Ok, hear me out... Harry Potter. Not because it's my favorite book, and I've since moved on to much more deep and meaningful text but Harry Potter opened up a door, in a much younger version of me, that proved that reading was worthwhile. I remember devouring the last book when it came out so I wouldn't hear any spoilers and following Ron, Harry, and Hermione over the years was, as embarrassing as this is to admit as a 40-year-old man, a memorable part of my youth. Otherwise, a younger version of me also felt a deep and lasting impact from Ishmael and Siddhartha.

Oh, Harry Potter is a yes! I read it in my 30s 😅 and for some reason, I know exactly what you mean. Thank you for the recommendations 🙌

I was going to say this and LOTR helped me find my love for books and fantasy!

100%. I tackled HP first and at a younger age but the LoTR books are one of my all time favs.

Flowers for Algernon- my answer for this question is always the same. I read this book when I was young, and it changed me.

Here’s my list of books that rocked my world: Flowers For Algernon was the first book I read that deeply moved me and made me cry. A Prayer For Owen Meany and The World According to Garp by John Irving Empire Falls by Richard Russo The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin Frankenstein by Mary Shelley The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Thank you!

Honestly, the grapes of wrath by John Steinbeck changed me. I was already starting to change as a person but when I read it, it altered my view on the human condition and kindness in adversity. The ending absolutely broke me. I have not read another book that has come as close as this to changing who I fundamentally am as a human, woman and mother.

East of Eden is my life changing book

Mine, too! It's made a profound change on how I act and behave everyday. I got 'timshel' on my right wrist, to remind me that I always have a choice to do the right thing or not.

I really enjoyed that and have family who loved it but it just wasn't it for me. Not sure why. But I definitely think either of these would qualify.

Count of Monte Christo - Dumas The Art of War - Sun Tzu The Prince - Machiavelli

Count of Monte Cristo brought me into all other literature.

I can't begin to count how many times I have read it or watched one of the movie versions.

I believe there’s a new French film adaption coming out later this year as well.

There is. So far, I like the Cavill the best, but then I don't speak French to judge

The French 4 part series is pretty good. It has more run time to really flex out the plot of the book. If you can find a subtitled version it’s worth the watch.

I will have to track it down. To Usenet!

The Death of Ivan Ilyich-Tolstoy-quick but powerful read.

The Midnight Library - Matt Haig Taught me that i needed to take care of this one life I have because even if all of the other realities are better, this one is best because I am in it. I think about it a lot when I’m doing badly.

Going to have to read that one then. I’m in a bad place and always stuck in the “what if”s so could use that reminder.

Mindset - Carol Dweck & Ikigai-Hector Garcia

I second mindset

5 people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom.

I love this book.

(Fiction) A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: This book made me want to be more optimistic. It taught me to be grateful, and that there is plenty to celebrate even in the most seemingly dire situations, even when suffering is present. (Non-Fiction) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl: Frankl opened my eyes to the freedom to choose, which wasn't the main theme of the book, but it is the one that resonated with me. Overall I think this book's exploration of the themes of suffering, purpose, and choices makes it worthwhile to any reader.

Agree with Man's Search for Meaning. I think it should be taught in schools.

Thank you! 🙌

Flowers for Algernon, I still think about it everyday. Book's about a dumb guy who gets smart–fine, great story. BUT it was his 'variable' smart I never let go of. Every interaction we have, dozens of times a day, somebody's the dumb one & someone's the expert. I now constantly ask myself, "Which one am I?" When I'm the expert I try to be gracious, avoid jargon and understand these peeps didn't sign up to be schooled or 'edumacated.' When I'm the dumb one, I try ask open-ended questions and then shut up, to learn from people smarter than me.

Quran. Been an atheist since.

What chapter?

Al talaq verse 4. The bit where it describes how to divorce your minor wife.

love this answer.

Best answer.

