This book changed my lifeThe Goat writes, "Some books have made a huge impact on my life." It's true. It wasn't until the b3ta mods read the Flashman novels that we changed from mild-mannered computer operators into heavily-whiskered copulators, poltroons and all round bastards in a well-known cavalry regiment.
What books have changed the way you think, the way you live, or just gave you a rollicking good time?
Friendly hint: A bit of background rather than just a bunch of book titles would make your stories more readable
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chthonic, Thu 15 May 2008, 15:11)
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The Catcher In the RyeUltimately two books have changed my life, for better and worse.
The good, The Catcher In the Rye by J.D.Salinger.
I think it's like Marmite in the fact you either love it or hate it, and I've heard that you can only read this book when you're a teenager or when you're having a mid-life crisis. I agree, I read and reread it when I was a teenager, and each time it blew my mind and left me in a daze of awe. But when I tried again a few years later it was just jumbled nonsense. I can pin point the precise moment when I passed through the doorway into adulthood and coming of age to 20 minutes after finishing that book. It also triggered the first time I stood up to a teacher and ultimately discovered the joy of strength of opinion and a well-formed argument. It is also the one and only item I have ever stolen (I pinched the first copy I read, I *had* to have it).
The book has often been linked to lone gunmen, with the shooters of John Lennon, J.F.K. and Reagan apparently having a copy on then at the time of their arrest. I don't know if that's entirely true, but I've seen the look of genuine fear in people's eyes when you tell them it's a book that changed your life.
The bad, May Contain Nuts by John O'Farrell.
Quite possibly the most worthless piece of middle-class four-by-four-school-run Torquil-and-Jemima-are-failing-in-their-achievements-compared-to-the-neighbours-children badger-farting shite ever produced in font. Sure, there are plenty of pointless books in the world, but this one had me screaming with rage and hurling it's Jeff-Cape-ripped halves at the wall. How did this 'kooky look at modern day parenting' change my life you ask? The fact that three members of my family gave it to me either as a gift or following the words "Oh I have to lend you a brilliant book and I just know you'll love it!" Such an open demonstration of a complete lack of knowledge of my character and beliefs, that I knew from that day on relationships with my kin would never be the same again. My favourite book is The Catcher In The Rye ffs! What on David Bellamy's arse made them think I have any interest in this yuppie tripe?
To be fair though, O'Farrell's Things Can Only Get Better was quite funny, so he's off my assassination list, but Katie Price better watch her back if she continues to offend the shelves....
(, Fri 16 May 2008, 9:46, Reply)
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