Feeling Good by David Burns
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
151–160 of 225 posts
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#152Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would second the 4-Hour Workweek, yet I am still searching for a profitable idea. How long did it take you from reading the book to reaching the ability to quit your job?
Same. The profitable idea is the hardest thing for me. It seems like everything I think of has already been done before.
I think approaching an idea that already has existing solutions is better than trying to come up with a completely new idea. The existing solutions indicate that there is a market for it. Can you improve on those existing solutions, and deliver some value that is lacking in them?
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#153"The Breakdown of Nations", by Leopold Kohr. Big organizations, centralization... are not good for humans, nor really efficient or sustainable. Some/many/most(?) of us feel it, this book clearly shows why.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#154The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck
Learn how to decide where to invest your energy (f#cks), which things you should really not worry about too much, and what happens if you don't choose wisely. Get an idea of why "being positive" about everything leads to "The Feedback Loop from Hell" and learn how to get out.
Best book ever.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#155Charisma by Marcia Grad - helped me become less shy as a teenager
How to Win Friends and Influence People
The Keill Randor books got me influenced in martial arts.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#1561. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - practical advice on how to arm yourself every day. 2. Man's Search for Meaning by Frankl - no matter how bad you think you have it, it can be worse, and you can find meaning. 3. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen - it's the journey (not the destination) and pay attention!
I tried getting through Meditations, but I couldn't. Maybe I'm more used to long-form writings, rather than the short paragraphs? I could read them, but I felt like they didn't "sink in", even if I felt they were profound at the time.
It's actually his personal diary, written often while he was on campaign. From that perspective I think it's impressive how insightful he managed to be in short bursts. But if you are looking for something more long-form, you might try Seneca's Letters or Epictetus Discourses.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#157What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by
Marshall Goldsmith
I wish I had read that in my late 20's instead of in my mid-30s. If you are a successful technical person who has been or wants to be promoted to a supervisory or management position, it's a must read.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#158The Brother's Karamazov by Dostoevsky.
I gained an entirely new perspective on love for mankind. There was a passage about taking the blame for all of humanity's sins onto oneself, realizing that this is true, and then forgiving yourself. It's a hard idea to explain or even agree with, but the principle moves me, and the more I think about it, the truer it seems.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#159It's not particularly intellectual, but The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey has definitely changed my life for the better. I wish I had read it years ago.
Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?
#160Non-violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. After reading this book, the way I related and communicated with people completely changed. Concretely, right after I read it, a break up that would have been very tense for me became straightforward and peaceful. Also, using NVC techniques, a fight with my friend got transformed into both of us getting tearful and pulling over the car to hug each other because we felt…
There is a video of this seminar online "The basics of non-violent communication. Very Eye opening. Very helpful for relationships with those that we love.