What is a book that has influenced your life? Isn’t that a very personal question? Most times, people think that life-changing books must be more than just books, something vital and extraordinary, with greater significance and understanding that could forever alter the way we look at life. However, turns out even the most ordinary book can be life-changing. It all comes down to one thing- reading the right thing at the right time.
Here are some books. One or all of these might be the ones you were meant to read that define the way forward.
- Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist –
This is the story of a young shepherd boy from Andalusia called Santiago, who dreams of travelling across the world in search of some worldly treasure. His eternal travel quest will teach him many lessons on the way and lead to wealth and riches, which is quite different from what he had initially imagined but satisfies his soul.
This simple story has many meanings and teaches you to listen to your heart and follow your dreams, and in the process, the entire universe will conspire to make your dream come true. It teaches you to identify and understand the omens that nature and life show you on life’s path and, if listened to, can save you many worries.
The book leaves you wanting to find your purpose- the thing that makes you wake up every morning and keeps you going. This is the book for you if you want to make your dreams come true regardless of what life throws at you.
- Admiral William H. McRaven’s Make Your Bed, Little Things that can Change Your Life and Maybe the World –
If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. Admiral William H. McRaven delivered an address of commencement to the University of Texas at Austin’s graduating class on May 17, 2014. Being inspired by the university’s motto, “What begins here changes the world,” he shared the ten principles he learned while serving as a Navy Seal.
Sometimes it’s not the big, radical changes that have the greatest impact. It’s the little things that matter the most. The book contains straightforward, practical, and extremely useful advice that can help you become a better person. This is a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read.
- Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns –
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a portrait of a broken country as well as a story of family and friendship, of a harsh time, an unexpected bond, and an invincible love. The book does the job of breaking and winning your heart all at once. The novel exposes the oppressive treatment of women in Afghanistan. It makes you aware of what people go through in war-torn countries while also filling you with gratitude for your own life.
- Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson-
Tuesdays with Morrie was a memoir based on the fourteen Tuesdays when a student and a professor met. The professor offers profound insights into righteous living. This book will remind you of a teacher who changed your life forever. The book hugs you like a warm blanket, filled with light-hearted and funny moments. It is beautiful and will leave you feeling fulfilled and whole for a long time.
- Antoine de Saint-The Exupery’s Little Prince-
While technically aimed at children, this lovely and philosophical little book also contains many lessons for adults. The story is about a prince who is a small boy from a tiny planet (an asteroid) who travels the universe from planet to planet in quest of wisdom. It is a beautiful, honest story about loneliness, friendship, sadness, and love. The book is a timeless tale of what is truly important in life.
J.K. Rowling said, “I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a book.” Maybe these books just might be the magic you were looking for.
