While we all hope for entertainment and perhaps a little escapism from a good book or comic, truly great writing can teach us important lessons for life. Shakespeare, for instance, cautioned against such character flaws as ambition, jealousy, and hesitancy by showing us tragic heroes brought low by them.
For this bounty, we'd like you to tell us about a book or comic that taught you what you consider to be an important life lesson that's stuck with you ever since. Tell us about the story and its author, tell us about the lesson and how it was conveyed, and tell us why it's stuck with you and how you follow it in daily life.
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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...
The value of curiosity and self-discovery. Instead of following what others thought you should do.
Learned to explore and find what truly resonates with me.
Sometimes, stepping out of my comfort zone and approaching things on my own terms can unlock a world of unexpected passions and interests.
Perseverance, even when driven by frustration, can lead to rewarding experiences, and sometimes, pushing through initial resistance can lead to life-changing discoveries.
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.
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.
The Brotherhood of the Wolf by David Farland is probably the only fantasy book in which one character has tried to teach another character (and thus the reader) some ethics, and I have consciously taken the teachings on board.
The text around this diagram explains that good and evil can be explained thusly: whenever you encroach upon or minimize any of the domains of another person, you are doing evil. Whenever you enlarge or enable enlargement of another person's domains, you are doing good.
Having never read any philosophy, and being a pretty simple-minded guy, I've let this (loosely) guide my actions since I read it as an early teen. I'm in my late 30s now, and still find it relevant. Given that the book came out in 1999 from a middle-aged reserved Mormon, with hindsight I am now impressed/surprised that 'self-definition' is included, as it seemed so frequently 'fair game' to be attacked when I was growing up (although that could be my micro-climate/the school I went to/my age at the time).
This also describes my children as beings of almost pure evil, constantly invading my body space, undermining my free will, sapping my time, and kicking me in the nuts. Given their progenitor, that seems correct.
Last year I went to see Tarja's solo concert and I always buy merch to support the artists I like, this time that merch was her autobiography Singing in my Blood.
She wrote the book during the pandemic and probably what spoke to me the most was how she wrote about that period. The message of it was don't take things for granted. And it is something easy to say, something we all know deep down, but we are not really prepared for it. For a lot of us Covid and the lockdowns meant we had to stop something we loved doing. As a musician she was prepared to have ups and downs in her carrier, concerts being cancelled due to circumstances outside of her control but she never thought she or any musician won't be able to perform on stage for such a long time, that she won't be allowed to meet her fans and talk to them.
I was a tourguide at the time so during lockdown I couldn't do my job either, and even after museums were open again, it was just not the same so I ended up changing profession.
Outside of the obvious things like don't take it granted that you will see your loved ones tomorrow or that you will still have a job, it also reminded me how fortunate I am that my favourite game has been around for 10 years and I can make content even if it's just a hobby at the moment and not a full-time job. I honestly don't know what would I do if I was a full-time FFXIV creator and suddenly the game servers would be shut down. And I don't think that many creators have a back-up plan for such a situation.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" taught me empathy and courage. Through Scout’s eyes, I learned the importance of standing up for what’s right, even when facing prejudice or misunderstanding.
When I was a child, I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book, and it basically taught me… how to read! It was my first “big” book, the densest up to that point, with more details and certainly the one that captured me the most with its stories.
I remember being 9 or 10 years old and finishing it in a week, only to read it again and again, reimagining everything that had gone through my mind the previous times. Today, it’s a controversial book/series/author, but that doesn’t change the fact that, at the time, it was something meaningful for me
After that book, and the rest of the series, I discovered that reading was very enjoyable, not only an obligation, and I started going to the school library and getting to know various authors whose books have accompanied me ever since. That definitely became a part of who I am, and I’m grateful to have learned that reading is transformative
It's impossible for me to talk about any book/comic other than this when it comes to life lessons. MAUS is a historical comic, based on real events, which portrays the story of a Jew from the beginning of World War II, through persecution, torture and the hell called “concentration camp”.
