What was the most influential book you read in 2009?
December 15, 2009 8:49 PM Subscribe
What was the most influential book you read in 2009?
All the newspapers have written about their choices for best books in 2009, but what do you say? What’s the most influential book you read this year? I'm not necessarily looking for your most entertaining read but the one that most influenced you in 2009.
I'll kick it off with Whatever It Takes by Paul Tough. It's about the Harlem Children's Zone in New York, a program created by Paul Canada. I originally heard about it in an episode of This American Life. Canada's dedication was inspiring, as was the kids' high academic achievement.
It influenced me because it changed the way I look at volunteering, and more broadly, helping those in need. Canada has a huge vision, and he had to make difficult decisions along the way. But ultimately his focus on results and his and his staff's dedication made it possible for many people to succeed who may not have otherwise.
What was the most influential book you read in 2009?
All the newspapers have written about their choices for best books in 2009, but what do you say? What’s the most influential book you read this year? I'm not necessarily looking for your most entertaining read but the one that most influenced you in 2009.
I'll kick it off with Whatever It Takes by Paul Tough. It's about the Harlem Children's Zone in New York, a program created by Paul Canada. I originally heard about it in an episode of This American Life. Canada's dedication was inspiring, as was the kids' high academic achievement.
It influenced me because it changed the way I look at volunteering, and more broadly, helping those in need. Canada has a huge vision, and he had to make difficult decisions along the way. But ultimately his focus on results and his and his staff's dedication made it possible for many people to succeed who may not have otherwise.
What was the most influential book you read in 2009?
This post was deleted for the following reason: the i'll go first chatfilter aspect of this is problematic. -- jessamyn
On second thought, this seems like chatfilter. flagged.
posted by kylej at 9:02 PM on December 15, 2009
posted by kylej at 9:02 PM on December 15, 2009
I don't think I read any books from 2009 this year.
I'll have to go with Heinrich Böll's Die Verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum.
Not modern, but damn influential, criticizing the German domestic terrorism panic in the early '70s and how it was fed by the sensationalist media.
posted by dunkadunc at 9:05 PM on December 15, 2009
I'll have to go with Heinrich Böll's Die Verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum.
Not modern, but damn influential, criticizing the German domestic terrorism panic in the early '70s and how it was fed by the sensationalist media.
posted by dunkadunc at 9:05 PM on December 15, 2009
Also, yes, chatfilter- unless you have a problem that needs solving, AKA "I'm looking for some books to read that will influence me in some way".
posted by dunkadunc at 9:06 PM on December 15, 2009
posted by dunkadunc at 9:06 PM on December 15, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
If not, I'd say that Bel Canto influenced me a lot.
posted by kylej at 8:53 PM on December 15, 2009