So the very lovely Tami from Alabama has suggested that I start Craig’s book club.
Dunno ’bout that concept specifically, but she did plant a seed and got me to thinking that maybe we could do a version of the book club thing in some way, shape or form. Maybe it could be OUR book club (rather than Craig’s). You and I can be members and it can be a group project. We can educate and inspire each other. I get lots of people asking me about my favorite books – what I tuck under my arm as I crawl into the hammock and what has inspired me and shaped me over the years. I’m compiling that list for you now but in the mean time, I thought that perhaps we should explore the favorite book thing as a group.
So, I’ve decided that today you can do some work for a change. ABOUT TIME. You lazy-asses.
Snot all ’bout you, y’know.
I’ve got needs too.
Teach me something.
Being as it’s Friday and I’ve been very diligent this week, I thought that perhaps I might put my feet up and you might inspire us all (or point us in the direction of a good book at least) with a little book review or recommendation of your own. Yes, even you lurkers who never comment and continue to hide in the cyber-shadows – maybe it’s time for you to step up to the plate and make your ‘commenting’ debut. We’ll be gentle with you. Promise.
So wadda we want?
A hundred and fiddy words or less on your fave book. Tell us what you dig about it and the impact it had on you. Might have made you laugh or cry. Might have educated, enlightened or inspired you. Might have been a turning point for your life. Is it long or short? Fact or fiction? An easy read or heavy going? Whatever you feel compelled to share with us. If ‘your best book’ has already been recommended by someone else, then just ’second’ their vote. If ten people tell me to read the same book, I’m gonna go get it!
I look forward to your suggestions.
Simply click on the comment thingy below and get writing.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Instead of Book Club, we should have Breakfast Club. Now doesn’t breakfast just sound much more appealing than books?
Hi Craig,
:P:P
Ive been lurking for a while to scared to say anything. Does it count if i say Fattitude is my fave book
Will have to have a think about another favourite i can actually write about!
kelly
Hi Craig,
What a good idea! So here’s my favourite ( well, one of my favs anyway) – “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. It’s a book about relationships, mainly the relationship with your life partner, but the principles definitely apply and work for every other relationship in your life.
The theme of the book is that there are 5 main ways to express love:
1)quality time
2)words of affirmation
3)gifts
4)acts of service
5)physical touch
While we should try to express ourselves in all those ways to a degree, we all have a primary love language, the one in which we are most comfortable and feel most loved.
It explains why even when we are doing our very best to express love to the important people in our lives, sometimes it just doesn’t “do it” for them, and vice-versa of course. A bit like a person whose only language is English trying to communicate with someone whose only language is Japanese. Explains why Ange doesn’t like those hugs much!
Anyway, hope you check it out. He has also written “The Five Love Languages of Children”, and “The Five Love Languages of Teenagers” (who knew those frustrating creatures had any love language at all).
Looking forward to hearing about everyone else’s favs.
Anne C
PS: Fav fiction,so hard to say. A couple are “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay and “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” by Jeffrey Archer.
Hi Batman,
Richard Branson’s ‘Losing my virginity’ is a stand out book for me.
I am sure a lot of you have read it or at least heard about it.
Sure, it’s an autobiography but I took a lot of business information out of it.
He started the virgin empire from humble beginnings in his teens and early on in life lived by the notion better to be sorry than safe!!!
Which I reckon takes some guts!!!
It has really helped me (as do you Craig) take some big risks in my own business which I wouldn’t have otherwise taken.
Another trait of Branson’s that I admire is the way he can be given an absolutely pummeling in the papers and still go about his day with out that hatred and emotion inside him.
I think we could all use that trait from time to time.
Anyway, if you haven’t read it you are missing out and if you have then you know what I am talking about!
Matt Collins
We need to feed the mind as well as the body Kelvin but yes, the Breakfast Club does have a certain appeal.
Less cholesterol with books though.
Unless of course it’s one of those deep-fried novels.
Well Kelly, you score double points. One for stepping out of the shadows (the Lurkersphere) and making your ‘debut’, and another for the PR for my book!!
Thanks for being brave and don’t be a stranger.
Hi Anne C.
I’m all over it!
Got it!
