What does "life changing" mean?
The other day I gave a review on the book “Kisses for Katie” and mentioned that it wasn’t a book that had changed my life. The reason why I made that comment was due to the many comments on Amazon where people had said it was a life changing book and they were raving about it. This got me thinking . . . why does one book affect a person in one way, but not another person. I found “Kisses for Katie” to be inspirational and interesting but that was all, others found it “shock them to the core”, “they couldn’t put it down”, “the book was beyond amazing”, “This was absolutely the best book I have ever read”.
Some books I read stir me emotionally . . . the other book I reviewed “The train in winter”, did just that. My heart broke for those women in the concentration camp, I struggle to understand their pain and suffering and it brought tears to my eyes. I found it to be a very sad emotion book but one I needed to read. Other similar books give me the same affect. Some books simply fascinate me, they take me on a journey to unknown places and by the time I finish I feel that I have learnt so much . . . not always things of high intellect but intriguing things. Other books make me laugh and I feel good by the time I have reached the end. The more serious Christian literature is for learning —therefore I am looking for advice, direction, improvement, comfort—if I don’t find this, the book is considered a failure.
I can be tough on a book. Perhaps I am too tough, I expect more . . . which is why I am on the search to find the earth shattering “life changing” book.
Or, is there only one book that fits that description . . . . ?
I have “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp on my to reading list—I have been told that this is life changing book. I will let you once I have read it.
What have you read (excluding the Bible) that changed your life?
How did it change your life? Or are you like me!
I sometimes hate to recommend a book because the message God wants for me is different from someone else's message, and even timing can change how I view a book. My daughter-in-law said "Kisses for Katie" was life changing for her...mainly because her husband (my son) had gone to Africa for a month on a mission trip and at the time of her reading the book God was calling them both to go back to Africa this summer to help. For me, God isn't calling me to Africa at this point, but to the mission field in my own yard...so the message I would receive is different.
ReplyDeleteSome one over coming extreme difficult situations would probably be more inspiring to me at this season of my life.
I have not read "One Thousand Gifts" nor do I plan to...I just don't feel God is telling me to read that at this time.
Books don't change my life. I don't read them that way I don't think. For me it's a way of seeing the world through someone else's eyes; interesting ~ but hardly earth shattering. The bible is excepted. It's the only book I can think of that I would describe that way.
ReplyDeleteLife-changing is very high praise indeed,and how could a book about a human do that, I wonder? We can admire others work, but can it really change our lives forever? Mmmmm, I wonder....
ReplyDeleteThe Bible does change lives, has changed lives and will continue to do so, that's my "life-changing" book!
love,
Bets
Bets - that is my point, how can a book be so amazing that it can change a person. However I can see how books inspire others to do things, perhaps become a missionary. The Bible was the only one that falls into this category.
ReplyDeleteGaneida - I am glad I am not alone, I was beginning to wonder if it was just me that wasn't moved by books to such a degree!
ReplyDeleteJanette - you daughter had a connect to the location (along with her husband) so I can understand why she was drawn to this book. Its an intersting topic about the reaction people have to books.
"Life changing" books for me are ususally the writings of christian contemplatives, especially the Saints of the past.
ReplyDeleteI find direction and inspiration from many souls who have walked close to God over the ages.
I don't read novels so they don't count.
I once spent a whole year reading every book on the Holocaust in our local library.
The stories broke my heart..
Having jewish ancestry meant it was like reading my family history.
So I'd have to say that did "change" some things for me.
Ann's book is great and I regard it as a modern christian classic.
Her contemplative/poetic style really appeals to me, while my ex-schoolteacher bookworm friend just couldn't "get it".
It's interesting how we all have such different responses to the same book!
blessings..Trish
Well, I am glad that I am not the only one picky when it comes to books. Most books, I don't even finish them. I get half-way through, and then suddenly, I loose interest. I have completed some books from beginning to end, but it doesn't happen often. I don't know why I'm like this, but such is life.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I read "1,000 Gifts," but of course, it was a book I did not finish. It just didn't "move me" very much, and half-way through, I gave-up on it, sigh! It seems to be the story of my life!
Mara, you are like me then!!! Fussy readers:). I will tell you what I think of "1000gifts" when I read it. It will be interesting to see if I am moved by it as many people are.
DeleteTrish – what courage to read all the Holocaust books in your local library. I have also read many and find that they also break my heart, but I keep reading them, perhaps to make sure that I don’t forget such evil. I to have Jewish ancestry and I think I have the same connection as you are referring to.
ReplyDeleteI will write on Ann’s book when I finish it and let you know what I think. I was in two minds as it is another of those books that people rave about and I am always apprehensive about these popular books.
Jo, I have quite a collection of holocaust books for you to read when you visit, though I wouldn't call them uplifting! Many are appearing in book stores because the population that survived the concentration camps is fast dying and there's an effort to record their stories before they are forever lost. I find them incredibly moving and a profound commentary on the human race.
ReplyDeleteIt is my assessment that the best of man's literature can never rise above the level of Ecclesiastes -- man's search for wisdom, under the sun.
Biographical books on the lives of true saints of God can be life changing, in that the lessons that they learned can open our eyes to Scripture. We are sad creatures if we don't learn from the experiences of others.
LL
Nick
We were only talking about the increase in holocaust books being released and the reasons why. I have also noticed a number of books and films (fiction) that are being released on the Jews and the concentration camps and I wondered why anyone would read a novel on this topic, when what is real is far more compelling and as you say "incredibly moving".
