Sidney Memorial Public Library discussion

Usually I dislike this sort of question. But the Huffington Post tweeted about this today, which made me think, out of the hundreds, or possibly thousands, of books that I have read in my life, are there any that I would consider "life-changing"? Can a book really "change" a person's life in a real way?

I have narrowed my selection down to three.

The first is The Politics of Experience and the Bird of Paradise by R.D. Laing. Profoundly weird, thought-provoking, and challenging, this book actually did change the way I look at the world. I have read it many, many times over the last 10 years and always find the assertions Laing makes difficult and mind-stretching.

The second is The View from Nowhere by Thomas Nagel. This is another really challenging book that confronts the irreconcilable struggle between a personal and objective viewpoint. Nagel shows how this dichotomy is the root of many of our problems.

The last books is much easier, and probably more fun, to read. It's Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. Though set in the 70's, this novel is really about life post-9/11. It's a stunning work of beauty and sadness and was a book that really drove home just how powerful good fiction can be.

In 1979 I was in seventh grade ... I can remember reading "I heard the owl call my name" by Margaret Craven ... a book about life, death, and faith ... set among the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest ... haunting & memorable.

Dawn wrote: "In 1979 I was in seventh grade ... I can remember reading "I heard the owl call my name" by Margaret Craven ... a book about life, death, and faith ... set among the Native Americans of the Pacific..."

I've never heard of this book. I'll check it out.

Alyssa wrote: "Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card changed my life in 6th grade. It is one of the only books I have ever re-read. Each time it makes me think about how things are, versus how they are perceived.

Ey..."

Oh, Ender's Game is good. I actually just re-read that last fall. What are your thoughts on the movie coming out? I'm skeptical (as I always am when a movie based on a book I love is made) but will still give it a chance. There are some good actors involved.

I've never read Eye of the Hurricane. I remember a movie about Carter though. Another book I'll have to add to my list.

Alyssa wrote: "Ben wrote: "Alyssa wrote: "Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card changed my life in 6th grade. It is one of the only books I have ever re-read. Each time it makes me think about how things are, versus h..."

I've never read any other "Ender's" books and I'm not sure why. I loved Ender's Game and I read a lot of sci-fi. I should pick that one up.

I'm going to see the movie when it comes out. I'll let you know how disappointed I am after that.

I hated to read until I was in the fifth grade. I loved to listen to books being read aloud, but I tended to read below my level. I would read Boxcar Children, while my friends were reading R.L. Stine Fear Street. I didn't truly fall in love with reading until my mom handed me her copy of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I can still see myself curled up on our black couch in my parents' den crying. I didn't move until I finished the whole thing. I finally realized that maybe I just wasn't particularly interested in the books written for fifth graders at the time.
I've been working in a library for eleven years, now, and I love books. Funnily enough, I still don't particularly care for the books written for people my age. :-D I read J and Y books so that I can make recommendations to kids who were like me; kids who just haven't found the right book, yet.