There are many types of books. Some are for entertainment, some are informative, some are financial, and some are for change life, etc. But there are some life-changing books that will turn your life from negative to positive.
We can simply categorize all books into two types. One can speak to the brain, the mind, the intellect, and the emotions. Another can speak to your soul that makes you question to your core belief. Life-changing books are the second types of books that have powerful interaction with our minds and thoughts.
Here, in these best life-changing books list, I have included 15 different books on different topics. Each book is enough to give you pleasure and the best reading experience. Check out below, my short introductory writings of the books. Enjoy the reading.
1. The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Why I recommend this book: I think ‘The Alchemist’ is the most famous and popular book on the list. Most book lovers know about it. Somehow if you don’t know what this life-changing book is about, this short introduction is only for you. I can tell you, this life-changing book is a masterpiece that will inspire you to be brave in pursuing your dreams.
No matter what your age is, ‘The Alchemist’ is a modern classic that deserves a read. The story begins with Santiago and his adventurous travels. Most of us, we talk much, listen less. That’s why we can’t feel the root of a problem. We don’t listen to what our heart is saying.
Here, Coelho tells us how important to listen to your heart is and why should we follow them. He inspires us, we should follow our dream and never give up chasing that goal. This is a must-read book for everyone of any age.
2. When Breath Becomes Air
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Why I recommend this book: What if you are a doctor, at the same, a cancer patient? On the other hand, you are a husband and a father. What will happen? Yes, this book is so special because of it’s true story or biography. According to Bill Gates, ‘I can say this is the best nonfiction story I’ve read in a long time’.
Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgery doctor, scientist, and a brilliant writer. At the age of his 36, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He wrote this great inspiring book when he was in the most critical situation in his life. He and his wife, Lucy decided to have a child despite his diagnosis. When the child was born, he was too weak and chilled from chemotherapy that he wasn’t able to touch his newborn child. The pathetic moments were when Kalanithi died a few hundred yards away from where his daughter entered the world. So sad!
If you are thinking, this is a dying story. You are wrong. It is a book about living. It will make you stronger and make you think about the purpose of life. Most people in these situations break their hearts and mind. But Kalanithi was full of positive vibes. He showed, whatever happened in life, we have to move forward.
Moreover, the book is easy to read. The author wrote so exciting and interactive way that once you start to read, you can’t stop it. This short book has so many layers of meaning and so many interesting juxtapositions—life and death, patient and doctor, son and father, work and family, faith, and reason. It’s a must-read life-changing book.
3. How Should A Person Be?
Author: Sheila Heti
Why I recommend this book: How should a person be? Yes, that is the question that people are looking for since human civilization. Although the question is very simple, the answer is very complex. Because it depends on man to man. So there is no simple answer to that question.
Here, in this life-changing book, Sheila Heti has tried to find an answer to her personal experience and thoughts. The book is a novel of many identities like an autobiography of the mind, a postmodern self-help notebook, and a young woman artist’s fictionalized portrait.
‘How Should A Person Be?’ includes not only real people but also their emails and conversations. It seeks answer between real life and art, a meditation on ugliness rather than beauty, and reality rather than fiction. Although the author did not answer the questions, she tried to find an engaging new way of asking it.
4. The Myths of Happiness
Author: Sonja Lyubomirsky
Why I recommend this book: Is it really true that if we reach the top of success, we will finally attain happiness? Do success really brings happiness in life? ‘The Myths of Happiness’ is based on this interesting topic.
Sonja Lyubomirsky explains how this ‘black-and-white vision’ of happiness limits our growth potential and discourages us from finding an upside to any negative situation. She reminds us that we are more adaptable than we think. Actually our mindset is the main matter that brings happiness in our lives and our circumstances are not a big issue.
It is a book that tells you what the things are that connected with happiness. And Of course, it is a worthy life-changing book that deeply related to life.
5. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Author: Mark Manson
Why I recommend this book: The concept of this life-changing book is totally different from other self-development books. Since our childhood, we have been listening that positivity is the key to happiness. Interestingly, Mark Manson told the world the opposite.
The best thing about reading books is you will get different types of ideas and knowledge. This self-development book will make you realize that you have so many f*ck to give. Actually the most important part is choosing the right one giving that will make you happier and healthier. You should remember, that worth giving should be realistic and grounding.
You will never regret reading these types of interesting and influential books. No doubt, ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ is a worthy book for building your future.
