This week’s question comes from Jackie at Farm Lane Books Blog who asked:
Which book has changed your opinion of a subject, making you look at something in a whole new light?
This was a hard one to answer! In looking over the books I’ve read in LibraryThing, these were the ones that jumped out at me for various reasons.
The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose changed my opinion about fundamentalist Christians. Although I still think there are very obnoxious and misguided fundamentalist Christians out there, Roose’s book (in which he goes “undercover” at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University) helped broaden my perspective on what fundamentalist Christians can be like (in much the same way that Roose’s opinion is changed during his semester at Liberty.)
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri changed my opinion about short stories. Before
reading this collection of short stories, I was NOT a big fan of the form. I found them unsatisfying and unfufilling (with the exception of Dorothy Parker). Then I read Lahiri’s short stories, and I saw what was possible with the genre. Her stories felt complete and whole and satisfying. I never felt like I wanted more. Lahiri has a real talent for including all that is necessary and no more, and her writing is delicate, beautiful and strong all at the same time. She made me want to give short stories another chance!
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner changed my opinion that 
books about economics were boring. After suffering through the driest courses on economics ever presented during college, I was permanently turned off to reading about economics (or so I thought). Then I took a chance on this book and realized that it is all in the presentation. This fascinating and controversial book held my attention from start to finish … and I’m planning on reading the follow-up, Superfreakonomics, in the next few months.
The Economist Book of Obituaries by Kenneth Colquhoun and Anne Wroe and The
Dead Beat by Marilyn Johnson made me look at obituaries in a whole new light. I never gave much thought to the literary value of obituaries until I read Johnson’s book, which examines the world of obituary writing and the true “art” form it can become. This led me to read the “creme de la creme” of obit writing in The Economist book. In the right hands, an obituary can become sly social commentary, comedy, creativity unleashed, and an arbiter of historical significance.
Bill Bryson changed my opinion about non-fiction writing. I wasn’t always a big fan of non-fiction until I read Bill Bryson. Bryson writes with such wit, joy, creativity and verve that he made me willing to follow him anywhere he wants to go (whether on a trip down the Appalachian Trail or exploring science or examining how the English language evolved). Bryson makes learning fun …. and if he was in charge of writing all textbooks
for schools, kids would look forward to learning about any subject. Whenever someone tells me, “I don’t like non-fiction,” I ask them “Well, have you read Bill Bryson? If not, give him a try. I pretty much guarantee he will change your mind about reading non-fiction.” After discovering Bryson, I became open to other non-fiction writers that have mastered the art of “edutainment” such as A.J. Jacobs and Mary Roach. I’m always on the lookout for other writers in this vein. Any suggestions for me?
So how about you? Have any books changed your opinion about a subject, genre or type of writing?
Hmmm…being interested in reading the Buffy/Angel graphic novels is what got me interested in graphic novels in general. Then I started the Fables and Sandman series (serieses?) and now I'm addicted!
Reading Joseph Campbell in high school was one of the first things that got me interested in reading and studying religion.
The Fountainhead changed my views a little bit, though Objectivist I certainly am not. It did make me see the good in capitalism though.
I have yet to read Bryson's book about the universe (too lazy to type the whole title), but I absolutely LOVED A Walk in the Woods. It was your classic Odd Couple traveling story. I just loved Katz.
Katz was in another book of his…I think it was the one that he wrote when he traveled Europe? I'm not sure.
I loved the Unlikely Disciple, too. Kevin did a fantastic job with that one.
I've never read a Bryson book, but your recommendation carries a ton of weight with me, so I'll have to bookmooch one!
Reading The God Delusion changed my opinion of Richard Dawkins. i had thought him annoying opinionated smug superior and arrogant. Now I think he is so startlingly intelligent I can forgive him those failings.
interesting question, will give it more thought
thanks for sharing
martine
what an interesting question. And I enjoyed your answers. They look like some books to look into. Now I'll be trying to answer that question myself–much thinking ahead
I have a different collection of short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri and haven't read it yet, but I remember you saying how good her writing is. I think that I would probably love Freakonomics and Bill Bryson's book (haven't heard of him before).
I'll have to try Lahri's book since I am not a short story fan at all. And since you and I are both Roach fans, I know I'll love the obit book. It's going on my list right now.
Have you read the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks? If not, you would like it.
How are you doing with Cutting for Stone? I LOVE it so far!
Since my opinions are all correct, they are all set in stone and no needs to change any of them, ever.
No, not a one.
Persephone showed me that graphic novels are awesome and Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne opened my eyes to poverty in America
I Kill Giants made me realize that I love graphic novels!
You've given me some title to explore. The only one of those books I've read is The Unlikely Disciple.
This is a great list! I would whole-heartedly agree with you on Lahiri. She made me love short stories, or at least realize that it is possible to love them. They are not all created equally. One book that changed my views about life in general was one called "Into That Darkness" which is about the Nazi individual's downward spiral into darkness, and how it happened by degrees. It is gut-wrenching, but it changed the way I look at everything.
I love your list, I need to read the book of obituaries. I think for me I don't like reading books about health, and diets and I must say that the 3day cleanse sort of changed my mind. I love reading short stories and essay's, I know I'm weird.
freakanomics and bill bryson's books definitely changed my viewpoints! good call on those! both my daughters have taken econ in high school and their text books were "superfreakanomics" pretty cool huh?
I love Bill Bryson and A.J Jacobs as well. I tend to lean towards humour if I'm reading non-fiction. Will Ferguson (Canadian Author) is along the Bill Bryson lines writing very funny travel and adventure stories if you're looking to expand 'North'.
I've found the older I get and the shorter my attention span becomes, the more i enjoy short stories.
As for obits….some of the best I've read are those written by family members.
Great answers! I think I need to read Lahri's book, as I do have a problem with short stories.
I've never thought about obituries as having literary merit – sounds as though I should read that one too!
Wonderful list! As far as edutainment books (I love the word), you picked some great ones. I've really loved Erik Larson (well-known for Devil in the White City, but I liked Isaac's Storm more), all of Malcolm Gladwell's books and Jeffrey Toobin's The Nine, about the Supreme Court.
Also, I'm with you on Lahiri's short stories. You should try Richard Russo's collection The Whore's Child and Other Stories. Happy reading!
Very considered answers . Sadly I've yet to read the short story collection that will get me to revise my opinion – perhaps I'll give this one a try.
I am really always surprised by books I like. I guess I go in expecting to be disappointed so I won't be so let down, and then when I'm not, it's great!
I like your observations. I like Bill Bryson and Jhumpa Lahiri as well and Freakonomics and the Book of Obituaries will be on my list. I actually wrote obits one summer at my Dad's newspaper-I was far too young to know there was an art to it!!