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Off Topic Books Recommended for Reading

Bible

QBQ - The Question Behind the Question

The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant: Terry Felber involves us in a fantastic adventure of personal growth. You'll travel back in time to 16th century Italy, a world of clashing empires, high-seas pirates, and incredible wealth. In this engaging tale, you'll meet young Julio, who is taken on a quest into adulthood, as mysterious family secrets are revealed to him by his grandfather, Antonio. Woven through the story are timeless principles of success: overcoming obstacles, money management, the secret power of partnerships, and many others. The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant will change the way you think about your career, wealth, and true success.

Who Moved My Cheese: From one of the world's most recognized experts on management comes a simple parable filled with insights designed to help readers manage change quickly and prevail in changing times. Written for all ages, the story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights can last for a lifetime.

The Go Getter: This classic book teaches a critical success principle. Success in any area of your life requires that you decide that you will not be denied from reaching your goal.

Rhinoceros Success: Success is difficult but tomorrow morning, you could wake up as a full-grown rhinoceros and charge your way to success. You could use audacity to reach your goals. You could be happier than you've ever been before and make your life an exciting adventure. Rhinoceros Success is about unleashing the persistence and tenacity necessary for success.
 
"Posterior Analytica" Aristotle's teaching, upon which the science of logic was founded.

"Room" by Emma Donoghue - Disturbing at first, then less so. Truly one of my favorites now, a great read!
 
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The Holy Bible, ...and regularly!

"Mere Christianity", by C.S. Lewis

"Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God", by Jonathan Edwards

"Civil Disobedience", ...and other works by Henry David Thoreau

anything by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne

and other 19th century writers

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Predictably Irrational & The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely

A Course in Miracles

Pat McManus books and Tom Bodett; End of the Road series

Francis
 
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1776 - David McCullough (anything by McCullough)

Liberty and Tyranny - Mark Levin (anything by Levin)

Report from Engine Co. 82 - Dennis Smith
 
"Blood Meridian" Cormac McCarthy

Also, "The Road."

"The Hamlet" William Faulkner.

Anything by Vonnegut.
 
Have to add: Annals of a Former World, John McPhee, and anything else by him [The Control of Nature, Uncommon Carriers, etc.] Michael Crichton, Piers Anthony, Clifford Simak, James Michener. I seem to have a long list of authors who have written lots of books that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I can't say enough about John McPhee, who may not be familiar to some, but I find him engaging in his writing style and his topics.
 
Diary of an American Boy and Age of Old Barns both by Eric Sloan. The first book is based on the diary of a boy following him through one full year as his family moves to the great frontier to stake a land claim, clear the land, build a house and survive. Very good how to book to learn how and more importantly why the settlers did things in different seasons. (When to split wood for firewood verses when to split wood for siding verses when to leave alone and cure the wood for structural members etc).

Sloan also wrote a number of books on old house and old barn and bridge construction focussing on Pennsylvania and other new england states. Great stuff on covered bridges as well as tools and techniques for post and beam construction. I love learning about how they made and used the old tools and the origins of old phrases like "this is the pits." If you were in the pits you were below the log as it was sawn so you were graced with a face full of sawdust all day. The pit boss would encourage the purchase of a wide brimmed hat....
 
I read Armstrong's "A history of God" also "Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet."

Another interesting read on religion:

"Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire" by Rebbecca Ann Parker.

Of course as primary sources, the Koran, Bagavad Gita, Analects, and Tao Te Ching are also important for understanding religious thought.
 
I haven't. I may see if our tax funded public library has a copy.

Reading a bit about it, reminded me of how much of Copelston's "History of Philosophy" is devoted to questions about god.
 
I just finished "Born to Run" by Christopher MacDougall. So good I had to reread several parts immediately upon finishing. It includes an overview of the pro & am running scene, with histories, legends, ultramarathons, 100 mile trail races, primitive societies and evolution. I'm throwing away my running shoes and going barefoot.
 
anything by Bernard Cornwell great historical fiction not just Sharpe

The Last Centurion by John Ringo on of my personal faves have read it several times

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

Horatio Hornblower by C. S. Forester

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore all of Moore's books are good
 
I'm trying real hard to read "Walden" but geez it is ponderous. Don't know if I can make it to the end....
 
"Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff" By Richard Carlson

I read this book when I was a young adult and it changed my perspective on life. I found it again about a year ago...at a time when I needed the reminder. I have been reading it again and sharing the lessons with my children.

I am saddened. I went to go find a link to this book for this post and discovered the author passed away few years ago. What a loss. For as little as this book costs, if you have an open mind and truly want to embrace a more patient, loving and positive outlook on life, I highly recommend it.

May the lessons and perspective Richard Carlson shared with me and many others be forever a legacy to his life and an honor to his family.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and It's All Small Stuff | Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
 
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