"Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien. Tried to read it for years, but always got distracted by other books (e.g. "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes - found in a HN). Lo! This year, after I purchased a e-book version I finally concluded the quest and cast the ... I mean I read it.
Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
61–70 of 294 posts
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#62The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing. Learning about the financial system really changed my perspective on how to deal with money in the long term. It has had immediate effects on my life. I learned about taxation in detail, opened an account on a discount brokerage, changed saving patterns, and have made a portfolio for the next 10 years. I have a spreadsheet of how much I can spend and componentize my bank cards. One…
I read this book a little while ago, and it prompted me to make several important changes in my life: start saving for retirement, get life and disability insurance, set up college funds for the kids. I keep it close as it's a great reference, in addition to giving a fantastic overview of what is available for you to do with your money. I recommend it to anyone who asks.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#63http://www.amazon.com/Longing-Know-Esther-Lightcap-Meek/dp/1...
Longing To Know - Esther Lightcap Meek
For years I've been stuck with questions like "What does it mean to know?", "What is truth?", "How can I hold an opinion?" and "How can I say what I think is as valid as what somebody else thinks?".
This book does a great job of untangling what it means to know, the limitations of knowing, and doesn't duck the difficult questions.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#64Audiobook:
Emotional Vampires: Dealing with People Who Drain You Dry,
by Albert Bernstein
Book #1 (Recommended by someone here on HN!) The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
Book #2 Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames by Thich Nhat Hanh
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#65[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#66For the mind: http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Good-Life-Ancient-Stoic/dp/01953... A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy - William B. Irvine Not only a description of the Stoic philosophy, which is, unfortunately, not very well known today, but also a great practical guide to a variety of techniques that can be included into daily activities easily, and will increase happiness. For the body: http://www.am…
> A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy - William B. Irvine
I read this, and have nothing bad to say about it per se. I think Stoicism in the classic sense is very under-appreciated these days, and it's good to have a book to serve as an introduction. But I personally found it to be very repetitive. The historical context part is worth reading in my opinion, but apart from that you'd be better off reading something like Marcus Aurelius' Meditations instead, or some of the other classics.
Edit: Or if you're interested in a contemporary overview, I found AC Grayling's What is Good? to be much more insightful. Its central theme is also a search for some form of "philosophy of life", like Irvine's book, but it doesn't cover just Stoicism. Instead it covers many more philosophies, and I think it's a much richer book because of it since it gives you a much broader context, even if you end up adopting a Stoic outlook.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#67I'd recommend The Happiness Advantage. Really changed my outlook on life for the positive.
Author also did a TED talk on the subject called "The Happy Secret To Better Work".
http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_bet...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Per...
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#68The Beach - Alex Garland ...I'm 42 now, but read this in my late twenties. If you are 18-32 this book will save your life.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#69The Beach - Alex Garland ...I'm 42 now, but read this in my late twenties. If you are 18-32 this book will save your life.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#70Antifragile - This book change my ways of thinking about life. Also this year I've read Black Swan, another great book by the same author.
I was going to say Black Swan, which I would say has changed how I think about myself, knowledge and the mechanics of society and the world this year. I've got Antifragile queued up next.
Fooled by Randomness is excellent also; they all have the same message but it's the most direct