The books that changed my life

Since birth I have loved books and reading.  I have always been an avid reader, and have spent many hours either at the library or reading. 

I remember when I was in the 3rd form (the first year of High School), and we had to read a book 'Z for Zachariah', and the teacher wanted our first impressions of it.  I told her that I had already read it, so couldn't really give a first impression.  She said fine, and pulled out a box of around 20 books to choose from.  I had read them all.  

At different points in my life, I would come across books that really changed me, who I was, how I behaved, my outlook on life and humanity.  Here are some of those books:

Firstly, 

The BabySitters Club Series.  'nuf said.

One Green Leaf, by Jean Ure.

I read this when I was 11 or 12.  It is a book for teens, that deals with friendship and death in a beautifully done, non-patronising way.

The Sugar Factory, by Robert Carter

I also read this when I was about 12.  About a kid who suffers a nervous breakdown and sits under his house with a galvanised bolt.  Hmmm, it sounds a bit strange, but I loved it, and re-read it many times.

On The Road, by Jack Kerouac

Read this when I was 14, I think.  A boy in my class at school was telling me all about Sal Paradise and his adventures on the road.  I read this book because of him.  I don't care if it is cliche to love this book, because it is so good.  It makes my heart sing, and it inspires me to write, to dream, to travel, to be true to myself.  I love it, and this book lead me on to read more wonderful books by other beat authors.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera

If you have not read this book, I implore you to read it.  To own it.  The way Kundera writes shows the true beauty of words and language.  This book isn't just a novel, it is also philosophy.  When I read this book, I like to read it slowly and re-read paragraphs to immerse my mind in the incredible beauty of these words.

And now, if ever I am struggling with life, or having a hard time, I smile to myself, and I think, that at least I am not suffering from the unbearable lightness of being.  My life is heavy and full, and this book showed me that that is what life is all about.  

Quiet Days in Clichy, by Henry Miller

To be honest, I love everything by Henry Miller.  I love Henry Miller.  But this book in particular is magic.  Quite a short novel, but it flows so well.  Full of sex, love, fun and excess.  And I just discovered that they have made a movie of this book.  Don't know if I should see it or not.