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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

@Former-Member @TAB

When it comes to the long paddock, you might enjoy this old movie from 1946,

The Overlanders that you can watch for free.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6um1xv

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Thanks for that @Joanne-joy 😸

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

I'm still thinking about the three books question, because honestly I tend to read junky novels over something serious when I get the chance to read fiction.

A book list from the New York Public Library came across my social feed, I thought it might be relevant to us here: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2021/12/08/mental-wellness-must-reads
I haven't heard of many of the books on the list, barring the body keeps the score, but they do look interesting.

In response to: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Hi @Former-Member & all

Happy New Year!

Great thread! 3 books I will never forget:

1) Victor Frankl - Man’s search for meaning

2) Todd Strasser - The wave

3) Günther Wallraffs - Ihr da oben, wir da unten

Most certainly not light literature but books that changed my views in life.

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Hey there @petrichor! So good to see you in this thread, and HNY to you too!

Oooo, loving your top 3. Mans Search for Meaning is one of those books I've always meant to read and haven't gotten around to. Thank you for the reminder.

Wondering if you speak German? I had to Google the Günther Wallraffs book and couldn't understand the reviews as it was in German 🙃

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Books are a huge part of my life.

My top 3 would constantly change as my life has evolved.

I read less now, as there is also the new infotainment experience of internet searching ....

Love this thread ... @Former-Member @Jo-anneJoy @Gwynn @petrichor @TAB

Here are 3:

The Yield ... Tara June Winch ...

Lao Tzu ... Tao Te Ching

Dr DoLittle Series

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

The internet, and for me streaming services, has definitely cut into my reading time too @Appleblossom. I'd really like to refocus the balance back to reading though.

The Yield is another on my to-read list. Do you think it lives up to the hype?

As for Lao Tzu, I just found this quote which really resonated with me, so thank you for reminding us all of his amazing lifetime of work...

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Hearing you about the problem of literary hype. @Former-Member

Selling books and vanity publishing. Was in writing group for 7 years. Weary sigh!

I finished lit major 40 years ago and am pretty over it.

I found "The Yield" worthwhile and I avoid the hype, not madly fantabulous ... but a solid read and a book structured with awareness and sensitivity to variety in language (contemporary narrative, epistolary section and dictionary). I enjoyed some of the culture and contemporary edge.

I have bought 2 of her books and I am frugal and picky.It is then there on the shelf for me to share with others ... where mostly I used the library. Its my way of "paying the rent".

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

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

I really appreciate your take on The Yield @Appleblossom, and your frank and candid observations.

In response to: 3 Books that have made an impact

Re: 3 Books that have made an impact

Harry Potter series

This series is not only entertaining but celebrates quirkiness through all protagonists.

Man's search for meaning

Connected with an otherwise emotionally closed off friend who opened up in relation to this. Also the books introduces philosophical ideas.

100 ways to eat Avacado

I didn't need a another new way - but this book was picturesque and made aesthetically pleasing addition to my shelf.

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