6 books that changed my life (+12 that i thought were cool)

These 6 books were unexpected life-changers... especially the last one
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This is 6 stories about 6 books. They've each shaped my life in terms of my family, my health, and my creativity. From Anthony Bourdain's raw and riveting Kitchen Confidential, to the whirling prose of Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation, to the blunt comedy of Jennette McCurdy in the pages of I'm Glad My Mom Died.
If you're a bookworm or just a regular worm, I really hope you get something out of this - even if it's just a lunchbreak well spent :)
Directed by Campbell Walker & Aaron McLachlan
Written by Campbell Walker & Aaron McLachlan
Produced by Aaron McLachlan & Billy Guest
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Thanks for watching :)

[@thatpsychologyguy]

I can't tell you how thankful i am for not giving us a list made of 1. Atomic Habits 2. Almanack by Naval 3. Some productivity book

[@phi180]

Lol

[@Yourhighnessnona]

But Atomic Habits is one of those books that actually change lives 🥺

[@JP-ve7or]

​@@Yourhighnessnona we know. We know.

[@douglassmithe9799]

What's wrong with a self help channel recommending self help books?

[@alexwr]

@@Yourhighnessnona Even if it is, I still cringe whenever somebody quotes from it. Just too much exposure to it on productivity KZbin I guess. I mean why bother making a video on it. If you're on the platform, you're obviously aware that everybody, their grandma and their overbred miniature chihuahuas have done a video on Atomic Habits. They always talk about it, but I bet most of them have just seen videos on it and wanted it in the thumbnail and not read it at all. It's like all the carbon copy digital minimalism videos. DiD yOu KnOw ThAt If YoU TuRn YoUr PhOnE GrEyScAlE iT's LeSs DiStRaCtInG??? God I'm a cynical bastard.

[@libertybell144]

I like that you addressed expectations around feelings. My daughter got engaged in December and people keep congratulating me and telling me how happy and excited I must feel. But I don't. I just feel kinda neutral. The guy is nice. They seem happy. But relationships are treacherous and hard work and heart-rending. And even if they are one of the couples who make it and stay together, they have challenges to face and internal mountains to climb: days when they will feel angry and disappointed with one another: days when they will feel irritated beyond compare at something this other did, the same other who used to only delight and bring joy. So am I happy and excited? I am not! I am glad that she has found someone who can potentially be her support person in life. I feel stressed at the thought of the Big Event and all that entails. I feel sad that I am not in a position to offer her more financial support. So... glad, stressed, and sad. But not happy and excited. Thank you for helping me be OK with that! :)

[@michellekaiser-eo6lg]

I totally get it. We eloped because my parents were paying for chemo and I didn't want the trouble with his mom trying to set everything up. Don't be afraid to look for small ways to do something special. I went to one wedding where the groom made all the lapel flowers for the men out of silver wire and guitar picks. They still have those and they are so cool!

[@caddieohm7059]

People who expect you to be 'really happy' are really surfacial. I'm sure when your daughter told you the news in a really excited way you might have been exited with her. But the expecting you to be excited for the fact itself would be for like formal reason eg 'hitting a milestone' sort of cultural expectations thing. You are a very good and attentive parent to not just to be unreflectedly excited for such a fact. 💚🍀

[@verseywright64]