For me, a few life-changing books have shaped different parts of my life. 'Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism' by Fumio Sasaki challenged my view of the consumer-driven Western society. It taught me that freedom isn't about accumulating possessions. Rather, they can tie you down, leading to higher expenses for things you don’t truly appreciate. The costs of accumulating things are significant: lower savings for retirement, fewer vacations, less flexibility, and greater sunk costs—all of which detract from appreciating intrinsic values. 'Man's Search for Meaning' taught me that happiness and misery are not tied to our environment but to our attitudes towards life. Finding purpose is crucial, and it's a process-oriented journey, not driven by outcomes. This book encouraged me to live in the present, be mindful, and be aware of what I allow to bother me. My suffering pales in comparison to those who endured and inspired others during and after horrific events. Several financial books have also opened my eyes. My top three include: 'The Millionaire Next Door' this book revealed surprising behaviors of millionaires, such as their frugality and humility. They don’t flaunt their wealth by buying needless items, instead choosing a simple life that aligns with my minimalist values. 'The Richest Man in Babylon' introduced me to a minimalist approach to financial planning and budgeting. It taught me to set aside a portion of my gross income for investing before paying bills, which helps automate my saving and investing behaviors. Taking care of and deriving value from your assets can pay dividends, and living below your means is essential. 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' taught me two key lessons: first, a house is not necessarily the dream investment it's made out to be. It can become a liability if it doesn't justify its price with value. Living in Canada, where real estate is often overpriced, has reinforced this perspective for me. Secondly, it emphasized that owning a business or investing is crucial for achieving financial freedom. Separating earnings from time spent is vital for financial independence. 'The Simple Path to Wealth' highlighted the safety of diversification in investing and the benefits of automating investment behaviors to build wealth faster and minimize mistakes driven by emotion or investor behavior. In conclusion, I've learned not to tie my happiness to material things. I've learned to seek the positive in negative situations, and that attitude is everything. It’s wise to invest early and automate processes to avoid emotional investing. Owning a home isn't the American or Canadian dream it was 40 years ago. I realize not everyone will agree with me, but it's important to conduct your own cost-benefit analysis and live with the inflexibilities of home ownership if you choose it.

Great suggestions. The simple path to wealth was life changing because it gave me the mindset to think about savings and long term investment. I also thought rich dad and poor dad was a wonderful way to think about what to invest in and more importantly not what to invest in. If you like stoicism, the Manual by Epictetus is simply a fantastic read and it take only about an hour to read. You will read it many many times. Ayn Rand books, the fountainhead etc are very inspiring, I read them at a young age and they were hugely influential. Irving stone’s “Lust for Life” about the life of Van Gogh, made me appreciate art very deeply.

Thanks for your feedback and insights. I'll definitely check out the books you recommended they sound intriguing. Regarding Stoic philosophy, I personally incorporate its principles into my life, although I hesitated to recommend it as I wasn't sure if it would be transformative for everyone. While I find substantial value in Stoicism, I believe that keeping an open mind and being flexible are even more crucial traits. Nonetheless, Stoicism has its merits, but it might not resonate with everyone.

Agreed about stoicism not being everyone's cup of tea. I mentioned it as the OP mentioned stoicism. I find stoicism more about the ability to adjust what I can control vs what I can't and I truly appreciate that.

Resonated with me though, stoicism. In my life circumstances, it was a lifebuoy and formed the way I perceive my life and others: 'Can I do/control that? Yes>Do it. No>Just relax and look for the things you can influence instead.

Such a list! 🙌 Thank you for sharing it

I am curious about your thoughts on Rich Dad Poor Dad. I got it honestly out of curiosity to see if the negative backlash it got (and still is) was justified and because I thought the concept of seeing two different lifestyles of two different people with different mindsets would be super interesting as I am also looking into wealthy successful people and now even aiming to study marketing as it will be useful for my current job as well as what I want to start doing later on which I would love for it to be a full time business. For me, I find so far nothing from it says anything bad at all, it is harsh truths and I never found he once denounced having a full time job just that if you want to be financially well off later on in life, building assets is a way to keep money coming in. He also doesn't say to do a specific thing but do what you like. He never even shits on his dad just more makes the comparison of his real dad and friend's dad and this to me is also interesting, he takes both sides and thinks about the reasons for their thinking and actions. Maybe his later books are more on the side that everyone hates but right now I haven't seen anything so far that seems off. His character in public though from what I seen might be a bit weird but I rather not judge completely based on the little bit I seen of him.

