The Prophet

I can’t resist an invocation:) Most of these are old since I’ve been reading more articles these days but here are a few good books or series I’ve read more than twice: The Hobbit, LOTR, the Silmarillion, Neuromancer, the Chronicles of Narnia, Hong Lou Meng, The Heart Sutra, The Bhagavad Gita, The Tao De Ching, The Wheel of Time series, No country for old men, Persuasion, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, The Way of Kings, The Talisman, the Dark Tower Series, and The Prophet.

One book is too restrictive to decide. People change, surroundings change, situations change...so would it be with books that have changed us or influenced us. I'll leave you here not with a book, but with one tiny piece of one tiny book: The first chapter of "Illusions" by Richard Bach. As with other fantastic works that others have listed here, a distinguishing factor about these impactful or "life changing" works is that you can re-read them countless times and benefit from them anew on every read. This first chapter is one such work for me. I'm not implying that the rest of "Illusions" is worse than this first chapter (on the contrary, it's great), but this chapter is short, yet so powerful, and best of all, it stands by itself. Bonus, if you like to read brief but powerful pieces, pick up "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran and read the chapters that interest you. I'd suggest the "On Giving" chapter as a great start.

the prophet by khalil gibran

The Prophet - By Kahlil Gibran. Beautifully written prose. A co-worker lend it to me and I kept it in my desk until I was clearing up before leaving the company. Decided to read it before giving it back to him... it had an impact on me (more compassionate and considerate). Sounds silly, but I still look back fondly at my decision to read it before giving it back - it meant that much to me!!

I just finished this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Antidote-Happiness-Positive-Thinki... (http://www.amazon.com/The-Antidote-Happiness-Positive-Thinking/dp/0865478015) I think you will like it. It paints Buddhism and Stoicism in a very pragmatic light. I second the Discworld recomendation. The series is fantastic. Read everything Pratchett has written, it is worth it. Also: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn: the only book to truly explain the genesis scripture. The prophet by Khalil Gibran: One of the most beautiful books I've read. And please ignore Paulo Coelho books. Paulo Coelho is to Richard Bach what Dan Brown is to Humberto Eco.

Beyond Good and Evil - Nietzsche Ashtavakra Gita - Ashtavakra The Prophet - Gibran