Recently, teen librarian Amy suggested hosting a "Books that Changed Your Life" event at the library for next year's Ontario Public Library Week. It would be a big affair, but I really love the idea and cannot resist asking you if you have a book that made any major impact on your life (e.g. how you saw the world, your identity, a new perspective on a relationship).
Some people argue that time is a critical factor in whether a book will "speak" to you or not.
For the record, the three books that changed my life as a teen are
Dune by Frank Herbert
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The first is epic in scope, philosophical and action-oriented, and shaped my idea of the kind of novels I would like to write one day--the female characters are strong and intelligent and every bit the equal of the men. They fight with their heads and their brawn.
The second captured my particular type of dreaming--the devil and his retinue come to Moscow and shake things up. It is funny but underlying it all is the sadness of the wise fool. I feel an affinity with wise fools.
Hamlet (I was 19 when I got to this one) captured every fear I had about the world. I felt, at the time, that I was Hamlet and knew exactly why he could not act and why he could not kill himself either.
THE CHALLENGE:
Tell me about the Book that Changed Your Life and there will be an awesome prize for the winner! This contest will be judged and awarded at the END of this blog on MONDAY AUGUST 16. Remember that we are interested in WHY this book is important to you. We can be swayed by the thought, care and quality put into a response.
Aliki ;)
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I don't want to put this as an entry for the contest, just wanted to share an experience.
ReplyDelete(:
Sorry if this may not appeal to everyone, but while I was in Hong Kong last year my brother picked out a book for me. (Don't worry, it's in English). The book's title was called "The Five People You Meet in Heaven", by Mitch Albom.
I personally have given some thought to this topic, and although it may be depressing to some people about the realization of death, it's how you embrace it that makes the difference.
Anyways, the book is about an 83 year old man, Eddie who works as the person who controls a ferris wheel at an amusemen park. After trying to save a little girl, he ends up dying.
He then goes on a journey to Heaven, where 5 people he meet explain to him how everything he did, even the smallest of actions, affected someone.
Just through all that realization makes you wonder..
This book is relatively short, under 200 pages, but it is a good read.
Hope you enjoy it if you do choose to read!
The book that changed my life is one by the actress Julie Andrews Edwards titled The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. It is about a group of siblings named Ben, Tom, and Lindy Potter who go on a wild adventure using nothing but their imaginations. One Halloween, Lindy Potter gathers up the courage to knock on the door of the creepiest house in the neighbourhood only to find that it was not inhabited by a monster, but a professor by the name of Savant. He invites them on an incredible journey through the fictional world of Whangdoodleland using their minds and imaginations. This world is the realm of the last living Whangdoodle. The creatures inhabiting the land used to live on Earth until people began to lose their imaginations and in order to protect them from extinction, the magnificent Whangdoodle created the world in which he now reigns. Upon entering this magical land, they encounter the “Oily Prock”, who does everything in his power to keep the group from meeting his royal highness.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this book is categorized as a children’s novel, I would recommend it to everyone, old and young. It really makes you open up your imagination and allows you to create a dream world of your own. In today’s society, everyone is solely focused on real world tasks and goals. No one takes the time to relax and let your imagination fly. As mentioned in the book itself, when technology came into the world, people lost interest in the simple things in life and the world turned barbaric. I’m not saying that the world is necessarily barbaric but it seems as though everyone is wrapped up in technology, me included and it causes a lot of problems. I’ve read this book many times and each time it made me realize what a different world it would be like if everyone took the time to enjoy the small things in life.
Animal Farm by George Orwell is the book that changed the way I view books. Orwell showed me that there is a purpose to writing books, and his books always have an intent. He writes to convey a message to the world, but he doesn’t go directly to the point; he uses unique characters and an unconventional story to show it.
ReplyDeleteAnimal Farm uses animals to tell a story about the nature of human beings. The animals are sick of their owner who forgets to feed them, thus they decide to rule the farm on their own. The pigs are the ones to take charge. They create rules, but are the first to break them. Slowly, they decrease the food portions of the animals so that the animals are eating a bare minimum. They promise a great retirement, however do not fulfill any such promise. Things change little by little that the animals cannot even remember how their life used to be before the pigs started ruling the farm. The ending is shocking and realistic. Orwell did nothing to hide the truth.