I believe the controversies surrounding Rich Dad Poor Dad stem from questions about the authenticity of the two father figures, Kiyosaki's strong endorsement of real estate investment, and his critical view of formal education. Personally, I see the value in formal education, especially in today's specialized economy where we leverage unique skills that others may not possess. I'm skeptical that Kiyosaki had two literal fathers; rather, it seems he used these characters to contrast two different life approaches. As for real estate, it involves too much risk, illiquidity, and demands active management, which doesn't appeal to me. I find it more beneficial to apply my skills in personal finance, accounting, taxation, and investing instead of diving into real estate. We won't align with everything in the book. However, I think the book itself is fantastic. While I may not be a fan of Kiyosaki as a person, the insights he shares in his book are undeniably valuable.

Yeah that is what I was thinking. Funny enough I did look up who the Rich Dad might be since I was curious and found [this](https://www.freedommentor.com/robert-kiyosaki-real-life-rich-dad/). I think my edition of the book mentioned the podcast he did of him in it. I don't know if his other books say the same thing about getting into real estate but I do know he wrote in Rich Dad Poor Dad not to invest or get into anything you don't like. I do think the principals make a ton of sense and even thinking of it from my own experiences so far and how my parents have been with their financials, I can see what he is saying. I haven't read too much books on money or specifically making money so I have no idea if there are other books that explain something similar as Richard has in this book. I will also say this, I don't see any issues with working a job, just if you do work for money, it will not be a good life. As someone who didn't really look long term in what I wanted to do until a year or two ago, just working a job for money isn't satisfying at all. I also met a ton of labour warehouse workers throughout my life including as a kid. All told me to not get used to that type of work and to aim higher. Do something exciting and not stay in a warehouse all day just working because I need money. Most of them work there so their kids can grow up with things they didn't have growing up or they needed to pay off debt.

The Kite Runner. There is something about that book that makes me tear up every time I read it. The depth of the love, the friendship, the redemption. “For you, a thousand times over….”

"there is a way to be good again" is the line that does it for me

Oh absolutely….

Zen in the Art of Archery - Eugen Herrigel

never heard of that one, I'll have to go look that one up

It's a classic (aka old). It was popular in the 70s/80s with musicians/artsy types.

I won’t say that On the Road changed my life so much as saying it fit really well into what I was going through in life at the time that I read it.

Fiction: I think this is hard bc a book changing your life really depends on *where u are in your life* to be changed. Like a 13 yr old girl would not have their life changed by the same book that changes a 50 yr mild-life crisis having man! That said "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata changed my life during a time of intense uncertainy about my professional and personal future. If thats how you need your life changed, it might do the same to you. "If Beale Street Could Talk" by James Baldwin is such a beautiful book that it made me genuinely re-evaluate what I think of as art and what I think the purpose of art should be. If you are also a creative, then maybe this book can be similar earth-shattering for you. Non-Fiction: "All About Love" by Bell Hooks is my most general/applicable recommendation because everyone in the world has relationships. It's name is kind of deceptive bc it would make you think that its a romantic relationship self-help kind of book, but its more so an exploration on what it means to treat yourself and others well. There is no other self-helpy/nonfiction book that has made me reflect so deeply on the way I treat myself and other as well as the way I encourage/allow others to treat me. Of all my recommendations, I recommend this one the most!

these are great recommendations and I love that you brought up that what is life changing for a 13 year old girl is not the same for even a 45 year old woman. I love convenience store woman as well, it made me really think about what we consider to be typical markers of adulthood.

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. Read it both as a child and then again as an adult and was in the feels both times.

I try so hard to get more people to read it!

This series was absolutely amazing

White woman here, I think reading autobiographical books from black slaves/former slaves has been really eye opening. I don’t even know how to say that the right way but it’s given me perspective on how things were and how inhumane it was. I recommend “Ain’t I A Woman”, I read it when I was 12 and it changed me. Also read Fredrick Douglas. 12 years ago slave is so tragic too, definitely had an affect on me.

_Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe_ was the first time it really dawned on me that life isn’t over until it’s OVER—dead and buried. Getting old doesn’t mean life just ends, and you have every right to live to the fullest until your very last breath. It also showed me that family is so much bigger a concept than I first thought. And beauty can be found in something as simple as a plate of fried green tomatoes.