The story has the distinction of portraying people as animals. The Jews are rats, the Nazis are cats, the Poles are pigs, the Americans are dogs and so on... The story is told and portrayed in incredible images by the son of the Jewish survivor (Art Spiegelman), who has the ingenious idea of telling the story in the 3rd person, so that he too is a character in the book and shows how difficult it was to get his father, now a grumpy Jew with psychological after-effects from the Second World War, to tell the whole story of that time.
I remember it like it was yesterday, I had bought the comic and was eager to start reading it because of the many positive reviews it had. I started reading it at around 10.30pm and, believe it or not, I didn't stop reading until I'd finished it at 4am the next morning! I was so immersed and shocked by what I was reading that I couldn't stop, the comic makes up for the small amount of words with images that make you stare for several minutes, seeing every detail and how everything was drawn to really show the suffering of those people and the cruelty that took place during that period.
But, back to the question, I'm sure that this comic gave me an insight and knowledge about Nazism and concentration camps that I'd never had before. It was one of the first experiences I had of seeing how the view of the oppressed people (the Jewish author) makes all the difference to understanding the oppression they suffered. All the writing and portrayal is also a way of reminding us how far human beings are capable of going and how we can't forget or not talk about the subject. We must always be warned so that new groups or ideologies don't want to grow up with similar ideas. This is overcome by understanding what has already been done, and this comic makes a point of teaching us this in the saddest and most shocking way possible...
What's more, the comic showed me what defines a hero! Art's father is incredibly like any of us. His decisions throughout the story show us how his survival carries the same weight as a heroic act. The empathy among the Jews, the help of other peoples such as the French and Poles throughout the story, the protagonist's risky but right decisions. All of this showed his struggle, a struggle that shouldn't have existed, but a struggle that today, NEEDS to be used as an example of what defines overcoming!
Anyway, sorry about the essay, I really like talking about this book, I couldn't miss the opportunity to show how wonderful it is! I hope you can have the same experience I had.
Absolutely! The book is one of the best entry points into the subject of Nazism and understanding the concentration camps. I think what makes it accessible to pre-teens is that it is a metaphorical portrayal and uses graphics/images much more than a heavy text that would be shocking to these young people!
I highly recommend reading it and using it in an educational way!
I also love that this book does not vindicate or validate all of Vladek's actions. It's a more complex book the more you read and understand how some prejudices are still held despite what we had witnessed in WWII
Although this is technically a non-fiction book, Robert K is able to recount key lessons about finance and earning/saving money through somewhat fictional parables and stories from his past growing up learning from his 'Rich' Dad and his 'Poor' Dad.
It was only after this book that I seriously started thinking about my finances seriously, tracking my income, spending, what I wanted in life and how (financially) was going to succeed and the sacrifices it may take. Honestly it is one of the most important books in my life growing up and its coming up to 10 years since I completed it. In that time I was able to pay half my student loan, start up a small business, close it, and purchase my first house. I don't think I would've had the drive and dedication to do these things without Robert's teachings.
You can call him a crook, his lessons outdated, and the fact that he actually went bankrupt sorta tarnishes his teachings but I still think it rings true that when we start adulthood - our financial IQ and literacy is almost pre-school level and we need to start thinking about how we make 'our money work for us.' rather than 'working for our money'
One book that really moved me was “The Dreamseller” by Augusto Cury. The story opens with a mysterious man, the “dream seller”, stopping a depressed teacher from committing suicide. From then on, this teacher is invited on a journey of liberation and self-knowledge, as they meet people in similar situations along the way. And so this mysterious man, together with people in this situation of anguish, goes on to question many concepts of modern society, such as materialism, vanity, the incessant search for status, that famous life of appearances, in order to help these people in these moments of despair. Throughout the story, very important themes are explored for our current crazy times, such as mental health and the meaning of life, blending philosophy and psychology in a way that is very easy to understand. This book made me think a lot about values and what really matters in life, because it clearly shows that money and status are not enough for a person to feel happy and complete. It teaches us that true wealth is not in what we have, but in the way we look at life and how we can make a difference in the lives of the people around us. It's a really good read, I recommend it!