DeleteI haven't read Kisses for Katie, but a good friend of mine did and she described it as 'inspirational' and 'convicting'.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Ann's book either, but I can tell from her blog that her style is not for me. But everyone is different and lots of ladies raved about it on their blogs so maybe you will like it.
I don't know if I can describe *any* book, besides the Bible, that is "life-changing", but there is one I try and read every year and it challenges me every time I read it is called Are You Serious About Marriage? by Susan Zakula from Keepers of the Faith.com
Another one that moved me deeply was The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.
Great post, the comments were fun to read too. I thought I was the only one that didn't finish books. :o)
I agree with you on "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom - I would also include "Anne Frank" as well.
DeleteI have never read "Are You Serious About Marriage?" by Susan Zakula, I might have to look it up.
I can't think of any life changing books. I know George MacDonald (as an author) has had a huge impact on me. But it was more the author himself than the books. I love the Bible. It always changes me. I did enjoy Stepping Heavenward and First we have coffee and Isabella Alden as an author.
ReplyDeleteI remember being quite affected by a book called "A Severe Mercy" - but it has been years and I wonder if it would affect me the same. I have changed so much since I read it. Oh and Mere Christianity...very good.
Hello JoLuise,
ReplyDeleteTea Time Magazine is not the kind of publication to make women desire "things" or waste money, but it is an encouragement to slow down and take tea. In the US and Canada, tea time has become an important event, and tea time magazine explains the different teas and what kinds of foods to serve with them, and also shows ways to use old china or found items. Southern Lady is not so much a "want things" magazine, either, as usually they take a tour of a historical place in the South, and publish the pictures and show the tea room they went to and the recipes. Personally I find the magazine you mentioned in your comment more materialistic than Teatime, Southern Lady or Victoria, all which show how to use nature or old things you already own. You don't have to publish this comment. I could not find your email address anywhere to chat about the issue privately.
Nice to see you again.
Thankyou for replying Lady Lydia - I do tend to avoid magazines these days, one reason is the number of advertisements that appear in them - some are very bad for this. I don't know about the US, but here in Australia, magazines are expensive - the very good quality ones (good paper and photos) are $10 or more.
ReplyDeleteThe Australian Betters Homes and Gardens does contain ideas for the home that are materialistic, but it is very good for gardening ideas, for recipes and craft ideas.
Cottage Home, Victoria Bliss and Country Woman magazines carry no ads at all. Victoria, Country Victorian, and Romantic Homes have ads for places you can go on the web if you want to see their merchandise. Tea Time carries ads only for tea related things. Publications here sometimes have no ads at all, and that is the way a lot of magazines seem to be going. If it is specialized subject type of magazine, such as Victorian Homes, which carries only Victorian-era ads for things like doorknobs or fireplaces or things to restore old houses, I buy it only if I flip through the pages first and see if it is something I would like to keep. I view it as a book purchase, and keep it as I would a book.
ReplyDeleteYes they are expensive, and oft cost as much as a book. That is why I go through a magazine on the newsstand before I make a decision as to whether or not it would be useful to me in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe cost need not be a factor, though, as Victoria,(www.victoriamag.com) Tea Time and Southern Lady all have free websites where they show much of what is in the magazines and which can also be printed. No ads in the online versions.
I have just visited www.victoriamag.com - that is excellent, I will have a further look indeed. Thankyou very much for pointing me to those links as I will enjoy looking at them. It sounds like you have a greater/more interesting range of magazines in the US than we do. I know we have "Country Life" which is perhaps similar.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about ad free magazines, certainly not the case here, in fact I think it has become far worse - or perhaps it feels worse. Hard to tell.
another free online publication, also available in hard copy http://www.teatimemagazine.com/
ReplyDeleteanother fine magazine that is available online but not always the same as the printed copy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.southernladymagazine.com/
Thankyou LadyLydia - I noticed that the Tea Time Magazine is available digitally on the iPad which I have - I might download the magazine and have a look.
ReplyDeleteThankyou once again. The recipes look lovely:)
http://www.southernladymagazine.com/ this and the others are published by the same company, and it has web extras and archives as well.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for being so kind with all these links, I have enjoyed reading them. Some of the pictures I have included in Pinterest as they are so pretty.
DeleteLife-changing is an interesting response to a book, as you and other commentors have noted. I would say that "eye-opening" would probably be a better way to describe a book that really changes the way you see things or touches you in some profound way. I would suggest that some of those who find a book to be "life-changing" are perhaps learning about something or seeing something from a perspective they've never noticed before and it changes the way they think about or see the subject, rather than it actually literally changing their life. For example, the Kisses for Katie book can't possibly change a person's life unless they totally change something other than their perspective (ie. perhaps it urges them to become a missionary) as a result of reading the book. Just changing a person's perspective really can't count as being "life-changing"... Or at least that's the way I see it!!
ReplyDeleteI can't really say that I've ever read a "life-changing" book (apart from the Bible, obviously)...
Eye opening is a much better word . It seems most people are like me when it comes to these books. I must ask my mother what she thinks once she has finished the book. A.dorothy is also going to read, interest what she thinks too!!
DeleteBesides the Bible and the Book of Mormon, because, as you mention, the greatest life-changer is our Savior, Jesus Christ, I'd say that Les Miserables and the Anne of Green Gables series changed my life. I think more gently of people because of them; life has more color because of those books. They helped me to become a softer, more vivacious Christian.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the Anne books and they are certainly memorial books. Les Miserable is one that I read as a teenager and was very moving.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Blessings.