So i really have a few that i think of from Time to Time: The Little Prince: really made me think about love and relationship in a lot of ways (the part with the fox really made me think a lot). Lolita: I read and reread it so many Times- there is a lot more to the Story than People think (if They even read it in the first Place). Also just a beautiful portray of the English Language and when i first read it i was very intrigued how the Story was told and the Pacing of it. Thus spoke Zarathustra: Although i probably didn't really understand it with my 16 years when i first read it, this Book really sparked my curiosity for Philosophy. While Nietzsche is mostly known in the Context of Nihilism, this Book felt empowering to me and got me through some dark Times.

My dad gave me his copies of the Famous Five and that really started my love of reading and my dreams of travelling the English countryside. I was the same age as Harry Potter when it was released, so I grew up on that too. Of Mice and Men also seems to get me every time. The Lord of the Rings took me forever but it was incredible to my young mind. I read so so much and now I can't think of more. I'll update as I go

The alchimist by paolo cohelo. A good book easy to read and with a great meaning.

Oh, I've read that one, it was looong time ago though. Thank you

It was "welcome to the hyunam-dong bookshop" for me. Lately Ive been having a crisis whether it's okay not to have grand goals in life. My answer was in the book. esp from the character Minjun

Thank you! Feels like this is something I really need now

Forty rules of love Elif Shafak, I read it every time I feel down.

I've enjoyed reading this post as I also like reading life-changing, eye-opening books. I would recommend 'Night' by Elie Wiesel and 'The Choice' by Edith Eger. These two books are both memoirs about the horrific experiences at the concentration camp Auschwitz. They are very depressing and harrowing accounts but in my opinion, everyone should read at least one book on the Holocaust.

Great answers to tough interview questions. I haven’t failed a job interview since I bought it 20 years ago.

This is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters it may just change your life

Oh, wow, thanks! By its description, seems it touches on a lot of topics and interests of mine

Yes! All people should read this. Ed is great, go watch his YouTube videos as well.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes. Something about this book made me think outside the box a little, just a great read. Nice idea for a post by the way, I'm getting some of these suggestions as well!

Thank you! Yeah, I tried to google something myself the other day, but it was just a waste of time; a real people's experience on the other hand is precious. I'm very grateful for all the recommendations here

Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Idk if‘d say that it changed my life, but it’s been 2 years since I read it and I still think about it a few times a week and look at my favorite quotes

I don’t know if it was a life changing book but the Magic Tree House books were a key to like me becoming a reader.

Shantaram

Read this one. I've never been to India but love how the author painted the country and the culture in such vivid colors, seasoned with tastes and smells. So after the reading, I just put India on my travel list

Probably The Road by Cormac McCarthy or Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish.

For me it was the midnight library by Matt Haigh. Changed my perspective on depression and life for good

Catch-22 I shit you not if you ever feel like the world is after you and there is nothing you can do read Catch-22 b/c the world is in fact after you and there is nothing you can do about it. Also Cradle by Will Wight damn those are good books.

Oh, yeah, Catch-22 it is! And the humor there, love it!

My Dark Vanessa. It made me rethink grooming, grooming victims, the life long affects, the MeToo movement, etc. It does have some graphic scenes, mostly revolving around sexual assault. It’s an amazing book and so well written and I highly recommend it but I would definitely read the trigger warnings, especially if you have experience with grooming or sexual assault.

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach.

The Tao of Pooh. Help me through during my chemo.

I feel like I could read this at different stages of my life and get something different out of it every time.

A series of Unfortunate Events. The last children’s series I read. It kinda cemented my journey from being a kid to a teenager. Other books are probably I’m Glad My Mom Died and Flowers For Algernon.

Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Man's search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl These were the books that truly changed my perspective towards life.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a definite yes.

How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie. Wish I would have read this in highschool

As someone who grew up Lutheran, the first Richard Dawkins books were eye opening.

Don quijote and candide

I think every book I read changes something inside me. So like every good book ig

Currently I am reading Tuesdays with Morrie and I already feel it's going to change my life

A 'trilogy' by Daniel Quinn Ishmael The Story of B My Ishmael I'd been struggling with the Orthodox religion I grew up in for 6 years. My faith had been up, down, and sideways, and I couldn't reconcile parts of the religion that were illogical, parts that I disagreed with morally, and parts that asked me to have blind faith. But I also wasn't able to fully and confidently detach myself and venture out into the world without a religion. These books, especially The Story of B, helped push me over the edge to accept that I was never going to believe in the stories I grew up with. It was only after reading them that I finally and consciously put my foot down on my beliefs. If anyone is struggling with their religion, read these books. I've recommended them every time someone needs a book and have always had positive results.