Wizard's First Rule - "Wizard's First Rule: people are stupid." Richard and Kahlan frowned even more. "People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything.
I started this series as a young teenager. The book via it's title builds up the climax, then the reveal. And for me, it just clicked. It is absolutely true. You expected a Wizard's important piece of information to be magical in nature. Instead, the rules ended up being a series of observations about human nature/behavior.
I also appreciated how the characters hearing it have a common reaction. Most of us understandably don't want to hear, let alone accept, that in general, people are stupid.
I think another close adjacent example of this is Agent K in Men in Black explaining people to soon to be Agent J.
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.
Of course I would say The Communist Manifesto. One of must read book of all time and the most important introduction to understand where we belong in society and how to organize ourselves to fight the oppression!
This is probably the most famous book written by Marx and Engels, it's very simples and short, it was written with the idea of a easy reading and understanding in mind, and it gives the basics ideas of class struggle in the capitalist society, and give us the steps to overcome the current means of production.
The first time I've read this book was in 2013 and that was that moment in my like that I've start to worry about most things in life (the begging of my adulthood) but I say that was most recently that I star to understand better the communist parties, and what are their fight. Understand that I'm only a work and to ascend to the high levels of the capitalist society is almost impossible, if it isn't impossible at all.
So The Communist Manifesto is maybe the most important book in my life and give a great reason to study and understand the world and fight along all the workers!
“Workers of the World, Unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains!”
A such book that can offer a deep life lesson to readers is "Without You, There Is No Us" by Suki Kim. I first heard about this whilst listening to a podcast and just knew I had to read this. This is a memoir detailing the rare personal look into North Korea in the form of Kim teaching the English language to young elite men in Pyongyang.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway that I have from this book is empathy and understanding across divides. Kim's insight into their isolation and the propaganda her students faced revealed their underlying humanity beneath the layers of enforced loyalty and fear. Despite the regime's control, her students show curiosity, vulnerability, and moments of connection that transcend political boundaries.
What has stayed in my head after the lesson is some sort of realization that one shouldn't stop at superficial assumptions but try to understand, even if the environment is rather unusual or not easy to penetrate. In essence, people are alike despite all barriers in their hopes and fears. It was such an attitude that helped me face different situations in life more openheartedly.
Personally, the Magnus Chase series by Rick Riordan has one of the most unique lessons from the author. I have read the Percy Jackson book, The Kane Chronicles, and other stories by Riordan and the authors under the Rick Riordan presents banner. But the lesson that has stuck with me the most is told by the series' main antagonist Loki, the lesson is so impactful that even the main protagonist Magnus Chase has to agree that he is right:
“The thing about fate, Magnus: even if we can’t change the big picture, our choices can alter the details. That’s how we rebel against destiny, how we make our mark. What will you choose to do?”
This has always stuck with me, and I feel as though I have incorporated this quote into my life (even if I didn’t realise it), whether I’m working, or playing football. Even if I can’t change the picture I can still make an impact with my actions and decisions.
When I was at school as a child, I read “The Little Prince” and found it a very meaningless, even boring read, but my mother always insisted “One day you'll understand what makes it so special”, so I decided as an adult to give it a chance and simply Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's book is extremely profound and portrays adult life and its flaws, which is precisely why it didn't make sense at the time, I wasn't ready yet.
The story follows a pilot lost in the desert who meets a young prince from another planet, who shares his experiences and encounters different characters, each representing a lesson.
The lesson that struck me the most was the phrase “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed” and it highlights how important it is to take responsibility for those we love, those we care about, have you ever sat down and thought “I shouldn't have responded to my girlfriend like that” or maybe your father, your best friend, or maybe you've ever thought “I'm too busy, I don't have time to visit my grandmother” and in the future you may regret having gone to say hello or even phoned her, be responsible for what you have tamed.
Only for those who have read it: What do you see in this picture?
