As we start off a new school year, we are also starting a new option for our blog writers called “Top 5”. This month our blog writer, Jeannine Warner, Educational Programs Professional at NDE will tell us about her Top 5 Books that have influenced her both professionally and personally.
5 Books That Twisted My Brain, Changed My Perspective, and Shaped My Sanity (Or Insanity)
If life came with an instruction manual, I probably would have lost it a loooong time ago. Luckily, life handed me books instead — bite-sized doses of wisdom, humor, and the occasional emotional gut-punch that I could stash away and revisit when everything felt like a hot mess. They didn’t offer perfect answers or easy solutions, but they gave me perspective and clarity. Some challenged me in the best possible way, making me uncomfortable enough to grow. Others simply made me laugh when I needed it most.
These books inspired me to parent more intentionally, speak like I’ve actually thought things through (still working on that one), and stop assuming everyone else’s weird behavior is somehow about me. Each one offered something unexpected. Collectively, they’ve helped shape how I think, work, create, and find joy in the messiness of life. I hope this read does the same for you—or at the very least, gives you a laugh or resource when your own instruction manual goes missing.
- Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book: A Primer for Tender Young Minds
by Shel Silverstein
(My childhood book)
Let’s start with the biggest imposter on any children’s bookshelf.
At first glance, this book might fool you into thinking it’s a sweet, educational ABC book for kids. Spoiler alert: it absolutely is not. For those who have never heard of it, it’s a timeless, clever, spoofy book that takes “a nosedive into the absurd.” Instead of teaching the alphabet, it provides hilariously bad advice telling kids to do the wrong. Silverstein is genius for how he writes in a mock-serious tone with unapologetic ridiculousness things (“D is for Daddy” is a family favorite). Some of his books have involved periodic attempts to have them banned from school libraries due to its perceived inappropriate content for children, such as disrespect for authority and magical or other elements that some adults found too “unnatural” and “disturbing”. This book hits that right on the mark which may explain why I’ve never met anyone who knows of this book, much less have read it in their childhood. Or perhaps it explains a lot about me?
What makes this book a permanent resident on my mental “favorites” shelf isn’t just its ridiculousness, it connects me to my family. This book was a shared experience growing up, passed around and quoted like some sacred (and slightly deranged) family scripture. It bonded us through laughter with a sense of humor that’s part quirky and part devilish. I’m convinced that our family’s twisted sense of humor was born out of repeated readings of this book, and it still connects me to my dad and the laughter we share over it even today. It’s difficult to explain how hilariously funny this book is but if you have a warped sense of humor, I encourage you to check it out.
Better yet, give it to your grandkids! Your children will thank you for it. I promise.
- A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L’Engle
(My teen book)
This book is a blend of the profound, odd, and strange which, for obvious reasons, captured my teenage imagination. In this book, Meg is a socially awkward teenager who embarks on a cosmic quest to rescue her missing father, a scientist held captive on a distant planet. She is guided by three mysterious celestial beings as they travel through space, time, and interdimensional weirdness using a “tesseract,” and confronting the dark evil force known as “IT”. Meg is awkward, stubborn, and unsure of herself, and yet she triumphed because of those traits, not in spite of them. Although a fantasy and scientific book, this book teaches Meg that through love, courage, and self-acceptance, she finds her own strength and ultimately saves her brother and father.
This book triggered my lifelong fascination with astronomy, “tesseracts,” space travel, other dimensions. This was also my first introduction to the science fiction genre which I thought, from my dorky brother’s books, was only about laser battles and dragons and such. As a socially awkward teen myself, it introduced me to the concepts of fighting conformity, trusting my individual strength, and how to be compassionate. Although inspired and fascinated, did I learn some basics about quantum physics? That’s a hard “no”.
- 1984
by George Orwell
(My adulting book)
Unless you’ve lived under a rock since 1949, you probably know George Orwell’s 1984 is about a tightly controlled society where people are watched, words are twisted, and thinking differently isn’t exactly encouraged. The read is a masterclass in how to lose your freedom one Newspeak phrase at a time. Big Brother monitors your every move, thoughtcrime lands you in serious trouble for thinking the “wrong” thing, and doublethink lets people believe two contradictory ideas without their heads exploding. At least there was Victory Gin.
Reading 1984 decades ago was the first time in my life I was horrifically cognizant about my freedom and the threat of it being lost. Before this book, the inability to move, speak, and think on my own without threat was a foreign concept to me. The idea that truth can be manipulated by those in power and the realization of how quietly freedom can disappear when no one’s paying attention felt like the Communist Russia my grandparents fought against and fled in the 1920s. And it terrified me. Manipulation, censorship, and surveillance in my world were unthinkable. I came away with a different view of the importance of paying closer attention to how language was used, how information was shared, and how important it was to think independently.
