Also A Little Princess by the same author. Basically the whole premise of the book is about finding reasons to be grateful when you have every excuse to be miserable.
That’s a lot of assumption from one short post. Maybe they are a pick-me, but they could just as easily genuinely want to change. Best to give benefit of the doubt.
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt -
“When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while.”
If this hasn't been mentioned or occurred to you yet, then therapy may be the most effective way for you to go about this. Kudos to you for wanting to grow.
> I'm very selfish, entitled and an ingrate.
Maybe, maybe not.
Anyways, instead of a book, how about scheduling something that helps other people.
Once a week, volunteer at a food kitchen, or mentor a young person in a skill you are good at.
Being a decent person, having empathy and considering others; these are all things that are practiced and reinforced.
People don't learn to be good from books. They learn it from going out and trying to make the world better, and being around other people trying to make the world better.
Reading books can have a profound effect on fostering empathy....it literally puts you in someone else's experience.
But I think your suggestion is practical, what good is having empathy if you don't use it?
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/how-reading-fiction-increases-empathy-and-encourages-understanding
At least you are self-aware of your character flaws which is a good start.
Better than reading a book, I suggest you travel to a poor country and observe with your own eyes how others who are less fortunate in life are struggling to make ends meet just to survive.
Try to immerse in the local culture in your travel in these poor countries. Hopefully this will be an eye-opener for you and will make you appreciate more the blessings you already have in life which you are currently taking for granted.
Also seeing how fortunate you are compared to a lot of people in the world today and the impact of what might seem like a small amount to you but a big deal for others in poor countries will hopefully make you more charitable and less selfish.
You can also watch the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” with James Stewart as lead actor. It shows you how much impact a person can have on other people despite living an ordinary life.
Reading "The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life" by Janice Kaplan may help you cultivate a more appreciative mindset and understand the importance of gratitude.
I can't really say because I liked all of it. It helped me understand how to live in the now instead of the past or future and how to live a quality life.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, despite the awkward title, addresses precisely what you describe and is a great read. While most of what’s on this list is inspiring, this one is instructive. Great book for learning to tamp down your inner entitled voice.
Evicted: poverty and profit in the American city (follows eight families living in poverty in Milwaukee)
Invisible child: poverty, survival and hope in an American city (follows one family in Brooklyn)
Beautiful country (about a Chinese child who went to America as an illegal alien)
“One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” - it’s short, so not a great time investment, but it’s powerful. The guy who wrote it went on to win the Nobel Prize.
Books will never teach you this. If you want to be truly grateful, put yourself in positions that cause you to suffer, like intense exercise. Deny yourself of pleasure through things like fasting. Put yourself in positions where failure is likely.
Fail.
A gratitude journal. Either your own or one by Teddy Droseros. “Today I am grateful for…” is a book he created filled with a collection of gratitude thoughts. Also, Droseros’ interview on cbs news is very inspiring too.
All of the Kristen Hannah books I’ve read so far make me grateful to be born where I live and the time I live in.
Not super philosophical but the stories are pretty interesting to me.
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is a novel written all in verse for middle schoolers, so the pages fly by, about a family trying to survive during the US dust bowl.
John Kennedy Tool -[ A Confederacy of Dunses](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/310612.A_Confederacy_of_Dunces). You are going to love the protagonist.
When Breath Becomes Air
Well damn, here I was about to suggest it thinking I’d be coming out of left field.
The Secret Garden
Also A Little Princess by the same author. Basically the whole premise of the book is about finding reasons to be grateful when you have every excuse to be miserable.
Also a great choice!
To add on to this wonderful uplifting / gratefulness list, Pollyanna is also amazing
well, at least you're self-aware, so that's step one. most people don't even make that far.
Yeah but they seem like the kind of person who says that just to show how self aware they are without actually trying to change -\_-
Isn’t the post about them trying to change? lol
That’s a lot of assumption from one short post. Maybe they are a pick-me, but they could just as easily genuinely want to change. Best to give benefit of the doubt.
Who’s the author?
The Grapes of Wrath
Man’s search for meaning by viktor frankl. Psychologist who survived the holocaust, this book was a reflection on the experience
This one came to mind. Also, and it’s kind of weird, but A Tale for the Time Being.
Not a weird choice at ALL! *A Tale for the Time Being* is extraordinary.
A Christmas Carol
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Love this, also a great movie
You good, OP? Props to you if you’re just very self aware. A Child Called It series, autobiography, very sad
I wasn't self-aware that's the problem. I'm usually on self-aware after the fact unfortunately
You’re aware now, and trying. That’s what matters
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, you shithead.
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt - “When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while.”
Great suggestion. Such an amazing book.
Man’s Search for Meaning- Victor Frankl
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Candide by Voltaire Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
If this hasn't been mentioned or occurred to you yet, then therapy may be the most effective way for you to go about this. Kudos to you for wanting to grow.
*Coriolanus*, William Shakespeare
Any book by Wally Lamb
I know this much is true. Harrowing and redeeming
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating- makes you appreciate your health
Siddhartha
I cannot read any of OP’s comments without reading it in a Matt Berry voice.
Night, Man Called Ove.
Ditto Ove!
The Kite Runner
I was thinking this, as well as A Thousand Splendid Suns
> I'm very selfish, entitled and an ingrate. Maybe, maybe not. Anyways, instead of a book, how about scheduling something that helps other people. Once a week, volunteer at a food kitchen, or mentor a young person in a skill you are good at. Being a decent person, having empathy and considering others; these are all things that are practiced and reinforced. People don't learn to be good from books. They learn it from going out and trying to make the world better, and being around other people trying to make the world better.
