Books change lives
Cindy on March 15th, 2009
How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book. ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Last week, after I mentioned that Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own was one of the most influential books I’d ever read, my friend Ellen asked me to list my top 10 “life-changing” books. I love a challenge like that. And what perfect timing, since March is National Reading Month!
As I told Ellen, my list of “Top 10 Life-changing Books” is a little odd — or eclectic — for many reasons. For one, a “life-changing” book isn’t necessarily a great work of literature. (I was an English major in college, so I had to read a lot of great literature.) So much depends on what I was going through at the time I read a particular book. When I first read Anne Frank’s Diary of A Young Girl, for instance, I was barely 12 and just beginning to dream of becoming a writer. That book blew open my perspective on a lot of key issues — and it narrowed down my career goals.
Taking Ellen’s challenge to heart, I quickly listed the first titles I could think of that had the biggest impact on me when I read them. And I couldn’t stop at 10 books. So, in no special order, I offer the following:
Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
A Room of One’s Own, by Virginia Woolf
The Mysterious Stranger, by Mark Twain
The Diary of A Young Girl, by Anne Frank
The Magus, by John Fowles
Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury (tied with Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes)
The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath
The Portrait of A Lady, by Henry James
Tess of the D’urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitz
The Awakening, by Kate Chopin
Letters to A Young Poet, by Ranier Maria Rilke
To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
If You Want to Write, by Brenda Ueland
The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott (really young when I read this- – big impact!)
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, Sue Monk Kidd
Care of the Soul, by Thomas Moore
Operating Instructions, by Anne Lamott
The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron
Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
The Crosswicks Journal (a memoir trilogy), By Madeleine L’Engle
I know I’ve neglected to list a few other favorites, but this is a good start. Now it’s YOUR turn. I’d love to read your list of “life-changing, perspective-altering, heart-stopping, I-gotta-read-it-again” books. — Cindy La Ferle
March 15th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I see several of my favorites on your list, including Virginia Woolf, Anne Lamott, and Julia Cameron.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I’ve written down some of the books that you’ve included on your list. I’m on a reading jag! I’ve also read some of the books on your list and simply looking at the title brings up such emotions.
I have recently been re-reading some books on my favorites list, simply to see if they stand the test of time.
- Suzanne
March 15th, 2009 at 11:41 am
We must be in sync today! I just posted a bit about one of my favorite writer’s, May Sarton. Was it you who reminded me?
I have such vivid memories of the first three books that I fell in love with, Peter Pan, Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little in second and third grade. I’ve read so much since then- it would take a long time to list. I particularly love Louise Erdrich as a writer.
March 15th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Starrlife,
I love, love, love May Sarton, and should have listed “Journal of A Solitude” as well as Louise Erdrich’s “The Blue Jay’s Dance” … The latter made me appreciate motherhood all the more. Such a sweet book. Thanks for the reminder. My list could go on and on if I keep amending it!
–Cindy La Ferle
March 15th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Love Dandelion Wine! One of the very best, with one of my very favorite quotes: “Dig in the earth, delve in the soul.”
March 16th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Cindy, this is a thought-provoking post. Thank you for sharing some of your life-changing titles. For a start, in addition to “Gift From The Sea,” my list would include these books that I have read multiple times: “The Road Less Traveled” by Scott Peck; “An Unknown Woman” by Alice Koller; “A Circle of Quiet” by Madeleine L’Engle; “On Being A Teacher” by Jonathan Kozol; “Composing A Life” by Mary Catherine Bateson; and “Traveling Mercies” by Anne Lamott. Each one of these books was the first book I read by the author and, without exception, I went on to read other books they’ve written.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Sharon, you also reminded me of books I neglected to list! You mention Madeleine L’Engle, and I don’t know HOW I forgot her. I loved the trilogy that included “Circle of Quiet” and “The Summer of the Great Grandmother” … and ah — “Composing A Life” — I loved that book too! I feel like I need to go back and add to my list…thanks for these great reminders. — Cindy La Ferle
March 18th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I would include Walden and The Artist’s Way in my top ten as well.
I have not read “Operating Instructions” by Lamott but intend on borrowing it from the library immediately.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I am going to subscribe to your site to stay up-to-date and would love it you did the same.
And please keep the reading recommendations coming.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am
what a wonderful list, cindy, thank you for this. i am always on the hunt for meaningful books. i, too, found Anne Frank in my early years and was mesmerized by her journey and her heartfelt writing.
I would add to your list: Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. I have lost track of how many times i’ve read it. it very simply changed the way in which i now walk through the world–more gently with intention, focus, and appreciation–more slowly, with a sense of peace that had eluded me for years…
March 26th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Cindy, I’ve so enjoyed roaming through your list! It appears we have some of the same reading tastes. I’ve enjoyed my first visit here immensely!