Yeah, I get you on this. My middle daughter just turned 21, was helping me make sandwiches for her birthday picnic…I laughed, said she had three weeks to upgrade her catering skills to cater for her own wedding…if she was me!. Of our three, she is the one on a certain and exciting trajectory, currently has a nice boyfriend, and ‘future earning potential’ but things can change so fast. Her older sister is looking to move to a capital city with her also nice boyfriend (who has a a toehold in the housing market) hopefully she will land on her feet, whether they stick together or not. The youngest sister is struggling with her last year of school (has since year eight when a classmate took her own life) ….has a sweet boyfriend but they are nary 18 yet! Hoping for the best!…. She loves reading and is good at writing so I’m hoping to recommend My Year of R&R- maybe I’ll check it out on shortform first! Even though I have dedicated my parenting life to avoiding the godawful time i had, i often feel like a failure. I guess if they grow up to have ‘reasonable’ expectations from love and life, they should do ok….sometimes as a parent you stand back watching them at the edge of the rocks, daring not to blink or look away, lest you lose them. You realise you’re holding your breath, your heart is pounding, strung into your chest by trembling spider web…and realise (yet again!) this feeling is etched beneath your skin, the skin, of anyone who dares to be a parent or loved one. So I’m loving this list…and hope to check out a couple of titles, though I usually steer clear of ‘self help’ tomes, maybe one will ignite a spark of sorts. I think ‘Your Head is a Houseboat’ will be on my bday buy list. Ps some research suggested the less you spend on wedding day, is inversely proportional to how long you stay together. Worked for us, but yeah an awful lot of work, love and angst lies therein whether you struggle with mental health or not.

[@margett__]

Have been watching you for years. Only now I've come to realize what makes this channel so unique and entertaining. It's your storytelling style. You strike a perfect balance between chaotic and organized, and it doesn't feel forced or purposefully flashy. This is what keeps me engaged and somehow motivates to try and organize my own chaos. I freaking love what you do. Also, not me sobbing alone in my room seeing the pictures with your daughter where you're on the kitchen counter together 😭

[@meshavillar]

The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk While reading just the prologue, I was hit with a moment of, "holy shit I'm going to be okay" "holy shit this is real - I'm not insane, holy shit I'm not alone, many other people have experienced what I am going through" It left me with tears of relief, validation, and hope for the future.

[@wendy645]

YES!!! As a survivor of sexual, physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse as a child and young lady, this book really sent me along on a journey of healing and growth I never knew was possible. ❤ I'm still ON that journey, and now I'm actually excited to address things and keep handling what comes up.

[@VopiscusGuitar]

@@wendy645 What's financial abuse? Not trying to be rude; genuinely curious if there's something I should be watching out for.

[@samanthalidster3838]

Fincial abuse is when someone abuses you by either withholding money or stealing your money.

[@VopiscusGuitar]

@@samanthalidster3838 They used to just say "theft"... why the 4 extra syllables? I don't understand what's special about it.

[@samanthalidster3838]

@@VopiscusGuitar whats special about what? Fincial abuse can be different from theft so it is in a class of its own.

[@katietwizzler]

"You can't change your past, but you can change what it means, which means you can change your future." I really needed to hear that!

[@MonserratFoster]

Reading "the midnight library" definitely changed the way I look at my own life, I spent a lot of time wondering about what-ifs and it made me understand that I'm precisely where I need to be. I don't think I ever read a book that had such a profound effect on me.

[@elisalabarge3516]

This may be a bit silly but one book that changed my life was Marie Kondo's: the life changing magic of tidying up. I have adhd, and and am trying to heal from generations of hoarding in my family. Though I am no where near complete in my tidying and decluttering journey, Marie's book helped me process my feelings about stuff and clutter and gave me the steps and the courage to start.

[@samanthageiger5851]

I had a similar experience. After losing several people in my life I struggled to move on and reading The Magic Of Tidying was what gave me the motivation to begin to make real changes in my own life instead of be sad for what was gone.

[@wendy645]

As an ADHD-addled hoarder who came from hoarders before me, I take this as a really relevant recommendation, and I'll check it out. Thanks! 😊

[@JustineAprilJ]

Not silly at all! This book motivated me to take control of my own space, which did wonders for my brain.

[@samt-b2499]

I only dislike the suggestion of that book because she had another child and is now happily embracing things being messy! Like giving out advice to people of all walks of life like it's golden, then going oh no actually it didn't work for me. Good on her for admitting it but also... fuuuuuckkj -me, also another adhder, I've not read the book just my gut reaction.