This is one of my favourite books! A lot of books we are forced to read as kids we are not really ready for, this is definitely one of them, it takes a few life experiences to really understand it.
Goth, one of the best manga I’ve ever read, I found myself reflecting on the darker sides of human nature and how curiosity can lead us down paths we never intended. The manga is a haunting reminder that fascination with the morbid, while intriguing, can be dangerous if it get to consume us.
As a man in my late 30s, I see this story differently than I might have when I first read it. The characters, Kamiyama and Morino, are drawn to darkness in a way that’s unsettling. They observe the worst of humanity with a detached fascination. When I was younger, this detachment might have seemed cool or rebellious, but now, with years of life experience, it reads like a warning: what you choose to focus on shapes you.
The manga shows that curiosity isn’t inherently bad, but unchecked curiosity without empathy can lead to emotional numbness. Kamiyama, for example, doesn’t intervene whenn he sees something horrific; he only observes. It’s easy to become like him, especially in our current world where we’re bombarded with shocking news and tragedies daily. Goth challenges us to think about how much we let ourselves be desensitized.
Nowadays, I understand better the importance of balancing curiosity with compassion. It’s fine to want to know why people do what they do—even the worst things—but if we lose our humanity in the process, what’s the point? This manga made me realize that it’s essential to have a line we don’t cross, to maintain a sense of empathy and not let ourselves become cold observer.
There’s also a message in Goth about the need to confront the darkness within ourselves. Both protagonists have experienced pain and loss, which they hide behind a mask of curiosity. The story suggests that, in a way, their fascination with death is a way to understand their own trauma. This resonates with me now that I’m older, because I know that running away from pain, or burying it under distractions, doesn’t make it go away. It’s important to face it, acknowledge it, and then decide how it will—or won’t—shape you.
Ultimately, Goth taught me that it’s okay to be interested in the darker sides of life, but it’s crucial not to let it consume you. Curiosity should be balanced with empathy, and understanding the darkness in the world should serve to make us better, not colder, people.
Congrats Alucard on sneaking the top prize in a reward that was absolutely full of really top-quality entries (we had to bring in the whole team to whittle down our shortlist for this one). Goth sounds like a brave and timely manga and we all loved your thoughtful, eloquent breakdown here. Thank you 🙏
Filosofi Teras is the book that marked a turning point for me, motivating me to read regularly to become more accustomed to reading and overcoming laziness.
Fortunately, Filosofi Teras was the book I chose to start with, as its content, in my view, is excellent. I was introduced to Stoic philosophy through this book, where concepts are explained in a way that is very clear and simple for readers. I found many interesting aspects, from agreeing with the author’s thought process to moments of disagreement. That’s part of the fun of reading—seeing the writer's perspective and having the freedom as a reader to agree or disagree with the author’s opinions. This is why there’s a saying that “books are the windows to the world,” as they capture a person's view of the world, allowing readers to learn things they may not have experienced firsthand.
Haha, sorry for getting carried away with my thoughts! Getting back to the main point, there’s a phrase in the book that goes something like this: “Focus on what’s within your control, not what’s outside of it.” For example, things we can control include our mindset, goals, and desires. On the other hand, things outside our control are other people’s actions, opinions, health, and expectations. To me, this is a simple but powerful phrase for life lessons, as it alone can help us live in a state of mental and emotional stability.
By a series of strange coincidences I read this book in 1996, the year I turned 18, and I can say, without exaggeration, that it made an impression on me, and for several days I was very affected. I admit, without any fear, that it is the book that has left the deepest impression on me of all the books I have read in my life.
Nothing that happens in the book made me, at that moment in my life, feel directly identified with any of the events, characters or experiences that occur in the plot, that is not the reason for the mark it left on me at that time. Simply reading it made me see and understand how complex, hard and at the same time fascinating adult life can be, even more so knowing that the book was largely autobiographical, that is to say, that things can really be perfectly like that.
As the years have gone by, with the day to day of life, I have come to feel completely identified with many of the things that happen in the book. One cannot deny the things that happen in life, denying them is useless. Accepting the reality of our environment, of the people around us, of the things that inevitably happen to us, and taking responsibility for our actions, is a vital development that we all end up experiencing in the course of our lives.
