M39
Life changing literature
September 17 2013
Comments
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RHP User
11 years ago
You Inc - Jhn McGrath What i wish i knew when i was 20 - Tina Selig
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RHP User
11 years ago
Hey coops, I have no recommendations for particular books, but would recommend any that would recommend any that steer away from the current trendy maniacal urge to be happy ALL the time. Hype is great for a lift, but in my experience unsustainable long term. Life is like the weather, has its seasons, sometimes idyllic, sometimes stormy. Anything that focuses on becoming more real, more genuine, and more authentic are a good start. Slight tweaks in what you are chasing can change the whole context of it all too. For example, focussing on satisfaction and fulfillment rather than happiness. Seeking relevance and significance rather than success. Seeking meaningful life goals rather than accumulation of wealth, property, popularity & possessions. Not that any of these are bad things, but they seem to me to be longer lasting attainments. Good on you for wishing to explore self improvement. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Lord Foul's BaneThe Illearth WarThe Power that PreservesFor anyone that knows the books, particularly Covenants answer to despite and his final statement of "joy is in the ears that hear"one of the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child as well although I can't remember exactly which one.......something about doing the right thing purely because its the right thing....as Confucius was supposed to have said (misattributed I know) "Who must do the hard things?.....he who can". Sometimes being able to look yourself in the mirror is the only reward built that doesn't mean it is not a reward worth pursuing.
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RHP User
11 years ago
About her journey from a sheltered innocence to meeting a man who showed her to explore her sexuality through to running one of New Yorks biggest excort networks & US penthouse 1st sex advice columnist. Read it when i was 13, thought wow! Another one, Boy Called It by i think Dave Pelzer, about shocking Child abuse and his story is very confronting one, but it is more in mine & mrs funkys view about the the ability of a person who was able to heal the unhealable, remove all demons, become a man who could love and be loved as,an adult, and not become a destroyed Lost soul and end up on the gabage heap of humanity. Mr Funky (.)(.)- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
I don't know if I would call it life changing literature but it was a great read. Laid Bare - One Man's Story of Sex, Love and Other Disorders By Jesse Fink. Jesse Fink is a Sydney journalist and he wrote a frank and honest book about his experiences after his marriage ended and online dating.
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RHP User
11 years ago
To Kill a Mocking BirdThe Helpand if you have kindle any book over a hundred years old is free or just a few bucksso go for some old classics , hard reading but worth it
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RHP User
11 years ago
that changed my life at fourteen,Emile Zola's Germinal...oh and the wonderful Russians....Tolstoy,Dostoevsky,Pushkin,and Turgenev...fabulous French DeMaupassant,Dumas,Baudelaire,Voltaire and the little known Diaries of the Duc de Saint Simon...an eyewitness account of life at Versailles, the court of the Sun King..The Diary of Samuel Pepys,an eyewitness account of the Great Fire of London,he was the architect of the British Navy...I could go on but shall stop...happy reading x R
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RHP User
11 years ago
Laid Bare...... Fantastic book! Foxy- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
by DC - "How to Win Friends and Influence People"- get th@ down pat and you can forget about the sex, romance literature
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RHP User
11 years ago
some of Henry Miller's books. Philosophical, absurd, cynical, sweet, sexually explicit, rambling. Pretty readable without being simple.The Immoralist by Andre Gide had a big influence on me. Could venture to say it changed my life.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Sex at Dawn.Christopher Ryan & Cacilda Jetha.How we mate, Why we Stray and What it means for Modern Relationships.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Quoting 'Freya77' that changed my life at fourteen,Emile Zola's Germinal...oh and the wonderful Russians....Tolstoy,Dostoevsky,Pushkin,and Turgenev...fabulous French DeMaupassant,Dumas,Baudelaire,Voltaire and the little known Diaries of the Duc de Saint Simon...an eyewitness account of life at Versailles, the court of the Sun King..The Diary of Samuel Pepys,an eyewitness account of the Great Fire of London,he was the architect of the British Navy...I could go on but shall stop...happy reading x R boy did he get pissed off when the maid fell over , and with out bloomers showed her bits.they were interesting, right down to the dog making a mess in the house. life a lot like now , but without the maids to clean it up. Must go look up the others you said. I knew you would have some good stuff to read
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WhispersAndMoans
11 years ago
Quoting 'justforfunisall' Lord Foul's BaneThe Illearth WarThe Power that PreservesFor anyone that knows the books, particularly Covenants answer to despite and his final statement of "joy is in the ears that hear"I have always hated that series - the main character is so bloody "woe is me" and can't just get his s&*t together and do something about his issues it frustrated the hell out of me. But maybe that is because I can't relate to that way of thinking as a result of having things pretty good???
