Want a good book, help me out

[jdmhotness]

Well I want a good book to read, I just finished the davinci code, which was really pretty OK, but nothing special....really dissapointed from all the hype.

I havent read to many books lately, maybe about 20 or so in the past 2 years. I was reading as many michael crichton books as I could find, but im looking for something different.

I recently moved outa state for school and I dont really do much, just kinda sit around, long story but I have a couple friends, am kinda lonely and iv always been sorta the guy that "battles with his own mind". I like reading self help books and shit like that.

I guess im looking for something about life, or something that will make me think outside my box.

thanks guys
-nick

 

[mehastings]

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

It's not so much a self hlep book, but the story of a guy who went to rehab and overcame some serious addiction issues. It's a really great book and is being made into a movie soon. Read it now before the movie comes out. There's also a sequel, My Friend Leonard, but I haven't read that yet.

 

[Kookamoor]

Hey JMD. I moved away for school and I know it's tough meeting new people and such. The best piece of advice I can give you is to try new things. The amazing thing about college/university is that there are people from all walks of life, and there is a place for you to fit in. You never know, your place could be with people you never imagined yourself fitting in with. Try new sports, new activity groups or new church groups and you'll be amazed.

The first book that springs to mind is Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way' which is about journaling and getting your thoughts on paper - she has some neat exercises to do this and some uplifting stories too. You might find writing down your thoughts helps when you're trying to figure so much out at the moment. And it makes fascinating reading later in life - trust me!! There are other books on journaling out there too (type journaling into Amazon and see), so maybe look at a few of those.

 

[jdmhotness]

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

It's not so much a self hlep book, but the story of a guy who went to rehab and overcame some serious addiction issues. It's a really great book and is being made into a movie soon. Read it now before the movie comes out. There's also a sequel, My Friend Leonard, but I haven't read that yet.

Sweet thanks, just ordered it. Sounds a lot like "cracked" by dr.drew, which I read about a year ago, then remembered it and ordered it again on paperback for a buck on amazon just now, thanks

-nick

 

[jdmhotness]

Hey JMD. I moved away for school and I know it's tough meeting new people and such. The best piece of advice I can give you is to try new things. The amazing thing about college/university is that there are people from all walks of life, and there is a place for you to fit in. You never know, your place could be with people you never imagined yourself fitting in with. Try new sports, new activity groups or new church groups and you'll be amazed.

The first book that springs to mind is Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way' which is about journaling and getting your thoughts on paper - she has some neat exercises to do this and some uplifting stories too. You might find writing down your thoughts helps when you're trying to figure so much out at the moment. And it makes fascinating reading later in life - trust me!! There are other books on journaling out there too (type journaling into Amazon and see), so maybe look at a few of those.

Sadly my life isnt even this exciting. I dont go to a university. I go to a automotive technical school here in Phoenix. Its a very nice big school but is full of guys that dont stop talking about how much beer they drank and the "women" they have slept with...but in reality every one of them is far from anything I would call cool. I live on the other side of town were the univeristy is(ASU) and some would call this part of town ghetto...which is almost full of white trash and anyone over the age of 18 is either on the other side of town to college or leaving. Everyone living here seems to hate it, along with me

Im basically used to nice white suburban housing with a walmart and mcdonalds on the corner never having to worry about getting my ass kicked walking down the street. So this is a good exp yes, just gets lonely along the way. I only got a few months left, ill try to make the best of it.

thanks guys
-nick

 

[mehastings]

I'm sorry you aren't having a good experience there. I haven't heard great things about Phoenix. In fact, I've heard there's a lot of violent crime and whatnot. Randomly, my boyfriend and I were joking about moving there tonight because they have a really big fire department with nice equipment.

Meeting people in a new area really is tough. After college I had the same problem. We decided to stay in the same area because cost of living is cheaper than in eastern MA and we both had good jobs. It was tough though. All of our friends graduated and moved away. The only people we knew were from the volunteer fire department in town, and they're all at least 40. They are wonderful, but at different places in their lives than we are. Over the past four years we've met a bunch of really great younger people through our jobs, the college I TA at, and mutual friends. It was so hard at first though. We spent most nights working or hanging out watching TV at home.

The biggest thing I learned was that I was looking for friends in the wrong places. Have you thought about looking for places that young locals/college students hang out? Granted you may have to go across town to find coffee houses, pubs and clubs, but it would probably be worth it. I know there are colleges in Phoenix. I'm sure there are folks hiding out there somewhere that you would be interested in hanging out with.

 

[jdmhotness]

Yea I basically live in the worse part for the crime(glendale)..which really I was suprised. I mean its kinda shitty, but not to bad. Just as long as I mind to myself and dont look over at stoplights I think im good

I really cant complain to much, I have made a decent amount of friends, just most of them are either on the other side of town and dont want to make a big deal to be friends since its a good 30min drive or arnt like my old friends from back home. Plus I moved here by myself and didnt know anyone coming here, so its sorta hard. Im 21, iv lived on my own since I was 18, so im fine with the responsibility part, just never lived outa state before with no one to start with. Anyways, thanks caring, means more than people know to just talk to me about this shit.

take it easy
-nick

 

[Jemima Aslana]

Psh, my closest friend don't even live in my town. The nearest is about an hour away with train - and people wonder why I have no social life

As for books - you sound like one of those who have more than half a brain to read with. I'd recommend Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. It's basically the Da Vinci Code for Advanced Learners You'll definitely have lots of food for thought there. Good story, good writing, not linear in timeline, which can be very confusing - so don't leave your brain on the shelf when sitting down with this one.

As for self-help books - I've never read many of those, so can't suggest much along those lines. But generally I'd say, browse the forums, I promise you, you'll find plenty of titles and authors you'll want to take a closer look at just by skimming some of the threads here

Oh and welcome to the forum

 

[Kookamoor]

Its a very nice big school but is full of guys that dont stop talking about how much beer they drank and the "women" they have slept with...but in reality every one of them is far from anything I would call cool.

Eww... Now I see your problem. Well, I hope the time until the end of your course passes quickly and then you can move to a much nicer place! Remember, though, that universities usually don't just cater to enrolled students but the community as well, so there may still be social opportunities there.

 

[SFG75]

Have you tried any Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler? I've learned to appreciate the latter since joining TBF. Not a complex book to read by any means, but a good writer nevertheless. A good fiction adventure reading is sometimes a good remedy for when things are just too hectic around you. For old classics-there is always anything by Steinbeck or Upton Sinclair. If you're feeling that you want everyone else to die off(I do sometimes) try Ayn Rand.

 

[Kookamoor]

If you're feeling that you want everyone else to die off(I do sometimes) try Ayn Rand.

*GAG* That's a little extreme, don't you think?! I've never read her work, but I've read enough Terry Goodkind interviews (one) to know that it's not something I'd appreciate.

 

[lindaj07]

Jemima, you're dead right about Foucault's Pendulum. I would even go so far as to say that Dan Brown read it before writing Da Vinci Code? In my opinion, Da Vinci Code fades into insignificance when compared to Foucault's Pendulum.
I would also, suggest Name of the Rose, another wonderful book by Eco. Have you read that?

As for books - you sound like one of those who have more than half a brain to read with. I'd recommend Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. It's basically the Da Vinci Code for Advanced Learners You'll definitely have lots of food for thought there. Good story, good writing, not linear in timeline, which can be very confusing - so don't leave your brain on the shelf when sitting down with this one.