There is no merit in saying that the book by one of the best Japanese writers in history, and a Nobel Prize, is a masterpiece... but even so, I am fully aware that this kind of literature is not for everyone. I, every day of my life, face the reality of the things that happen to me, knowing that denying them is useless, and facing the need to act and be responsible for our decisions is absolutely unavoidable.
"I Am Malala", the autobiography of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, tells the story of the 15-year-old girl who, for fighting for her right to an education and refusing to remain silent in the face of Taliban oppression, was shot in the head and almost lost her life.
As well as moving me, this book taught me about the importance of fighting for your goals and dreams and not letting anyone stop you from achieving them. It showed me that the change you want to see in the world has to start with you. It taught me the importance and impact that family has on your life and your values. It also showed me the power of education and how it can transform lives.
Even with this tragedy, Malala did not remain silent. Quite the opposite, it only motivated her to speak up for the cause. And today, 12 years later, she has become a symbol of education and peace, not only winning a Nobel Prize at the age of 17, but also creating a fund to promote universal education for girls and becoming a UN Messenger of Peace.
I did a lot of thinking, but at the end of the day the comic I'm going with is the manga series Bakuman written by Tsugumi Ohba with Takeshi Obata providing the artwork.
If those names (or the character designs shown above) seem familiar that might be because this is the same duo that created Death Note. Bakuman, however, is a massive departure from their previous series. Serialized from 2008 to 2012 and spanning 20 printed volumes, Bakuman tells the story of writer Takagi Akito and artist Moritaka Mashiro as they set off on a journey to become professional manga artists. The story starts with the characters in high school and follows their careers through college and into adulthood, and tracks not only their growth, but their fellow artists in the magazine Shonen Jump (changed to Shonen Jack in the anime because of Japanese broadcast regulations relating to advertising/product placement) as well as Mashiro's romantic interest, an aspiring voice actress who made a deal that the two will get married when their work becomes an anime and she voices the female lead.
The biggest lesson Bakuman has to teach is exactly what you would expect from any shonen manga: Follow your dreams, don't give up, and put your heart, soul, and tears into chasing what you want. It's a familiar theme if you've read anything from Naruto, Bleach and One Piece, to Dragon Ball Z and Rouroni Kenshi, to literally any sports manga. But Bakuman hits harder for me personally because while my interest in sports is limited to a few specific teams, and being a warrior saving and protecting people is an escapist fantasy, being creative professionally is my actual dream. When I first started Bakuman, I'd largely given up on that aspiration. I was part of a couple online communites and I wrote microfiction, and some people liked it, but it was never something that would be more than a hobby. But reading this series lit the spark in me again. I started plotting out longer things again, started getting move involved with the communities I was in, and here I am now getting ready to start work on something I hope to self-publish as an ebook within the next year. That wouldn't have happened without the inspiration I got from this comic. Which is why the comple box set of the series has a prominent place on my bookshelf.
One of the books that taught me a lasting life lesson is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Although often categorized as a simple spiritual fable, its profound messages about self-discovery and purpose are incredibly impactful. The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd living a modest life but feeling a persistent restlessness to seek something beyond what he knows. Prompted by a series of dreams and encounters, he sets out on a journey in search of a distant treasure, supposedly buried near the Pyramids of Egypt.
Throughout his journey, Santiago faces countless challenges and makes many sacrifices. He experiences fear, loneliness, and loss, but it’s through these obstacles that he grows and learns about the true value of his quest. The big revelation he uncovers at the end is that the “treasure” he sought was actually much closer than he imagined—within him, symbolized by his heart, his experiences, and the wisdom he gained along the way.
The lesson this book left me with was about the importance of listening to my heart and not being paralyzed by the fear of taking risks. In a world full of expectations and pre-made paths, it’s often tempting to conform to an illusory “safety.” But The Alchemist reminds us that to live authentically and with purpose requires courage and perseverance. This book stayed with me for its simple, almost poetic way of teaching that happiness isn’t found in reaching a concrete end but in the way we walk the path and in how much we learn and grow throughout the journey.
