Introduction
I'd like to share personal reviews of my all-time favorite books, reflecting on the impact they've had on me and the lessons they've taught.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This book left a big impression on me. There were a few times where I seriously couldn’t sleep, reading impatiently in the middle of the night to find out what happened next.
Now you might ask, what is an alchemist? From what I understood, an alchemist is like magician chemist who can turn any metal into gold. But throughout the story and the search for the alchemist, I felt like this was more a metaphor for life in general. If we follow our own “Personal Legends” we can perform the same magic – turn our ordinary lives into gold, as long as we believe in the journey and don’t give up on what we believe is our destiny.
This book focuses on the importance of following our dreams, listening to our hearts, and embracing the journey towards self-discovery.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This is by far my favourite self-improvement book
It lays out all the rules of changing/developing habits in a simple, straightforward way and gets right to the point without a bunch of rambling and seemingly unrelated filler chapters like some other self development books i've read.
Atomic Habits teaches you how small habits (many of which you aren't even aware of) compound over time to make a huge difference in your life. When you work to form good habits they accumulate and build upon each other and you see major changes with very small actions.
It focuses on creating systems. Simply having goals is not enough. We need to have an actionable framework on how we can move towards these otherwise we will never reach them. We must have a process to follow and daily habits that allow us to achieve them.
How many of us have goals: to have better relationships, to lose weight, to learn a language? We have the best of intentions, but we don’t have a plan with manageable actionable steps.
This book made me want to write down goals for the year or at least start thinking of the things I wanted to make a priority.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
I read this book about 20 years ago and it had a profound impact on me.
Prior to reading this book I believed that the key to success involved securing a lifelong job, receiving a monthly paycheck, and retiring at the age of 65. This book completely changed my perspective, it made me rethink my approach to money.
Without giving away too much, this book tells the story of a boy with two fathers, one rich, one poor, to help you develop the mindset and financial knowledge you need to build a life of wealth and freedom.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill was tasked by Andrew Carnegie to write a book on what made a successful person succeed, and he spent 20 years researching and interviewing every great name of the day (Ford, Woolworth, Edison, etc), plus lots of people who failed (because you have to know what doesn't work too). This book is the result. I really enjoyed reading the stories and anecdotes.
It basically hammers home a single point, over and over again. Success comes from knowing what you want to achieve and having a burning desire to achieve it. This was one of the of the most important lessons learnt for me.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
In this powerful memoir, Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, shares his experiences and insights gained from his time in concentration camps. This book really resonated with me, especially considering my relatives' experiences as Holocaust survivors.
Some key lessons stood out for me:
Our ability to choose our attitude remains intact, even when everything else is stripped away.
Suffering is inevitable, but it is our reaction to suffering that truly matters.
Frankl observed that those prisoners who endured and survived often had a profound purpose that propelled them forward through challenging conditions.
The book highlights that human kindness can be discovered in the most unexpected places.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
This book is very much like Marmite, some hate it, while others adore it. I belong to the latter category!
The suggestion he offers that we all spend a ridiculous amount of time either worrying about the future, or dwelling on the past has impacted me in a huge way. Until I read this book, I never noticed how insane my mind can make me if I choose to let it. Tolle implores the reader to find inner peace and happiness by embracing the power of the present moment and detaching ourselves from the constant stream of thoughts.
A very enlightening book. I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to improve the quality of this moment of their life.
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
I am not a great believer in get rich quick schemes, lose weight, make 10k in 7 days, love at first sight, etc and so does this book.
The best thing about the book is that it teaches you to work hard. It is the small things we do in life that makes the biggest of differences. You don't become obese overnight nor do you lose your wealth instantly. It is all a compound effect of decisions taken almost everyday over a considerable period of time.
I am already implementing his advice in my life and feel that in taking things slowly, I am able to adopt healthier long lasting habits.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
This is a book that challenges one to live up to four simple truths, and offers transformational results if one could live a life completely engaged in the four agreements. 1) Be impeccable with your word. 2) Don't take anything personally. 3) Don't make assumptions. 4) Always do your best.
Simple huh?
What I love about this book
1) It's a short, captivating read. I love the efficiency of receiving so much thought-provocation in so little time.
2) The agreements are applicable to everyone, everywhere, regardless of religion, gender, age, etc.
3) Stories, anecdotes and examples from various beliefs are intertwined throughout, spotlighting their common bottom lines: love, life and peace.
Possibly the most life-changing book I've ever read