What are some life changing books to read at 18?
What a great question! Considering that I don’t know you and the question is not that specific, I will answer with the books that made my mind explode when I read them a long time ago, hoping they work on you also. That’s what literature should do right?There are two excellent book from Italo Calvino which I would recommend to everyone: first, The Baron in the Trees, one of the most simple but at the same time deepest novels that almost anyone can read. A beautiful ode to life. The other one is If on a winter's night a traveler, another ode but this time towards literature.Maybe you’re a little old for this, but it might work: The catcher in the rye (J. D. Salinger). Even though there’s a lot of people that consider this book as the most overrated ever, I still have a great impression of it. And my impression is that it works greatly on young people that want to open their small worlds into bigger ones. Everybody says it is a book about nothing, and I understand why, but I think exactly the opposite.Jorge Luis Borges tales. If I have to pick just one book, I will probably pick The Aleph. Impressive, I have no words to describe it. I thought I wrote well, but after this book I understood the reality, there’s no way to beat this one.Spoon River Anthology (Edgar Lee Masters). This one might be harder, it’s poetry, but in a great and simple way. And with a bizarre and beautiful topic that wraps all the stories.Maybe Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) would be a great option also. I don’t like the story that much, but the descriptions of this dystopian world are greatly achieved. It’s science fiction, but can be read as a normal book.Edgar Allan Poe’s Extraordinary Tales. You’ll see how this author, one of the greatest in my opinion, it’s more versatile than one might think at first sight.That should be all for now. If you want more books you can ask me, but I think that this list could be infinite (other words for “boring”) if I don’t stop. Hope you like them!
Stephen King said "Life is too short to reread books" Agree or disagree?
Greetings Kelly Disagree Regrettably I do not have an eidetic memory and have often re-read books, even those by Stephen King. I preferred the Stand to the Shinning, and It to the Stand. I will kiss the toe of my second grade teacher who first put a book in my hand, and opened whole worlds to me. In my youth I was always working or reading sometimes both at the same time. My favorite SK book would have to be The Shawshank Redemption & Stand by me. Books I have read more than 2x, The Horatio Hornblower series, by CSS Forester, The Three Investigator Series The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Mark Twain's - Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, A Connecticut Yankee, The Man in the Iron Mask. The Count of Monte Crisco Sarum: The Novel of England by Edward Rutherfurd Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era James M. McPherson A Christmas Carol The Iliad And The Odyssey The Complete works of Shakespeare A Princes Bride A Catcher in the Rye - still do not understand the hype about this book. but will not read it again. Well I guess I can stop there because the list goes on. Perhaps it is age telling on me but I have found greater comfort in some of the Classics or books on History, than much of what has been written lately. Someone answered that they wondered in SK listened to Mozart only once. I view book in somewhat the same light. Perhaps I will gain a new impression on the book or revisit the spark or enthusiasm I had years ago. Nothing like, a roaring fire, and a good book, on a cold winters eve. Play it again, Sam. PAX
Looking for a book called "Thirst"?
Would you recognize the cover? Since "Thirst" and vampires go together so often, there are a lot of vampire books with "Thirst" as part of the title. I'm thinking maybe it could be "They Thirst" by Robert McCammon. He has a collection of the various covers for the book here: http://www.robertmccammon.com/gallery/th... Maybe one will look familiar. About how long ago did you read it?
How many books have you read in your entire life?
OK. This is a little scary. I am a voracious reader. Have been since I learned to read. So I opened Xcel and did some calculations. I learned to read at the age of four, pulling the books out of my mother’s had when she read to me so I could do it myself. I am now 60 years old. I calculated that I had read a minimum of a book and a half a week for most of my life, and during many years, I read at least three books per week, between school texts and reading for pleasure. So, at 1.5 books X 52 weeks X 55 years, that equals 4,290 books. Adding an additional 1.5 books per week for 45 years is another 3,510 books. So, a conservative estimate of 7,800 books over my lifetime. Then you have to take into account that I frequently reread books I enjoy. Not all of them, but a significant percentage. So subtract perhaps 1,500 for re-reads. Still leaves a grand total of 6,300. Not counting periodicals. Do I remember them all? Of course not. But they have contributed to my enjoyment of life, informed me when I needed to be informed, entertained me when I wanted to be entertained, and helped me make connections with other readers.
I read this book about 10 years ago and I cant remember the title....?
You got the title right--that's very impressive after 10 + years! It's Deadly Deception by Betsy Haynes--published 1994. Pretty sure this is it since a bloody paperweight is depicted on the cover. Here's a review. With a theme similar to Caroline Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton (Bantam, 1990), Deadly Deception is a suspenseful page-turner that preteens will relish. When popular high school counselor Judy Rothlis is killed, it's up to Ashlyn to not only clear her boyfriend, Drew, of the crime, but also to find the true killer. With a checkered past of abusive parents and drug rehabilitation, Drew is the prime suspect...and the last one to see Mrs. Rothlis alive. Searching for clues, Ashlyn uncovers devastating news about her own past when she finds a death certificate with her name on it. Unveiling this chilling web of lies and deceit leads her to the shocking revelation that she was kidnapped as a child. An unsolved murder, mistaken identity, a poisoning, and a cast of wealthy characters add up to a true winner for all mystery lovers. While some of the plot elements are predictable, a few of the twists are truly surprising. The narrative is a quick read, with believable dialogue. Characterization is uneven, but enough information is given to clue readers in on possible suspects and motives. Well-crafted and perfectly timed chapter endings lead anxious readers right to the next chapter's revelations. Haynes's writing may not rival Joan Lowery Nixon's, but her ability to capture readers' interests is keen. This is one whodunit YAs will be dying to read.-Sharon Korbeck, Milwaukee Public Library Enjoy re-reading it--sounds great. Hope this is the book you meant since some details are different...but I'm pretty sure this is the one. Amy
What are really good books for an 18 year old to read?
I love Meg Cabot (Heather Wells [upcoming movie]& Queen of Babble [upcoming movie], and tons of others), Sophie Kinsella's (AKA: Madeleine Wickham) (Shopaholic [movie based on her books] & Remember Me), Jennifer Weiner (Good in Bed & Certain Girls), Jane Green (Mr. Maybe) Emily Giffin (Something Borrowed & Something Blue), Lauren Weisberger (Devil Wears Prada, Chasing Harry Winston), and Candance Bushnell (Sex and the City) books.They are all great authors! For a young adult/teen Meg Cabot's young adult books. She is the best author. Also best selling. She wrote tons of books including the Princess Diaries (Movies based on her books), Mediator (upcoming movie), 1-800-Missing (TV show based on her books), All-American Girl (up coming movie), Jinx, Airhead and more. She has adult books too, so you can grow with her. If you want more info or any of the authors website's email me. You should use the website, What Should I read Next. This website will make perfect suggestions based on what you have read.
Is The Purpose Driven Life a book worth reading?
Yes, it is worth reading. It is true that there are a few theological points that do not line up with Biblical theology, but it points you to see your purpose in living, which is to prepare for eternity. Many people want to know their purpose for living, as you see somewhat often here in YA. It is valuable to think over the truth of the very first sentence of the book: "It is not about you."