6. Mindset
Author: Carol Dweck
Why I recommend this book: This life changing book is all about your mindset where you wish to be. Carol shows it a very interesting way with many examples. She shows us very clearly how a mindset can have a profound effect on your life.
There are two mindsets—fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Fixed mindset is believing that your qualities are carved in stone. Fixed mindset people shy away from challenges because they are scared that their deficiencies could be unmasked through it. When someone thinks that their basic qualities can be cultivated through efforts. Now growth mindset doesn’t mean everyone has equal talent and abilities, rather it just means everyone can grow through hard work, mentoring, and perseverance.
So why waste your time looking smart when you could be getting smarter? This life-changing book make you believe in yourself that you can do.
7. Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Author: Robert Kiyosaki
Why I recommend this book: ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ is not a book that teaches you ‘How to be rich quickly’. This bestselling life-changing book will realize you about your responsibility to financial matters and how can you grow your wealth using money.
This book is about Robert’s own life experiences. He was growing up with his two dads- one is his real father, and another is his best friend’s father. He saw how they thoughts about money and investing.
Most people work for money but few people have money for work. The poor, middle-class people think you need to earn a lot of money to be rich. That’s why they try to work lifelong for money but unfortunately, they can’t be rich. On the other hand, Rich people don’t think that way. They use their money to grow more money.
So the one who realizes the difference between working for money and having money work for him can be a hero from zero. If you want a financial establishment, you should read this book. It will open a new door in your brain.
8. The Fall
Author: Albert Camus
Why I recommend this book: To recognize and identify what’s right and what’s wrong is the most critical thing in life. The painful moments we face because of our wrong decision. Consequently, the right decision makes our life happy. Most of the time, our decisions control our incidents.
If your age is 20, then it can be said that you have no clear idea about the basic foundation of life. You don’t know what should do and what shouldn’t. This book will lead you to question on moralities, good, bad, do and don’t.
Deep thinking can make your thoughts more wisely. So if any book that can change your thoughts, you should collect it and read it. I think ‘The Fall’ is that type of book that will change your life.
9. The Power of Now
Author: Eckhart Tolle
Why I recommend this book: Interestingly, most people don’t know what actually they have. They always think negative thoughts like I don’t have this, I don’t have that, I can’t, etc. If you are one of them, this life-changing book, ‘The Power of Now’ is perfect for you.
Eckhart shows you your inner power. You are a miracle. You don’t know, you have already everything you need. You have already everything you want to be. But at first, you have to cut down the curtains that are covering your hidden gems.
Your ego, your analytical mind is your true enemy. They hold you back, keep you fall down. You have to fight against them. You have to surrender to the present moment. Once you learn to focus on present, you are able to embrace your true self and discover that you are already complete and perfect.
No doubt, this self-help book will win your heart because of its presentation and powerful concept.
10. Do the Work
Author: Steven Pressfield
Why I recommend this book: It is never easy to achieve success. You have to do work by yourself. No one will do nor can do your work for you because at the end result it’s only you and your life.
Everyone expects a successful life. But why do most of us fail? What is the main reason that keeps us away from success? According to Pressfield, it is nothing but our resistance that creates obstacles to do something.
‘Do the Work’ suggests us to remain stupid. Ignorance is bliss. Many greatest feats have been accomplished without having any idea what they were up against and how tough the tasks they were trying to accomplish really were.
It’s not a problem if you are a stupid, stubborn. If you have passionate, blind fate and believe in unbelievable, then nothing can hold you down. If you can set up your mind on ‘you can do it’, truly you can do it.
But to start something, you must know your goal or destination. Ask yourself, ‘what do you want to do?’ When you have a crystal clear answer, you are ready to go, you will know where the endpoint is. If you know the endpoint, you will know which step you should follow. This is a book that will make you believe in yourself.
11. Start With Why
Author: Simon Sinek
Why I recommend this book: Every problem has a reason, every failure has a cause. If you don’t know the reason or cause, you’ll never develop your life and never be successful.
In his life-changing book ‘Start With Why’ Simon Sinek starts with the question ‘Why?’ He explains why some leaders, products, or companies can create movement whereas most of others can’t. What is the reason behind their success?
