfairness that is meted to those who are different than the norm.
As a young teen, I immensely enjoyed (and still do) the absurdity of Richard Brautigan. And later on, was introduced to Edward Gorey, one of the best writers of black (or gallows) humor of all time, in my opinion.
All of these other strange books are coming to mind to me as well.
The Oz Books! The first book I remember my mother reading to me every night at bedtime was "The Wizard of Oz." We had the beautifully illustrated entire series from the 1930's in our home library. Is it any wonder that tornadoes freak me out?
I still am working on a collection of these books to replace the ones from my childhood, along with the Uncle Wiggly Longears series from the same era. Along with these themes are of course, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and "Through The Looking Glass."
We also enjoyed a funny little series from the 50's, written by a Carmel, CA author, Eleanor Cameron, "The Mushroom Planet," books. Kids made a rocket ship and journeyed to the Mushroom Planet, the inhabitants came back to Earth as well and they had some interesting adventures.
The first historical novel that I read was Katherine by Anya Seton. About the mistress and eventual wife of John of Gaunt, and their children, who became the basis for the Tudor and Stuart families. I had just moved to England, and Steve's Aunt Daphne lent me the book. I think that began my love affair with British history. And then Steve and I went for a weekend to Kenilworth, and I was hooked on castles, knights, which led us to begin brass rubbing.
Another book that affected me deeply was Caravans by James Michener. I read that just out of college, about 30+ years ago. For some reason, it really touched me. The straight-laced government guy found freedom in the form of a tribe of desert wanderers. It began my fascination with Afghanistan. So I now seek out whatever I can find to read about the country. Also deepening my interest was Lie Down with Lions by Ken Follett, and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
The book "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, literally (pun intended) charted the direction my life took from that day forward. Read to us by our 6th grade teacher, Mrs Hammernick at afternoon "rest period". My interest in science and engineering grew directly from that book.
My mother ran into Mrs. Hammernick years later, she remembered me and gave my mother her phone number and asked I give her a call. My mother lost the number! Never had a chance to thank that woman...
"The Chronicles of Narnia." I only read them recently, and was astounded...finally, a concept of God/Jesus that works for me!!! Those books totally changed my life.
"On Combat" and "On Killing" by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. Gave me a LOT of perspective, especially being married to a police officer, and having PTSD myself.
I spent my teens reading Dragonlance novels, all entertaining but not very deep.
A chance discovery in a college library introuced me to Isaac Asimov's science fiction and short stories. I'll always remember how The Last Question made my jaw drop. http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html
House Of Leaves by Mark Danielewski - totally rearranges how a novel can be presented, uses footnotes, colored text and scattered text arrangements to inspire confusion and leave you open to terror. A love story in disguise.
http://www.amazon.com/House-Leaves-Mark-Z-Danielewski/dp/0375703764/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217163135&sr=1-1
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon! My Mother and sister made me read the first book and I've been up late ever since, even halfway through a second read! Sorry, a quick review:
From Publishers Weekly
Absorbing and heartwarming, this first novel lavishly evokes the land and lore of Scotland, quickening both with realistic characters and a feisty, likable heroine. English nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall and husband Frank take a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands in 1945. When Claire walks through a cleft stone in an ancient henge, she's somehow transported to 1743. She encounters Frank's evil ancestor, British captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, and is adopted by another clan. Claire nurses young soldier James Fraser, a gallant, merry redhead, and the two begin a romance, seeing each other through many perilous, swashbuckling adventures involving Black Jack. Scenes of the Highlanders' daily life blend poignant emotions with Scottish wit and humor. Eventually Sassenach (outlander) Claire finds a chance to return to 1945, and must choose between distant memories of Frank and her happy, uncomplicated existence with Jamie.
http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Diana-Gabaldon/dp/0385319959/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217162550&sr=1-1
Quote from: Molden on July 25, 2008, 01:02:17 PM
Illusions by Richard Back - VERY metaphysical. Ascribes to the idea that we attract every person and every situation into our lives.
Ahhhhh...I love Richard Bach's work!!! My favorites, ones that changed my method of thought a bit, were "Bridge Across Forever" and "One".
I'm finding so many of my favorites being mentioned here...very cool thread!!!!
Wow, it' really interesting to read everyone's responses!!
I just thought of another one (yes, it's impossible to pick just one!!): The Five Love Languages (http://www.amazon.com/Five-Love-Languages-Heartfelt-Commitment/dp/1881273156/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217343691&sr=1-2 (http://www.amazon.com/Five-Love-Languages-Heartfelt-Commitment/dp/1881273156/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217343691&sr=1-2)) by Gary Chapman. It really helped me understand what had gone wrong in some of my previous relationships. And although Chapman is pretty religious, the book doesn't contain too much preaching and you can kind of ignore the religious references, if it's not your thing.
Another I loved as a youngster is
Lord of the Flies
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein. Hooah! ;D
Excellent choice Warrior_Monk! I'm a big Heinlein fan and didn't read Starship Troopers until after seeing the movie. What a surprise that was.
Quote from: Warrior_Monk on July 29, 2008, 10:42:14 AM
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein. Hooah! ;D
The first book I read after I joined the Army in 1984!
