Books are powerful. They help change your perspectives, improve your thinking, and equip you with techniques and lessons that can change the course of your life.
Sometimes it’s one idea, one paragraph, or maybe one line that will create ripples of positive impact on your life.
The books in this list did exactly the same for me. They helped me understand habits, focus, emotions, mindfulness, success, and life itself in a better way.
I hope you find something for yourself from this list of life changing books.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
I am sure you have seen this book in every list of books to read on the internet. You are seeing it here too.
It’s that good. And it is genuinely life changing.
Usually, reading self-help books feels like a pain. But this one isn’t like that.
As you can guess from the title, this book is about habits.
I am sure you might have tried to develop a habit and failed to do so. And maybe given up on it altogether.
We fail to develop habits because we don’t know the science behind it. Also, most of us focus on making big changes.
This book reveals the importance of small changes and tiny improvements and explains how improving 1% every day is going to literally change your life.
The author covers the importance of systems, how your habits shape your identity, the power of environments in habit formation, and much more.
This book is simple and actionable. It’s the only book you need to make your habits stick.
2. Deep Work by Cal Newport
You are always busy, but rarely productive.
Most of us know it. A million things are fighting for our focus – notifications, messages, emails.
Also, the constant switching from one task to another is a torture for your brain. This makes focusing so difficult. And without focus its extremely difficult to finish a work.
Cal Newport suggests that Deep Work is the antidote.
Getting more work done by putting in less time and by entering into flow state.
The author divides the book into two parts.
Part 1 is called The Idea and Part 2 is called The Rules.
The author explains what deep work and flow state is and also its importance in Part 1.
In Part 2, he dives into why willpower is limited, explains the different philosophies of deep work, and how to make deep work a habit.
He also discusses why it is important to embrace boredom, why you should have a shutdown ritual, and how to deal with shallow work.
This book is important in this era where we have to constantly fight for our focus and attention.
All of us get busy doing shallow work. In a day we are doing a lot but achieving less.
A deep work ritual helps you stay focused in a distracted world and actually get meaningful work done.
You don’t need more time. You need to know how to utilize the time you have properly.
You can learn a lot from this book and apply it in your life.
As the author says, “A deep life is a good life.”
3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
It’s a classic in the world of self-development.
This is the first self-help book I read. This book introduced me to many concepts that had a positive impact on me.
The 7 habits are divided into 3 headings: Private Victory, Public Victory, and Renewal.
The book discusses the power of being proactive rather than reactive, why values and principles are an important foundation of life, how to do time management with the help of the time management matrix, how a win-win attitude is helpful to you and others, and much more.
This book is the best one to get started with for anyone who wants to change their life inside out.
4. Quiet by Susan Cain
If you have ever felt less-than or non-existent in a world that celebrates the loud and fast, this one is for you.
I would say even if you are an extrovert, you must read this.
This book will help you understand the power of introverts.
Being quiet isn’t a weakness. It is a superpower that this world fails to recognize.
This is a highly researched book. The author explains how introverts think, work, create, and thrive.
The book highlights the importance of solitude, silence, reflection, and deep focus.
If you are an introvert, you will feel seen and understood. And if you are an extrovert, you will finally be able to make sense of the quiet ones in your life.
The world needs introverts as much as extroverts. Each has its own set of powers.
5. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith
Everyone should read this book for improving their mental health.
We are all encouraged to exercise so that our physical health remains good and we don’t fall sick. It’s a preventive measure, a proactive step taken towards better health.
But we don’t do the same for our mental health. We don’t think of taking preventive measures to avoid mental health issues.
This is why I said this is a book everyone must read.
The book not only dives into dealing with anxiety, grief, and stress, it also explores bad mood, motivation, and how to live a meaningful life.
After reading this book, you will walk away with many tools and techniques to improve your mental health.
If you are doing fine now, regular practice of these techniques will help you strengthen your mental health. So when tough days come, you will do much better because you will know and have practiced the things that will help you.
You will realize that you are not broken; it’s just that you aren’t aware of these techniques.
You will be asking “Why has nobody told me this before?” when you read this book.
6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Reading this book was an absolute delight. This book is like a slap in the face for all the traditional self-help content out there.
The author explains the issue with the advice all of us are sick of hearing — “be positive all the time.”
You cannot care about everything. Your resources are limited — be it energy, attention, or time.
The book mentions, “And if you go around giving a fuck about everything and everyone without conscious thought or choice — well, then you’re going to get fucked.”
The world is a mess. You cannot do anything about it.
So, you choose the mess you want to deal with.
Focusing on what truly matters to you makes things lighter and better.
There are 8 chapters in this book. The names of the chapters will convince you to read it.
I will mention a few so that you get an idea: Chapter 1 – Don’t Try, Chapter 2 – Happiness Is a Problem, Chapter 3 – You Are Not Special, and so on.
7. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
This one feels like a warm hug from a good friend.
This isn’t a step-by-step guide or a typical self-help book. It’s like a gentle reminder that you read slowly, one page at a time.
It’s a simple, beautifully illustrated book about mindfulness — how to be calm and slow down.
This book helps you see things you completely miss while being busy and hustling: the beauty in everyday life, your emotions, your relationships, and so much more we don’t give attention to.
Its gentle, calm reflections make you pause, relax, and gain perspective.
If you are looking for peace, balance, and a way to calm down, this book is for you.
Conclusion
If you want to start reading but are struggling to choose one, let me help you choose.
- Struggling mentally? In the grips of bad mood, overwhelmed, or just not in a good place?
Then start with Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
If you are confused or stressed, you need to address that first. Starting with identity-based habits or proactive principles is not going to help you.
Once you feel better, then move on to Atomic Habits and then to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
- If you are doing okay and want to upgrade your life:
Start with Atomic Habits. Then move to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People or Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
These 3 books are the best books to get started with self-development.
There is no reading order. The one mentioned above is just my suggestion from personal experience to help you make a decision.
Feel free to skip it if you don’t want to. All you have to do is pick one book and begin.
Buying ant one from this list of life changing books is one of the best investments you will make.
Happy reading!
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➡️15 Life Changing Books Every Woman Must Read
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