5 Books that Changed Who I Am....

My bloggy friend Jo is hosting such a fun link up with each participant sharing 5 books that changed who I am.

You know me Peaches....I am a book lover :)  So to narrow this down to 5?!  It was hard and I had to think on it for a few days.  And for clarity sake...I am not including the Bible because that one is a given!  I <3 the Word.

 

My list is probably going to look interesting because two of my books are fiction...both however opened my eyes in unique ways.

 

The 5 books that changed who I am are....

 

5.  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

I was a casual reader up until 6th grade.  I liked it but did not spend a great deal of time doing it.  In 6th grade my Reading teacher had the whole class read a book together.  It was Anne of Green Gables.  I still remember how the book looked.  I fell in love with reading that year.  I fell in love with a story....and characters.  I read the book twice.  The first time barely putting it down I was so caught up in Anne's world.  Books came alive to me and I have had a passionate love affair with them since.  So a big thanks to LM Montgomery for opening my eyes to amazing stories and memorable characters.

 

 

4.  To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

I was blessed to have the same English/Reading teacher in both 7th and 8th grade.  Ms. Gilbert encouraged me and poured into me for those two years.  She read my writings and had me enter contests and encouraged my love of reading.  If I ever get published her name will be in the dedication because she told me I could write.  That I was good at it and that it was a gift.  I still love her...and wish I could tell her all this :)  She introduced me to To Kill A Mockingbird.  I was taken with the story and the characters.  More than that...it opened my eyes to the issues of social justice and how every human deserves dignity.  It still resonates in my heart today.

 

 

3. Quitter by Jon Acuff.

This book is so appropriate to my life right now...and I am not even done with it.  Let's just say Mr. Acuff keeps making me angry (haha!)....and challenging me in many ways.  It also is making me laugh and I know when I finish I am going to be all the better for reading this and putting some of his suggestions into practice.  I cannot wait to discuss this with my book club.  I know it has challenged us all.  Personally it has shaken up some of my thoughts and helped me take some much needed steps in my life.

 

 

2.  The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

If you are a creative you MUST read this book.  This book has challenged me and made me want to beat the resistance.  It is hard hitting and at times I literally cringed because he was describing my situation so well.  I have really struggled with creative blocks this year and have felt so discouraged but this book is helping me in many ways...and seeing a lot of what I need to do is about me.  If you don't want to be challenged or to hear hard things...don't read the book....but if you want MORE (and I so do) from the gifts you have been given...read it.  He has a follow up called Do the Work...and I must admit...I am sort of scared to read it ;)

 

1.  A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

No book (other than the Word) has ever resonated so deeply in my soul. I read it last year at a really hard point in my life.  It spoke to me so much about my story and about beauty in tragedy.  It has been a big part of why I chose to make some changes this year...it even has it's own blog category!  I just don't have enough words to describe the impact it had...or the thinking it has caused.  In good ways.  And now?  I am starting so many big adventures that are going to be a part of my story...and I am learning I get to be a very active part of my story instead of just waiting for Him to write it.  We are co-writing...together...and it will be amazing :)

 

 

So there you have it....5 books that changed who I am.  

You know I am going to ask...

What is one book that has changed who you are?  

 

Comments

[DaisyGirl]

The Anne of Green Gables series will always remain the most memorable books that I have ever read!! I am thankful I was introduced to them. I do not have the best writing skills, but I believe the ability to simply put words together is somewhat of a flowing manner came from reading those books. I plan to reread them again at some point. Great books!! And To Kill a Mockingbird!!...another of my all-time favorites!

Hope you had a good 4th!

[Cindy Swanson]

A book called "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot. It made me want to do something with my life that mattered for eternity. I highly recommend it!

Cindy at Notes in the Key of Life

[Amanda]

I can't possibly answer this question. But I will think about it :) I CAN say that I adore pretty much all of Lucy Montgomery's books, even beyond the Anne & Avonlea books! Have you ever seen the Five Books website? It's totally awesome. They just did an interview with Justice Breyer on his "five books" which was excellent. We may disagree on law, but we agree on books ;) Here's the site: http://thebrowser.com/fivebooks

[Jo Princess Warrior]

Yay! What a great list. I have never read Anne of Green Gables, so I am going to have to read them as an adult - sep now that I am the only girl in a house full of boys!

I remember watching 'To Kill A Mockingbird' as a child and it moved me deeply. Another book I'll have to add to the 'to read' list.

I haven't read the other 3 book either! But they all look like I would enjoy them.

Wasn't it hard to narrow it down to 5 books? Thanks so much for participating. I loved reading your list. xo

[Kimby]

The one book that's still shaping me today (besides the Bible) is: "The Call" by Os Guiness. I'll have to check out the last three on your list, Christy -- very intriguing and motivating!

[kara]

Oh dear BT! Again we are so alike. Donald Miller and To Kill a Mockingbird are definitely on my list. I would say Little Women is on my list as well as Francis Chan's Crazy Love and Elisabeth Elliot's Passion and Purity.

[april]

loved this! I made my own list...here is the link http://starkeyfamilythree.blogspot.com/2011/06/5-books-that-have-changed-me.html

[Lauren]

Anne with an e... she's my girl!! love her!

I will have to check out the Donald Miller book - sounds like one I should have on my nightstand! :)

Off the top of my head right now - One Million Arrows, Radical, Crazy Love, Choosing to SEE, and Sean Donovan by Lori Wick (first book I read after coming to Christ...) The Bible is of course a given. ;)

[Elizabeth]

All the "Anne" books are on my list of books that impacted my life :) I'm re-reading the series right now. A couple of years ago I wrote about it and I think that would give you more insight into how it changed me: http://www.misswisabus.com/2009/11/21/meeting-anne/

[Tiffini]

thanks for giving me something to look up at the library this week!
xo

[Joanne Sher]

Guess I have some serious reading to do - have only read ONE of those five, and they all sound good.

The Source by James Michener is actually the book that first awakened my interest in Christianity. If you read it, you might find that surprising, but it did.

[Kristine]

Many years ago I read a book called My Father's World. It was the first in a series called The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister. In the story, Corrie Belle was given a leather bound journal embossed with that title. I have kept my own journal in earnest ever since.