Life-Changing Books

I love books. I guess most, if not all, of us who write love books. It's one of the things that makes us tick. Sometimes I pick a book up and enjoy reading it but within a few weeks, or even days, I have forgotten a lot of it. Every now and then I read a book that has a much longer lasting effect on me. A story speaks to my heart and lodges in there permanently; a truth described communicates to my heart more deeply than ever before. My life is changed for the better by what I have read.

I remember the first book that spoke to me on an emotional level. It was one I read as a young child, although I probably couldn't have easily put into words at the time why but I loved it so much. It was called 'Gobbolino The Witch's Cat' by Ursula Moray Williams. It tells the story of a tabby cat who is born as a witch's cat but longs to be a farmhouse cat. The book describes his adventures as he seeks to get to his goal.  I loved the idea of this little cat being able to change his destiny. It gave me hope and spoke to me on a deep level. I had never experienced that before. I am tempted to buy it again and re-read it as an adult to see all the parts that I have since forgotten. 

Another life-changing book that I read was 'I am your Father' by Mark Stibbe. He talks about some people having orphan hearts and how the love of our Father God can help heal this. The response I had to the truth in this book changed my life by helping me finally let go of my binge eating disorder. I started to seek Father God and His love in way I had never done before. The result was freedom from food addiction. Life-changing indeed! Praise God. 

I have just started reading 'Forgetful Heart: Remembering God in a Distracted World'  by Lucy Mills. I am only 2 chapters in but already what Lucy has written is speaking to me about my own forgetful heart. There are reflections at the end of each chapter, which have already proved very helpful. It has brought up things that I am taking to God in prayer and will be getting a friend to pray about with me. I recommend it to you. 

What about you? What books have you read that you would describe as life-changing and what were they?  What was the first book you remember having a life-changing effect on you? I'd love to find out, so please share your thoughts.

Lynda Alsford is a sea loving, cat loving GP receptionist/administrator and writes in her spare time. She is also administrator for ACW. She has written two books, He Never Let Go describes her journey through a major crisis of faith whilst working as an evangelist at a lively Church in Chiswick, West London. Being Known describes how God set her free from food addiction. Both books are available in paperback and on kindle on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. She writes a newsletter, Seeking the Healer, in which she shares the spiritual insights she has gained on her journey. Sign up for this at her website www.lyndaalsford.com.