[@WarmAusterity-ii8dt]

​@@samt-b2499embracing being messy....I'm really cuurious about thiss

[@thelanguagefantastic]

Thank you so so much for all of your videos!! One of your comments in your Houseboat book literally changed the direction of my life: 'Not choosing a life path is also choosing a life path, it's just not choosing a very good one.' Mind-explode, galaxies imploding etc etc - I needed that. I love the direction your content has taken, and I recommend you to so many of my friends for real, creative, thought-provoking stuff. I'll check out some of these books!! Also, your song is awesome :D

[@meshavillar]

That statement in his book was also impactful for me too

[@lanabee2732]

As someone who was always chronically indecisive, this hit me too!

[@buzz6989]

Fuckkkkkkk

[@frankie1233]

The Hidden Life of Trees changed my life too, but for a completely different reason! After I read this book I read another called Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake which is about fungi and I was really excited for the chapter on the Wood Wide Web (a theory explained by Wohlleben as trees using fungi systems underground to communicate and help each other) but Sheldrake criticised this narrative for being 'tree-centric' and actually it was the fungi distributing resources for their own benefit so if one tree died, the fungi still had other trees to rely on. I don't know which one is right - or if there is a right one - but it reminded me there are so many perspectives and ideas on everything and they are all so valuable. The more I learn, the more I realise how little I know. The more I learn, the hungrier I get for any scrap of knowledge. Who would of thought I got that from books about trees and mushrooms? :)

[@LizT-qx3xl]

"Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Oh. My. Goodness. I had some bad stuff happen to me in the past and that is who I was for a long time. Somebody who had bad stuff happen to her. Then I read this book in college in a class titled "Life and Death." Frankl was a victim of the Jewish Holocaust. An Austrian Jew, he was a successful phycologist when the Nazis took him away. He survived. His family, including his wife, and his dissertation were utterly destroyed. He writes about how powerless you are when you're presented with some things in your life. And he came out of it stronger-- eventually. People use his philosophy to blame the victim a lot. "You had a terrible childhood; therefore you feel bad? You SHOULD feel bad, you pussy!!!!" I think Frankl is a little more nuanced about it. Life SUCKS, HARD. Power comes from acknowledging it and not making it who you are. Mourn that your dad died, but remember that when you have to change jobs, you can do it, because of all that crap that happened when your dad died. It's like listing your super powers instead of your injuries.

[@hudson9195]

I did not read a lot of books growing up, but, this year, I read Metamorphosis by Kafka. And it's so intriguing. For a little context, I'm 18 and this year I got into college, and boi was I f***ing afraid of it. But after reading it, it reminded of how the world makes absolutely no sense. It's all convoluted nd life gives not a single shit about. And the thing is... it's comforting? Somehow, remembering I don't need to live up to expectations of others was reassuring. I can make life whatever I want out of it, because it is not obligated to be anything other than "it", you know? Sometimes the fact that life changes is super scary, but sometimes it's liberating. I'm not obligated to be one thing. And, yeah, that is it. Hope i could make it understandable :)

[@splitgene7497]

❤

[@maddalenasegato]

I'm in my 30s now and that whole idea is something you certainly acquire with age. You will not be the same person you are today in 3, 5 and 10 years, so having expectations of yourself and others is completely senseless, because your expectations will change. Something you will admire someone for today is something you will dislike and avoid in the future. Your own insecurities could tomorrow be the unique traits that you pride yourself in.

[@flitefulwantssubs402]

Same boat as you, going off to college in a few months! Change has always been scary and comforting to me… sometimes good things change, sometimes we know in advance and sometimes we do not. I’m excited for this change in my life though. Trying to take off the pressure of what I “should” do with my life and just do what I want. We’ve only got one life, might as well have fun and do what we want instead of what others think we should do, right?

[@lauravsthepage]

For fiction books, my “year of rest and relaxation” was Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Another overly recommended book that ended up hitting me way harder than something that popular should have. It totally changed my understanding of my own imagination and the constant battle between being a dreamer and existing in reality.

[@vegangoldfish7578]

Know My Name by Chanel Miller honestly changed my life. For those who don’t know her, she was the victim in the Brock Turner case. She writes so eloquently about her experience with overcoming trauma, and it helped me feel stronger to address my own trauma and have hope for healing.