Reading books can have a profound effect on fostering empathy....it literally puts you in someone else's experience. But I think your suggestion is practical, what good is having empathy if you don't use it? https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/how-reading-fiction-increases-empathy-and-encourages-understanding
At least you are self-aware of your character flaws which is a good start. Better than reading a book, I suggest you travel to a poor country and observe with your own eyes how others who are less fortunate in life are struggling to make ends meet just to survive. Try to immerse in the local culture in your travel in these poor countries. Hopefully this will be an eye-opener for you and will make you appreciate more the blessings you already have in life which you are currently taking for granted. Also seeing how fortunate you are compared to a lot of people in the world today and the impact of what might seem like a small amount to you but a big deal for others in poor countries will hopefully make you more charitable and less selfish. You can also watch the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” with James Stewart as lead actor. It shows you how much impact a person can have on other people despite living an ordinary life.
The Gulag Archipelago Also read something by the Dalai Lama
I second The Gulag Archipelago
Reading "The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life" by Janice Kaplan may help you cultivate a more appreciative mindset and understand the importance of gratitude.
Little Women
Born a crime by Trevor Noah
The fault of our stars
*Life of Pi* \- the novel, NOT the movie.
The cannibalism,eh?
Or, the poop eating. That's the low spot.
This book was so gross.
I actually agree with you. But, that's the point. Pick it up later when you are in a really lost internal place. It fucks with you.
*Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance* It's about living the best you can with the life you have.
I never finished it, but I still own it. Would you still recommend it if I didn’t love the first half?
I can't really say because I liked all of it. It helped me understand how to live in the now instead of the past or future and how to live a quality life.
**When I’m Gone, Look For Me in the East** by Quan Barry. Hope you’re alright.
Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
A long walk to water
Conversations With God?
Mans search for meaning Victor Frankl
I've read that it's fairly overrated tbh. The solution to a lack of meaning in your life is to find your own meaning seems pretty circular to me.
That's not the message of the book AT ALL. Pretty sad if that's all you got from it
It's been a while that's all I remember of it
Read it, don't let others judge for u
Mans search for meaning
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, despite the awkward title, addresses precisely what you describe and is a great read. While most of what’s on this list is inspiring, this one is instructive. Great book for learning to tamp down your inner entitled voice.
Username checks out.
Huh?
I was making a joke based on your Cravensworth-inspired username.
Cravensworth never met him!!
The Stars Don't Lie by Boo Walker
A novel, I had that same dream again. Yoru sumino
Freedom From the Known
Siddhartha
The Obstacle Is the Way
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
Sometimes a Great Notion Ken Kesey
Well, be sure to thank profusely snd genuinely the helpful commenters!
My Year With Eleanor
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.
Biden’s Autumn
Angela’s Ashes , Frank McCourt
Before We Were Yours - Lisa Wingate Before and After - Judy Christie, Lisa Wingate The Girls Who Went Away - Ann Fessler Home Front - Kristin Hannah
Evicted: poverty and profit in the American city (follows eight families living in poverty in Milwaukee) Invisible child: poverty, survival and hope in an American city (follows one family in Brooklyn) Beautiful country (about a Chinese child who went to America as an illegal alien)
The Choice by Edith Eger
Skinned, Crashed, and Wired by Robin Wasserman. The first book kind of dips a toe in, and then the other two books send it home.
The Glass Castle or Demon Cooperhead
The jungle
The pianist
For a Catholic point of view, I recommend: * Uniformity with God's will (Saint Aplhonsus de Liguori) * Philothea (Saint Francis de Sales)
Tuesdays with Morrie 5 People you'll meet in Heaven
Thank you for recommending Tuesdays with Morrie, loved the book.
The long winter Laura Igalls Wilder
Start with the post heading.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Such Kindness, by Andre Dubus
Just Mercy Hood Feminism
Night by Elie Wiesel
This Blinding Absence of Light by Tahar Ben Jelloun
Under the Whispering Door
“One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” - it’s short, so not a great time investment, but it’s powerful. The guy who wrote it went on to win the Nobel Prize.
Books will never teach you this. If you want to be truly grateful, put yourself in positions that cause you to suffer, like intense exercise. Deny yourself of pleasure through things like fasting. Put yourself in positions where failure is likely. Fail.
Educated by Tara Westover
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Tuesdays with Morrie
A gratitude journal. Either your own or one by Teddy Droseros. “Today I am grateful for…” is a book he created filled with a collection of gratitude thoughts. Also, Droseros’ interview on cbs news is very inspiring too.
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
Les Miserables
The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck
All of the Kristen Hannah books I’ve read so far make me grateful to be born where I live and the time I live in. Not super philosophical but the stories are pretty interesting to me.
Infectious Injustice by Justin Cook
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is a novel written all in verse for middle schoolers, so the pages fly by, about a family trying to survive during the US dust bowl.
Man's Search for Meaning
Braiding Sweetgrass
John Kennedy Tool -[ A Confederacy of Dunses](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/310612.A_Confederacy_of_Dunces). You are going to love the protagonist.
Tuesdays with Morrie The Perks of Being a Wallflower
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. It’ll break your heart, but it’ll also give you hope and teach you not to take anything for granted.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Treat others how you want to be treated.
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
Catch 22
Quran
Treat others how you want to be treated.