Top 10 Life Changing Books of the Century

This timeless story follows the life of Buddha and tells the long but vital journey within all of us to find truth. Written by Herman Hesse, this book has shaped the lives of millions since it's original publication in 1922.

2. Steppenwolf

Another book by Herman Hesse, Steppenwolf was written later in the author's life and confronts the themes of later life, old age, and the inner conflicts of a man separated from society. This is a must read for anyone, especially younger audiences going through the transitional phase from youth to adult.

3. The Tao of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff was written to strike upon the similarities between the stories of Winnie the Pooh and the spiritual notions found in Taoism. The 'Tao' or "The Way" is a form of Buddhism created centuries ago. This heartwarming book provides a wealth of spiritual wisdom which--through the help of anecdotes from the Winnie the Pooh we all know so well-translate wonderfully and effectively from page to page.

4. Slaughterhouse 5

Although often considered a science fiction book, Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut is, for me, more of an existentially oriented novel. Conflicts concerning mortality, free will, time travel and even aliens coalesce into a thought provoking achievement of literature.

5. Fahrenheit 451

Although similar in some ways to 1984, Brave New World and even Anthem by Ayn rand, Fahrenheit 451 focuses more specifically on a society that has criminalized books. Fireman now set fire to libraries and homes containing books. The water hose has been replaced with the flamethrower. Fahrenheit 451 builds a strange world without books while showing how the written word can awaken the individual inside us all.

6. Brave New World

One of the most famous authors the century, Aldous Huxley published Brave New World as a response to Utilitarianism so prevalent during the 19^th century and even now. Even today, some predictions Huxley makes have held truth and Brave New World continues to hold it's relevance as time goes on. Although similar to many 'collective vs individual' books published during that time, Brave New World continues to stand apart in an arena all it's own.

7.The Neverending Story

Being a children's book, I read this novel when I was 11. No other book during my childhood held the rich imagination found in The Neverending Story. I'm sure the strange and colorful images rendered in the novel shaped my development as a writer. Parents, read this book to your kid. You'll be just as into it as them.

8. Flowers for Algernon

Flowers of Algernon depicts Charlie, a bakery worker with a very low IQ in the middle of a bustling city. After some effort on the part of Charlie's care provider, Charlie was able to find a program that promised-after a little surgery-to correct his cognitive problems. What happens from there is for you to read, but what follows is an amazing journey of human development.

9. To Kill a Mockingbird

This book, found in many High Schools across the nation, is popular for a reason. To Kill a Mockingbird contains all the elements of a good book. Moral issues such as prejudice and injustice are confronted while undercurrents of mystery, conviction and love work to create a full body of creative genius. Even if you read it once it doesn't hurt to read it again.

10. The Catcher in the Rye

Written by J.D. Salinger, a controversial and often misinterpreted writer, The Catcher in the Rye is possibly one of the most influential American books ever written. Here Salinger dives into the eyes of Holden Caufield, a young character battling with loneliness, isolation and a sense of hopeless misdirection after many failed attempts at attending several accredited universities. By the end of the book, however, a sense of relief comes to not only the reader, but possibly even Holden himself as, for a moment, life seizes to be a hysteric charade and becomes instead a wellspring of beauty and potential.