Recently I was discussing with some friends (all of whom are either avid readers or relatively regular readers) the topic of whether or not any book(s) had altered their lives or their world view in any ways. Some mentioned books (ranging from novels to more academic works) that had had significant or mild effect on how they thought / acted etc.

In my own case I owe a tremendous debt to the Big Book of AA - a radically life-changing volume when one is in the frame of mind to receive it.

A 1960's book long forgotten - 'Education and the Working Class' (Jackson and Marsden I think. Without going into the hows and whys - it influenced my work, my political ideology etc

Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot'. Changed my world view and my whole notion of drama!

There are many more but I thought that it might be interesting to hear from others if they have considered this point and, if so, anyone willing to share their thoughts

Hmm..I have many. There are Autobiograpgy of a Yogi, The Prophet, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a good choice also Cry the Beloved Country. It was an assigned book that we had to read for my last year in high school (senior year, matric depending which country you are from)

Good choices so far. Would love to hear one or two sentences on 'Autobiography of a Yogi' and 'The Prophet' since I do not know either of these.

How about a brief, brief synopsis, peterparks? Author(s), main content etc - I would like to look at both maybe.

'Mockingbird' and Cry the beloved Country. Yes, I can understand how and why both of these affected a reader.

I can think of a couple that changed my perception(s) (so, accordingly, life), I think. "The Prophet" was one for sure - and even though it's been years since I read it I still recommend it whenever I can. For me, "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry became almost a map of things. Part of that was because I read it as a child, liked it enough, read it again as a young man, "got it" ~ and the whole "life through a child's eyes and how it does, or could, translate to life entirely" became clear. The brilliance of simplicity, I reckon. I think "Gulliver's Travels" was the first book I ever read that made me think really much harder than any book had before (but, again, I read that first when I was pretty little - but recall getting that all this Lilliput stuff just must mean more than what it looked like at first; it did). There was a so-called "girl's book" [don't believe it ] that I finally picked up when I was in my 30's that brought back to light in me a lot of things that get lost in one's mind as they grow older. I was mad at myself for not having picked it up before - that was "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith. I also agree that "Mockingbird" was soundly vibrant. "The Messiah" by Richard Bach. Hmmm. It would seem that the books that have really stirred my sensibilities the most are the ones that remind of ideals that threaten to get beaten out of us as we progress through our travels.

But, and I have to admit it, a few Kurt Vonnegut titles (and the like) rocked my world, too . But the trick there was to see the world with a cynical or sarcastic (but humorous and intelligent) perspective. Maybe the difference between the Vonneguts and the others that I mentioned is that he attempts to make us aware of the lunacy that can be attached to being a "grown up". The other books mentioned had the knack to make me, anyway, aware that maybe growing up TOO much is not only unnecessary but ultimately damaging? Whatever any of these books did for me, I won't soon forget any of them.

Thank you very much Gatsby722 fo your synopsis / comments on the books. Is there a F.Scott Fitzgerald connection with the name or is there a totally different reason?

Yes, the world of literature encountered in childood world is a great, wonderful, alternately frightening and invigorating place to be. Thoroughly agree about 'THe Little Prince'. You have awakened memories also of the beautiful and immensely dignified stories of Oscar Wilde - 'The Selfish Giant' and 'The Happy Prince' etc. It's wonderful how stories read then echo so vividly in the head so long after. The reading brings to mind times of security - the vicarious thrill of climbing Everest whilst sitting at a roaring fire etc.

I'm sure it was never exactly so but it tempts one to see childhood again as did
AE Houseman
'What is that land of lost content?
I see it shining plain
The happy highways where I went and cannot come again!'

There are a few titles here that I will take a look at. thanks again

"But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity"
"To His Coy Mistress" Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
There have always been certain poets and poetry that fire my imagination or curiosity. Often I pick up quotations from films or books, then spend time tracking them down. The use of language inspires me to create my own poetry or short stories. Sometimes just a chance phrase or intriguing word. The poem by Marvell was quoted by David Niven in "A Matter of Life and Death" (which I consider to be the best film ever made).
I like to read writers who can write with wit and enthusiasm, these include David Kossof, Robert Fulghum, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, Robert Asprin, Carol O'Connell, Fran Liebowitz, Robert B. Parker, John Brunner and a great many others.

Regards,

Tin

"The Alchemist" by Paolo Coelho had a huge affect on me. Made me a little bit more introspective and appreciative.