In my daily life, whenever I find myself hesitating or feeling afraid to pursue something I truly want, I remember the book’s famous line: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” This message encourages me to move forward with courage, face challenges, and keep seeking personal growth, even if the final outcome isn’t exactly what I initially imagined. The journey, with all its lessons, is the true treasure.
This book has taught me that you can do something in one place, then move to another
and in that other place you will meet the person you think is going to be your partner for life, but when you move to another state or country you discover that the environment is totally different and that you never know where your true partner will be.
Your best work or I had and it will develop.
THE BOOK 📕
this is the first book from The frontwoman from THE BANGLES Susanna Hoffs the book is part novel part biography
I was a silly guy that used to pay attention to trivial and meaningless things without giving priority to the things that we truly should, but this book clearly clarified those things for me, the idea is not to ignore everything, the idea is to know how to give priority to what it is important, leaving aside what never deserves importance.
How "Animal Farm" Taught Me to Be the Protagonist of My Own Life
Me and the book (Portuguese version)
"Animal Farm" is a book written by George Orwell that tells the story of animals who rebelled against the owner of the farm they lived on, and then began to run the farm themselves. Throughout the story, it becomes clear that the pigs gradually become more "human," to the point of establishing laws, punishments, and oppressing the "lower-class" animals.
As one reads the book, it is evident that the delegation of leadership positions to the pigs led the other animals into a state of oppression. From this perspective, I realized that I should take on more responsibilities and do things I considered difficult, because only by doing so could I prevent others from having too much influence over my decisions and potentially "oppressing" me, just as the pigs did with the other animals on the farm.
"Animal Farm" is much more than a dystopian or political book. George Orwell was such a brilliant writer that he left important life lessons within a simple story.
I was raised in a Christian household and when I was about 14 I read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It is a fictitious collection of correspondence between an elder demon and its neophyte nephew on how to corrupt and manipulate the human the nephew was assigned to lead on a path to damnation.
I am no longer religious, but The Screwtape Letters has stuck with me because, while framed in a Judeo Christian apologetic narrative, it VERY potently describes and highlights human nature and the weakness therein.
As a teen believing in god, it was a warning to me on which toxic traits were the devil's work. But, even after I left that life, I think about The Screwtape Letters and how well it vilifies the things which will make your life worse.
Revenge is a path to damnation, love is the opposite of evil--absolutist principals to be taken with a grain of salt and an open, educated mind. But, nonetheless, there is something to be gained by reading The Screwtape Letters, regardless of your beliefs or background.
It is a clinical dissection of what your internal monologue can do to drive you to selfish, evil deeds. While I don't believe in god, I do believe in evil, and if you separate the religious overtones from The Screwtape Letters and read it as a metaphor rather than religious propaganda, I think you will have trouble dismissing its message.
Loved this, thanks Horror and Cats! I've put The Screwtape Letters on my purchase list; other than Narnia I haven't read anything by Lewis and this sounds like he uses a really inventive device to explore human frailties. Looking forward to it 🙏
So I have two characters that taught me important life lessons however as they sometimes appear in the same comicbooks im sure its fine 😁.
The first is Spider-man and the lesson of with great power, comes great responsibility.
This resinated with me as an army medic. I had the knowledge and skills to save lives so it was my responsibility to help whenever I could. I then took this in to being a carer and now as a charity worker. If I have the ability to help someone, I will and I will not leave someone with no hope or advice.
The next character to teach me somthing important is Deadpool.
As silly and extream as he is, the one thing that stands out in his personality is that he is true to himself no matter what and he never gives in to be like others.
It took me too long to realise this was a major issue for me but Deadpools comicbooks have dramatically helped my mental health (the irony) particularly following the breakdown of my first marriage.
