r/books discussion

Has anyone been inspired by a book to do something?

Like cooking from Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen

Or take up another hobby, learn a language? Get fit?

I was inspire indirectly to start a book club shortly after reading Memoirs of a Geisha due to the need to want to talk to others about it.

No one book has inspired me to do anything (yet!) but reading in general and wanting to talk to people about books is what inspired me to start this group, though!

I've actually thought really hard about this question but no book has really inspired me to go out and do something other than read and discuss. Though I did mention in my other thread about books-blowing-your-mind that 1984 had shaped me into becoming more politically involved.

Annie wrote: "I was inspire indirectly to start a book club shortly after reading Memoirs of a Geisha due to the need to want to talk to others about it."

I wanted to start up a book club after reading that book too, but I didn't have time to then. What did you think of it? I really liked the book, but I thought the ending was a little strange. I figured since it was based on a true story that was just how it was. I looked into it more and found out the author made up a ton of the story (all of the prostitution, for example), and the woman it was based on was pretty upset. She sued the author and wrote her own autobiography. Now I don't know what to think about book.

The only book that's actually inspired me to do something was The Omnivore's Dilemma. After reading it I finally committed to vegetarianism after rarely eating meat for a few years. Ironically, the book makes an argument against vegetarianism, but it's argument was so poor that it convinced me to switch.

I'm inspired by books to change my beliefs or the way I think about things all the time, but not very often to do something.

To a degree, yes. I had hurt my knee running in December, after picking it up in July. I also was always a sufferer of shin splints since as long as I can remember.

Born to Run is the story of a tribe in Mexico that basically runs all day, all the time, and for the most part never suffers injury. After reading this book, and its theories on the trouble with modern running shoe design, I altered my running style and read up on minimalist running. Since then, I've been running about 40 miles per week which is about twice what I used to...

Adam wrote: "To a degree, yes. I had hurt my knee running in December, after picking it up in July. I also was always a sufferer of shin splints since as long as I can remember.

Born to Run is the story of a..."

That's amazing! Do you use those five fingers running shoes? I've heard they're supposed to be really good.

Wow! I didn't expect this type of response! People making life altering changes by books. @Danielle, have you read Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule ? The book is on my wish list and I've been curious as to who has tried any of the recipes.

Annie wrote: "Wow! I didn't expect this type of response! People making life altering changes by books. @Danielle, have you read Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule ..."

No, I haven't. But I have made a bunch of vegan cupcakes that turned out well. I was surprised how easy it is to adapt recipes.

After reading Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering EverythingI dedicated several mornings a week, for quite a while, learning different memory techniques and strategies. The Method of Loci is my favorite, (aka Memory Palace, aka Journey Method) and has been an extremely helpful study tool for me.

@Danielle, I will definitely have to see what I can do about that, but first I have to teach myself how to bake, haha.

@Jared, do you think the techniques have work in the long term for you?

A specific book, no. A genre of books did though. I read a lot of fantasy books back in high school which led to an interest in sword fighting. Several years later I actually found someone who started a school for Western Martial Arts near me. For 2 years I learned Italian Broadsword which is not the most useful thing to know, but it was fun.

I have most definitely been inspired by a book to do something. All of Ellen Hopkins books and 13 Reasons Why inspired me to begin recover. I have since been going through therapy and medicating for depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and social phobia. I have also been recovering from self harm and suicidal thoughts. I'm currently 3 months self harm free as of today! These books helped me realize that I do matter and I am loved. I've definitely gotten much criticism for my mental health problems, but these books inspired me to never give up. Recently, I also read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and it was absolutely amazing and eye-opening.

@Annie, yes, I have used them to memorize long lists of facts that were necessary for me to pass my English CSET Subtests, and I have used them to memorize outlines for various speeches and presentations I've made in the past few months. I've only been actively using these techniques for about six months, but so far so good.

Huh. @Jared, I've always wondered about those techniques and whether it really worked. Guess I might have to try it out for myself :)

@Michelle, GOOD FOR YOU Shellie! I read all of those books like you have and found them both inspiring. Keep up your good work and I hope that you stay away from those who criticize you because they're not you and don't know what you're going through. So just keep away.

Adam wrote: "To a degree, yes. I had hurt my knee running in December, after picking it up in July. I also was always a sufferer of shin splints since as long as I can remember.

Born to Run is the story of a..."

Born to run was an awesome book. Didn't make me change anything, but loved reading it :)

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children

A fantastic book, and great initiative. Got involved with Room to Read in Toronto, but after a few sessions, realized that the group was not that well run unfortunately. So yes, it made me want to do something. However, unfortunately the actual doing didn't last very long. :(