What book or author has moved you/affected you profoundly or even seeped into your very core?

I can imagine that would be your cup of tea. It does sound interesting. Might give it a go myself :)

And I love book recommendations so will be adding the Jungle to my list too :) 

"The Jungle" really got to me, too. Strong stuff.

Hi Merlin- - I'm in a rough, sad, down mood I admit -- but I also respect your thoughts and input.  I can't help but share my thoughts on "The Giving Tree."
I remember my first and only reaction to "The Giving Tree" - - it remains my impression of the book

- -- what a selfish, selfish man!! And he took advantage of that tree at every turn of his life and NEVER said a single "Thank You" to the tree. Would just walk up and say, "Hey, I need this." And the tree just kept giving and giving of literally itself, its own body, until it died and what does the man then do at the end? Sit his a** down on it!

I realize the moral should be about giving out of love- - but that tree gave way too much of itself in my opinion and that ungrateful man . . . I can't find it in me to forgive him for his treatment of that tree.

Boy, I know, I'm taking it WAY too literally and seriously.
:)

And I apologize for my interpretation. Hell, that's all I've done all day -- apologize. Why stop now?

Hi Welby~ I know this is a hard time for you and I wish I could take away the sadness.  I send you twinkling wisps of magic that you can reach out and touch.  Please remember they are there and will help you smile.  Only you can see them because they are yours... from me to you. 
In addition to your already melancholy mood at the moment, please don't feel badly about how you perceived, "The Giving Tree."  You got it!  You understood one of the many interruptions this book has to offer. 
I cried and cried again the first time I read this book.  I wasn't a child. I was 15.  I didn't understand how the boy could be so callous and not feel or see all the tree was giving for him. 
You know me.  Like you, I understood the tree.  It lived its whole life for this boys happiness. That is all that tree felt was important.  How could this spoiled brat of human not see this????  It infuriated me to no end.
Since the boy was so belligerently egocentric, I thought of all the ways I would make this tree happier.  I would plant another tree next to her so she would have a friend.  I would give her lights on her birthday and invite squirrels and birds over to meet her.  They would love her and make their homes there.  All of them could play together and she would like this and not feel so alone and left out.  She couldn't go anywhere because she was a tree and had roots.  But the birds and the squirrels would have houses there and come back every year.  
Then, one day, while I was planning her happiness and all the things that arrogant boy neglected, I realized something.  
She had just, "unconditionally given" to me. :) In her secretly wonderful, caring way, she taught me something about me.
Every time I read this little book, I cry.  It sends many different messages to people.  I think that is the beauty of this tree.  She continually "gives."  
Some people gathered these from her branches.
 *1. Don’t Keep Score
Humans are naturally concerned with fairness, justice, and equality—especially when it comes to themselves.She gives and gives and gives, never expecting anything in return, never asking for her due, never REMINDING the Boy of all she has sacrificed. It’s not martyrdom, it’s just unchecked altruism. In her infinite wisdom, the Tree knows nothing is ever really lost or gained, neither scientifically nor spiritually,

2. Go Barefoot
What are those things you’re wearing? Stilettos? Unforgiving loafers? Steel-toed boots? Those sandals inspired by gladiators that provide both the arch support and fashion sense of mousetraps? Well, take off those podiatric prisons and get your poor bunions into some sand or grass or mud ASAP! Why? Kids have long known that going shoeless creates feelings of freedom and glee—maybe because contact with nature neutralizes our stressed positive ions with beneficial negative ones, but more probably because we’re giving ourselves permission to break the rules. In The Giving Tree, you’ll notice that The Boy is almost always barefoot—that is, until the temptations of the material world come calling, convincing him to pull himself up by his bootstraps and head into the Big Apple to sell all the little ones. Sigh. This post was edited by Merlin at November 3, 2019 9:02 PM MST

Thanks so much, Merlin.
:)
I'm having trouble concentrating a bit at the moment. I got to the bold print lists in your answer. I will come back to read it all later.
I appreciate your kindness!

Please forgive me, Merlin, for that Giving Tree tirade. I'm the only one I know who reacted/reacts to the book this way. I realize and respect that it's one of your favorites and I hope I didn't offend you with my words.
Sincerely,
WelbyQuentin This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at November 3, 2019 9:02 PM MST

Welby... You are so sweet.  You didn't offend me at all!!  I got very engrossed in writing you back I took forever.   This is because I care so dearly for you.  You are more than welcome to feel that way about this book. I did too!  Your opinion and how it affected you is just as valid and important as everyone elses.  I loved that fact you were proud and put it out there!!!  I am right there with ya :)
Lots of hugs and warm thoughts to you always!!
Love,
Merlin 

Thanks for responding to my comment here, too, Merlin.
:)
I appreciate your understanding.

My parents liked musicals and my father took me into NYC (we lived an hour away) to see Man Of LaMancha and Fiddler On the Roof and The Happy Time etc. when they were playing. 

I've not read any of his stuff but have heard great things about his work. That's cool you know him.
:)

I wish I could say that I know him today. I knew him as my junior English teacher c. 1976-77 (the "Teacher Man" cover photo could've been taken in our class), but he died in 2009. I always thought I would meet him again, but it never happened.

Aw.
Darn.
:(