Read it!
Great book!
That’s two votes.
Gotta say Matt.. haven’t read it.
But it’s now on my list.
Thanks Man.
Hi everyone, I thought if Kelly could speak up, so could I. I have been lurking for a while. I’ve just been reading and absorbing the articles and probably a lack of confidence to contribute. Thanks Kelly for the push off the cliff!
I’m almost ashamed to say, I haven’t read any books for a long time. I am waiting for “Fattitude” to arrive so who knows that may become my fave read. I’ll let you know. Cheers!
Hello PMC1963.
Thanks for being brave and saying hi… “Every thousand mile journey begins with a single step” and you’ve taken one – well done.
See you again.
Hmmm my favourite book of all time is To Have And To Hold by Walter Micak.
I read this book when I was feeling all sorry for myself and was pouting about the end of a relationship.
Seeing what that man went thru, losing his wife, his children and everything he held dear was a huge ass wake up call.
I don’t think I ever cried so hard for people I had never met, but felt as tho I knew.
It was hard to read the absolute gut wrenching honesty it was written with, but damn, it was so powerful for me, that when I start to fall in that hole I go read it and start to realise that no matter what’s happened, I pretty much still have it all.
Read it. Its brutal, heart warming, sad, funny and inspirational all at the same.
Hi Craig,
I read a book a week so where to start. I agree with Anne on the Love Languages it changed my relationship with my children. My all time favourite of course is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Highly recommend it to all !!!
Happy reading
Cheryl
wow im gonna go out and buy ‘to have and to hold ‘ just from your recommendation there, it sounds like something i wanna read. Thanks. Happy to cliff push anytime
pmc you wont be disappointed with fattitude! i found it mindblowing, everything i kinda knew but wasnt willing to admit to myself!
Kelly
First, thank you for the kind words on the Post today!
Secondly, loved the 5 Love Languages… Vote #3!
And finally, I am going to recommend a book that took me out of a very dark place and time.
It shed light and allowed me to move from an emotional wreck to a more rational introspective realm
I have never found myself to be in complete agreement with any book,
This one is no exception.
But I have learned to take jewels of wisdom from various places,
This definitely offered some gems!
While reading it, I learned so much about me,
I recognized some serious issues I have,
It forced me to face some very ugly truths and take responsibility for where I was…
At a time that I didn’t feel I owned any accountability,
I realized I did!
But most importantly, it was like doing an autopsy on a dead relationship.
It looked into every scar, every open wound, and even the fatal blows.
It dug into why some scars don’t heal and how they could have been avoided.
It lacked the “blame game”, and brought some messages for me…
1. neglect is just as deadly as betrayal
2. relationships are based on equality and thrive on balance
3. a lack of respect can lead to resentment
I read this book for ME, not to mend the terminal relationship,
I believe it changed how I will forever relate to people,
And I will never loose myself for anyone again.
The book was writtem to help a disintegrating relationship,
Although I didn’t use it for that purpose, it did make me healthier for the next one.
If you choose to read Love Must Be Tough by Dr. Dobson,
Take from it what you can and what applies to you…
Remember, Schoolhouse Rock said… “Knowledge is Power!”
()
Tami
PS- Craig, here is a hug all the way from Alabama (( ))…
Craig, my favorite book is a Wayne Dyer book called Your Sacred Self, Making the Decision to Be Free. I read it and gave it away; bought it again, read it and bought 3 more to give away. I have now read it 3 times. Each time that I have read it, I got something new out of it.
To use Dyers own words from the book of the book:
“Wayne Dyer teaches us:
*To tap into the power of our higher selves
*To live each day, regardless of what we do, with a greater sense of peace and fulfillment
*To develop a sense of satisfaction with ourselves and others
*To move from our insatiable need for more to an awareness of abundance.”
My favorite saying that came from this book is, “In my world, nothing ever goes wrong!” This book truly changed my life by making me aware of my connection to my Higher Self.
