A book that will improve my intelligence and help me understand life?

Question

In reality, practically any book will make me smarter because as a high school student, I have refused to read books due to the amount of attention span needed. I have taken a turn in life within this past year or so, reflecting on my own actions, reflecting on others and then what has to be done in order for 'this' to happen. I am creative and intelligent but I don't have the word vocabulary to back me up........I sound dumb and I act stupid. I want to change that. I already have an insight of the world and basically the philosophy..without the fancy words. So is there any book that might improve my current position? Something that will really open my mind up and have a long lasting affect on me? Hey....I got start somewhere don't I?

Answer 1

"Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein"



It's an easy, interesting read that explain how even great minds blundered their way to greatness as scientists. It's a testament to life itself and has lessons that can be applied to the nature of human trial & error.

Answer 2

Oh goodness, there are so many to choose from...



I'm fighting off the urge to jot down a list of books, cause like you said, you got to start somewhere, and it's probably not going to be with 10-20 books at the same time.



I will suggest 2 to you, because I have one in mind, and though it's not very long, it is a heavy piece. The other, I hope, would counterbalance that by offering a considerable amount of humor, while still lending some philosophical insight on which to start growing.



The first one is The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. It's only about 100 pages, but it's comprised of poetic compositions (not necessarily poems, since there's no rhythm pattern, but they are written "poetically") from the perspective of the titular "prophet" who speaks to the people of a village on the day he plans to leave. He speaks on things like love, family, reason and passion, food, houses, etc. All in an attempt to express the rights and wrongs of these areas of life.



The second one is Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal ("Lamb" for short) by Christopher Moore. This is a (this part is emphasised, if not obvious) fictional story about the years between when Jesus was a child and when he showed up in Jerusalem at the age of 33. In that time, Moore writes a fictional account of how Jesus, along with his faithful wingman Biff, seek out the 3 wise men, who all are skilled practitioners of Eastern religions, and how their teachings influences Jesus in his quest to understand exactly what it is he's supposed to do, being the son of God and all.



This story has it all: Chinese concubines, yetis, a love triangle with Mary Magdalene, the invention of "Jew-jitsu" and elephants doing yoga.

Answer 3

I am a high school student, too. I think I can help you :)



Have you heard of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series? I think they are very inspiring. In a book, there are many stories about real people and their real life experience. After reading each of the story, I always learn a lesson. There are no fancy words. There is philosophy. The stories are page-turning. There are many books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. I would highly recommend you this specific one: http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Stories-Learning/dp/1935096257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379184012&sr=8-1&keywords=chicken+soup+high+school I just read it recently. Because we are both high school-er, we can make a lot of personal connections with some of the stories. They are not like "if you are in this situation, you should do this, do that..." No, no, no,... They are the stories, written by real people, talking about their life experiences. In my opinion, it is better to learn from people's mistakes, see the consequences from their actions, and learn something. It's annoying having to sit down and read plain plain plain lectures. I know :) Many of the stories are funny, too. Therefore, I didn't get bored. I think that you would enjoy it.



If you are a girl, you should read this book. I just read it recently. It is written by award-winning "Sex and the City" actress Kim Cattrall. She has many great advice about many things. The illustrations are awesome, too. http://www.amazon.com/Being-Girl-Navigating-Downs-Teen/dp/0316011029/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1379184559&sr=8-5&keywords=kim+cattrall



If you are a girl, you should also read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Absolutely-Everything-ABSOLUTELY-EVERYTHING/dp/B0029PZMXY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1379184695&sr=8-5&keywords=girl%27s+guide+to+absolutely+everything

Yes, it is a girl's guide to absolutely everything. I read it a few months ago. Since then, I kept reading it over and over.



Sorry if you're a boy. I am a girl, so I read girl's guides. If you're a boy, only the first book is recommended, and just ignore the other 2. Hope that helped :)

Answer 4

or perhaps a book will further condition you, further limit possibilities in your mind.. as far as insight, you can learn far more from a tree, from the moon, from the stars, from an animal, from the cycles of feelings in you, than you can from any book..



books tend to condition you, they say "this is how it is".. I read books by Osho, because he does the opposite. he seeks to decondition you, so that you might see the world unfiltered, pure, and not through the distortive spectacles of somebody who may or may not have a hidden agenda



Finding Your Own Truth (OSHO Meditation Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnFo7fQpl6k

Answer 5

Here are two (!)



The Story of my life by Helen Keller and



Conjectures and Refutations by (sir) karl Popper.

Answer 6

The book for me is "Fantastic!" taught me how to be successful in my life.

Answer 7

thus spoke zarathustra by freidrich neitzsche