Weekly Lists #136: Even More Perspective-Changing Books

Yes, it’s true – I’m back with even more perspective changing books. How many times has my perspective changed, honestly? I mean, apart from “a lot”, obviously. If you count the posts? At least 15 times thanks to books, at this point!

This post is not sponsored in any way or form. It does, however, contain affiliate links. These are marked by a *

1. The Railway Children, E. Nesbit

In this much-loved children’s classic first published in 1906, the comfortable lives of three well-mannered siblings are greatly altered when, one evening, two men arrive at the house and take their father away. With the family’s fortunes considerably reduced in his absence, the children and their mother are forced to live in a simple country cottage near a railway station. There the young trio — Roberta, Peter, and young Phyllis — befriend the porter and station master.
The youngsters’ days are filled with adventure and excitement, including their successful attempt to avert a horrible train disaster; but the mysterious disappearance of their father continues to haunt them.
The solution to that painful puzzle and many other details and events of the children’s lives come to vivid life in this perennial favorite, a story that has captivated generations of readers and, more recently, delighted television and movie audiences. In this inexpensive, unabridged edition, it will charm a whole new audience of young readers with its warmth and appeal.

I’ve mentioned my love for this book a couple of times, but hey, it bears repeating, right? Some classics deserve their status more than others, and this one is definitely one of them! (Find it on Goodreads or Amazon* or read my review )

2. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.

Historical fiction is a bit of a hit or miss, which means that quite often? I’m kind of weary to actually get to reading that genre. For this one, that actually happened, too. I put off reading it for ages. And then I did and cried in public. Which never happens. Like, ever. (Goodreads, Amazon*)

3. Ballet Shoes, Noel Streatfeild

Pauline, Petrova and Posy are orphans determined to help out their new family by joining the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. But when they vow to make a name for themselves, they have no idea it’s going to be such hard work! They launch themselves into the world of show business, complete with working papers, the glare of the spotlight, and practice, practice, practice! Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. But practical Petrova finds she’d rather pilot a plane than perform a pirouette. Each girl must find the courage to follow her dream.

In my last post featuring perspective-changing books, I actually talked about how my love for ballet originated from reading Thursday’s Children. If that book kickstarted my love for ballet, Ballet Shoes cemented it. Also, it’s kind of a historical fiction-book, and it was adapted into a movie featuring Emma Watson. What’s not to love? 🙂 (also, there’s some serious girl-power with the second sister completely disregarding what professional fields are open to her as a girl!) (Find it on Goodreads or Amazon*)

4. The Time and Space of Uncle Albert, Russell Stannard

The Time and Space of Uncle Albert is book one in the bestselling Uncle Albert science and adventure series.

Famous scientist Uncle Albert and his niece Gedanken enter the dangerous and unknown world of a thought bubble. Their mission: to unlock the deep mysteries of Time and Space…

In this action-packed adventure story, discover why you can’t break the ultimate speed barrier, find out how to become older than your mother, how to put on weight without getting fat, and how to live forever without even knowing it.

When you have enjoyed The Time and Space of Uncle Albert you may also like Uncle Albert and the Quantum Test, book two in the Uncle Albert series.

From the books that originated my love for ballet, straight to the books that did the same for sciences. Seriously, I love sciences, especially physics, because this book introduced me to them in such a fun way. Everything from the speed of light to the concept of black holes is explained in a way that makes sense. Oh, and also? It references Alice in Wonderland. Which is basically, even in it’s original, a play on the rules of physics anyways. (You can find this book on Goodreads and Amazon*)

5. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ Thus memorably begins Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, one of the world’s most popular novels. Pride and Prejudice–Austen’s own ‘darling child’–tells the story of fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennett, one of five sisters who must marry rich, as she confounds the arrogant, wealthy Mr. Darcy. What ensues is one of the most delightful and engrossingly readable courtships known to literature, written by a precocious Austen when she was just twenty-one years old.

Humorous and profound, and filled with highly entertaining dialogue, this witty comedy of manners dips and turns through drawing-rooms and plots to reach an immensely satisfying finale. In the words of Eudora Welty, Pride and Prejudice is as ‘irresistible and as nearly flawless as any fiction could be.’

At this point, this entire post is basically just a list of “gateway books”. You know, the gateway to Jane Austen and as such to everything classics. (I know Persuasion is my favourite now, but I would never have read it if I hadn’t first discovered Pride and Prejudice, so, you know…) (Find it on Goodreads and Amazon*!)

So there you have it, 5 more perspective-changing books! If you want to read more on books that completely changed the way I look at the world, you can click through to the first and second post here!

Oh, and be sure to let me know below what books have changed your perspective!

-Saar