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3 Books that have made an impact

3 Books that have made an impact

Hey there forumites!

As we ease into those long summer days during the holiday period, the online peer support team have been discussing books we’ve been reading that have made a lasting impact. We thought why not share our love of all things books with the community by sharing recommendations for books that have changed you in some way.

We’d love to hear from the community on the books that have moved you, be they self-help, non-fiction, poetry anthologies, the choices are endless, which is why we thought we’d limit it to a central theme – 3 books that moved you – and why (optional).

📚 I’ll kick things off with 3 books that moved me, and why:


  1. One hundred Years of Dirt, by Rick Morton
    Within this memoir the author takes us on his journey of survival and ultimately towards regaining his mental health. This book grabbed me right out the gate – Rick Morton (award winning Australian journalist) takes us down his journey of intergenerational trauma and poverty, whilst at the same time celebrates the love of his family. A relatively short read, but one that certainly left its mark.

  2. Miss America By Day: Lessons Learned From Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love, by Marilyn Van Derbur
    **Trigger warning** – this is the story of a former Miss America, who through her healing process, overcame 13 years of intrafamilial sexual abuse and took her story to the world to share with others who have walked the same path. It is a very tough read in parts, but it’s ultimately a story of resilience and achievement. Moving, raw and left an indelible mark.

  3. Wherever You Go, There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn
    In a particularly dark period, this book was life-saving, and life giving. Within its pages, Kabat-Zinn introduces the reader to the practice of mindfulness and in doing so, shares hope for living in the present moment, with all the highs and lows that may bring. Big tick!

Now over to you – which 3 books have left a mark on you, and if you care to share, we’d love to hear why.

Tagging a few of my fellow online peer support team and community members who might be keen to share their top 3 with the community:
@Paperdaisy @cloudcore @Former-Member @Daisydreamer @Shaz51 @ShiningStar @Bow @BlueBay @Appleblossom @Gwynn @HenryX @AussieRecharger @MDT @BPDSurvivor @Judi9877 @Snowie @Anastasia @petrichor @Clawde @nony @Lani @chibam @wellwellwellnez

69 replies

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In response to: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

I think now I'm more drawn to stories of how we can live with it, rather than overcome it, the resilience of living your life despite the struggle, if that makes sense?


@Former-Member yes I love that! Living despite the struggle. That's a hard thing to do, so brave, so much strength and so much vulnerable in sharing while still struggling.



It sounds like you might be writing a memoir? There are so many ways to tackle getting out our own narrative, I think that was the initial stumbling block for me...thoughts of "am I doing this right?" won out. One trick a writing coach shared with me was to have a regular writing routine, so same place and time each day where you just dump anything that is top of mind. Apparently this helps to cut through to the central point of your story and from there the rest becomes rounds of editing. I'm certainly no expert though so would love to hear how you tackle things like writers block in your practice.




yes, I guess it would be a memoir yes. I love that you have spoken to a writing coach! I follow a lot of writers on Instagram and they share a lot of tips. What are you writing @Former-Member ?
writing blocks? I just stop 🙂 nothing special. I'm in no hurry. Always say that the block will disappear when it's time to pick up the pen... or open the laptop again 🙂 certainly no expert either!

*hope quotes work- I've never used that function before

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

This thread is soo interesting @Bow , @Former-Member , @Eve7 , @Paperdaisy , @Former-Member

As for me I have not read a book in a long long time, need to get back into it

I have read a lot of self care magazines which has helped me a lot

For one example--- did you know that when you have a kidney transplant, they just add another kidney so you keep the damaged kidney too

@still_bookish , @eth , @Mazarita , @Kurra

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Go @Bow with the quotes, they worked

That's where vulnerability can be beautiful, though I truly get that it doesn't always feel like it at the time.

I've only just started following more writers too @Bow.I love getting their tips for new novels etc. I starting writing my memoir I guess (I feel funny even saying that). I haven't gotten very fair into it though because I was finding myself being quite critical of my work so I took a break. I really love your antitode to writers block – just stop! Having the trust in yourself that when the time is right you can jump back in.

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

I'm so glad that this thread might be a bit of inspiration for getting lost in a book @Shaz51.

I did not know that! Do you know what the reason for keeping the kidney might be?

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Yes @Former-Member

In the past they would take out the bad kidney and put in a new one which they found that the body would start rejecting the new kidney

So now to trick the body they just add another kidney so the body thinks everything is ok

And also the pig kidney is the closest organ to a human kidney that they are looking into using pig kidneys in the future

Histoy making is there is a man who just had a pig kidney transplant

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

@Former-Member I just went on a deep dive on Instagram to find this person I follow. Couldn't remember her name or the exact title of the book but knew it had a yellow cover! I'd be keen to read the book... and even looked at one of her workshops- she's Americans though and haven't looked if it's even possible. Hope the link works... and is ok to post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLfahhaBB0Z/?utm_medium=copy_link

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

That is so fascinating @Shaz51. It's amazing the discoveries they've made in the last century let alone decade. Though not sure how I feel re. the pig kidney...one things for sure, I would not be eating pork again

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Thank you so much for sharing @Bow. Her book sounds like it might be a wonderful tool!

I loved this...

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Ha ha yes I know @Former-Member

Showing my age here but 50 years ago my mum had pancreas trouble and had to put pig pancreas powder on her food --- yuk I reacon

In response to: Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Blurgh! But I mean, needs must I suppose @Shaz51

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