The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien. I grew up in rural Ireland and reading that book just spoke to me in so many ways. I didn't realise until years later that it was banned when I read it. A couple I used to babysit for had an illegal copy. It is probably very dated now but at the time it was just such a 'real' novel. I must read it again and see if it does actually stand the test of time.
Good to see George Orwell's name come up. For me it was The Road to Wigan Pier. That was followed shortly by the then four volume Penguin Books set of Essays Letters and Journalism - which included all his essays I think.
I can't remember the exact book now, but as a small child I liked being read to, but wasn't interested in reading. I could read, but wouldn't, however much I was encouraged or praised or had books recommended to me. Then one Friday my mum brought me home a Secret Seven book and I thought the picture on the front looked really exciting. I think I was about 7 or 8. She refused to read it to me, even though I begged. So eventually I started reading it, and before I knew it I'd spent the entire weekend with my nose in a book, and by Monday I was begging for the next one, and another and another, and that was it, I was a bookworm.
The book I feel I keep coming back to is Mrs Dalloway, I don't even particularly enjoy the actual reading of it, but the ideas in it I find fascinating and relevant to me in so many ways.
Also Wuthering Heights is the novel that I read as a teenager and made me stop reading fantasy books and onto classic novels and now I only really like domestic fiction, I can't really read fantasy and take it seriously anymore.
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson
Wouldn't say it changed my life but it did make an impression on me, not least about just getting on with things and not complaining about stuff:D
It is, of course, a GCSE English course book now so every year poor old Joe gets inundated on twitter with abuse about his book:D
I don't know about 'changed my life', but a lot of books have had a deep influence on me.
Same here, but
The Women's Room which I read in my early twenties did make me see some things differently.
At that time I was profoundly affected by the books of Carlos Castaneda too but I can't remember why. I picked one up years later and thought it was rubbish
Yes it has, and started me on a twenty-year love affair with the series. I fell in love with The Eye of the World, and through that have joined i discussions on websites. It altered what I read as well, before that I only ever read thrillers. After I started reading fantasy as well. But, that single book changed me a lot.
Enid Blyton's Willow Farm/Cherry Tree Farm series did when I was about - I loved those books so much and was so sad when I finished them and the stories were over. Then my dad suggested I could write more if I wanted to - and I've been writing (mainly pointless fiction!) ever since.
Also, To Kill a Mockingbird has in a way. I often wonder what Atticus would do in certain situations...
Also, To Kill a Mockingbird has in a way. I often wonder what Atticus would do in certain situations...
Actually that's a good point. I hadn't realised I do it, but when I'm struggling with things I often ask myself what Flora Poste (Cold Comfort Farm) would do, and try to do that.
How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It taught me how tiny elements in the way we speak and behave can have either a positive or negative effect on others, which in turn determines how they will treat you back.
The Hobbit changed my life. Before I read it at the age of 8 I wasn't particularly good academically, I didn't read much at all and my grades were correspondingly average to poor. The reason for this was because I was utterly disinterested in the books/stories that my parents and teachers wanted me to read (Roald Dahl, Famous 5 etc) so I didn't even try.
Then one day I came across a copy of The Hobbit with a beautiful dragon on the cover in gold leaf and being obsessed with mythology at the time I picked it up and started reading it (despite it being much thicker than any book I'd previously read), then when I'd finished that I moved on to the Lord Of The Rings... it took me about a year to read them all but by the time I'd finished my reading age was off the charts, my school work was at the top end of the class and I'd discovered a love of reading that remains with me today.
I can safely say my life would be completely different if I hadn't read The Hobbit.
Comments
In my view one of the great writers of english.
I finally figured what about life wasn't quite right and why I didn't fit in. A great book but sadly it doesn't answer my big question at the end.
Also Wuthering Heights is the novel that I read as a teenager and made me stop reading fantasy books and onto classic novels and now I only really like domestic fiction, I can't really read fantasy and take it seriously anymore.
Wouldn't say it changed my life but it did make an impression on me, not least about just getting on with things and not complaining about stuff:D
It is, of course, a GCSE English course book now so every year poor old Joe gets inundated on twitter with abuse about his book:D
Same here, but
The Women's Room which I read in my early twenties did make me see some things differently.
At that time I was profoundly affected by the books of Carlos Castaneda too but I can't remember why. I picked one up years later and thought it was rubbish
A simple tale of human greed and
corruption,versus simplicity and honour.
Also, To Kill a Mockingbird has in a way. I often wonder what Atticus would do in certain situations...
Actually that's a good point. I hadn't realised I do it, but when I'm struggling with things I often ask myself what Flora Poste (Cold Comfort Farm) would do, and try to do that.
Not really but some have helped me. For example, Tony Buzan's Use Your Head book (see http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/tony+buzan/use+your+head/7096341/) has been a great help over the years in terms of helping with studying, revision, note taking and exams.
I hope youre right - i just bought this on amazon on your recommendation!
Then one day I came across a copy of The Hobbit with a beautiful dragon on the cover in gold leaf and being obsessed with mythology at the time I picked it up and started reading it (despite it being much thicker than any book I'd previously read), then when I'd finished that I moved on to the Lord Of The Rings... it took me about a year to read them all but by the time I'd finished my reading age was off the charts, my school work was at the top end of the class and I'd discovered a love of reading that remains with me today.
I can safely say my life would be completely different if I hadn't read The Hobbit.