Non-fiction book that was life changing for you?

[daisyn]

Or at least had a big positive impact in some way

money related or not

i need something inspirational

[VillainV]

Lean In. I don't agree with everything she says, but it has definitely made me look at myself and my actions differently.

[daisyn]

Dec 3, 2015 21:50:14 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Lean In. I don't agree with everything she says, but it has definitely made me look at myself and my actions differently.

Lol that's the book I just finished reading!  And I feel the same way about it.  There was basically one line in the book that completely changed my perspective on moving up in an organization.  

[bonnie]

A Deadly Wandering, by Matt Ritchel. It completely changed my understanding of distracted driving.

[hamster]

Kaffir Boy, but it's not exactly inspirational. It was the start of my desire to learn everything about Africa though.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Women Don't Ask

[just]

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

The actual lecture was awesome too - m.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

[MrsDarcy]

Wasn't life changing, per ce, but Unbroken was fantastic. Read the book, don't just see the movie.

[jinkies]

I agree that, while not life-changing, Unbroken was incredible. It checks the non-fiction and inspiring boxes.

I heard the author of Leaving Microsoft to Change the World speak at a nonprofit conference. He was an amazing speaker, and really inspiring.

Being Mortal is not inspirational, but it is extremely well written and thought provoking -- it really made me think about aging in a very different way.

[crashgizmo]

Great by Choice by Jim Collins was really helpful for me professionally.

Another vote for The Last Lecture.

Bill Clinton's Giving was also a huge inspiration for both DH and I.

[scout8]

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It changed the way I eat.

[Deleted]

David Bach: Smart Couples Finish Rich
Sheryl Sandberg: Lean In
Keith Murnighan: Do Nothing! How to Stop Overmanaging and Become a Great Leader
Leigh Thompson: The Truth About Negotiations (This is also a very fun read)
Alice Schroeder: The Snowball - Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

[raangoli]

Life changing is a strong phrase but I truly felt that reading "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" is a book that makes you think and stays with you.

[tacosforlife]

A Promise of Justice. It made me anti-death penalty.

If you liked Lean In, you should read The Confidence Code.

[tacosforlife]

Dec 4, 2015 6:09:01 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Life changing is a strong phrase but I truly felt that reading "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" is a book that makes you think and stays with you.

I just read this and concur.

[v]

I'll also go with Being Mortal. It was quite thought-provoking.

If you want something that will open your eyes to another part of the world, Nothing to Envy is fantastic.

I suppose these are both the opposite of inspirational though.

[tacosforlife]

Dec 4, 2015 7:09:32 GMT -5 v said:

I suppose these are both the opposite of inspirational though.

I found Being Mortal inspirational in an unconventional way. It really makes me want to stay active and healthy so that I can be as independent as possible for as long as possible. And it makes me want to really cultivate my best self so that when I get to the end of my life, I can feel satisfied.

[msmerymac]

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

[arch01]

Dec 3, 2015 22:54:53 GMT -5 just said:

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

The actual lecture was awesome too - m.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

This. I really, really loved this book.

[gt7301b]

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness really opened my eyes to my own privilege.

[ladyk]

The Happiness Project
The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks
Rule Number 2: Lessons learned in a Combat Hospital

[alexis]

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It was absolutely fascinating to see the forces outside our control that shape success. I reference it sometimes when people get all bootstrappy.

I didn't use many of the money saving tips in The Complete Tightwad Gazette, but it did get me thinking about how I use my resources and why.

Nutureshock. I need to read it again as my kids are getting older.

The Power of Habit about the science of habit. Interesting and can be useful in developing or changing habits.

The Brain That Changes Itself is about neuorplastisty and is absolutely fascinating. It didn't change my life, but there are some amazing things being done in that branch of science.

[Deleted]

The Long Walk to Freedom

The Immortal Life of Henritetta Lacks

[raangoli]

I will also recommend The Immortal Life of Henritetta Lacks. That and Being Mortal are probably two of my top 3 non-fiction picks.

[bernergirl]

"Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won't Stop Speaking" by Susan Cain. Enlightening and life-changing for this introvert and my self-awareness.

[explorer2001]

Not really inspirational:
Why does he do that by Lundy Bancroft and Emotional Blackmail by Susan Forward changed my life because I was finally able to see abuse and manipulation for what it was/is and start to get my life on a healthy track.

Inspirational: How to see yourself as you really are by the Dalai Llama

[loreleigilmore]

The Immortal Life of Henritetta Lacks is a fantastic read. I will also join that rec!

[aurora]

I don't know about life-changing but I Am Malala was really inspirational.

[1yeartogo]

I'm just responding so I can write down all these book names!

[y4m]

Dec 4, 2015 5:21:02 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

Keith Murnighan: Do Nothing! How to Stop Overmanaging and Become a Great Leader

Wanted to thank you for this one--got it on your recommendation and it is indeed excellent!