I got to admit,I love reading at the best of times.Those of us who love to read tend to get the most out of books.I'm a big fan of books that I can learn from.Self help books,relationship books,etc.There's something worth learning.I even read up on dating books just to relearn some skills.As a guy I also love the guy stuff,cars,hobbies,interests,man cave,etc.

What book are you reading? What books are you reading? What helps you?

Thanks.

Hey Denv12,

I'm not reading much at the moment but I often like reading/listening/watching creative people talk about their craft. I just find it fascinating to hear about their processes, both physical and mental processes, during the creation.

James

Hi Denv. I am not a huge reader myself, which I think is kinda sad. I am dyslexic so when I was young I hated reading, especially if we had to read infront of the class. I would read ahead so I wouldn't make a mistake. But now I can read pretty well. Just not the fastest reader.

My favourite book series is the Harry Potter series. They taught me to read. When the 5th book came out the audiobook was a few months away so I had to read it myself, I read it in a few days. Silly read them again every few years.

Dear Denv~

Thanks for the interesting thread. We share a similarity in loving to read. But we part in that while I'll read a fair amount of non-fiction my favorite is always Science Fantasy. It is one of my main distractions.

When I first became ill my concentration was shot, so I read Piers Anthony series as they were for kids. I moved on to David Eddings and from there all over the place from Anne McCaffrey to L.E.Modesitt jr.

I also re-read those books I enjoy. Unfortunately I'm a very quick reader so books don't last long, just as well I can enjoy them more than once I guess. I buy umpteen secondhand.

I've enjoyed the Harry Potter series like MsPurple - though found they got a bit darker as each new book came out. I regard Kanga's Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy as a classic and think I would have an excellent time as Zaphod Beeblebrox, but probably not Marvin:)

Croix

I love self help books myself, I've never been into fiction that much. Anything I can learn from.

The last book I've read was "The power of now" by Eckhart Tolle.....Fantastic read!

I run a bookshop so I have lots to choose from and am always skimming books.

The latest book I am reading is One life by Kate Grenville.

I also read self help books or personal experience books.

Quirky

Hello

I don't read many books cause they don't sink into my head.

The last book that did sink in cause I went of all meds was

The power of NOW

Then I went to hospital.

Later

quirkywords actually the book I'm reading now was suggested by my history teacher in high school.

Interestingly it took me all these years to order a copy. It's a great book :) so far loving it

I also like reading autobiographys of people I find interesting and have gone through some hardship to name some specifically

Ian Thorpe - this is me

Matthew Mitcham - twists and turns

I was reading them during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Dear MsPurple,

I get so interested in reading about others life journey and how they found love, soulmates, careers, travelled, overcoming crisis and seperation in life and moving on are things I focus on... It gives me motivatation and courage to look at the bright side if others can make it through, pull themselves together, surely life can't be all that hard after all. I constantly reassure and remind myself of that. Life isn't hard, just this stupid stage of life is. ♡

The next I will be reading is The Diary of a Young Girl- Anne Frank.

I know exactly what you mean by this stupid stage of life is hard. Sometimes I wish I could click my fingers and skip the hardships, especially in mental healthy. But I guess this is when we grow. With the Ian Thorpe book he wasn't out yet and still not accepting himself yet (I don't think he was trying to make others think he was straight, but he truely wanted to be this way and was kinda trying to tell himself). But it was still a great read and he was still couragous to publish it and show us his hardship (trying to get to London and not making it).

Also another book I really like is So much to tell you by John Marsden. It isn't a long book. It is about a mute girl going to a new school and keeping a diary.

Thanks MsPurple.

I was born in a Zoroastrian family in Kashmir, Northern India. On the border was Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran- a constant threat looking right in the face.

I am my mothers favourite amongst her 4 childen (I have 2 older sisters and a younger brother) as my father pretty much hates me because of my sexuality. I don't think anybody wants me except my mother. That's why I have trust issues around men including my ex bf. He was a bit of control freak actually. I don't know why I always go and collect garbage. Now I refuse to look st men. I just want to stay single for while. Most of my friends face the same issues. I don't understand why these men are so volatile!!!

My father doesn't talk to me and for that reason I remember I had to leave home when I was in year 10 because of constant tension at home between mum and dad because of me because neighbours, relatives were beginning to talk about me and that must have worried my father. Mum has given me everything from her diamonds to tution fee and my father thinks I'm the way I'm because of my mother spoiling me. I didn't know what was wrong with me but I hated the way all the pressure was building up. I remember thinking of committing suicide, moving to Afghanistan or Iran but that probably would have turned out worst for me!

