Life-altering books? Author Will Schwalbe has 26 that changed his
Canadians are a nation of readers.
According to BookNet Canada, 83 per cent of Canadians read at least one book last year.
But even so, reading comes in fourth place as a way to spend free time — behind watching television, browsing the internet, and spending time with family.
"These 26 are all books that found me at a time when I really needed them," Schwalbe tells The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti.
"They're not I don't think the 26 greatest books in the world, although some of them are, nor are they even really my 26 favourite books."
"But they're books that taught me something and I think have the opportunity to teach others something."
- Reading List: The 26 books that changed Will Schwalbe's life
Schwalbe says that in a world filled with distractions, reading gives us stillness — but also of connection with others.
"Reading books puts us into someone else's soul," says Schwalbe.
"It causes us, at least for a moment, to put aside our prejudices and opinions and really listen to someone else."
"One of the things I love about books is, you can rant about them, you can scream at them, you can even scribble in the margins or throw a book across the room," he tells Tremonti.
"What you can't do is change the words on the page."
And that connection comes off the page too. That's why Schwalbe considers "What are you reading?" to be the "most terrific" question.
"It really allows someone to share something of themself and it opens up a conversation."
Schwalbe says he follows his impulses when it comes to what to read next for good reason.
"I'd love to follow books as they sort of show me where to go because I have a real belief that the universe puts in your path the book you need when you most need it."
Listen to the full conversation at the top of this web post.
This segment was produced by The Current's Karin Marley.
Which books changed your life, and how? Send us your most life-altering books.