Although the word ‘Why’ looks very simple word, actually it isn’t just a word, it has a powerful concept. The people or organizations who understand the power of why, they can succeed. The core of this book is the golden circle. It has three parts—Why, How, and What. If you have no answer to these questions, you will not be able to reach where you wish to be. If you find the reason, you’ll find a way to overcome it. If your reason is not something you believe in, you’ll find an excuse.
So self-question is one of the major facts that defy where you should be. If you want success in life, this life-changing book never lets you down.
12. Man’s Search for Meaning
Author: Viktor E. Frankl
Why I recommend this book: Viktor E. Frankl was a psychiatrist and the book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ is his autobiographical discussion where he explained his trademark theory, which he named ‘Logotherapy’. He called it finding the meaning and purpose of life is the key to personal happiness and well-being.
Frankl was a Jewish. During the 2nd world war, he was arrested along with his family by the Nazi German authorities. All of his family members died, except him. At that time, he applied his theory to his own life. He realized that we have no choice but sufferings. We can only choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose and hope.
The main objective of this life-changing book is that the primary human drive is not a pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. It inspires us to find significance in every aspect of life.
You might not happy with your present situation. But there are many people who uplifted their life from a worst situation than you. So never complain, never give up, and never show an excuse to conceal your fail. This book can be your best teacher to show you the right path to overcome your barriers.
13. Principles
Author: Ray Dalio
Why I recommend this book: In this life-changing book ‘Principles’, Ray Dalio explains how good principles are the best effective ways of dealing with reality. These ways are not just some words, these principles are followed throughout his life and work.
The book contains three parts. The first one is about the purpose and importance of having principles in general. It covers his early stage of career and the founding of Bridgewater. The second one is about the explanations of the most fundamental life principles that apply to everything. It covers his approach to life challenges and opportunities. And the third one is about his management principles as they are being lived out at Bridgewater. It covers his work principles.
More simply, the book makes you think for yourself—to decide 1) what you want, 2) what is true, and 3) what to do about it. Of course, everything depends on what you want to be. So if you are confused about your goal or destination, this book can help you to understand what you really want.
Life is what you make of it. You have problems, you have uncertainty to make decisions. But if you develop your set of principles, it can help you navigate through life. To draw a clear roadmap of success, this book will never let you down.
14. Years of Yes
Author: Shonda Rhimes
Why I recommend this book: I can say if this book doesn’t motivate you to live life a little more, nothing will. Because ‘Year of Yes’ is a book of self-help, a huge powerful motivational talk.
Shonda Rhimes wrote and described everything so attractive way you will think deeply about them. According to her, money, power, and accolades do not equal to self-love and acceptance. It is a book that explains when you should say ‘yes’ and when shouldn’t. You will find your insight and thoughts that can develop your leadership skills, improve your self-esteem, and get the motivation to go after your goal. Lastly, ‘Year of Yes’ is a fun to read life-changing book. You will enjoy it while reading it.
15. Sophies World
Author: Jostein Gaarder
Why I recommend this book: The only thing that makes humans the best is the curiosity to learn something new, the curiosity to know about unknown subjects. ‘Sophies World’ is a book that combined novel and philosophy in one place.
The most arisen questions of the human mind are ‘Who are you?’ and ‘Where does the world come from?’ The book started with these two most common questions. The story is about a fourteen years teenage girl, named Sophie Amundsen.
One day she comes home from school and opens the mailbox. She gets two notes asking those two questions and the story goes by. Those questions make her obsessed and she starts to think differently. From that day, every day, a letter comes with a few questions. Later, a package comes with some typed pages describing the ideas of a philosopher who dealt with those questions.
Sophi enrolls in a philosophy course, learns new things. She begins to know about Socrates to Satre and many more things. This is a book that can be a perfect gift for your teenage sons and daughters. And obviously, anyone at any age should read this life-changing book.
Final Thoughts on Life-Changing Books
They say, ‘The more you read, the more you know’. Of course, different books different tastes and different knowledge. I hope, these life-changing books can be your helpful guide like a trusty friend to find the meaning of life and how to live peacefully.
If you liked these life-changing books collection, don’t forget to share it with your friends and well-wishers. Let them know and enrich their life.
If you have any other thoughts in your mind about any of these life-changing books, let me know by commenting below. Happy reading. Thank you. Be mindful, be happy.
Sophi enrolls in a philosophy course, learns new things. She begins to know about Socrates to Satre and many more things. This is a book that can be a perfect gift for your teenage sons and daughters. And obviously, anyone at any age should read this life-changing book.