[@elainewalsh9075]

I love Go, Dog, Go! I read it to my daughter when she was a girl. I read it as a child. I’ve read it to a student with a cognitive disability. I’ve read it to students just beginning to learn English. I’ve quoted it to my spouse after being together for over 30 years. It always brings me joy. And there’s so much language to learn in a short amount of text.

[@AprylZA]

How about "Put Me in the Zoo?" I resonate with that one ;0)

[@marianasosa6740]

I adore that you got your own books that changed your life, not the usual ones every youtuber recommends. I will def take a look at some of them

[@ericwarren1064]

"I wanted to read it in full, but I have have a 1 year old. What are you gonna do sue me?" That is a great way to summarize being a parent. I have a 6 and 3 year old and that's how I feel some days. I wanted to do X or Y but I did something else with the/because of the kids instead. And that's ok! That just really hit me in a positive way. Also listened to you on the Art of Manliness Podcast and have been trying some of the journaling techniques you and Bret talked about. Keep up the good work brother.

[@shultzydanielle]

I'm a new library director in a small town. I recently found your channel. I suffer with severe anxiety\depression. I constantly feel the need to fix myself and make my life better. I will check out these books! Thank you for your content!

[@laurenfitzpatrick1254]

Ok I really didn’t expect to burst into tears about a kids book about dogs but here we are! Your interpretation is beautiful

[@melindastclair]

The Hidden Life of Trees also changed how I interact with trees. They are totally sentient. They live in family groups. They will feed a cut-down tree sugars through their root system to keep them alive. I choke up now when I see tree-felling. Such an amazing book. Thank you for mentioning it.

[@Shasta31487]

A Wrinkle in Time. I read it when I was young and it expanded ny mind inti thoughts of other universes, literal thought police, love, and having faith in your own strength.

[@AprylZA]

YES! That's my touchstone

[@DeannaPiercy]

"Go, Dog. Go!" Is a favorite of mine, too. Loved it as a kid. Loved it even more when reading it to my own. I hadn't thought of it in a long time but now I need to buy a copy for my 2 year old granddaughter. Thanks for the reminder!

[@maryblacktea]

the perks of being a wallflower definitely changed my life! but also Virginia Woolf's "to the lighthouse". she describes human nature and interactions in such a way that i now always notice something she described in the interactions that i'm having with the people around me. she does that in all of her books but this one in particular was the one that struck me the most

[@TealYoung]

"Go Dog, Go!" (11:42) is one of my faves too!! I love the analysis :)

[@lanabee2732]

The book that changed my life is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (anyone who doesn't like this one is a phony). I love being inside Holden's head and viewing the world through his eyes. I'm obsessed with the expressions he uses and think he is an incredibly nuanced character. The book is full of humour and tenderness and explores the impacts of trauma in such a profound way. It changed my life in so many ways. It made me fall in love with reading in high school. It really deepened my sense of empathy and opened my mind to the unique experiences and perspective of others. It made me feel seen. And it inspires me creatively with my own writing. Absolutely brilliant video, as per usual. Can't wait to check these out!

[@lollathy]

If you're an over thinker or you struggle with anxiety, a book that completely dissolved these struggles for me was 'The Power of Now', I couldn't recommend it more, I'd struggled with mental health issues for years and this was transformative for me!

[@heatherp7902]

Thank you :)

[@GSPV33]

For me as well. Seemed "woo-woo" arc first, as they say, but turned out to be extremely practical, cutting insight into how I'm living my life. How I essentially never enjoyed what was happening, I just experienced my anticipation of what was coming next. His ideas helped me discover there was a tremendous well of confidence and peace within me...as dramatic as that sounds.

