VeryShyGuy Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 I want to feel inspired. For a while now, I have been wanting to improve myself and do something that will have a positive impact on my life. Despite this, I have been somewhat complacent. I am looking for a good novel to inspire me. To want to read a deeply moving book that I can't help but shed tears at how much I can relate to the protagonist of the story. I want to read a book that beautifully describes the struggles/hardships of the main character and also beautifully describes their inspiring ability to fight on in the face of adversity. I want a book that would make me think, such that it would get me thinking more clearly about my own life. Does anyone have any good ideas for such a book (I know, the criteria here is kinda long)? P.S. Just a side thought. I also want a book that isn't too difficult to read. Link to comment
Petal Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 One of my most favorite books that I would recommend to anyone would be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Now I don't know if that's the kind of book you're looking for but it's definitely a good read...not difficult to read and not extremely long. I hope you enjoy it...sorry I couldn't be of anymore help. Link to comment
catgirl82 Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 whoa!! i was going to recommend the alchemist also. its a very quick easy read, but full of inspiration. you'll like it. you'll probably start quoting it. not exactly a novel, but everyone should read this one Link to comment
VeryShyGuy Posted November 6, 2004 Author Share Posted November 6, 2004 Interesting. Two people recommending the same book (it must be good then). Any other recommendations? For now, I am going to at least look up book reviews about "The Alchemist". Link to comment
PAdreamer Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 This isn't a novel, per say, but it is very inspiring and it has changed my life. Check out "Letters to a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke. Another good (but very long) novel is "Les Miserables" by Victore Hugo. It's a very hard read, but you really connect with the protagonist and his struggles over the years of trying to be someone he's not. A great inspirational tale. I would suggest the shorter, abridged version. Link to comment
VeryShyGuy Posted November 6, 2004 Author Share Posted November 6, 2004 Another good (but very long) novel is "Les Miserables" by Victore Hugo. It's a very hard read, but you really connect with the protagonist and his struggles over the years of trying to be someone he's not. A great inspirational tale. I would suggest the shorter, abridged version. What a coincidence! I just bought "Les Miserables" shortly before I started this thread. I plan on reading it later tonight . Link to comment
sole Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 What is the Alchemist about? Link to comment
Petal Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 In a nutshell, the Alchemist is about not being afraid of following your dreams...the story itself is about a boy who sets out on a journey from Spain to the deserts of Egypt to find a buried treasure. Along the way, he meets a gypsy, a "king", and an alchemist who try to help point him in the right direction. He's also faced with many obstacles and has to find it within himself to overcome these obstacles and continue searching for his treasure. Link to comment
NubianLove Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I love the Alchemist, I'm Christian, and there are so many references in there, goodness its such a great read!! Link to comment
itsallgrand Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Weird. I am currently reading "Les Miserables" for the first time. A dear friend recommended it. My personal favorite lifechanging book has been "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky. But it's not everyone's cup of tea. Your best bet is to walk into a big gorgeous bookstore and peruse until you find something that truly 'pulls' you. It may be something shocking and odd - if so, go with it. Sometimes cookbooks have changed my life. Ya never know what's gonna do it for ya' Link to comment
keenan Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I almost hate to do this for all the worms that could come out of the can (or caterpillars, depending on your political/philosophical perspective), but go read The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. If you liked that, read Atlas Shrugged. Link to comment
NubianLove Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Bonds that make us Free Awesome one too Link to comment
Lady Luck Posted April 30, 2006 Share Posted April 30, 2006 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Maybe not inspiring, but it does make you think. Oh and, don't cheat and go to the movie. Books give such better details Link to comment
Sylph Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 I suggest reading 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The only non-fantasy fiction novel I've ever read an enjoyed. There's something about the book and the story, everything is so... real, alive. Link to comment
Lady Bugg Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Curious George and Green Eggs and Ham have always inspired me.....then again I'm easy to please Link to comment
annie24 Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 "I know this much is true" by Wally Lamb. Link to comment
Spugly Fuglet Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 If you have not read it, it has to be the classic "Le comte de Monte Cristo", by Alexandre Dumas. Link to comment
redandblack Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I'm a little on the opposite end of the spectrum. I recomend a book called Evasion. It's a true story of a kid who quit his job and travels the country hopping freight trains and shoplifting (for seven years before he ended up in prison). Although there are a lot of structural flaws and you're going to get a lot of his philosophy in the book, it's definitely a book that I've read nothing like. Link to comment
CharLit Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 "The Kite Runner" 1) Inspiring: - a book about a boy who puts a friendship before all else and makes a great sacrifice it - a book about his friend who goes to great lengths to repay that sacrifice many years later - a book about fathers and sons 2) Fascinating read about Afghanistan and it's culture before war ripped it apart In technical terms: unputdownable! link removed Link to comment
Haven Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Maybe not inspiring, but it does make you think. Oh and, don't cheat and go to the movie. Books give such better details Really? I thought it was just humorous science fiction... not even close to anything life-changing. Anyway, the book was so much better than the movie... they had different plots as well. I agree that you should go look around in a bookstore. Everyone has a different life, so what may be life-changing for someone else may not be life-changing or even interesting for you. Link to comment
Beyondthesea Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 The Kite Runner is seconded from me...such an amazing book!!! Also, I recommend "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" - really makes you think about how you affect others and how they affect you in your life. Also, "Tuesdays with Morrie" is amazing. Both books by Mitch Albom. Link to comment
boybornbad Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 Got 2 suggestions: Jean-Dominique Bauby: 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' its short, you'll read it in an afternoon and its very profound. makes you love yor life Sebastian Faulks 'Birdsong ' Love/Loss. V. powerful Link to comment
onewithbooks Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 I read "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri and "Interpreter of Maladies" by her as well. The Namesake was an excellent novel and Interpreter was short stories, but I liked them a lot. I also read "When the Emperor was Divine", and that was great too. Link to comment
shelbymustang_fan Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 I'm reading a book right now called: "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" Its by Mitch Albom. The book is about a person who thought they led an insignificant, and ordinary life on earth, and then he meets five people in heaven who show him that he did indeed lead a significant life...etc. So far, I like it, It is definitely thought provoking. Link to comment
emptychipbag Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 I thought Catcher in The Rye was "inspiring". Link to comment
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