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RHP User
11 years ago
A book that I would suggest is "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Understanding just a little of what others have endured always gives me perspective in my own life.I also draw inspiration from a good bio's or autobiography, otherwise I also liked any of the "Russians" proffered by Freya to immerse you in history.
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RHP User
11 years ago
"Iliad" and "Men are from Mars - Women are from Venus" Read them TOGETHER.... here is a bit out of the "ILIAD" The players... Athene (Venus) [Pallas Athene] Ares (Mars) Zeus (Jupiter) Hera (Earth) Phoebus Apollo (Sun) Aphrodite (Moon) "QUOTE" Even as a black darkness appeareth from the clouds when after heat a blustering wind ariseth, even in such wise... did brazen Ares appear, as he fared amid the clouds unto broad Heaven. IN HEAVEN he appealed to Zues with bitter words of complaint against Athene. "With thee are we ALL at strife, for thou art Father to that MAD and BANEFUL maid, whose mind is set on deeds of LAWLESSNESS!!!! For all the other Gods that in Olympus are obedient unto thee.... but to her thou payest no heed... for that this PESTILENT maiden is thine own child..." "UNQUOTE" Damn.. we atre STILL paying for the action of the MAD and BANEFUL maiden... *grins* Read the Bible COOPS ... it is damned fun!! and has some of the most amasing shit in it... Read it in Conjuction with Zecharia Sitchin AND Immanuel Velikovsky... And understand how insignificant humans REALLY probably are in the scheme of events :) Then YOU too might find a cave and live as a caveman... *grins*
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yankmychain56
11 years ago
I would recommend The Bible.better reading than what most think.
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Coops27M
11 years ago
So many suggestions :). Especially freya, my work is cut out for me, i will endeaver to read all though. I've read the bible. Was a requirement going to private cathlic primary and high schools. There is alot to take away but i am an atheist and don't believe in higher powers. I believe in science.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
I've been digging through my Facebook trying to find the link but it's too far back, someone sent me a list of the 10 most life changing books... The way of the peaceful warrior: The celestine prophesies; The secret: The alchemist were the only four that I had read The sender gave a big rap for the power of now by Ekhart tolle (I think) I also recommend The tales of Alvin maker or anything by Orson Scott Card; the majic of thinking big,; Masturbation, tantra and self love; The richest man in Babylon, There's more, sorry I don't recall the authors or the rest of the book titles, but, one leads to the other....;) I would start with the first of the "peaceful warrior" series if you haven't read it already. Most of them are adventure/fast paces, easy to read parables - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
anything by Richard Dawkins,in particular ,TheGod Dilemma.... and Darwin's Origin of the Species.....a world view changing book
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RHP User
11 years ago
Quoting 'sweetierae'A book that I would suggest is "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Understanding just a little of what others have endured always gives me perspective in my own life. The Holocaust by Martin Gilbert changed my views on human behaviour, good and evil. All 960 pages of it. But on a lighter note, I really liked Laid bare as well. And Xaviera Hollander (Dutch, obviously) rocks!
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RHP User
11 years ago
The Way of the Superior Man, David Deida. Giving, Bill Clinton. Invisible Acts of Power, Carolyn Myss. Happy reading x
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Coops27M
11 years ago
@Freya Even more! Haha excellant, i would love to pick your brain sometime. @charles darwin - origin of species "What came first? The chicken or the egg?" Well obviously it was the egg. Laid by something similar to a chicken but not quite right yet ;P. Well probably more like a thousand eggs hehe. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
some of my favourite poets,Shakespeare the sonnets,eecummings,Dylan Thomas,and to make you laugh Roger McGough..and me
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RHP User
11 years ago
Okay I have had War & Prace on my shelf to read for ever but have never got around to it. But I don't understand why the other Russian classics are life changing? But then again, like I am with movies, I like to read fantasy, mystery and crime novels.... Something that entertains. I don't like serious movies or books.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Funny enough, we sound similar. Depends if your ambition is to become king of the universe or seek simple happiness. I have 3 books that makes one ponder. But I will suggest one at this stage - Tuesdays with Morrie - That book can get you thinking about what life means to you. I only ever read non fiction. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
I know what you mean about the "woe is me" part of his character, but my interpretation of the character slanted a little. In the end he decides that the only good answer to despite is to laugh and belittle it. I saw him as someone torn between two opposing forces amongst other things. The need for self preservations, his being bitterness and cutting himself off from everything (and given the character's history that was a fairly understandable response) and alternately wanting and needing to care. Combined with the need within him to do what was right, they are very elemental emotional forces at war within the individual. While I am not saying he is a particularly laudable character or even one I necessarily see myself in, it was an interesting discussion of one characters struggles. And no matter what else can be said, he had an iron will. Some elements I took from it had an impact on me, even if it was those traits I never want to exhibit.A poem in the first book really hit a chord with me:Something there is in beautywhich grows in the soul of the beholderlike a flower:fragile-For many are the blightswhich may waste the beautyor the beholder-and imperishable-for the beauty may die,or the beholder may die,or the world may die,but the soul in which the flower grows survives.I still think of that poem to this day.And I can't believe I didn't mention "Go Rin No Sho" also known as "The Book of Five Rings" - a very powerful book for me that had a very profound impact on my life, my views and my approach to many different things.