[@rubenponders]

This is so beautifully made. Thank you for this. Looking to get to this level of storytelling and editing 🙏🏼❤️

[@emegvf]

I think you may be my favourite KZbinr. Your videos hold my attention like no other creators and I always walk away with having learned something new. You’re awesome man keep doing what you’re doing 😊

[@erikmason3470]

Found your channel recently mate has helped me a lot learning the goldlocks rule was a game changer it stops any chance of being overwhelmed. Also realising that we are the ones responsible for our own happiness was an insightful moment for myself. I’m 30 and I feel like my life has just begun Cheers mate

[@skyer0blue]

Thanks for being so open about your life, journey to sobriety and just generally being so raw online. I'm only a couple of years younger than you and have had my own struggles with adulthood (like many people). Your videos have helped me figure out what I actually want from life post my 20s and made me realise I don't need to have everything figured out. Another great video 😊

[@Fivetimesthree]

Thank you. I’ve been molded by books especially literature. I’m always kinda confused when people list a bunch of self-help books. As if learning is the only honorable or appropriate intention to have when reading. I think memoir and fiction and romanticized non fiction is important too. I read Circe a few years ago and it helped me remember how important the feminine voice is in literature. I went back and read my childhood favs written by women and it made me feel so full and happy and satisfied to be a woman and be exposed to female art.

[@mareen2838]

thank you for your videos. i really enjoy watching them and so happy that you're going to be back regularly

[@tomrenegadefilms]

I enjoyed the variety in this list. I really want to read the trees one - I love deep dives on random topics like that!

[@funnytv-1631]

If you are alive, you will make mistakes. That is inevitable. What is up to you is forgiving yourself. Set the intention now. Let your true reflection be waiting for you the next time you look in the mirror. See what you are truly capable of being.

[@mizread]

Thank you so much for this ❤

[@luxelifediary]

A children’s book I absolutely adore is Oh the Places You’ll Go. Of course it’s a very simple you can do it book, but the older I get the more I realize how much thought was put into it. It’s not a simple all good things vibe book. The whole sections on how sometimes life is going to suck, but keep going because things are going to get better. Can get better. I liked the book when I was younger because it was encouraging. I love it more now that I’ve struggled. “When you’re going through hell, keep going.”

[@indoorroamer]

When Kitchen Confidential was the first book, I knew I was in for a ride. Dated a sous chef a while ago and though I picked it up because of her, I re-read it again recently while now married to a different person not because of her, but because I knew it was still going to be just as impactful even without the nostalgia effect.

[@fayewithane]

this made me smile so much

[@helenalderson6608]

My childhood, life changer was Artie the Smarty. The fish who always did things his own way....only, when I read it again as an adult, I found it was a book about conforming to societal norms. I confronted my mother about how aghast I was that I was so mesmerized by a book calling for conformity. She said that she never read it to me that way (and I never read it to myself later, that way). She read it with enthusiasm when Arty did things his way and with sadness when he ultimately conformed. Weird that I would love such a downer book, but there it is. After 55 yrs (now 59), I will never be accused of conforming. (We also moved a lot...lead to attachment issues, but that's my thing)

[@banandababa]

You are my idea of the perfect KZbinr. You are so good at what you do!! Thanks for this book list ❤

[@karendale9926]

Love your book choices-unexpected, relatable, def in a style of quirky/authentic. I’m always uplifted by your vids-you’re goofy, witty, and then there’s the brief profound moment(s) of presence. (Kudos to your camera guy too.) You’re doing good my man. ❤

[@nicksims2827]

Goofy, witty and profound sums this channel up perfectly

[@ShuriBear]

I love reading and your channel. And what I love about this video is that you skipped the most popular ones in the self-help KZbin space. Titles that come to mind are Atomic Habits, Flow, The Infinite Game to name a few. It doesn't mean they are bad books. I actually love them to death! But it is refreshing to see five out of six titles you shared that I have never heard of before. Thank you for being refreshing.

[@BunyipRush]

Been re watching a lot of your videos lately as I needed a boost in motivation and productivity and I always find myself coming to you for that. Wanted to congratulate you for the 1M subs, well deserved and hopefully the start to the next million.

[@kristjanemilsson867]

Your head is a houseboat really changed the way I deal with life and the way it's set up got me back into reading. Simply love it ❤

[@gbear768]

omg your adorable daughter! and watching the love pour out of you, how beautiful! Ok fav books: dont yawn but The Artists Way, Julia Cameron The Little Prince Antoine de Saint Exupery, 1000 Journals Project by Someguy which is about a journal left , to be found, people did a page or two and left it for some other random person. Some of them were artists, some of them not, some have such emotional stories, can bring you to tears.

