Arizona Book Lovers Weigh in on Books that Changed Their Lives

We recently celebrated National Book Lover's Day in Arizona. I've always enjoyed getting lost in a book. Even in grade school, I was a mostly good kid and the only time I ever got into "trouble" was for reading a book when I was supposed to be listening to the teacher lecture. I couldn't help it - I needed to know what was going to happen to Margaret or Laura or Anne.

Canva

In honor of this day, we asked which books changed your life. While not everyone is an avid reader, we were all exposed to a variety of literature in school, and whether or not you've continued the habit, odds are there's at least one book that had an impact on you. Here's a list of some of the top mentions:

Canva

Get our free mobile app

The Bible

It's no surprise that this book was mentioned repeatedly as a book that changed a life. Interestingly, most people said it changed their life for the better. One person commented that it made them rethink religion and adopt atheism.

Canva

Brave New World by Aldus Huxley

This dystopian novel has been read by countless high schoolers over the years. It's interesting to note that the rampant apathy Huxley warns about in this classic tome seems to be permeating our society.

Canva

1984 by George Orwell

Government overreach at its most frightening. Endless war. Orwell seems to have written what many in government are now using as a handbook, rather than the cautionary tale it was meant to be.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Old Dan and Little Ann. Who could forget the adventures of a boy and his dogs? It's hard to forget this book once you read it. I loved dogs from the start. The way this one ends will leave you weeping.

Canva

Illusions by Richard Bach

David said this book made big impression on his life. He told us the book is about, "A biplane pilot traveling from farm to farm selling rides meets a fellow pilot named Don Shimoda from Fort Wayne, Indiana who just happens to be a Messiah. Who quit.

I think the best part about this book is the book within it. And the last thing it says."

Canva

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis

This book is near the top of the first full-length novels we ever read, said many of our survey respondents. Fostering imagination and the triumph of good over evil is a classic.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

There's a lot of dystopian literature on our list. Atlas Shrugged is a little more grounded in a possible future (or near present). Written by a woman who escaped communism, she had a unique perspective for what she feared America could become.

Canva

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

"Stay golden, Pony Boy". The Outsiders distills two weeks in the life of a 14-year-old boy and his struggles with right and wrong during the late 1950s or early 60s. The movie was good. Of course, the book was better.