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Coops27M
11 years ago
I have always intended to read the works that are considered timeless masterpieces. An integrel part of our culture i suppose and to have survived for over 400 years generally and still be featured in movies and tv etc and read by people has to suggest that they must be genius, atleast when considering from whence they came. My personal hero is Da'Vinci. I wish i was even half the man he was and wonder what he would have accomplished in my place. ( I know he wasn't a writer as such i dont think? But i consider him the example of a True genius/Master. Physician/Artist and Scientist/Inventor working on flight, submersibles, tanks, helicopters with almost naught around in that period to influence those creations not actually invented until hundreds of years later) but i digress i'm getting sidetracked. I have always wanted to read the complete works of shakespeare. True genius once again. Especially if he has written lots of poetry as Freya has suggested. Have always wanted to explore the world of poetry but wouldn't know where to start. Charles dicken's, Siegmond Freud, charles darwin, stephen hawkings. (Pretty sure i completely failed there). Timeless works that surely have influenced our culture in some degree. Test's suggest that i have a genius level intellect but i hate to admit such as i feel like i am expected to - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Him here. I read Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea while traveling through Cuba (It felt like the right thing to do.) I loved it! It was clever, sad, complex and amazing. Some consider it an intellectual book. I liked it for its entertainment value as much as its social commentary. As much as I loved this book, I was on holiday and had a lot of time to digest it. Typically I go for books that take me away from life and let me fly through someone else's imagination. Fantasy, sci-fi, crime, political thrillers etc. It doesn't matter so long as the characters are shallow and the story is deep. Hope that helps :)- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Oh - And anything with a heroine. Sarah Dunant (The Birth of Venus) and Janny Wurts (Daughter/Servant/Mistress of the empire) are both great!! :)- Posted from rhpmobile
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Coops27M
11 years ago
Be comparable to people such as have been mentioned here and others but i don't believe i am nor expect others too. I'm just waiting for someone to comment calling me a braggart or the like for bringing it up now :S. I do consider myself lucky though. - Posted from rhpmobile
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Coops27M
11 years ago
@Meeka You enjoy fantasy novels? Who do you read? Raymond.E.Feists works are my favourite, then terry Pratchett, David & Leigha Eddings, jenny Wurts (or is janny Wurts?) primarily. Lord of the rings was overrated though it was amazing that he wrote them in the trenches during WWII. I have read Robert Jordans wheel of time series, by far the longest story i have ever encountered an tends to drag a bit at 13-14 books and 14000+ pages. I tend to read my favourites again and again and i'm feeling like i've been wasting time hence why i asked for constructive reading material :). Will never stop reading fantasy altogether though.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Reading through the comments reminded me of my all time favourite books by Armistead Maupin. Tales of the City series. He initially wrote them as a newspaper series in the 70's. It follows a group of people in San Francisco through the 70's to the 90's. I first started to read them in my 20's. It gave me an insight it how sex and society had changed from the 70's to now.
