Books & Magazines Discussions

My book is: You Can Be Happy No Matter What!

I usually don't buy into "self help" books (and i just realized I said this exact same thing in my review), but this was advertised very differently. The book talks about how your moods, feelings and thoughts really affect whether or not you are "happy". The number one thing I got out of this book was that Circumstance does not make for happiness. I.E., whether you have a $500k job or a $25k shouldn't affect your happiness. Want to know more? Read the book! It's short and really good read.

Often times when I get upset, angry, annoyed, whatever, I try to remember something I read in this book and tell myself why I shouldn't be angry, annoyed, etc.  Since my #1 goal in life is simply to be happy, this book really helps!

I love this book so much that I used it in my Toastmasters group for my "inspire" speech.  I try to reread it, but I don't always have time to so sometimes I will just read parts of it or read my speech notes or my VP review to remind myself of what I learned.

Your turn!

vivasuzi said…

Name a book that inspired you in anyway shape or form.  Tell us why it inspired you!  Was the book meant to inspire?  Or did you get something out of it that was unexpected? If you reviewed it, feel free to link it up here.  If you haven't, then you might want to so it can inspire others :)

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It may seem a bit darker than what you were going for, but the last book I got some inspiration from was one I read after a tragedy in my life.  It is called 'On Death and Dying' by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, and it helped me a lot.  It could certainly help anyone else dealing with grief as well.

Dark or not, any book can inspire you.  Have you reviewed that book?  Because it sounds like a great find for dealing with a death in the family.  

I'll be the square one and say that I frequently consult "The Book Of Proverbs" when I'm trying to deal with life's ups and downs. There are several amazingly accurate lessons in there. My own personal bible is still The Bible, I guess!

Great point rust.  I hope you don't mind if I call you rust :)  I should refer to the bible more often, we got a brand new one at our wedding.  But I just don't think of it!  I might have to start flipping through it once a week to see what inspires me.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It really inspired me to keep going during the tough times of living and working in Spain for about 3 months. I didn't have a firm grasp on the language, didn't know where I was going without a map and only knew one person when I arrived. There were some challenging moments where I just wanted to give up. This book helped keep me motivated to stay outside my comfort zone.

Thanks for sharing those reviews Meredith.  Based on the summary, it kind of sounds like that movie "under the tuscan sun" where she escapes life and just moves to Tuscany.  Maybe not the same but sounds similar.  

I'd be crazy for 3 months in another state, let alone a foreign country where I don't speak the language fluently.  I was even crazy in target today b/c they moved stuff and I couldn't find what I wanted!  So that's cool that you managed 3 months in Spain!  Glad this book helped you because it sounds like a great experience.  What did you do there?

I worked for Viewpoints, part time, while I was in Spain! I did a lot of data integrity projects (adding photos, merging reviews, etc.) It was wonderful! The tough thing though was being paid in Dollars and spending Euros. Ouch! 

I also wrote a bunch of reviews on my travels through Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and then over in Italy. You can read more here. It was so exciting to go experience cool stuff and review them. Seriously, I was constantly thinking about what I would say in my reviews and what photos I wanted to share :) I remember feeling so happy when many of you would send comments after reading. Felt like I was still close to friends and family!

The Bible, any version, and A Course In Miracles.

If you want something a bit controversial: Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln then any books by Laurence Gardner

I agree with Meredith's assessment of Eat, Pray, Love.  It was a great book that inspired me to realize that I can accomplish so much if I just get my head out of the past and focus on the future and what the world has to offer me.  I don't usually keep books once I've read them, but I kept Eat, Pray, Love and will read it again at some point.

Hmm, two recommendations for the Eat Pray Love book.  I may have to add this one to my list for sure now.

As for The Bible, I only wish I had the motivation!  We got one from our wedding and I put it near my bed, just like the priest suggested, but I just haven't had the motivation!  Read a lot of parts of it throughout 12 years of catholic school so perhaps that is why - it feels like homework - but one day I'll flip through it!

I love Jewel's (yes that Jewel) book of poetry  A Night Without Armor; it inspired me to write more free-form poetry, to let go of the rules and write poetry from my heart and soul and not be so hemmed in by the need to adhere to rhyme and meter.  I still take the book down from time to time and re-read it just because. 

Vincent    

I would have to say the best selling book of all times--The Bible.  It's for those who can't make it by themselves. Those who want peace of mind, heart, soul, and body. Those who want healthy relationships with others and want to change their attitudes ( not the people around you, but yourself).  It doesn't happen in a day, but give it a chance it will.  Therefore by the Grace of God.Then you will see that with God all things are possible, but first, you must believe on His Son Jesus the Christ.  Come unto me all who labor and are heavy burdened, take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for My burden is easy and My yoke is light.  Who doesn't want this. FREEDOM!!!!  Be free.  Accept Him (Jesus Christ) as your Lord and Saviour. He'll will love you when you feel like no one else does.  No matter what you do or have done or will do.  He is the same today, yesterday.  People will change, but God will remain the same.  His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.