[@LiskaDe]

Another great parenting book that helped me feel seen while i was going through post partaumn depression with my second "Sippy Cups Ar Not For Chardonnay" I forgot the authors name but she perfectly encapsulates the absolute terror of being a parent and not feeling like youre meeting expectations and having your life just be tilted upside down but wrapped in a comedic wit. Gosh now i want to go back and really think about the books that changed my life

[@Zoe-wl3uw]

Thank you! I’m looking forward to reading some of these.

[@franziskadodl6601]

I've just moved into my first house that me and my partner bought together. It was one of those moments I've always imagined, like a movie montage... we carry boxes inside, laughing at each other, sleeping on a mattress and eating Chinese food out of one of those box take-away containers... instead, it was kind of stressful, and as well as incredibly happy, relieved and proud of us, I'm also feeling a lot of anxiety of the future, imposter syndrome, and guilt for not feeling 100% positive and grateful all of the time. That quote really hit a nerve and came at the PERFECT time.

[@struthless]

Thanks for watching & chuck your fave books in the comments!! Also (bookworms and regular worms) join me on Shortform: www.shortform.com/struthless ^^ That link gets you 5 free days, and if you like it 20% off your annual subscription :) happy booking cam xoxo P.s. here is the list for the time poor / so you don't have to take notes: I ended up saying these 18 books (disguised as 6): Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain Recovery by Russel Brand Bird by Bird by Anne Lammott My Year of Rest & Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh Home Game by Michael Lewis The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting by Brene Brown The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wollheben Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintence by Robert Pirsig The Book by Alan Watts I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy The Anti Cool Girl By Rosie Waterland Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris Perks of Being a Wallflower by Charles Chbotsky Hey Nostradamus by Douglass Copeland Go Dog Go by PD Eastman Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud My book lol (your head is a houseboat by campbell walker) :)

[@miademilander2716]

Hey Cam. A book I recently read that would fall under the ‘Witty and Beautifully Articulated Trauma’ category, is Strong Female Character, a memoir by comedian Fern Brady. Absolutely devoured it and would highly recommend. I also enjoyed Your Head is a Houseboat, so I’m excited for the second book! Good luck with the writing process.

[@aaaeia]

cant wait for the second video on your book recs!

[@cyclingtobreakthecycle]

Great vid lad. Thanks for all the wholesome content

[@nicjardine8036]

Having Go Dog Go in there cements Struthless as an all timer (as if he wasn’t before). Had me shedding a couple tears as I found that meaning or the way your framed it very relatable as well as my upbringing being a blur of scenery changes. Thanks from Chicago’!

[@Adamerhartvideo]

This is awesome my friend. Thanks for sharing. Gonna go pick up all those books now as I haven’t read most on the list.

[@Indoctrine]

Go Dog Go was my favourite book as a kid too and I could stare at that last spread for hours, making up and filling in the stories about all the different dogs at the treehouse party. Fantastic book and illustration, wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the things that inspired me to draw as well.

[@unclemartin6368]

Oh my gosh, I am so thrilled you included Go Dog Go! Definitely one of my favs growing up. I was furiously scribbling each of the books you were discussing, and had a good hearty laugh when you mentioned the last book. I’ve looked for it when my son was growing up, but didn’t find it. For some reason I thought it was by Dr. Seuss, and that wee little thought probably prevented my Yahoo searches from finding it. Anyway, I will send the advanced version to my 35-year old son today. Keep up the good work Struthless, I look forward to each of your videos. Love you man.

[@Super_BeastGirl]

Book that changed my life was "Feels Like Redemption" It came at a time i was lowest in life. It started me on a pilgrimage to healing and deconstruction of my beliefs that held me in addiction.