Patricia from Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
First time post! Out of lurkdom. One of my fave books is is The 9 Truths About Weight Loss by Daniel Kirschenbaum. (i.e. Truth #1 – Your body will resist permanent weight loss “#2 – Biology is not destiny #3 Weight control is a manageable athletic challenge. etc. He does not tout a particular diet or “fix”. Basically shoots from the hip with no-nonsense pointers, e.g. “only highly intensive and consistent efforts at weight control really work”. The book is making me reallize that to lose 100 lbs. (like I must do) it really is a daily, moment to moment, lifestyle change. Not about a diet at all.
Hi LJ.
Thanks for your suggestion – I’ll give it a look.
Hi Cheryl.
“Love Languages” is getting pleny of votes.
A book a week! Good effort.
Who wrote ‘Instructions Before Leaving Earth’?
Cheers.
Hello Tam.
Should we call you Book Club President / Creator? Hmmm. I’m thinking as I type (something new) – maybe you could do a book review per month?
I will check out ‘Love Must Be Tough’ – how old is it?
Tami said:
“Remember, Schoolhouse Rock said… Knowledge is Power!”
Craig Said:
“knowledge only becomes power when we use it.”
Food for thought.
Thanks Tam ( )
(Pres.)
Hi Patricia.
Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds like something I’d enjoy.
( )
Hi Wee.
Welcome. Nice to hear from you.
Daniel Kirschenbaum sounds like a clever cat and that sounds like a good read.
Thanks for stopping by.
Don’t take so long next time!!
Hi Craig
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler. It helps a fiery Aries like me be calm. If youre one to get stressed, angry, and use a boxing class to get out your aggression, I highly recommend this book. I tried yoga to become calm which didnt really work for me, but this book did.
And, for an autobiography, Aron Ralstons’ Between a Rock and A Hard Place. For fiction, Jodi Picoults’ My Sisters Keeper.
Plus heaps of others. Can you tell I love books almost as much as *some* people like cheesecake?
-Nikki
Hi Nikki.
I think you’re addiction is healthier than mine!!
Thanks for your recommendations.
another lurker here. A great read is Marley and Me by John Grogan. It is a true story about John and his wife buying a dog which they call Marley and whom they practise on before children. they chose a retriever. Marley comes with many good points and bad and it is his life story. At times you are laughing at his antics and at other times cringing with embarrassment for his owners. At the end you are in tears when he dies. A well written tribute to Marley.
thanks Treena
Hi Craig
I have many books I love but a really quick one to read is FISH by Stephen C Lundin. It’s subtitle is “A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results”. The four major points are:
1) Choose you attitude – everytime you walk in the door
2) Play – make it fun
3) Make Their Day – do something that makes the day of the person you’re interacting with
4) Be Present – focus on the person you’re dealing with without other distractions
Although the book is centred around a workplace situation, I decided to apply it to my parenting.
My favourite four lines in the book are:
The past is history
The future is a mystery
Today is a gift
That’s why they call it the present
My tip is to keep a notebook with you when you read books that inspire you, that way you can jot down things you’d like to remember/review later. I often review my notes when I need a dose of inspiration.
Janice
Hey there,
Here’s another vote for The Five Love Languages – fabulous book!
I’m also gonna give Aron Ralston’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place a vote as it is simply one of the most amazing stoiries of survival I have ever come across, that guy is AWESOME!!
I am currently reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and I have to say it is gonna rate pretty high up on my all time favourite book list, actually most likely right up the top! It’s the author’s own story of her search for Everything. It is hilariously funny, unbelievably moving, brutally honest and wonderfully spiritual all a the same time. I have really been struggling to put it down. In fact this afternoon I was sitting in the Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne whilst waiting for a friend and was at one minute laughing out loud and the next almost in tears, not the sort of thing I usually do in public places! I love this lady, what an inspiration!
Cheers,
Amanda B
Hi Treena.
Nice to meet you. So many Lurkers coming out of the shadows… great to see. Someone gave me that book for Christmas – I better open it!
I’ve heard good things about it.
Thanks for dropping by Treena.
Hi Janice.
FISH: good to eat and read!
Thanks!
Hi Amanda B.
Okay, so the ‘Five Love Languages’ is way out in front…. and Eat, Pray, Love is now on the list.
It won’t make me cry will it?
Cheers.
