I am even a librarian in a small town library.
In fact, I love books and reading so much, you can still find me perusing the shelves of others of other libraries on my days off work.
A few days ago, I came across the book, You've Got to Read This Book by Jack Canfield and Gay Hendricks.
Canfield and Hendricks asked invited notable people to share their story of how a book changed their life. I found most of the stories interesting, and even wrote down a few titles so far.
However, it was the story written by Bernie Siegel, M.D., that captivated my attention.
His opening paragraph explains so very well how books can change our lives. I couldn't have said it any better!
~ "To be honest, I really don't believe any book can change
your life - only you can. Look, two people read the same
book: One is inspired, while the other is bored. It's
the person - not the book ~ that creates the transformation.
That power lies within each of us. That said, I do believe
that an author's insights, when combined with the
reader's inspiration and desire to change, can lead to a
new life for the reader." (p. 137) ~
Siegel describes the book as a coming-of-age tale that reminds us "to enjoy, to laugh, and to use our experience for growth, and for good." (Siegel)
And he goes on..."Saroyan says this beautifully in what to me are perhaps the most important words in his book:
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| William Saroyan quote |
This quote from Saroyan struck me like a lightning bolt! It not only describes my parents and grandparents, but gives me a look at what I also can pass on to my child.
👉 I also have a book that changed my life.... 📕📖📕
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| The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch |
Randy Pausch was asked to give a Last Lecture as part of a lecture series on what they would like to present as a last lecture of their life. The ironic twist to Randy's lecture is that as he was planning his lecture, he discovered he had an incurable cancer.
His parting wisdom is all about making a life, not just a living. He made everyday count and just enjoyed where life was leading him.
I had just started reading this book when my 79-year-old father became hospitalized with pneumonia. As his health declined, I was continuing to read and contemplate. I think my father had been content with his life and his place in it, much like Randy Pausch.
And just like Siegel describes above, reading Pausch's insights in The Last Lecture during my father's hospitalization and passing, provided the impetus for me to make some big life-altering changes in my life.
So, now, share with us, please:
~ What book has made a huge impact on your life?
- Canfield, Jack and Hendricks, Gay. You've Got to Read This Book!: Inspiring Stories about the Life-Changing Power of Books. HarperCollins, 2006, p.137-139.
- Pausch, Randy, and Jeffrey Zaslow. The Last Lecture. New York: Hyperion, 2008.
I read one book in school, The Old Man and the Sea. I didn’t start reading until after school. The Executioner was the first book series I picked up. My comprehension and spelling improved. Eventually I started writing.
ReplyDeleteBlair,
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of people that only read what they were required to in school. But once they had time to read what they wanted, they loved books. I have never read The Executioner series, I will look into that one. I have read Hemingway, just not The Old Man and the Sea. I'm glad that the reading encouraged you to eventually write!
I honestly cannot remember a time when I did not read. So many books have made an impact on my life. The Bible has made the biggest impact for many reasons. Where the Wild Things Are; a book I read when I was a child, gave me permission to let my imagination run wild. Recently I read a book called Twenty Wishes, this book awaken in me a wish to make things happen with my life. Another book I've read recently was Hannah's List, this book gave me dreams, dreams of my past and made me think, what if?
ReplyDeleteSo to sum it up, books have affected me my whole life and I hope they always will. I love to write short stories and perhaps some day, I will write something that will affect someone else's life.
Eileen, I will have to try Twenty Wishes and Hannah's List. They are Debbie Macomber books, aren't they? I am so glad that books have had such a good effect on you. I knew we were kindred spirits for a reason!
DeleteAnd as for your own writing, you will. I know it!
I love to read also .. of course the Bible i read every morning.. but i also love "Drivel" as my late husband used to refer to it.. and a book by Anthony William:SECRETS BEHIND CHRONIC AND MYSTERY ILLNESS AND HOW TO FINALLY HEAL. This book tells us that auto immune diseses are not our bodies attacking themselves but virus that attack various organs,fed by all the trash we eat now days..and how if we clean up our eating we can heal ourselves. Its very interesting. Aimee was diagonsed with Hashmoto and her numbers have gotten much better after following his protocols.
ReplyDeleteI love this saying "If you think reading is boaring ... you are doing it wrong".
Love you Diane.. grive Bro a big kiss and hug Pam
Pam, I love that saying about reading! I will have to remember that! I will have to look into the Anthony William book. I know someone with Hashimoto's.
ReplyDeleteLove you, too...and I will!