BLISSFUL-BOHEMIAN

Friday, April 9, 2010

Books that Changed My Life

I am still waiting for the book I ordered ("Busting Loose From the Money Game") to show up.
I am expecting great things from this book and it got me thinking about other books that have changed my life. The list is too long to give you all of them, but I thought I would give you highlights and work from the past to the present.
"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D Salinger
"The Razor's Edge" by W. Somerset Maugham
Both these book were for me so important and taught me how to live from my soul and to always be true to myself above all else. To be authentic. They remain two of my favorite books.
All the books by Carlos Castaneda. I read them all in my late Twenties and I loved them. Regardless if you believe them to be true or made up, they are mind altering. I learned more from Don Juan than almost any other spiritual teacher.
Ditto for the Seth book "The Nature of Personal Reality" By Jane Roberts. I read ALL the Seth books and adored them, but this was and is my favorite.
As for non-spiritual books I loved during this same time period, there is "A Little Original Sin" By Jane Bowles (Paul Bowles wife). I fell in love with her and Paul and read all their works. They were true Bohemians and they lived a life full of adventure. It is because of them that I want to visit Tangier's. At the same time I read "A literate Passion" by Anais Nin and Henry Miller, these were letters they wrote to one another. They too taught me to live my life true to myself.
Another book that meant a lot, just because it was strange and wonderful is "The Search for Omm Sety" by Johnathan Cott. This is a love story like no other and is based on a true story.
It opened my mind and showed me that anything was possible!
Then there is ANYTHING by Shakespeare. He was so wise and I have learned so much from him over the years.
And last but never least is a book I read 6 months ago (twice) and will likely read many more times before I leave this earth "When Fear Falls Away" by Jan Frazier. A beautiful book about being awake.
I hope you all enjoy this post and follow the links and perhaps learn about books you have never heard of or remember old favorites.
Happy Friday! XOXO

14 comments:

kj said...

annie, i love your list. i read the seth books too, an awakening for me.

have you read 'the mists of avalon'? it changed how i saw god.

love love love you annie!
kj

becky said...

That's funny... "The Catcher in the Rye" has come up 3 times in the past 2 days... I can't believe I've never read it~ it must be time to do so! I am a book fanatic... but haven't had too much time to read lately. Thanks for sharing your booklist... I'll be checking some of these out!
:)

Lynn Cohen said...

Well you knocked me back to my youth and early adulthood (my psychic phase)...loved the books but got TOO HOOKED by them! Glad that phase is behind me. LOL
Glad you had such good experiences from so many good reads.

Annie said...

Kj, Oh, wonderful, your a Seth girl too! I love it. I have not read "The Mists of Avalon", but it is now on my list. Love you too.
xoxo
Becky-You must read it. Now! It is a wonderful book, though it might mean more, the younger you are when you read it, I don't know for sure as I was 17. But I still think of it on a almost weekly basis and I am 54. xoxo

Annie said...

Lynn-LOL. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the book recommendations Annie. I love Maughan's work.

kj said...

annie, the mists can seem like a king arthur kind of novel, not my favorite, but hang in for a couple of hundred pages (i mean it!) and you will meet the goddess. i think it is a transformational book.

have a great weekend annie

xoxo

Annie said...

Melanie-Yes, me too.
Kj- Oh, I love King Arthur! I am saving up for it starting today
:-). I will let you know what I think after I read it...You have a good weekend too. xoxo

Robin said...

Some of these bring back memories...haven't read "Catcher" since I was in school...and "Razor's Edge".... wow.. of course, YOU know how I adore Shakespeare....the others aren't "my cup of tea" - except I own "Mists of Avalon" and will be happy to loan it to you.

Books are our passport to so many different times and places!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

ExtraO said...

Great book list, Annie. I've had The Razor's Edge on my list for awhile per your recommendation... if I find time to breathe maybe I'll squeeze it in.

Unknown said...

I would have thought "Guide lectures" might have made your list.

Victoria

Annie said...

Robin-I knew most of these you would not be interested in, but then you never know until you try, you had no interest in blogging once upon a time too :-). xoxo
EOM-Forget breathing, get that book.
Vic-"Guide Lectures" is on my list,
but One gets tired of typing and linking :-).

sukipoet said...

Interesting list. I have the Jan Frazier book here on my bookshelf in the to be read's.

Annie said...

Oh, Suki, I think it will inspire you, I know it has me. xoxo