'Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage' by Alfred Lansing. Captain Shackleton kept the entire 28-man crew alive for nearly two years while shipwrecked near Antarctica. His and his crews will to survive these unimaginably difficult conditions (in the early 1900's) made me appreciate the importance of relationships and maintaining a level head during trying times.
Tim Ferriss' 4-Hour Workweek. It completely reshapes the way you look at business and helps you realize how simple it is to share your unique perspective, skillsets, and solutions with the world.
"Le Grand Meaulnes" by Alain Fournier. My husband's favorite, and because of it we are traveling to France this year to visit the author's stomping grounds.
I have a few that have been major in my life. In elementary school, it was actually a text book called Psychology: An Introduction by Benjamin Lahey. My mom had recently taken Psychology at the community college and it was laying around so I picked it up. I was amazed that a text book could have humor and that the graphs could be so helpful in my understanding of the world in our minds. I reread the book again in junior high and high school. I ended up continuing to study the subject, getting a degree in research of social psychology, and working as a mental health specialist for the US Army and a counselor for many nonprofits in my community before becoming a teacher.
The second "turning point" book for me was Love by Leo Buscaglia. He was a professor in the 70's who offered zero credit courses in love. I discovered the book in a pile of throwaways at a used book store after I'd just left a significant relationship. It was one of those moments where it felt like the book found me, rather than the other way around. Newly independent of a partner, I was more open than ever to discover my own definition of love. I decided the book was so sweet and worth so much, I bought many copies to keep in my backseat for whoever could use a little love. (One recipient was a man I was trapped with in a Nevada snow storm!) I also had the words "Breathe Love" added to the inside of my wrist as a reminder to bring it in and put it back out, as easy and necessary as breath.
big magic by elizabeth gilbert ✨
Damien - Herman Hesse
Jitterbug Perfume, Tom Robbins
the untethered soul by michael singer <3 i think every single soul could benefit from this book
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer; gave me an overwhelming desire to explore the outdoors that I never had prior and have carried with me ever since.
'Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage' by Alfred Lansing. Captain Shackleton kept the entire 28-man crew alive for nearly two years while shipwrecked near Antarctica. His and his crews will to survive these unimaginably difficult conditions (in the early 1900's) made me appreciate the importance of relationships and maintaining a level head during trying times.
Choosing one is too difficult:
Another Roadside Attraction - Tom Robbins
In the Skin of a Lion - Michael Ondaatje
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
Lost Illusions by Balzac was the best book I read last year. Reminded me of how much I love novels and that the greats are often worth the hype.
Tim Ferriss' 4-Hour Workweek. It completely reshapes the way you look at business and helps you realize how simple it is to share your unique perspective, skillsets, and solutions with the world.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Ocean Vuong
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. Simplifies the concept of fear to an approachable speed-bump. Golden!
George Gurdjieff "vse i vsya"
"Le Grand Meaulnes" by Alain Fournier. My husband's favorite, and because of it we are traveling to France this year to visit the author's stomping grounds.
I have a few that have been major in my life. In elementary school, it was actually a text book called Psychology: An Introduction by Benjamin Lahey. My mom had recently taken Psychology at the community college and it was laying around so I picked it up. I was amazed that a text book could have humor and that the graphs could be so helpful in my understanding of the world in our minds. I reread the book again in junior high and high school. I ended up continuing to study the subject, getting a degree in research of social psychology, and working as a mental health specialist for the US Army and a counselor for many nonprofits in my community before becoming a teacher.
The second "turning point" book for me was Love by Leo Buscaglia. He was a professor in the 70's who offered zero credit courses in love. I discovered the book in a pile of throwaways at a used book store after I'd just left a significant relationship. It was one of those moments where it felt like the book found me, rather than the other way around. Newly independent of a partner, I was more open than ever to discover my own definition of love. I decided the book was so sweet and worth so much, I bought many copies to keep in my backseat for whoever could use a little love. (One recipient was a man I was trapped with in a Nevada snow storm!) I also had the words "Breathe Love" added to the inside of my wrist as a reminder to bring it in and put it back out, as easy and necessary as breath.
Mansfield's Book of Manley Men. Absurdly simple notions on how to be a proper gentleman.
On average, I read 50+ books every year since age 5. Here is my favourite book list for someone who are into tech, philosophy and creativity. https://www.mostrecommendedbooks.com/user/camelliayang