Quote from: Scotsman on July 29, 2008, 11:43:34 AM
Quote from: Warrior_Monk on July 29, 2008, 10:42:14 AM
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein. Hooah! ;D
The first book I read after I joined the Army in 1984!
Crom's thunder Scotsman! We joined at the same time. ;D
And for those that have seen the movie, but not read the book, the movie is pure Hollywood heresy! Read the book!! As Sterling Scot can attest to! ;)
Quote from: Sterling Scot on July 29, 2008, 11:37:19 AM
Excellent choice Warrior_Monk! I'm a big Heinlein fan and didn't read Starship Troopers until after seeing the movie. What a surprise that was.
I've read and considerably enjoyed the book. I haven't seen the movie (or want to).
Quote from: Whistler Fred on July 29, 2008, 01:21:41 PM
Quote from: Sterling Scot on July 29, 2008, 11:37:19 AM
Excellent choice Warrior_Monk! I'm a big Heinlein fan and didn't read Starship Troopers until after seeing the movie. What a surprise that was.
I've read and considerably enjoyed the book. I haven't seen the movie (or want to).
I really hope the book was better than the movie. Yikes, was it ever terrible!
For me, three books will always stand out.
"1984" by George Orwell. The more that I read it, the more it seems to make sense to me...especially in this day and age.
"The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells. Probably one of the best books ever written. It is timely, thought provoking, and frightening in its scope, even today.
" The Monkey Wrench Gang" by Edward Abbey. Outrageous, entertaining, and certainly thought provoking.
I would also like to reccomend anything written by the English science fiction writer Peter F. Hamilton. His works include..."the Night's Dawn Trilogy" , "Fallen Dragon" and "Judas Unchained"....all VERY worthwhile.
I can name a lot of books I like, but few that changed my life / way of thinking. Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" went a long way to forming my political outlook, but probably the one line that most effected me is from a book I read forty years ago...and I have no idea who wrote it or the title. "man should strive to evolve from a human being to a humane being'. I thought it made sense then and I still do. Come to think of it, I am more likely to take snippets or lines from various source, rather than whole books:
"You see things as they are and you ask Why? But I dreams things that never have been and I ask Why not?" (attributed to GB Shaw, JFK)
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" & "As if you could kill time without injuring eternity" (Thoreau, "Walden Pond"
"The Bible is a book - a good book. But it is not the only book" (Inherit the wind, play loosely based on the Scopes monket trial)
"Twas a dark and stormy night" (Snoopy)
Other Gorgeous Books:
"Tea with a Black Dragon" R.A. MacAvoy
"The Stars My Destination" Alfred Bester
"The Prophet" Kahlil Gibran
"Dead God Dancing" Anne Maxwell (good luck finding this one)
I can't say this movie changed my life, as in what the original intent of this thread was. But it certainly made an impact that lasts to this day, and probably beyond.
I am not a horror movie person. I am a big scaredy-cat. By today's standards, it is probably considered very cheesy, but I was so scared when I originally saw The Amityville Horror many, many years ago.
I totally freaked out when the clock turned 3:15 a.m. and all the weirdness started. From back then to this day, when I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, if the clock says 3:15, I put the covers over my head and wait until enough time has passed until it will read 3:16. If the clock says 3:14 or any time close to that, I rush into the bathroom (or kitchen to get water, or whatever) and stay there until I'm sure it doesn't say 3:15 on the clock anymore.
So I guess it has changed my life in 1 way, though not for the better.
You just reminded me of something that the thought of still makes the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stand up (yep, it's happening right now, not that I'm all that hairy, but what is there stands quite at attention at this). I can't remember what movie or tv show this came from (The Turn of the Screw? A Twilight Zone? and it may have been a book or short story originally anyway), but there's a scene where an analog clock is running backwards. Gives me chills!
The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck
Helped with my spirituality, philosphy and relationships.......
Quote from: Lady Nicolette on August 07, 2008, 09:27:23 PM
You just reminded me of something that the thought of still makes the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stand up (yep, it's happening right now, not that I'm all that hairy, but what is there stands quite at attention at this). I can't remember what movie or tv show this came from (The Turn of the Screw? A Twilight Zone? and it may have been a book or short story originally anyway), but there's a scene where an analog clock is running backwards. Gives me chills!
Off topic a little bit, but here goes.
We have a clock that was made in 1950, before I was born. It was my dad's that he used in his little deli. It looks like the kind of clocks that used to be in all the school classrooms during the 1960's & 70's or in train stations. About almost a 2 ft. diameter circle. He closed his store in 1969 & I inherited it for my college dorm when I went away to college years later, then kept it when I got married.
It is a real trooper. Whenever there's a power outage, there's a metal circle in the back that you just give a twirl to, & the second hand and the other hands start moving again. Just this past week, something happened that I never saw before in all the years. We had a power outage due to a storm. I was home, upstairs, and was there when the lights flickered and went out for only a couple of minutes. When I went downstairs later, the clock had started on its own and was running backwards.
It's hard for me to get behind it and hold it out from the wall to reset it -- it's all metal and very heavy -- so until my husband was able to get home, we had the clock that really did run backwards.
