# Books which changed me...part 1

<datetime class="hidden">2004-01-16T00:00</datetime>
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I was thinking recently about how I came to where I am in my career and life, oddly,
one book had a biggest impact on how I approach this industry, [Microserfs](http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0006548598/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/026-1925330-8345220)by [Douglas
Coupland](http://www.coupland.com/). THis is a pretty odd book, ostensibly its' about a group of coders who
leave Microsoft and form a startup company, but in reality its' about self-discovery,
friendship, and I suppose the existence of a generation of people who chose to lose
themselves int their work rather than face life. If you haven't read this, I
really suggest you do, its' one of a small collection of books that I read many many
times (as evidenced by its' currently sporting a fetching duck tape binding :-)).
It isn't a 'geek' book and its' not sci-fi, it is a Douglas Coupland book - and
thats' a pretty unique thing!