Hi Craig,
You just never know! You do strike me as the sort of guy who’s not afraid of showing how he feels, maybe, sort of… Actually, funnily enough the friend I was waiting for today was KK and I did happen to mention to her that I thought perhaps Mr Harper would appreciate this lady’s prose… Funny, I hadnt even read this post!
Cheers,
Amanda B
Hi Craig,
warmly recommend A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson. This is an amazingly charming book, full of new things to learn, and the ones you already knew you’ll view from another perspective. If only other books about science would be this interesting.
All the best.
Hi Amanda.
I have been known to bawl.
Don’t tell anyone.
Hi Snezana.
Got it. Read it. I’m witcha – it’s good. It’s now on the list.
Thanks for dropping by.
Wow…
This is so great.
Gotta admit, makes me want to go grab one of these books and curlup by the firplace for the rest of the day.
Hard part, deciding which one…?
Right now its between Eat, Pray, Love and FISH …
But I’m sucha girl, once I start crying, kinda hard to stop…
I’m a bit fragile, as you know.
So there is a Tear Factor to consider.
Yes, Love Must Be Tough has been out a couple of years. It’s where I found a very simple, common sense truth: Many of us spend our lives trying to “fix” someone else. Ultimately, never “fixing” the only person we have the ability to change, ourself.
It really changed me on the inside, you know, where it really counts.
( )
Tam
ps- I’d be happy to do a book review monthly for you… just say the word, or the book!
Favourite autobiographicals are “Lucky Man” by Michael J Fox. I literally didn’t put it down and read it in about 24hrs. “It’s not about the bike” by our friend Lance Armstrong. What an amazing story.
Fave non fiction is “Change Your Thinking” by Sarah Edelman. A book about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, do-it-yourself. Simplifies things that seem difficult and made me realise my reality is all about what I believe, which might not necessarily be correct!
Okay Tam, you’re on – one book review per month. We’ll sort the details via email.
Thanks!!
That almost makes you staff!
Hi Michelle.
I love MJF and I haven’t read that so I’m gonna get it.
Thanks!
Hi Craig,
I’ve got a few books that I love and can’t choose from them (after trying to settle from a HUGE list)
1. Confessions of a Reformed Dieter by Ajay Rochester. She’s been there, done that and lost the weight whilst keeping her sense of humor.
2. Fattitude – Yeah, it might seem like a suck up, but at least you tell us the truth, no matter how much we don’t want to hear it!
3. Never Tell Me Never by Janine Shepherd. Autobiography of Janine Shepard, Aussie, champion cross country skier and tri-athlete who was hit by a car whilst riding her bike. How she dealth with her injuries and how she showed the people who said she’d never walk again just how tough us aussies are!! I love it. Down to earth and inspiring.
As for my fiction choices, well… there is way too many to list!!
Hi again!
This IS great. I love hearing about all the books that have impacted your lives. Here’s another vote for “Love Must Be Tough”. I’m with you Tami, you don’t have to agree with everything in the book to benefit from it. As the saying goes: “Just eat the fish and spit out the bones”.
It helped me enormously many years ago when I was taking my first tentative steps out of an abusive relationship. And it made me take responsiblity for how I had contributed to that situation, instead of just staying in the victim role.
I had been an approval seeking, people-pleasing chameleon for so many years (what colour would you like me to be today dear?). Didn’t want anyone not to like me. Quel horreur! It’s actually a quite a selfish way to live.
This post sure has been successful in drawing out the “lurkers” Craig. Are you pleased?
C’mon Ange. You’ve read books. Tell us about one!
Anne C
Feel free to suck Annie. LOL.
Thanks for sharing.
( )
Hi Anne C.
Yes, I enjoy liberating the Lurkers. They once were lost (in Lurk-dom) but now are found.
Or something.
I must be tired.
( )
Hey Craig,
Thought you would have “got” my recommendation – Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth written by God and otherwise known as the Bible. The one book I simply can’t live without.
Have a good one
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl.
I’m not that fast you know.
Sumtimes yer gotta splain thingz two me.
Thanks for the tip!
Hi Craig,
I’ve just remembered one small book which is a huge positive booster, always makes me smile: The Blue Day Book, Bradley Trevor Greive.
Also the others book from his collection are great.
Snezana