Tell us about a book or comic that taught you an important life lesson!

The book that changed my life forever is The Quadroon by Thomas Mayne Reid. Technically, it wasn’t the book’s content that transformed me, but rather an event surrounding it. I can hardly remember the plot details because I picked it up when I was about five.

At the time, I hated reading. Every book I was told to read felt boring, and one day my mom, clearly fed up, said, “Alright, stop whining, pick your own ‘perfect book,’ and read it yourself.”

Angry at the whole world, I rushed into the family library and grabbed the first book I saw. Driven by sheer frustration, I forced myself through the first few pages - and then.. magic happened. I got hooked. I couldn’t put it down, and that evening, my parents actually had to pry it away from me. I lay in bed, imagining how the story would unfold.

Over the next few weeks, I finished The Quadroon and then devoured all the other Reid books we had (four or five of them). That led to Walter Scott, Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, and more. The Quadroon became my gateway to the world of books, and I still keep the habit of reading at least a few pages on my Kindle every day.

Oh sorry, the lessons...

1. The value of curiosity and self-discovery. Instead of following what others thought you should do.

2. Learned to explore and find what truly resonates with me.

3. Sometimes, stepping out of my comfort zone and approaching things on my own terms can unlock a world of unexpected passions and interests.

4. Perseverance, even when driven by frustration, can lead to rewarding experiences, and sometimes, pushing through initial resistance can lead to life-changing discoveries.

5. Books are cool :D
   
   

One of the very first adult short-stories I ever read as a young man had a lasting life-long impact on me. I can still remember it clearly, an older cousin of mine left his library book at our home. It was a collection of short-stories and the cover illustration called to me. (That is not the original one above) The story I read first was called, 'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison. I became a life-long admirer of Mr. Ellison's works and his life after reading this story and it started me down a science-fiction journey that would lead to Ray Bradbury, Heinlein, and all the other greats of the genre. But, more importantly, it distilled in me a feeling of revolutionary thought and an adherence to being true to yourself that resonates even today.

The opening quote from Thoreau is what caused me to read Civil Disobedience and, as in most truly great works, showed me an interconnected literary world of ideas and ideals that was - until then - hidden from my third grade 8 year old self.

I highly recommend any of Mr. Ellison's works, but Repent, Harlequin was my first.

This book taugh me to be a parent who better understands child in their teenage phase and how we respond to them as parents

my book would have to be american sniper because it taught me about how to be there for my family and my country

One of the most impactful stories I’ve read is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s this beautifully written novel about a young shepherd named Santiago who embarks on a journey to find treasure but ends up discovering so much more about himself along the way. The book is packed with life lessons, but the one that hit me the hardest was about the importance of following your dreams and staying true to your personal journey, no matter how uncertain or challenging it might get.

The story constantly reminds you that the real "treasure" isn’t necessarily the end goal, but the experiences, lessons, and growth you gain while pursuing it. It’s all about trusting the process, learning to listen to your heart, and embracing the obstacles as part of the adventure. Honestly, it’s one of those books that makes you reflect on your own life, urging you to take that leap, pursue what you truly want, and never give up on the dreams that make you feel alive.