I changed schools and moved to a boarding school away from home not that far. But I had to write letters in order to communicate with mum and my siblings. I was liked by girls in my class and disliked by the guys except few with whom I fell in love with over the next two years and we exchanged numerous love letters. I guess that's when I started thinking about finding love, romance, body issues started, poor eating habits exacerbated and I started to lose marks but started discovering my sexuality and picked up whole lot of other bad habits including drinking, smoking, staying out at night in year 11 and 12 before moving to Sydney and there is lot more to write :-)

Dear FallenAngel~

I was sorry to see in another thread you are not in that good a place at the moment.

Would you mind if I made a suggestion? Defer reading Anna Frank's diary for a fair while.

There are some works I knew before my illness took over that really still haunt nowadays, and that is one of them, along with Kanal and others, mainly because they are true and truly horrible in conclusion.

If you have an interest in that area then perhaps Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally, which is a fictionalized account of Oskar Schindler, the only Nazi to be honored by burial on Mount Zion by the state of Israel.

I hope you don't mind a suggestion, it's just that I'd like to stop anyone feeling as I do now over those works.

Croix

Thank you dear Croix,

sounds like a wise idea to me. I have a number of astrology books which I must attend to and I'm definitely checking out Schindler's Ark 👍🏼😊

im currently reading Outlander

theres 7 books to read all up. im up to the first book and im loving it! i hope the rest are just as good

Oh cool dory hi

i love birds I've been lucky enough to work with quite a few including eagles and owls. And I also rescue birds and mend them back to health when I can.

If you ever want to talk birds I'm your guy.

nath

Awesome I am sorry I didn't pick that up,now you will be sorry I am going to ask soooooo many questions.

How come your into birds,the feathered ones?

Haha feel free to ask as many questions as you want I've been deemed the bird man in my town not sure I like that name but anyway.

ill answer your question in my thread sorry I didn't read this earlier my mum needed to talk she going through a though time herself.

Hi Denv,

looks like we share the love for reading :) This is a great thread you started.

I could sit at home reading all day long every day if people would let me. My family used to complain that they didn't see me for days after Christmas or Birthdays as I would always get books and just lock myself in my room. For me there is no genre of book that I don't read. A big goal of mine is to one day have read and own every single book in the world... it might not be possible but at least it gives me a life long goal to work towards :D My favourite type of book at the moment are stories based on true events and experience. At the moment I absolutely love reading books written by Cathy Glass and Casey Watson. I can never wait for a new book to come out.

Reading has gotten me through some really hard times, so I love that this is a topic!

Currently reading -

Unworthy (A guide to stop hating yourself) by Anneli Rufus. This has been very uncomfortably at times spot on, like's the author is reading my mind.

Girls will be girls by Emer O'Toole. I find books that discuss female empowerment very uplifting and confidence boosting. Also quite raw and informing.

Currently reading 'Thrive' by Aryana Huffington (of Huffington Post fame), which is available at KikkiK stores. She discusses the importance of having the right priorities in life, conclusions she arrived at after almost 'crashing and burning' from leading such a busy professional life and high social media profile.

She focuses on developing four pillars to thrive in life: wellbeing, wonder, wisdom and giving.

There is also a workbook available, which I have purchased, but haven’t yet used as I am still reading and reflecting on what she has written in the book itself.

Love this topic :)

Lately I have read Heather Graham (anything of hers is great), Jane Harper's The Dry and Force of Nature, both great!! Love the Australian setting and some online fiction.

And am reading some very early Linda Farstein, her Alex Cooper novels.. I love to read these when I'm feeling anxious, they really distract me because they are brilliant :D

Dear All~

After a reference by another poster (thanks RunGirl) I'm re-reading Gerald Durrells' books about his early life,animals, going on expeditions, being unhappy with zoos of the time and founding his own as a result in Jersey.

Starting with The Overloaded Ark (1953) and going though to How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist (1984) it shows a whole different world and a determination to make things better.

A complete escape from everyday life

Croix

Dear Lovely People ❤

I am reading The Self-Acceptance Project edited by Tami Simon - lots of really helpful stuff, theories and strategies for developing ... wait for it .... self acceptance!

Fiction I love to re-read at any time:

The Catcher in the Rye - by J.D. Salinger

The Hours - by Michael Cunningham

🌻🌻🌻 birdy

I hope it's ok to post on this thread and it has been quiet for a few weeks but I'm new here and books are my thing.

My most recent reads were Mr Dickens and his Carol and Nijinsky A Life. I am currently reading Victoria Victorious, a novel about Queen Victoria.