Have you ever read a book that completely altered the way you see the world? A book that has stuck with you ever since and brings up those strong emotions each time you think about it? Congratulations if so! You’ve already reaped what could be reading’s greatest reward: a profound shift in perspective that changed the direction of your life irrevocably. That is the purpose of Life-Changing Books, and that is why we read.
Reading may really change your life, despite what it may look like. A new perspective on yourself and the outside world might sometimes seem as if writers are speaking directly to you.
The writers on this list are must-reads because they provide profound insights on a wide range of topics, including mental health, philosophy, politics, the environment, and even financial well-being.
Famous Life-Changing Books
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A boy named Santiago sets out to find treasure in the Egyptian pyramids after having a recurring dream about it in the classic book The Alchemist.
Along the way, he meets mentors, falls in love, and—most importantly—learns the value of who he is and how to better himself and pay attention to what matters most in life.
Every page of this book piques your interest, yet it manages to keep you from feeling too overwhelmed. Fortunately, it’s brief, so you can read it in a few sittings despite how difficult it is to put down.
The main idea of the book is significant—destiny—but Coelho writes in straightforward language that everybody can comprehend.
2. Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse
This one of the Life-Changing Books presents the hypothesis that we play a variety of games in life and demonstrates how to play work and relationships as long-term endeavors in order to succeed.
Your perspective on business, politics, relationships, and pretty much everything else in the world will be forever altered by this book, which will help you distinguish between situations where people play with a short-term perspective and those where they take a long-term, generational approach.
Additionally, you’ll discover compelling arguments and motivations to look ahead more frequently at yourself and comprehend why, most of the time, it has a lasting, beneficial impact.
3. Principles by Ray Dalio
The collection of guidelines for work and life that billionaire investor and CEO of the most successful fund in history Ray Dalio has accumulated over the course of his 40-year career in finance is included in Principles.
This book will tell you how one of the world’s nicest, brightest, and most successful individuals learned how to think the way he does and is a perfect illustration of how a book can help you absorb a human lifetime’s worth of teachings in only a few hours.
Dalio first shares his journey with you, then moves on to the life lessons he has learned so far, and ultimately shares everything that he has learned about producing excellent work and working well with others.
4. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
This one of the Best Life Changing Books examines how money circulates in an economy, how biases in our thinking and emotions affect our financial choices, and how to approach financial decisions more logically and effectively.
This is The Alchemist of financial books, not because of the motivational tales it contains (although there are several), but rather because of the straightforward language used to explain a difficult subject.
You can read this book swiftly and effortlessly, which are two exceptional occurrences when it comes to money. After reading this book, you’ll feel more at ease with your money, and, likely, you’ll also make a lot more wise choices.
5. Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl’s story demonstrates how you can – and must – find meaning in your life. The atrocities of war, much alone those of concentration camps, are beyond the comprehension of the majority of us.
By discussing some of the situations that Frankl himself went through, this book will not only contribute genuine, research-based insight into how such experiences could impact one’s life. Read this book if you’re seeking greater positivity and significance in your life.
6. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
You’ve definitely heard of Life of Pi since a popular movie was made from the original Yann Martel novel. The narrative centers on Pi Patel, a little Indian child who lives in a modest zookeeper family. The family boards a Japanese cargo ship headed for the Americas in hopes of a better life, but the ship sinks.
Pi finds out that he isn’t alone on the little boat after being stranded on a lifeboat and drifting aimlessly in the endless ocean. On the deck of the boat, many creatures, including a zebra, a hyena, and a strong Bengal tiger, emerge.
Through his encounters with the animals, Pi explores some of the most important issues surrounding the nature of existence.
The Life of Pi should be added to your reading list of Life-Changing Books if you’re seeking a fantastic novel with exquisite writing that will cause you to reflect on some basic truths about life.
7. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Anyone wishing to increase their productivity in both their professional and personal lives should read Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. Deep work over an extended length of time may be quite challenging since the environment is continuously getting more distracting.
Cal Newport provides the reader with four simple guidelines to follow in his book that will enable you to improve your life. Many readers have had more success as a result of using the steps since their concentration has significantly improved.
The book is divided into two sections: “The Idea,” which explains the principle underlying deep work, and “The Rules,” which provides techniques for improving attention. Newport provides a ton of straightforward guidance and examples to make the principles practical in your daily life.
8. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
One of the most poignant World War II novels and Best Life Changing Books is Anne Frank’s diary, The Diary of a Young Girl.
One of the best novels for teaching people about the horrors of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps is the terrible tale that Anne wrote when she was hiding in occupied Holland.
During their family’s two years of hiding there, the journal was written. Eventually, the invading soldiers learned about her family. While her parents were imprisoned at Auschwitz, she was taken to Bergen-Belsen. Shortly after she arrived, her family was murdered, and she later died from typhus.
One of the most influential novels ever produced, Anne Frank’s memoir provides a firsthand account of the horrifying treatment of a little girl and her family by a cruel dictatorship. It is a heartbreaking read.
The book challenges human morality and explores both the positive and negative aspects of human nature.
Some Life Changing Movies
There’s no scarcity of Life-Changing Books around us. You can find many more apart from the mentioned ones.
If you are a cinephile, you can go for some life-changing movies, too. However, neither is a substitute for the other. For a profound experience, read some of the books and watch some of these movies:
- A Beautiful Mind (2001): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Chariots Of Fire (1981): Streaming on Amazon Prime, Disney+.
- Forrest Gump (1994): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Good Will Hunting (1997): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): Streaming on Netflix, SonyLiv.
- 12 Years A Slave (2013): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Remember The Titans (2000): Streaming on Amazon Prime, Google Play Now.
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Yes Man (2008): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Bicentennial Man (1999): Streaming on AppleTV, Amazon Prime.
- The Terminal (2004): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Cast Away (2000): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
- Eat, Pray, Love (2010): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
FAQs
Q: Are these Life-Changing Books boring?
A: Authors of these books have often managed to narrate an apparently boring subject with so many colors that they will hook you.
Q: Can I find PDF versions of these books?
A: You may find digital copies of these books. Search on Google.
Q: Are these books pricy?
A: These books are quite affordable. Check any online or local bookstore.
