Indigo put out it’s list of the Top 10 Life Changing Books.
It’s an interesting list…here are some of my thoughts on it:
- The Bible- yes. live by it. deserves to be on this list.
- To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee, 1960.- love love love this book. I think I read it in grade 10 for the first time. It was the first novel that really made me want to write.
- Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom, 1997.- I like it. Not on my top 10 list though. Hm.
- Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery, 1908.- Oh, I just love Anne. LOVE!
- The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini, 2003.- YES! This book was so enthralling, captivating, all-encompassing. Absolutely one of the best books I’ve read this decade.
- The Alchemist, Paul Coelho, 1988.- I liked it. Again, wouldn’t have put it on this list.
- The Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill, 2007.- I LOVE this book. Like “The Kite Runner” this story was woven so tightly, so captivating, played with my emotions. Beautiful.
- Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, 1997.- OK, I couldn’t get into this series. It’s just not my thing…but I can appreciate why people love Harry.
- The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954.- See my thoughts on Harry Potter. Same.
- Life of Pi, Yann Martel, 2002.- I’ll get shot down for this, but I didn’t really even like this book. I just felt like it was trying too hard and I couldn’t get into the plot. It was a big let down for me.
So, what would I add to the list??
- Animal Farm, George Orwell- First novel that ever made me cry. I’ve read it so many times and still love it each and every time.
- The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood- I thought this was, by far, the best Atwood book I have ever read. Really made me think about how easily our lives can be stripped in one foul swoop because of technology- and how quickly women can become second-class citizens once again.
- Lord of the Flies, William Golding- Amazing. Just amazing.
Any others I missed? What would be on your list of life-changing books?
I Know This Much is True – Wally Lamb. It took me a long time to get into it – I started it and then put it down for about six months, but when I picked it up and finished the chapter I was on, it was amazing and I was so into it. Its worth a read for sure!
The Handmaid's Tale is my FAVOURITE book of ALL TIME! Love. Plus, I totally agree about Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies. Life of Pi was simply B.A.D. Totally did not get why it was so huge. And life changing?? No way.
I would have to add Alice in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) by Lewis Carroll and Night by Elie Wiesel.
Oh, don't get me started. There are so many!
Agree with #8 and #9! Umm life changing?! Love Anne of Green Gables! You're making want to read Handmaid's Tale – I really enjoyed Oryx and Crake. I also love Lord of the Flies – definitely life changing if you ask me!
Little Women, Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre and Little House on the Prairie are good classics in my opinion. I'm not sure about life-changing though.
I so so so agree about Handmaid's Tale. I read it in University and have reread it every year since then. Best Atwood work hands down. I would add Still Alice by Lisa Genova. It's an incredible story about Alzeimer's Disease written from a first person perspective. Very haunting.
I am so glad other people didn't like "Life of Pi"!
Kristy- you MUST read the Handmaid's Tale- it's just that good! I'll lend it to you if you want?
I now have a few new books to add to my list of "must reads"- thanks guys;)
Awesome – I have yet to read The Book of Negroes, but it's on my 'too read soon' list! I agree with you on the other books you love from that list. I loved Fall On Your Knees and The Way The Crow Flies… and Angela's Ashes is one of my all-time favourites!
Dunno how life changing this book is but because we're expecting DD #2 I'm liking Siblings Without Rivalry http://www.amazon.com/Siblings-Without-Rivalry-Children-Together/dp/0380799006