Score

Catcher in the Rye? Seriously?

Yasmine wrote: "Catcher in the Rye? Seriously?"

that was my reaction as well

Down to the bone! What the fuck that was the most unrealistic book that I have ever read.

It still doesn't deserve to be on there.
I had to f'ing ADD of Human Bondage
AND Thus Spoke Zarathustra
AND The Picture of Dorian Grey.
SERIOUSLY

Different people are going to find different things mind expanding. At lot depends on encountering an idea at just the right time in one's life to encounter it.

I think the most interesting books start at about number 25 and further when there are four or fewer people who vote for the book. Then you really get a sense of individual taste and experience of books that change the way you view life, rather than books that get voted to the top of a list by a group of people with a similar mindset.

i know everyone loves hunger games (NOT INCLUDING MYSELF)but it has no reason to be on this list...just saying

My vote goes to Life of Pi

The true meaning of life lies in our inner being. I love music. When I feel the inner sound of Om, my whole body thrills. I don't know why. This is the book helps me to experience that mysterious wonderful sensations feelings.

OM Chanting and Meditation

Annie wrote: "The true meaning of life lies in our inner being. I love music. When I feel the inner sound of Om, my whole body thrills. I don't know why. This is the book helps me to experience that mysterious w..."

That's beautiful. Good for you.

Lee wrote: "Where are all these crazy Mormon's coming from?!"

So very disrespectful. Your opinion differs from others but it doesn't make theirs wrong. Same with the Catcher in the Rye and all other books on this list.

It isn't really up to one person how and which books change which people's lives. :) Be respectful.

Xenophon wrote: "Different people are going to find different things mind expanding. At lot depends on encountering an idea at just the right time in one's life to encounter it."

That is so true. Most books that really influenced me much I read when I was young.

Lee wrote: "Where are all these crazy Mormon's coming from?!"

Cymonian wrote: "catcher in the rye has more reason to be here than book of mormon"

not if you are one of the 14 million Mormons.

Lee wrote: "Where are all these crazy Mormon's coming from?!"

Seriously??? "all these crazy Mormons"????? Substitute the word "Jews" for Mormons and see if you can get away with the same bigotry. You wouldn't dare.

How does this one help me change how I view my life??

The list was fine... until I reached the Hunger Games. Okay, I get that it's a good YA book, but it most definitely did not change my life at all.

In reality, there are NO fictional that have changed the way I view life. That's what nonfiction for. Facts and previously unknown information you acquire through reading nonfiction books should be how you change the way you view life. Unless it's a thinly veiled allegory or satire on history or real life, like Animal Farm or Lord of the Flies... You are entertained by a fictional book, you are taught and mentored by a nonfiction book.

Also, The Hunger Games? Really? What did you POSSIBLY learn from The Hunger Games? How "cool" archery is? How emotionally stunted Katniss is? How the Capitol "is exactally liek our govermint nao u guyz!!!!!!!!! " Seriously. Give me a break.

Elesha wrote: "i know everyone loves hunger games (NOT INCLUDING MYSELF)but it has no reason to be on this list...just saying"

VERY true, thank you!

The book that changed MY life was "Many Lives, Many Masters" by Brian Weiss. I know it's somewhat of an older book (1988), but it remains a powerful influence on how I view life and death.

When G-D Asks Me; When God Asks Me

Franny and Zooey

The system found and removed 20 duplicates. I was cheered to find a link of this sort that isn't broken.