Now . . . . back to topic!
More chills here, Renee! What a great story!
There's a series by George RR Martin called " A Song of Ice and Fire". It really struck a chord with me and got me started reading fantasy.
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
Siddartha by Herman Hesse
A Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond Fiest. There is a part in it where he desrcibes space and time but in a fantasy sense and it just really opened some doors for me.
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Call of the Wild by Jack London
"The Sunbird" by Wilbur Smith...started me down the history addict path, and I have never, nor will I ever, recover...
The Bible
The Upanishads
On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony
The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
The Razor's Edge by W.Somerset Maugham
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
The Holy Bible
The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook - a meal with family and/or friends is a gift to be treasured forever
Fond Regards,
Lady Alinor
Quote from: Sterling Scot on July 27, 2008, 07:59:48 AM
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon! My Mother and sister made me read the first book and I've been up late ever since, even halfway through a second read! Sorry, a quick review:
From Publishers Weekly
Absorbing and heartwarming, this first novel lavishly evokes the land and lore of Scotland, quickening both with realistic characters and a feisty, likable heroine. English nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall and husband Frank take a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands in 1945. When Claire walks through a cleft stone in an ancient henge, she's somehow transported to 1743. She encounters Frank's evil ancestor, British captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, and is adopted by another clan. Claire nurses young soldier James Fraser, a gallant, merry redhead, and the two begin a romance, seeing each other through many perilous, swashbuckling adventures involving Black Jack. Scenes of the Highlanders' daily life blend poignant emotions with Scottish wit and humor. Eventually Sassenach (outlander) Claire finds a chance to return to 1945, and must choose between distant memories of Frank and her happy, uncomplicated existence with Jamie.
http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Diana-Gabaldon/dp/0385319959/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217162550&sr=1-1
Wow! A Male fan of the Outlander Series! I've been trying to get DuCouer to read this series for years now. These books are truly the best books I've ever read in my life, thus far. The characters are believable, as well as the fictional premise of time travel. Fictional characters interact with real historical figures in a plausible, entertaining manner. I learned a lot of history from this series, as well as falling in love with Scotland. How did it change my life? I'm taking Gaelic lessons!
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe ( no, not kidding )
The Torah
Pride and Prejudice
I understand your reference to TLTW&TW. I read this series when I was in junior high school (yes, I'm that old) and while the first book was great the rest were not as inspiring, to me anyway. Did you ever read Lewis' science fiction trilogy - Out from the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength?
Blackbead
Quote from: Blackbead on December 17, 2008, 08:43:20 AM
I understand your reference to TLTW&TW. I read this series when I was in junior high school (yes, I'm that old) and while the first book was great the rest were not as inspiring, to me anyway. Did you ever read Lewis' science fiction trilogy - Out from the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength?
Blackbead
i liked every single book in the chronicles or narnia, but i admit, they all let me down in comparison to the original. i kept reading the voyage of the dawn treader hoping it would compare, but alas, it did not. or even the last one. strange, wasnt it??
i always resented those that said c.s. lewis devout faith to his christianity was exactly what his writing was. it was not. he loved science fiction, and was indeed a strong christian man, but i always resented hearing that aslan was somehow jesus and the other evils ( white witch for one ) were lucifer or something ( gee, can you tell i am not a christian??? )
yeah, i read that trilogy, actually enjoyed it more than the last 6 books in the chronicles or narnia!!
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I may have replied to this post in the past, but I read something else that really moved me: The Shack. I'd reccommend it to anyone.
Someone also told me about a book called The Gift. It was also made into a movie in 2007 called The Ultimate Gift. I haven't read it or seen the movie, but I plan to read it during the holidays and then see the movie afterwards.
Funny - I too find myself here again. I've come across 2 that are being a huge help in areas that I'm dealing with currently.
Being Peace - Thich Nhat Hanh. A thin book, thick on substance...I will be re-reading it again soon.
Awareness - Anthony De Mello. Another thin book, also thick on substance...it mixes Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Hindu breathing exercises and psychological insight. He challenges us to leave this go-go world of illusion and become aware.
Quote from: Trillium on December 17, 2008, 12:53:17 PM
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I loved that book. Have you read Mary Stewart's Arthurian series?
The Hollow Hills, The Crystal Cave, The Last Enchantment, The Wicked Day.
Lord of the Rings... Got me interested in reading "real" books and novels
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant... Helped me in a rough time to realize that I can survive and thrive. Never ever give up.
The Prayer of Jabez... Religious stuff aside, it taught me that I have to make sure I am ok first and then I can help others better.
Illusions... Life here is fleeting. Do what makes yourself happy. There may be an afterlife, there may not be, the only thing that really matters though is right now.
*Multiple books on mixing rum drinks... taught me that variety is the spice of life*
Rachel Naomi Remen's books:
Kitchen Table Wisdom
My Grandfather's Blessings
...and just about anything by Joseph Campbell
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
Energy Medicine by Donna Eden
....to name a few
The Bible
The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker
and the Tahn Dorn trilogy by L. A. Kelly.