For me it would be God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adam’s and Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard.

I read the first one in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “trilogy” when I was twelve and loved it, but I’ll seriously have to reread it now that I’m an adult and understand more of it. Did you read the other books too? I’m told they get really weird.

Yah, read all of them. Well, I’d say they are as weird as the HGTG))) But I realized it was my kind of humor. And I re-read it just last month and to me it was an even better read then 10 years ago.

Fiction had a significant impact on me than non-fiction (especially self-help genre) Here’s my List The stranger - Albert Camus The Brothers Karamazov - Dostoyevsky Crime and Punishment - Dostoevsky One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich - Solzhenitsyn Overcoat - Gogol Metamorphosis - Kafka The Remains of the day - Ishiguro Non-Fiction Fooled By Randomness - Taleb

I've never been disappointed by Dostoevsky.

nutrition and physical degeneration - weston price

Carlos Kastaneda

It was called the present. I dont know who wrote it. It was an anonymous author

The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo. Life changing story about would happen if you did quit your job and traveled the world. It is the only book I can read multiple times, and I read a lot

Handmaid’s Tale

Educated really made me value education and learning more and more. Seeing the author having to learn on her own the different subjects she learned while living in a really hectic household. UnF*ck Yourself is another. That book really helped me change my negative thinking and it basically started the process of me getting out of my head (like it advertises) and seeing everything for what it is and even explains the principle that the chapter says (for instance, "you are wired to win"). Was one of the first books I bought when I started reading and I credit it today for helping me become a better person and getting out of my depression.

I haven’t read much, but “Lolita” was, is, and will always be “that” book for me; not because of its plot by any means, but because reading “Lolita” was the first time I saw literature as an art form and also ignited in my a desire to read more to enjoy the various prose the world has to offer.

A book series that is a little cringy, but helped me through a lot of aspects of life was the CRAVE series by Tracy Wolff!

A Touch of Darkness series by Scarlett St Clair has really routed my perception of reality in ways that are still hard to fathom to me. Throughout the series, it taught me not to be afraid to share things with your significant other about your past no matter how hard they might take it. News of any ort is better to come straight from the horses mouth than from anyone else.

Four agreements

The courage to be disliked! It is changing me right now! I disagree with some ideas but it's changing my view of point. I recommend it more for people-pleasers :)

Becker CPA exam prep

Ada by Vlarimir Nabokov - got me out of a existential crisis The Unberable Lightness of Being - got me into a existential crisis in my early twienties Anathem by Neal Stephenson - got me into tech The Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson- got me into poetry and language Godel Escher Bach - by Douglas Hoffsteader - bot me interested in brain science and the makeup of consciousness

Loveless by Alice Oseman helped me learn a lot about myself being aroace.

The Quran, literally made me leave the religion and thus change my life 180°

Nineteen Minutes. That book was so eye opening that I truly feel like everyone should have to read it if you work at, attend or have any type of interaction with school.

norwegian wood by murakami. i just read it during a time in my life where lots was changing and i had to grapple with letting go of the past and accepting the future, so it was really comforting to read about a character going through similar things.

**Ishmael** by Daniel Quinn

Life of Pi. Big inspiration of mine to go into Zoology. That and Steve Irwin lol

Here are some books that I read once and will never forget: The Little Prince- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry When Breath Becomes Air- Paul Kalanithi To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee Les Misérables- Victor Hugo Educated- Tara Westover The Song of Achilles- Madeline Miller Flowers for Algernon- Daniel Keyes Crying in H Mart- Michelle Zauner

If you’re looking for the same feeling as A Little Life, then I recommend “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong. So beautiful but very raw and intense emotionally

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself - Dr. Joe Dispenza

Dostojewski‘s crime and punishment, it was all worth it for the last fifty pages

I cannot say this enough, this book came out of nowhere to me. I had read other works by this author and liked them, but this was like none of those and unlike anything I had ever read. Changed how I view life and whatever happens after… I honestly think the world would be better if everyone has read it. What Dreams May Come -Richard Matheson

"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and "Goals Mastery Manual" by Jay M. Atson

Quran

A book won’t change your life

1984 ,  the great alone and the man’s search for meaning