[@ms_moment_killer]

Thank you for sharing the books that changed your life! I love that books have the power to shift your perspective. A few books that changed my life are: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin - through a science fiction lens, taught me to consider human rights and the possibility of a society built on collectivism and mutual aid Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison - took me on a tragicomic journey of the ambiguity of identity, forced me to consider my own From What Is to What If by Rob Hopkins - gave me hope

[@Super_BeastGirl]

"You can't change your past But you can change what it means And so you can change your future" That is going in my journal ❤

[@lailleq84]

That reminds me of 1984 for some odd reason, "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.".

[@rocko34]

Thanks dude I’m genuinely gonna check out a few of these that have jumped out at me

[@evanmcswegan4889]

Thank you so much for your insight. As a big fan of yours I am surprised to see that go dog go makes the list. It does happen to be the first book I ever read. Just wanted to express my gratitude for you making these videos.

[@lucyalice3]

Just discovered your channel and i love it, thanks for sharing such good vibes

[@lorrihalliday1499]

Loved your Unique List of Books. Bought and LOVED your book! Happy to hear you will be writing a second one.

[@MrDylanMcNasty]

The Way through the Woods by Long Litt Woon came to me during a time in my life where I needed to slow down. Probably similar to the The Hidden Life of Trees, Woon details how getting out of your comfort zone, starting a new hobby, and getting wrapped up in a whole new world can help us navigate our grief. No spoilers, but each chapters bounces from story telling to fact sharing, like a child really excited to tell you about what they learned at school that day. It's helped me talk to people I ordinarily wouldn't, find interests that are within reach, and as well acknowledge my own grief without letting it weigh on me as heavily.

[@sophiejohns1150]

Great video! I've got two recommendations 1. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Helped me reassess my relationship with nature through the authors personal stories as a indigenous biologist 2. The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan: Helped me rethink my connection to the land and how I'd like to connect to country. Also to assess society's social structures and the importance of having people around you of all ages. Lots of wonderful exercises you can do as well.

[@lucyharper6225]

You're gonna be taking up 2 slots on my list with this second book announcement 👀loved your head is a houseboat, can't wait to see what you create next :)

[@melaniegrace7707]

Love that you included I’m glad my mom died that was such an incredible read

[@josejones246]

Excited for this new video 🔥🔥

[@steph5630]

Anne Lamot's Almost Everything was really a book that blew me over

[@vidishamalviya]

I am buying My year of rest and relaxation right now! Thanks for the recommendation.

[@HerbertHandyJr]

Your videos have really helped me. I just purchased your book. Looking forward to reading it when it arrives. Thank you!!!

[@coryrain3937]

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert All super powerful books that I read and listen to continuesly on loop.

[@AprylZA]

The Artist's Way

[@MCallaghan]

A book I just finished that really made me pause and think about my life was Keep Going by Austin Kleon. The first half is mostly tips and tricks on how to be a productive artist, but the second half? Dude goes deep into how to balance being an artist and being a human being. It's really helped me change how I think about being a creative person.

[@iammiayeung]

Hi Struthless, I paused your video after most of your recommendations to read preview pages online. I went to the library right after to borrow Kitchen Confidential (it was the only one available from your list). I've been having trouble getting me out lately, so thank you for helping me out the door getting me out (even though the library is a 5 minutes walk)! I'm so excited to read these. I forgot how exciting reading is. Thank you!!

[@verushckacizzelle7403]

The way this video is shot is insane 😮. I was fully encouraged. Usually I look for the comment with the list. Or at the comments but I couldn’t even do that. Wow

[@Lobstrique]

this is such a you list of books, i can't :) i want to read all of them, thank you!!

