You've Got to Read This Book!: 55 People Tell the Story of the Book That Changed Their Life

There's a question that I love to hear the answers to! I KNEW I had to read this book the first time I saw the title and skimmed through the pages. This reminded me of a stranger I met several years ago. -while at the beach, a woman in the next room was out on her balcony and we got to talking. She loved books, (I didn't at that time) and I remember her telling me that whenever she met someone new she wanted to know what was the best book they ever read. She said it with such enthusiasm, I could tell that she really wanted to know. I thought it weird at the time, and even wondered to myself, "What difference does it make?" Now, I know! It's about sharing the meaning or inspiration we've found in life! This book is essay style, and features various people who tell about the book that changed their life, along with the how or why's. Each chapter (essay) begins with the persons name and there's a brief paragraph about that person, what they're well known for or have accomplished in their life, then they tell their book story. I love books like this! I like to find out about great books so that I can read them myself! I like to hear how books changed people for the better, because really, isn't that what reading books is all about? I think so.

This book is one of the best I have ever read, I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days! I was sad when I finished it. The stories were all so exciting. I couldn't wait to read some of their recommended books! I do hope there will be more editions of this book to follow.

I came across this book at a very opportune time, as I'd been wrestling with a tough career decision for months and needed some fresh insight and perspective. Having read Jack Canfield's The Success Principles (and numerous Chicken Soups) and also seen Gay Hendricks speak in person, I had a feeling that this might be one of those special books that comes into your life at just the right time. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. So many of the stories reminded me that if you really want to go for it in life, you have to trust your instincts and follow your heart. The central message that runs through here is that we are who and what we think we are. People who are doing big things with their lives, as well as really giving back to the world, have all had to develop a vision and take action. And for each of these 55 personalities, it was a book that either ignited their passion or showed them how to channel it. It's quite inspiring to listen to some of the sharpest, most spirited and successful (in the true sense of the word) individuals around and find out what book transformed their lives. Kind of like getting the Cliffs Notes to an extraordinary reading list. I don't know yet if this book will change my life, but it certainly got me thinking about it.

All readers who love their hobby will really get into this book. It's not just a narrow minded advertisement for a whole lot of other books, but an honest look at the affect various books have had on the lives of their readers. Books can be life-changing. I guess the only problem is that some of us have books all over the house already... do we really want to be persuaded to pick up a whole lot more? We need more good reading like this, to inspire us, to challenge us and to change us. Jack Canfield and Gay Hendricks are just the ones for the job! For a good barebones listing of Western literature in chronological order (though the authors admit that it is potentially a biassed list) see the appendix of "How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren".

Each of us has at least one book that we cherish in our hearts. It's the type of book that beautifully captures the essence of an important life lesson. It provides the catalyst for real and lasting change in our life; written in such a way that it stays with us forever. THIS book captures the essence as well as the stories behind some of the greatest books ever written. It's an entertaining and useful contribution to get much more out of life and living. Read it and benefit. Peace.