Books can quietly influence your thoughts and actions. They don’t push; they wait for the right time to enter your life. When you’re ready, they come into your space unannounced, changing how you look at life, how you view yourself, and your existence within it. A transformational book changes the reader’s inner experience, allowing them to express emotions, challenge ingrained beliefs, and sometimes inspires the reader to be a more confident version of themselves.
The books that follow include both fiction and non-fiction; philosophy and psychology; memoir and personal growth. They are all connected not through their classification as a specific genre but because each has impacted a reader’s life in a positive way and the reader is no longer able to be as egocentric as before and now lives a more meaningful and conscious life while gaining a better understanding of the world and himself/herself. You may enjoy some titles more than others; however, if you find the right title at the right time, your entire perspective about your life will change.
1. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Man’s Search for Meaning is one of the many texts authored by a holocaust survivor and medical doctor (psychiatrist) Victor Frankl. This small text contains an amazingly heavy weight as it discusses not only the psychological impact of being a prisoner in a concentration camp, but also provides insight into why many of these individuals survived emotionally. Frankl discovered while observing how humans responded to the torture inflicted upon them in concentration camps that while they could not avoid physical suffering, there was something much greater that they were able to keep with them during their time in the concentration camps – purpose. The belief that when humans find purpose in their lives, whether through love, faith, responsibility, or inner freedom (define), they tend to emotionally survive through the worst circumstances possible.
Frankl’s primary postulate and belief is soft and profound, as he has shifted the orientational perspective of how we view our lives to focus on the expectancy of life rather than the expectancy placed upon life by an individual (example). For some of us, this change in perspective will provide a tool for dealing with physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, loss, and uncertainty for many years to come. This book will lend itself to helping people view suffering in a new light and how they may be able to develop purpose from that suffering.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Small, consistent actions create the foundation for the transformation of an individual or organization over time. The author of Atomic Habits has approached the topic of habit creation in a helpful, encouraging and thought-provoking manner by showing how habits are formed based on scientific principles and how habits can be developed. The author believes that having a system that allows an individual to create and accumulate consistently “good” habits and make it harder for an individual to develop and accumulate “bad” habits is what makes an individual successful.
The most impactful aspect of Atomic Habits is that rather than just focusing on a specific goal, the author encourages readers to identify what they would like to be and to focus on building the habits that support that identity. By gradually building this type of behaviour, the reader will eventually develop an environment conducive to an individual becoming who they desire to be. The author believes that in addition to developing a positive habit, the reader will also develop a more compassionate, patient relationship with themselves.
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
is a modern day classic. At surface level, it can be perceived as a simple story about a shepherd named Santiago leaving behind what has been familiar in order to follow a dream he has had. With help from mentors, omens and setbacks along the way, he pursues this dream. Beneath the simplicity of The Alchemist lies a profound lesson common to all cultures and generations of people; that if one dedicates themselves to following their true purpose, then the universe will work with them in order for them to achieve that goal.
Everyone has experienced feelings of fear, uncertainty and disconnection from their dreams; The Alchemist is a reminder to them that they should have confidence in themselves and in their ability to achieve goals. Readers are reminded to trust their instincts, listen to their hearts and understand that obstacles are part of the journey to achieving their dreams rather than signs that say quit. Many readers have read The Alchemist multiple times throughout their lives and have discovered that this story has continued to provide new insights and wisdom each time it has been read.
4. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
How is it possible for us to make irrational decisions? Why do we rely on our gut feelings even when those feelings may lead us in the wrong direction? In analysing these questions Kahnema introduces two distinct systems which we employ when we process information: one system is our fast intuitive/emotional system and the other is our slower, more analytical or rational mind.
Kahneman’s book provides the reader with an opportunity to fully understand how personal biases and other “mental shortcuts” affect your decision-making with respect to money, relationships and evaluating others. Although the length and number of pages may be overwhelming to some readers, the information contained within will leave lasting impressions upon the way you:
Make Reasoned Choices & Decide On Actions.
5. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Many people spend their entire lives either replaying their past or being obsessed with their future and according to The Power of Now, this habit is one of the primary causes of suffering for many individuals. Through its teachings, Tolle shows us that peace is available only in the ‘Now’ and that by observing thoughts as opposed to identifying with them, we can change our experiences of life.
To those readers who are open to the exploration of spiritual matters, this book serves as a ‘wake up call’ or act of inspiration. It is not a book filled with tricks or hacks on how to be productive; instead, it constantly redirects the reader’s attention back toward consciousness. Many readers have found Tolle’s work challenging (and at times painful) while other readers have experienced it to be the most liberating thing they have ever read. Either way, readers find that this type of work will leave a lasting impact, causing the reader to view and deal with stress, fear, and happiness differently than prior to reading this work.
6. Educated by Tara Westover
This memoir that chronicles how Tara Westover’s upbringing in a survivalist household without any formal education paved the way for her attaining a PhD degree from Cambridge University. However, throughout her memoir, Tara Westover has illustrated not only her academic achievements but also her ability to define herself.
While reading Educated, an individual will see the struggles Tara faced as she balanced loyalty to her family with her own growth as an individual. The book asks readers some tough questions: Who can you become? What must you give up in order to outgrow your upbringing? As one reads this memoir, they will likely find themselves questioning their own assumptions, privileges, and limitations. Ultimately, Educated is a great reminder that learning goes beyond academics; it is also about defining oneself as an individual.
7. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The book, written in 1936, still resonates today. Generally speaking, the key elements of Carnegie’s approach to relationships: listen before you speak; have an interest in people; give feedback but refrain from making negative comments—are obvious and simple. However, when applied consistently over an extended period of time, they yield enormous results.
The idea that the development of empathy has a greater positive influence on people’s lives than the idea of manipulative tactics, is truly transformative. People who read this book typically find that they have stronger relationships, they feel more confident about themselves, and they understand more about how human beings operate. With more and more of daily life being mediated through technology and distraction (wired or unwired), Carnegie’s focus on the authentic human connection has become even more dearest to us all.
8. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
By zooming out Sapiens gives us an overview of 30000 years of human history, from hunter gatherers, through agrarian societies, right up to the modern technological world we live in today. The author, Yuval Noah Harari, takes issue with a lot of accepted norms and beliefs regarding human progress, happiness and morals, and challenges our views on these topics.
When taken together with historical context, the author’s arguments have the ability to change not only your own life but also your view of all humanity throughout history. The majority of readers will feel humbled, disturbed and even expanded by this book. It also encourages both curiosity and skepticism, because most systems that govern our lives have been designed by humans, and therefore they are open to challenge.
Why These Books Matter
Every book is capable of transforming an individual’s life; depending on the circumstances around that person’s life when reading said book, will ultimately be the reason why or how that book was able to create a change within an individual’s life. For example, Reading When Everyone Else is Sleeping provides one type of transformation to an individual who may already be experiencing difficult times. Meanwhile, reading Finding Your Voice may be the catalyst for someone who may have fallen into complacency. The reading of these books is similar in that they both provide a means for individuals to improve their lives.
Moreover, both books invite individuals to engage with themselves, as well as to think more critically about their existence. Readers should not expect to read every book, nor do they need to agree with every author. Just as one idea taken from one book may spark an individual into taking action based upon what they read, so too may another idea taken from a completely different book begin the process of change.
As a result, books cannot change the course of an individual’s life by themselves; however, it is only through the efforts of a reader who takes the necessary steps to act upon the lessons learned from reading that an individual’s life can truly be changed. In summary, the right book will open the way for new opportunities and continue to support individuals for years to come. This support often begins with a simple question posed to the individual while they read.