After reading this novel, I have not been able to enjoy very many teen novels–they are novels without purpose and are written solely for the purpose of entertaining. I read to learn, and thus I mainly enjoy reading books by George Orwell, and other classics–these are the novels that endured the test of time.
Hi, Nick:
ReplyDelete5 people you meet in heaven is one of Dante, our Teen Librarian's favourite books. He has a new book out as well that people are enjoying.
Lydia,
I agree sometimes, we are too busy with things to enjoy simple things like being outside, fresh air, sunsets, etc. Julie Andrews is a remarkable woman whose life has taken many interesting turns.
The scariest thing in her life was when she had surgery and they damaged her vocal cords, permanently.
SH - Animal Farm is a story that has a strong message. George Orwell always had a point to his stories. I too like books where I learn things but at the same time, every now and I then, I read something lighter.
For me, the poem by Robert Frost, entitled "The Road not Taken," is one of my most influential works. In life, I always wonder if I had done one thing instead of another, how different would my life have been?
I read constantly so I find something that once was important changes depending on what is happening in my life.
Books that have left a lasting impression, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - I have this image of one of the dogs, Effie, still standing on the hill. This was one of Oprah's choices which I generally steer away from but this one was one I actually liked. The author even does a book talk.
Sometimes, if you find a favourite author, they all seem to have their own web page where you can find out behind the scenes details about their books, their writings, etc.
Catherine
Angus
Excellent submissions! Keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteI have read The 5 People You Meet in Heaven and Animal Farm, but not The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. I shall give that a go when I catch up with the pile I have on my beside floor.
Aliki ;)
Catherine - You're definitely right about reading something lighter. Books that you know will make you wonder are always harder to pick up; I don't know if that's for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI, too, tend to steer away from Oprah's picks, but some of them are good, such as Night by Elie Weasel. Though I think I read that one before it became her pick..
There are very few books that actually change a person. For peoms too, there are very few that I actually remember vividly. I shall give that poem a try, I really like Robert Frost.
There are many books that have changed my lifee , It was hard for me to choose one. Impulse by ellen hopkins is a really good book , and it changed my view on alot of things. in the Story there are three teens Tony, Conner and Vanessa who meet up in a mental institute Aspen Springs. They all have a different story but it's related. Tony has had a difficult childhoood, and had been on drugs which was his only escape. Vanessa is shown as a beautiful girl, and she ended up in the institute due to her cutting problem. Conner on the outside is shown to have a perfect life, he's goodlooking , with rich parents, good grades and everything anyone would want. But Conner did not feel that way and he ended up in the institute because he attempted to shoot himself. These three become friends, Vanessa falls in Love with conner, whereas Tony is shown to be gay but he also has feelings for vanessa. Tony and Vanessa respond well to the treatment at the institute, but conner does not feel that way and he ends up suiciding. Alot more of their past is told I dont really want to reveal everything , and you understand what their life was like. I think it is very emotional and sad novel. You can see how bad other's lives are. And it makes you appreaciate every little thing in life which most of us don't do . I would recommend this book to teens especially, and also to adults, becuase they can also get a view on some teenager's lives and understand them. I Loved this Book, and it changed my view, and i realize how easy i have it.
ReplyDeleteCR, :)
Hi CR,
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of Ellen Hopkins books, but I should because she is popular at my branch. My favourite book for picking up my spirits--by seeing how terrible things can be for other people and how I should be grateful for what I have--is The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
I'll have to give Hopkins a try. Thanks for your review!
Aliki ;)
The novel Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin would be the book that changed my life. This book has a creative and completely unique perspective of death-something that stands out from the usual stereotypical template ( You know...that miserable, sad, grey mix).
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am scared of dying and the unknown and this book changed that. I think the point of the story is to show that there are always two sides of a coin, that there isn't just one perspective about something- there's always ANOTHER view. Something horrible like leaving this world might turn out to be something better and in this novel it's all about starting a new life in Elsewhere (which is portrayed as heaven) and instead of getting older here you age backwards.
Gabrielle showed me that death might not be bleak or the end but really is just another beginning and it took a weight off my shoulders that was always there.
If you haven't already, please read it. It brings a new atmosphere that is very inspiring. It shows how people move on, let go, and how life goes on wherever it takes place. It has a new approach on life and with the author's creative twist incorporated with it- it's one of those unforgettable reads.
