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Juan Camilo Tovar Castro

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List 5 books that you consider must-reads

I would like you to list those books that made a better you or those that you find very meaningful for some reason, inspiring, jaw-dropping. Those sorts of books that made you feel sad when you ended reading them or those which you'd re-read.

Topics: Reading books literature
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 9 2012: i personally suggest you read everything Ayn Rand wrote. She will convince you with her rhetoric that she is an empty people hating person, in my opinion. I do think the other books are worthwhile but I would flush Atas down the first toilet.

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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 10 2012: Edwin, when I said the I have read every word SHE wrote. I meant it. I did not read second hand sources until much later. I have even listened to philosphical tapes about her philospohpy. I lived down the road from the Rand estate for years.
          I have made a point of studying her philosophies and all of her writings.
          I can't stand her.YUCK!

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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 10 2012: Edwin, would you prime the pump by sharing yours, please?

          I would have to start with maybe Ghandi and Mandela who are not normally considered such and I do not want to confuse or distort your question as i have not got a degree in philosphy.

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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 10 2012: Reading is a great way to walk in someone else's shoes no matter who is doing the writing. So, Edwin did you ever consider writing one?

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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 11 2012: Hi Edwin, I do not know as I have never tried. Writing theses was hard enough for me and I always believed that I would not write a book until I had something unique to say. I hope you will try though. Somewhere along the road I read something that talked about all the things you should do in a lifetime. I forget just what it said beyond planting a tree (done many times over) and writing a book. This might be the only thing undone except for finding the love of my life and that is stil a distinct possibility I am happy to report. I am very certain it said nothing about having a stroke but MAN did I learn alot. Celebrate with me Edwin - yesterday I saw a doctor, an expert in strokes and he said that he felt i was one of the rare people who will make a full recovery. I want that more than I can even express!

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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 11 2012: Hi Edwin, The weird thing was that I was not a candidate for a stroke and at 56 I just went in for a surgery and they did not tell me that this was even a possibility. I lost confidence, all of my balance, intially I was in a coma for more than 2 weeks, I am told, I lost the ability to walk and talk and most of the coordination in my left hand (I have been typing answers on TED to improve my use of this hand in particular.) I still have balance problems but I look quite normal now most of the time but as you might imagine I got very thin after vomiting 10-13 times a day for more than 3 months. I lost a lot of confidence as well and that in itself is surprisingly dibilitating.
          I never did lose my will to live and to love.

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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 11 2012: Edwin, that question could be directed to Collen or Tim or Edward but I am Canadian and I do not pay (except through employer or taxes for my healthcare. Can you imagine what that spinal surgery, 2 weeks in a coma, 4.5 months in a rehab hospital and 2 months of outpatient treatment would have cost me in the US? I would most certainly be bankrupt! I have other concerns because of my health but it is not about how I will pay bills.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Jul 11 2012: Edwin and Debra,
          Prior to being eligible for Medicare, I paid $700.00 per month for a single person health care package. At a certain age, I was eligible for medicare coverage....THANKFULLY!!!

          The thing that gets me about the high expense, is that I'm a very healthy person, use and need very little in the way of health care.

          However, one has to have coverage for the unexpected! The hospital cost for my head injury/surgery 22 years ago was well over $300,000.00....100% covered by insurance. So if something like that happens to us, and we do not have insurance coverage, we can be financially cleaned out! This is a little off topic, but you DID ask, and bring me into the conversation:>)

          On topic...
          I read a TON of books while recovering from the head injury, craniotomy and cancer surgery...all around the same time. I read books about people who faced UNBELIEVABLE life challenges, which made my challenges seem less challenging. I kept thinking...well...if they can do THAT, I can certainly deal with my "stuff":>)

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