Although set in a fictional future, 1984 feels surprisingly relevant today. Is it just me, or is it déjà vu all over again? Orwell’s conversation-starter is alive and well. And seriously, is anyone else concerned that saying the “wrong” thing might get you flagged by your smart fridge?
- The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu
by Katja Pantzar
(My parenting book)
This nonfiction book shares the Finnish lifestyle and philosophy of childrearing with a focus on “sisu”—a uniquely Finnish concept that means inner strength, grit, resilience, and determination in the face of challenges. As the mother of one daughter, Alexandra, I have one shot at doing this parenting thing right. True to my nature (and my previous books), I’ve gravitated toward the unconventional, steering away from what’s considered “normal.” So, when it comes to raising a responsible, independent and – above all – happy human being, I chose the Scandinavian style of parenting over the Victorian-influenced American style I learned. Why, you ask? The Northern Scandinavians have been consistently ranked among the happiest people in the world over the past two decades, so these people are doing something really, really right! I wanted to learn what, why, and how.
I embrace the Finnish approach to parenting because it emphasizes self-reliance, inner confidence, and intrinsic motivation over external rewards or constant validation from others. Unlike the performance-driven mindset common in American culture, the Finnish way encourages children to do things because they are worthwhile or meaningful, to act from a sense of purpose and personal well-being and not for gold stars or approval. Finnish culture values humility and cooperation over competition. What you won’t hear in Finnish culture are comparative or competitive statements. Excess praise like “Good job” or “You’re so smart” or You’re the best” are avoided as it makes children dependent on praise (external) rather than building self-motivation (internal).
These values closely align with what I hope to instill in Alex. With this book, I focus on helping her find confidence from within, encouraging effort, persistence, and the freedom to learn through mistakes. Have I slipped into old habits with a “Good job!” here and there? Of course—I’m still deprogramming. But thanks to the tools I learned and implemented from this book early in her development, I can honestly say it has resulted in a mother-child relationship built on a solid foundation of mutual trust and communication, so far, and one I would like to maintain as my “Mom!!! I’m a tween!” daughter approaches her teens (God help me…).
Pro tip: the Scandinavian style of living applies in education and the workplace, too!
- The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz
(My self-help book)
The Four Agreements is more than just a self-help book— it’s my life’s unofficial user manual. It breaks down complex ideas into four simple, powerful principles: 1) speak with integrity, 2) don’t take things personally, 3) avoid making assumptions, and 4) always do your best. These aren’t just feel-good slogans. They’re practical tools that reshape how I think, communicate, and respond to life’s curveballs. I love how the book turns everyday challenges into opportunities for emotional resilience and self-awareness, helping me turn everyday frustrations into manageable puzzles instead of full-blown soap operas.
What truly set this book apart for me was its impact when it was introduced to me during a tough chapter in my professional life. It helped me step back and see that sometimes, things simply aren’t personal – they’re just part of a bigger journey I haven’t fully mapped yet. Embracing these agreements taught me to trust the journey and the unknown ahead even if it felt like wandering through a maze blindfolded. With practice, I am learning to quiet the self-doubt about my imperfections and focus on doing my best without beating myself up. The Four Agreements taught me that clarity, kindness, and a little humor can go a long way—not just in managing stress but in actually enjoying the ride. This is the practical wisdom I turn to again and again without judgement for binge-watching Netflix instead of “working on yourself.”
Final Thoughts: Dog-Eared Pages, Real-Life Lessons
These five books didn’t just entertain me. They re-calibrated how I think, speak, parent, process stress, and relate with my family. Each one brought a different kind of wisdom: the incredible wonder and awe of space-time, the responsibility for freedom, the art of not taking things personally, believing in yourself, or simply how to raise a human being without them turning into a praise-addicted robot. Whether weird, dystopian, functional, or hysterically dysfunctional, these books gave me tools I didn’t know I needed at the time – life-supporting tools I still reach for today. What a gift!
Books like these remind us that even the messiest parts of life come with some cliff notes somewhere – you just have to be open to accepting them when they drop at your feet and be sure to grab them. Someday, I hope you find yourself quoting Uncle Shelby, eyeballing your smart fridge, or trying to explain a tesseract to a 5-year-old. If so, I’d venture to say you’re probably walking your own personal journey down the right path and doing life right. Happy hygge, friends!