[@lestheboomer]

Great paragraph from Home Game. Totally nailed it. I recently read Why We Sleep which was a great little book and opened my eyes to actually understanding the science and effects of sleep. Love your channel mate 👌

[@michaeleveritt84]

As someone who became a dad at the end of last year and is still navigating this whole weird thing called fatherhood, this makes so much sense to me. So good to know that others find it to be this strange, contradictory thing. Also think I need to find a copy of Go Dog, Go and read it to my daughter ❤

[@gardenfork]

Wow great. This vid resonates more with me than the marathon one. Love Go Dogs Go, thanks for putting it back in my head. 😊

[@elenasotomayor8914]

Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Peru 🇵🇪

[@only_biggs]

One book i read recently that I absolutely loved is The Journey by James Norbury. Its also a childrens book with beautiful illustrations and a simple story, but also has a wonderfully profound meaning behind it. A must read imo

[@toshabeans]

I loved the hidden life of trees! I didn't expect to hear this title on your list

[@vibesmom]

I read Go Dog Go to my son at least 1000 x. I did not miss it when he stopped wanting it read. He turned 23 yesterday, and now I want to go read it to him. ❤

[@EmL-kg5gn]

Did you read it to him?

[@vibesmom]

@@EmL-kg5gn no I spared him lol.

[@nitay7311]

Fantastic and touching video. It's really nice to see different books recommended than the usual. "Tomorrow When The War Began" is great, we had to read it for English in high school. I think being set close to home (I'm in NZ) made it feel like something which could really happen, it was a gripping read. Having had somewhat similar experiences as a child, I totally agree about the power of books as something constant that you can rely on. As a new parent, the book which changed my life was "The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad You Did)" by Philippa Perry. It's all about dealing with the baggage from our childhood and being aware when we're bringing it into interactions with our own kids. The author has a really frank style which I appreciate.

[@david41159]

Struthless is the one youtuber that changed my life

[@selurnomis220]

That trees joke felled me! Mine is 'the corrections' by jonathan franzen. The main reason is the book's structure. It has a super in-depth chapter on each of the individual characters, where you see their innermost thoughts and secret emotional lives. When someone is described as "depressed" or "angry all the time", you later see the reasons and context in intense detail. Jonathan Franzen also helps you really root for and sympathise with that character too, no matter how dislikeable they outwardly appear. This helped me reflect on prejudices I might have towards people, and I think it's helped me be more empathetic.

[@bobata730]

"Catch 22" Its heartbreaking and hillarious and so so real.

[@deltatango6793]

Do more and more of these. I need to go through your videos and write down every book you mention haha

[@TheDorkle]

You inspire brotha 😎 Thank you 🤘🏼🔥

[@alessandrogallo8775]

Thank you for the kind and inspiring book recommendations, definitely added to my list. Some books that I've found really life-changing and enlighting are "The power of Now", "A New Earth" both by Ekhart Tolle and "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, absolutely amazing. I recommend these to you and everyone else. Enjoy!

[@hayleyhawkins]

Incredible list!!!

[@napesdrk1174]

Yes! Go dog go!! Love the book and my 2 boy's loved it. I will grab it when I get home today from work and check the art.

[@shell6565]

I think you should have a bookclub mate. I've had so many good reads from you in the past. Looking forward to giving these a go!

[@Beski]

Monk that sold his Ferrari, was one of the best books I’ve ever red. The principles and tricks for happy life truthly work

[@cindyglasscock]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! SUCH AN AWESOME VIDEO!

[@sagestanton2993]

I am a lifelong passionate English major and I'm just getting back into my groove of reading after being in a slump📚 I've been looking for book recommendations. Thank you for this ❤

[@sagestanton2993]

Edit: can't recommend goodreads enough

[@neurolicia182]

There is a children's picture book called "ish" by Peter H. Reynolds that my counselor read to me after one of our sessions, and it hit home so so much. Will never forget it.

[@SebACOG]

What a scintillatingly thoughtful video, thank you sir

[@PriyaPatel-wn2wr]

Can’t wait for the next book video

[@pj101]

We need second part!!!

[@levispose1007]

damn, i'm glad you doing this. whatever it is you're doing. its great! tnx :)

[@WheelMarks]

“Anything can mean anything to anybody” - I love that statement Another great video Thank you. P.S my book recommendation is ‘Walden’ by Thoreau

[@helenalderson6608]

Great! Watched twice😊

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

That's very interesting. I had the polar opposite of a transient traumatic childhood and Go Dog Go was also one of my favorite books. Now I kind of want to read it again to try and remind myself why I connected with it so much.