I read this article on how certain books can change people’s lives. I couldn’t agree more and I just wanted to think of books that have changed my life somehow.

The Hobbit: This book, which I still absolutely love to this day, got me to love reading as much as I do now. Without this book, I don’t think I would read nearly as much as I do.

The Cleric Quintet: This was my first 1000+ page book and got me into fantasy and got my creativity flowing every time I read it. It also introduced me to a whole genre of books that I have never really paid attention to.

Siddhartha: Siddhartha is one of those books that got me thinking about life and what is really important. I have changed for the better after reading this book. It also taught me that I’m responsible for creating my own happiness.

The Universe in a Nutshell: This is why I’m so incredibly interested in spacetime and the mysteries of the universe. It is written in a way that isn’t too difficult to understand and taught me more than any other book has when it comes to science.

The Boy Scout Handbook: Being in boy scouts as a kid was an awesome experience, and this book helped me along the way. I still have the latest version and it is worn from use. I carry it with me whenever I’m camping or hiking and it is a valuable resourse as well as a book full of memories for me.

Brave New World: Brave New World, even though I only read it this year, made me scared of the future. It makes you step back and say woah, what are we doing here, and should we be doing the things we are doing? Be careful what you wish for, for you may just get it.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: This book taught me the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything: 42. It also showed me that you should know what you want before you try to get it. It put the universe in perspective.

East of Eden: Also a book I only read this year. It taught me that I have a choice. It also gave me one of my life philosophies, which is: “It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure on the world.”

These are books that instantly came to my mind when I thought of books that literally changed my life in some way. Not many of you (any?) are readers, but if you do read, I’d like to know what books have had an effect on your life.

Cheers!

~SK