Life-changing books, as the phrase suggests, have the potential to change your life some way or the other. Though it’s highly unlikely that these books will impact everyone the same way, there is no doubt that they will make you a better person.
Some of these books will challenge and change many aspects of your life, while others may deal with small yet important issues. Even if you have one important takeaway after reading the book, it will go down among your life-changing books! These books will give you new perspectives on life and will stay with you long after you have read it.
Here is the list of 32 Best Life-Changing Books that will shape your thinking and transform your life for good!
1. Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
With well over 12 million copies already sold, this book is definitely one of the best Life-changing books that have ever been written.
Victor frank gives a probing account of his time in the Nazi concentration camp during World War 2. The best part about the book is Frank’s insight on how we can live a meaningful life even under difficult conditions. No matter what situation we are into, no matter what others may be perpetrating on us – we can always change ourselves to impart meaning to life. Definitely a must-read book for everyone.
2. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
Well, don’t get deceived by the title. The fact is that this book is not just for people who are officially in sales occupation. Though a short read, this book is filled with insights, principles, and truths that have the potential to change the way you think.
3. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
‘Flow’ is basically the state when we are so focused, absorbed, happy, and satisfied doing something we love that we don’t even notice how fast the time has passed. This life-changing book will not only help you identify those flow states of your life but it will also give you insights on how to get those happy, absorbed and satisfying experiences more often! A must-read book that will fill your life with pleasant moments and positive vibes.
4. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
This is one of the shortest read that you will come across in any list of life-changing books. This book has plenty of strong messages that are presented beautifully through a story. Change is inevitable, and we should be prepared to face any magnitude of change in our life. This short classic will teach you how to anticipate, acknowledge and accept change in order to have a positive impact on every aspect of your life.
5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This book is the home of the famous quote “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” An easy to read, beautifully narrated story that teaches you to be brave and inspires you to follow your dream without the fear of failure.
6. Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
The title says it all. Think and grow rich. If you want to become successful in the materialistic world, this foundational self-help book will definitely set you on the right path.
7. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The book does exactly what it is meant for. This is among those life-changing books that will not only help you socialize but also build highly influential and authoritative leadership qualities in you. No matter how your current social relationships are, the easy to implement principles in this book will improve your personality at a scale that is both noticeable and influential.
8. To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book is a timeless classic. ‘To kill a mockingbird’ stands out as a uniquely told story of childhood and growing pains on both individual levels as well as for the society. Harper Lee has artistically presented the savage inequalities in society through the narration of a young girl who sees her father defend a black man wrongfully accused of a crime. A very engaging book.
9. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Set in Afghanistan in the 70s, this books depicts the story of a child growing up without a mother and desperately wanting his father’s love and approval. The story shows how even your childhood decisions and experiences can shape and impact your life. This book will take you through a series of emotions of love, hatred, anger, and pity.
10. 1984 by George Orwell
Originally published in 1949, this book was actually set in the future. It serves as a powerful warning against totalitarian and extreme political ideologies. The book gives a terrifying account of the danger that people in power can bring to society. This book will definitely open up your mind in many ways.
11. Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
One of the most profound life-changing books you will ever read. This book brings a sense of belonging to yourself by being who you actually are. It teaches you to be true to yourself – your authentic self and bravely offer your own perspectives that are not influenced by others. A thought-provoking book.
12. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
As the name suggests, this book is actually based on the diary entries of a young girl. Anne wrote the diary during her hiding as a result of Hitler and Nazi’s treatment of Jews in Europe during the Second World War. It is a heart-rending and moving read. Her courage to face life bravely even under such harsh conditions at such a tender age is truly inspiring.
13. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Though the title is self-explanatory, the book does not only enlighten you with the 7 essential habits, but it also convinces you how acquiring them will actually make you a better person. These habits will guide you in your physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual developments. It has been rightly said that habit makes or breaks a man.
14. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
This inspiring book stimulates life with reality. It teaches you that you have to embrace what you have and then you will find your destiny with time. This book will increase your capacity to look and challenge your world. It will also positively transform your thoughts on the way you see success. Definitely, a life-changing book that will make you a better person.
15. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
In the list of Life-changing books, this autobiography of Benjamin Franklin occupies a very special place. It gives you a real-life example of what it takes to be a leader as great and influential as he was. He had a general grasp on about anything, be it economics, geography, literature, diet, religion, politics or almost anything. He was no doubt a great intellect and everyone can learn a lot from his life.
16. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
The man who changed the digital and entertainment world, the mastermind behind iPhones, iPads, iPods, Mac – Steve Jobs had a complicated life at home and work. From a personality like Steve, you will have plenty to learn and get inspired!
17. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
One of the best financial self-help books that will change the way you think about money. This book is very educational and it will give you a whole new perspective on finance.
18. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
This book, for many good reasons, has been a classic favorite for generations. A beautifully written and illustrated story of a tree who loved a little boy unconditionally. Over years, the tree watches the boy grow into a man while giving everything she has but asking and expecting nothing in return. This life-changing book though apparently for children, it is equally important and meaningful for people of any age and if you haven’t read it already, you should definitely go for it.
19. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
This is one of those rare books that have the power to change your beliefs almost immediately. It can create wonderful experiences in your mind, the ones that can transform your life for the better. The best time to live in is the time at the present – ‘The Now’, without stressing about the past or worrying about the future. By being in the present we can instantly become content, happier and more peaceful versions of ourselves and “The Power of Now” teaches us exactly how to achieve that.
20. Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Based on a simple yet very powerful idea – if you have a reason to do something, you will find a way to do it. It is about how understanding and communicating the ‘why’ behind your actions lead to better results. This book will immensely help you to design a purpose-driven life.
21. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Well, this book is different. Not the usual motivational kinds of stuff about positivity and hard-work. It addresses one of the major issues of people of the present generation, i.e., paying attention to almost anything and everything. This book brilliantly conveys how you should focus on things that actually matter to you. One of the best life-changing books for modern generation people. No wonder, this book sold about 2 million copies within its first year of release.
22. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
A beautifully written, heart-melting story of a young girl suffering from cancer. This book will take you through a series of emotions. It portrays how cancer affects not only the sufferer but their family and friends too. Excitement and despair, romance and anger, joy and sorrow, depression and bravery, and humor and friendship, it shows you every aspect of emotions of family, friends and the girl. Be prepared to get moved by this book.
Here’s a simple yet thought-provoking quote from the book. “You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”
23. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
This book explains the science behind habits – how habits are formed and why we do what we do. Charles Duhigg brilliantly gives a step by step guide on how to change your habits and through his guide and some dedication you can easily transform even your worst habits into good ones! And that is why this book is listed among one of the best life-changing books that have the potential to transform your life in the most amazing ways.
24. Attitude is Everything by Jeff Keller
Jeff Keller through this book gives a simple yet effective and powerful message: attitude really matters! It teaches you the importance of a positive attitude and gives you a practical guide on how to change your attitude for good. This book is a timeless classic that is both easy and fun to read.
25. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
You could probably read this book in just an hour! But almost every sentence of this book is profoundly powerful. This book explains how your personality is molded by your thoughts and how your thoughts influence your actions. This is among those life-changing books that you read, and re-read, and re-read again and still find something new to learn!
26. Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
This life-changing book will help you explore the hidden treasure of your mind. It will guide you in harnessing the unbelievable power and potential that your mind has. If you want to take control over your mind, this is one of the best self-help books that will help you do that.
27. The Stranger by Albert Camus
One of those rare books that only get better with age. A book that will make you think. A moving story, beautifully written. The story is about a common man, Meursault, unwittingly drawn into committing a murder after his mother’s death. Meursault’s mindset through the ordeal of grieving for his mother’s death, his general spectrum, his understanding of the world and general absurdities makes this book a compelling read.
28. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
An amazingly interesting book that will change the way you think about thinking. It outlines how our intuitions influence our decisions. In this book, Daniel Kahneman summarizes the flaws of our intuition system and gives the importance of logical reasoning. Though, Daniel explains many psychological experiments which can be a little tedious at times, this book will surely challenge your thinking and give you an interestingly new perspective about almost every aspect of your life!
29. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
Packed with incredible insights and wisdom, this book is meant to help you make correct decisions when you are stuck at a crossroads. The book discusses three major aspects of our life – importance of discipline, love, and grace. This life-changing book will give you a huge boost to your emotional, spiritual and psychological growth.
30. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
The entire premise of Outliers is that, successful people are not the product of luck, but rather their hard work and perseverance. A wonderful book that will break many preconceived notions about successful people and give insights into what it takes to make your own story of success! A fascinating and delightful book!
31. The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie
Public speaking is something that many people are uncomfortable with. If you are one of them, just go with this book. You will have many things to learn. This book will help you grow personally and professionally!
32. The One Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan
So, that was the list of life-changing books that you should definitely read if you haven’t already. And if you are still searching for reasons to read, here’s an article on 17 REASONS WHY READING IS IMPORTANT!
In the comment section below please tell us how many of the above books you have read. And did those book helped you improve? Do share your experiences!
Happy Reading!
have saved this page to remind me to get time and rekindle the reading in me. i read about 2 of the above.
Rich Dad and Poor Dad is one of the best books I’ve ever read so far. This compilation is amazing. Kudos!
just awesome information
This list is really an awesome one. I have already read 6 books out of these and judging by the quality of those 6 books I strongly believe that the remaining books are not gonna disappoint me. Thanks for this list.
These books will not disappoint you for sure.
And you are welcome! 🙂