--Maggie C.
The book that changed my life would be Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. This book brings a whole new unique and different aspect on death and the afterlife. It all takes place in a place called Elsewhere (hence the title :D) and Elsewhere is kind of like heaven but instead of growing older you age backwards.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am afraid of dying and the 'Great Unknown' but this novel made me realize that there are always two sides of a coin. That there is always ANOTHER side of something. It showed that death may not be another bleak and dead end but rather a new beginning and adventure that just awaits us all.
If you haven't already please read this novel. It strays so much from the original template of death- that miserable, sad, grey atmosphere that makes it refreshing in a weird-nice-sort-of-way.
It shows how amazing life is, how we have to leave loved ones and move on and that life goes on even after grave per se. I find the book fantastic because it can incorporate all this in a book suitable for teens. The author adds her own special twist and concept to the afterlife that really makes this novel special- one that's just so outstanding you never really forget it.
--Maggie C.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteCR - I have not read impulse by Ellen Hopkins. One that is a bestseller in our branch is Crank. Have you read that one?
Maggie,
I think everyone is afraid of the unknown and death. I am glad Elsewhere made you feel more comfortable with the subject. Dante, Our Teen Librarian loves the book, The Five People you meet in Heaven by Mitch Album.
Anything that opens your mind to new ideas is always wonderful.
When we are young, we are afraid of death and even as people get older they are also afraid.
I had a silly argument with someone one day. I said that my dogs would be with me in heaven. First of all, my husband would disagree that I am going to somewhere warmer. This person was insistant that there are no dogs in heaven. I told them they could think what they wanted but my Chloe and Leo will be there will me.
Everyone has different ideas about life and death, all that matters at the end of the day is are you comfortable with how you feel about these issues?
Another friend had a tatoo and I did not know that in traditional Jewish religion you cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery if you have a tatoo. I also think piericings (not earrings) are also forbidden. I asked this person how their parents were going to feel about this?
They knew their parents would object because there was a religious reason but they still went ahead anyway.
It is wonderful that you are thinking and reading as well as exploring how you feel. This is how we learn about life and continue to grow.
BTW, how you feel now will change as you go through life.
Catherine
Angus
One read that has had a particularly great impact on me is The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeannette Walls. Set across the mainland United States, she recounts her life in an impoverished nomadic family that was simultaneously benevolent and dysfunctional.
ReplyDeleteHer mother is an aspiring artist. Possessing a teaching degree, she is reluctant to teach in favour of a life as a free spirit. Jeannette’s father has a vast knowledge of the sciences and cares about his children’s overall wellbeing, but his drinking habit causes financial and emotional problems for the family. As a result, Jeannette and her siblings learn to live independently and make ends meet for themselves, as the family is constantly finding a place to call home.
Walls’ story is provocative and intuitive in the sense that at a young age, she was driven to be responsible for herself– boiling hot dogs at the age of three and sleeping in cardboard boxes at night are hardly part of the typical North American lifestyle. Despite her descriptions of living without regular utilities or being bullied for her red hair, her matter-of-fact tone convinces the reader that she has learned and strengthened from each personal struggle.
Of special note is her mother’s nonchalant approach to things. She eschews material wealth in her quest for an exciting life, refuses charity (especially welfare), and prefers painting to worrying about her children. She cherishes the sentimental value of her land in Texas more than its approximate $1-million worth. Her spirit sets an example for the many acquisitive individuals in this world who are driven solely by selfish greed.
Jeannette’s parents are loving yet carefree, and this sets the foundation for a family’s story that inspires readers to deal with life’s struggles, appreciate what we have, and never forget to love. The Glass Castle has become one of my favourite books of all time - just as Mrs. Rose Mary Walls dreamed of, their lives were always exciting and filled with adventure.
- Fiona
Hi all!
ReplyDeleteI want to thank everybody who participated in this contest. The winner, we have decided, is Fiona. (However, if we had prizes available for everyone, I would have liked to thank all of you for sharing your book experiences with a little token.)
Thanks to all of you for taking part in the summer reading blog! If you are not part of an MPL Teen Advisory Group, you may want to ask at your local branch how that is possible. We are always looking for good people!
Many thanks and best wishes for the new school year!
Aliki ;)