Funny you bring up Deadpool and Spiderman. The artist/creator of Deadpool, Rob Liefield had said that he wanted to use Spiderman and Wolverine but since he didn't have access to those characters he had to make sorta-similar characters so that's how we got Deadpool and Cable teaming up.
It's funny seeing that in retrospect considering Wolverine will probably be more synonymous with the merc with a mouth than Cable due to the new movie
This is the best romance manga you will ever read in your life! It’s about the story of Sumi Kitamura, who is the second eldest daughter in a family of six with no parents. One day, after her older brother leaves town, her younger brothers and sisters are sold to pay the family’s debts. The only way for her to get them back is to make a lot of money quickly. In her search for the money, a man offers to give her the money if she marries him... and that’s where the story unfolds.
This book came into my life during a time of depression and despair. I felt overwhelmed and had no will to live. This manga made me believe in romantic love again, that no matter how, when, or where, if it’s true love, you will notice it—not just with words, but also with actions, because words can be fleeting. Thanks to this manga, I learned to fight for my dreams and goals, no matter how hard it may be. Sumi wanted to become a lady of society, and she studied for years until she achieved it. Later, she opened a small rose shop, despite being a lady of society. It also taught me to be more open and to express what I feel because we only have one life, and it’s not good to keep things inside that we want others to know. Otherwise, it may be too late, and we’ll always wonder what could have happened if...
In short, this manga was my therapist at the time. It’s really good, and you should read it. It's called Stepping on Roses in English, and in Japanese, it’s Hadashi de Bara wo Fume.
I remember this issues from wolverine, which appeal to the freedom, but also the way we attach to the material world and the disconfort of losing whatever life brings, all of a sudden, wolverine is someone, fictional, but, is someone who does cares about what is not held accountable by many, he cares about justice, and other values, and his time is the one to be managed by him, not taking orders by others, but knowing what is best.
Other taughts are, to be the best there is at what we do.
Almost two decades ago, a good friend handed me The Smile of Machiavelli, a biography that dives into the life of Niccolò Machiavelli, penned by Maurizio Viroli. At first, I wasn’t keen on revisiting the life of the mind behind The Prince, but everything changed when I stumbled upon a striking line on the book’s cover: "[…] the famous 'smile' of the author of The Prince was born more from disillusionment than from cynicism."
What struck me most was the lesson woven throughout the narrative: we should approach history—and by extension, people—with a critical eye, resisting the urge to accept conventional wisdom at face value. Machiavelli is often painted as the archetypal villain of political discourse, the quintessential opportunist. Yet, Viroli’s painstaking research, especially his examination of Machiavelli's letters to his friend Francesco Vettori, reveals a more complex truth. This was a man who genuinely cared for Florence and sought to empower it, not destroy it. One of his goals was to ensure that Florence could defend itself in a chaotic political landscape.
This insight has lingered with me. I’ve learned to question narratives and look for deeper truths in both history and daily life. It’s a principle I try to live by, especially when teaching my kids about empathy and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Update: In English, the book’s title is Niccolo’s Smile. I called it The Smile of Machiavelli because I translated the title directly from the Spanish edition, which is the version I read. My apologies for any confusion.
Love this, and look forward to checking it out myself! I've always heard of Machiavelli referred to as a cynic, but never shared the view. And I appreciate the quote distinguishing between cynicism and disillusionment.
Thank you! I think you'll find Viroli’s perspective both refreshing and insightful. The contrast between cynicism and disillusionment really brings new depth to Machiavelli’s character. Hope you enjoy discovering it!
Cosmos explores the nature of the universe and humanity's place within it.
Cosmos delves into a wide range of scientific topics, including the origins of life, evolution, astronomy, and the history of science.
Sagan brings complex ideas to life with accessible language and profound insights, making subjects like the Big Bang, the formation of galaxies, and black holes understandable and inspiring for readers of all backgrounds.
Sagan also examines the development of human civilization and our quest for knowledge, encouraging a sense of wonder and curiosity about the cosmos.
My life lesson is...
He emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and the dangers of superstition, urging readers to think critically and approach the mysteries of the universe with open minds.
