Question of the Week: Life-Changing Books
by Jenners • 04/19/2010 • Book Talk • 25 Comments
This week question comes from Steph The Bookworm:
Has any book you’ve ever read been life changing for you?
Probably the most life-changing thing I’ve ever read was the instruction booklet for an over-the-counter ovulation test kit that ended up giving me the Little One. But technically that was a pamphlet and not a book so I’ll have to dig a little deeper.
I’ve read quite a few books that I had every intention of letting change my life, books like Creating A Charmed Life by Victoria Moran and Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter
So whenever I am asked this question, I usually end up choosing What Not To Wear by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. (This is the book that inspired the TV show of the same name.) The basic idea of the book is to help you pick out clothes that are good for the body you have (not the body you WISH you had). The books is filled with photos showing you good and bad choices for hiding, highlighting or disguising your specific problem areas.
This is the book I hadI have … how shall I say this nicely without drawing scads of perverts to this blog? … very large knockers for my size. Their advice on the types of shirts to wear was invaluable, and I have never deviated from their suggested neckline since.
I’m also … stumpy-legged (translation: short). Their advice on the most flattering pants to wear was eye-opening. When I actually followed their advice and bought the proper cut of pants, I looked so much better (taller and slimmer). It was like magic!
Sadly, since I’ve been a stay-at-home mom, my clothes and “style” leave something to be desired. (Translation: I’ve allowed myself to become a slob.) I really should try and revisit this book again to remind myself of what types of clothes I should be looking for and try to spruce up my everyday look a little. (I suspect they might be against fleece-lined Crocs.)
by Charla Krupp. It sounds like it is along the same lines. Has anyone used this book yet? Did you find it helpful?I realize you may have expected a deeper answer to this question. What can I say? I’m guess I’m pretty shallow!
So what about you? What book has been life-changing for you?
I need to visit your book blog more often, Jen! I missed this. As you know I'm a HUGE fan of WNTW the television show. However, I've found over the years that watching has not improved my dressing THAT much, just made me more aware of how bad a dresser I am!
I have this book too and think it's great!
I've seen the other one on other blogs, but I caught the author giving a wardrobe makeover on the Rachel Ray Show and thought the lovely lady looked heavier after the author changed her clothes! So, I'll be skipping that one
I agree with Kelly…you so need to do a giveaway now that you've teased us with the book!!! And for us short people …you've left us hanging here love!!! No fair! Well, what is really no fair is all you wonderfully busty women! I can get by without support
And yes, I do agree with everyone else! You have left me laughing on a day I needed a good laugh! And for that I am eternally grateful!
There are 2 books that changed my life ~ Love by Leo Buscaglio and A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
I, too, return to Woodall and Constantine as to a well…
I cant even answer your question now because I want the book you talk about here so I know how to dress! LOL
Actually I love fun shirts.. and dressing up occasionally but who knows if I am choosing the right look for my body type…. I am guessing I don't dress my age because I love and prefer to shop in the teen area….. sad but true….
c'mon! you're not going to tell us what type of pants to buy if we are vertically challenged?!?! and how about the necklines for busty gals!??! you left us hanging…
2 books that changed the way i look at food are 'fast food nation' and 'the omnivore's dilemma'. very enlightening (and frightening).
nat @book, line, and sinker
ps. i still can't leave a linked comment on your blog. are you able to add the 'name/url' comment thing like other blogger blogs have? thx!
something that changed me as a person? maybe some books i read on being a more effective educator. about not always being on the attack with my students. letting them have their say and validating them does much more than false praise or constant attacks (where are you supposed to be?!? etc.)
I didn't even know there was a WN2W book; I just watched the TV show.
It would be hard for me to pick a book that changed my life. Hmm, probably The Artist's Way and Things Fall Apart.
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance….
Just kidding. i didn't even like that book.
13 reasons why….
Now that is a good book
It sounds like I could use the What Not to Wear book.
I'm short and have been trying to find good ways to hide my middle ever since I had babies. 
Sadly I don't think that oversize sweatshirts borrowed from my husband (one of which I'm wearing right now) fit the bill.
Shallow but comical, Jenners
Thanks for making me laugh today.
Go away perverts! hehe
Life changing, huh? I don't know, I'm like you…I love those 'how to simplify your life books' (REALLY love 'em). I follow their suggestions, but after a week it's all complicated again! Not exactly life changing.
But Jantsen's Gift is a book that made me see that one person really can make a difference in the world.
A great subject though personally I can't stand Trinny and Susannah.
Not really into this type of book, I can't honestly answer the question except to say the novel The Five People You Meet In Heaven had a great impact on how I looked at certain things.
Personally, I wish muu-muus were back in style.
As for what books changed my life:
1. Ben Franklin's Autobiography
2. Saul Alinsky' Rules for Radicals
3. Immanuel Velikovsky's Worlds in Collision
4. Rudolf Vrba's I Cannot Forgive
5. Robert Ardrey's Territorial Imperative
6. Erich Fromm's Anatomy of Human Destructiveness
I could go on and on! But that's sort of a flavor…
Thanks for answering my question! I love the show What not to Wear but haven't read the book. I usually just watch it for entertainment purposes though, not for tips. I typically dress like a slob too lol. Do you watch it?
Glad to have you back. I too suffer from big knocker syndrome so I'm interested in these tips you speak of. I'll have to pick up a copy of this book. Great post as usual!
*sigh* I need that book. Don't guess you have a copy you'd want to do a giveaway with.
I guess I should check out this book. Reading your post made me laugh more than once though and for my day-that was fantastic! You are probably right about the croc thing!
HA! Ovulation kit indeed. Also, I saw those two women explain how to put on a bra properly once, and it changed my life (ok not really. But I have itty bitty titties and the way you put on a bra changes the way your girls sit in it).
Loved the book (What not to Wear) and love the US show. I just made my boyfriend sit through 3 back to back episodes this past Saturday! Ha!
You crack me up, it's easy to fall into old habits. My answer is here.
Great topic! The question for me is, "What book hasn't been life-changing for me?" So many books I've read, especially in my formative years, have left an indelible impression on my life, especially Matilda, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and A Doll's House.
Well, I don't have the same problem as you and Sandy, but I'm sure I could still probably use that book. I can't think of any book that has dramatically changed my life.
Oh, you always leave me hooting and hollering over here! I'm average height, but I have the knocker thing going on too. And I was very conscious of how I dressed when I worked. Now? I'm with you. My standard look is Old Navy shorts and t-shirts (if I'm looking to impress, I will don a polo shirt). But to answer the original question, the book "Into That Darkness" really changed my thoughts on many things. Everyone on earth should read it.
I loved Trinny and Susannah – used to watch their show all the time on BBC America. Are they still doing the show? Anyone know? I remember they showed up on Oprah once or twice. There's a similar book making the blog rounds these days – How To Never Look Fat Again by Charla Krupp.
Loved your post
I'm terrible with follow-through too … I say while wearing my workout clothes as I sit on the couch under a blanket reading blogs as the clock ticks down to the time I have to go pick up Z from half-day kindergarten. I want to change … really I do.
You never fail to crack me up. There is a difference between being a slob and being comfortable. I suspect that you just like to be comfortable.
I'm not sure I can name one book that has changed my life. Cormac McCarthy has alerted me to all kinds of perverse tendencies that people have within them, including myself but that's probably not what you are going for here.