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RHP User
11 years ago
I enjoy Janny Wurts although I can't claim it changed my life....good yarns though
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RHP User
11 years ago
Two Aussie female authors. Jennifer Fallon and Trudi Canavan. Although I have loved watching Game of Thrones so should give him ago I think.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Tuesdays at Morries - simplistic, yet makes you think. Google it and let me know what you think. Cheers - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
I can't say a book or movie has changed my life. Traveling extensively in my 20's changed my life ... And meeting certain people has changed my life completely. :)
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RHP User
11 years ago
The Elegant Universe You do have to wonder :)
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Coops27M
11 years ago
@Meeka I enjoy the TV Series, i've heard the books are great.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
as a child coops I discovered the Greek and Roman myths,all the stories are there.All the different permutations of love ,passion and war.As I type this my copy of Robert Grave's The Greek Myths vol 1 and 2. is looking at meThe Mabinogion,if you can find a copy, was a reference book for Tolkien,it is the Welsh equivalent of the Iliad.Homer's Iliad and Odyssey,the journeys of Ulysses.Some other writers from the ancient world,Tacitus and Julius Caesar,are also fascinating reads.Are these books life changing?I think any book that informs,entertains,challenges your mind to think a little differently changes your life,even if it is just in a small way
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RHP User
11 years ago
She has written a few books on dealing with anxiety, including describing her own battle with nervous illness in her final book.
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GezWouldGo
11 years ago
Don't start on the Chicken or the Egg thing Coops, that shit does my head in for weeks at a time !
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RHP User
11 years ago
I read George Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' in high school and it blew my little mind. Not the happiest of books though, mind.
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madotara69
11 years ago
to read some of the Dream-time soriesBut Mad magazines take the cake.And The HobbitMado
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Two_Tarts
11 years ago
Not great literature, or exactly life changing, but we both got good value from reading the "Ethical Slut" by Dossie Easton. Does not quite fit with our usual reading choices but, the perspective in relation to personal enjoyment, responsibility, consideration, and accepting ownership for your own actions, reactions, feelings, and emotions, was all interesting and thought provoking stuff. Beware it is a little repetative in places and is not one of the great works, but the direction and depth of the message was very good. Worth reading right to the end, so don't get put off in the early chapters. For something light, entertaining, and just plain outrageous "The Man Book" and also "The Art of Whoring - Adventures in Prostitution" both by George Saunders were both pretty damn funny as well as remarkably educational for both men and women.
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RHP User
11 years ago
I mentioned the Iliad in my post on page one here.. *evil grins*
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RHP User
11 years ago
'The God Delusion' should be introduced to every school curriculum in order to give kids a realistic view of religion - especially in ALL Catholic schools heeheA Picture of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde.xx
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RHP User
11 years ago
Having been an avid reader from a very young age and read and enjoyed a lot of the "classics" and the "must reads" ,I've got to say, at the end of the day, some of the books listed below have added more to my life than reading Shakespeare and Tolstoy and the Bible ever did.Animal farm. George OrwellThe Wild Colonial Boys. Frank CluneColes Funny picture bookTuning for Speed. Phil Irving.Cook's Companion. Steohanie AlexanderHow to keep your Volkswagen alive. -A manual of step by step instructions for the compleat (sic) idiot. John MuirThe Lord of the Rings. J.r.r TolkeinHarley Davidson Shovelheads. 66-84. Repair- Service-Maintenance.Lure Encyclopedia. Frank Propop.My Mums hand written recipes.1001 Albums you must hear before you die.Fitting and Machining Ron Colley.The Australian Road Directoryand a whole bunch of of 1970's/80's/90's Rolling Stone,Ozbike,Easyrider,MAD and Street Machine.Mr Sinner
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RHP User
11 years ago
Dr Seuss will amuse, my fav being "What was I afraid of" about a pair of floating pale green pants with nobody inside them. And anything by Franz Kaskau , Marcell Pruist and Walt Disney...
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beebs
11 years ago
And just about anything ales by Joseph Heller. John Irving is one of my fav's as well, especially a prayer for Owen meany.
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RHP User
11 years ago
How could I forget Uncle Oswald by Road Dahl !- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Have to agree with Lubey, God Delusion is a great read, just don't leave it laying around when your very religious father comes to stay, like I did! Otherwise Anais Nin is a favourite.
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Violetincredible
11 years ago
I have read Dirk Gently'sHolistic Detective Agency (Douglas Adams) books over many different periods of my life and now pretty much pin my way of living to Dirk Gently's philosophies. Maybe just not quite as extreme.. Hehe :D Xxviolet
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Coops27M
11 years ago
Enormous feedback, more than i could have asked for :). I am going to have to go through this thread again later and write them all down. @Freya I looove greek mythology, haven't read any since late primary/early highschool but. I think i might have to slip some in my reading :)- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Look in your collection of "Easyrider" and see if you have issue #36 of "In the Wind" The centrefold is one of my Photos :)
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