“Top 5 life-shaping books you should read”
“Top 5 life-shaping books you should read”
Marcus Tullius Cicero once lamented- “A room without books is like a body without soul.” No doubt books are my friends. Not just because I get to learn new things but also because they never make me feel alone. When I open a book, the excitement that evolves in me is unexplainable. People often go different ways to shape their careers and reading some applaudable books should always be on top of the list. It is natural to have distinct taste when it comes to books. Some prefer non-fiction while others love engrossing themselves into fiction books.
I have read many books and for sure they have helped me in my personal growth, career shaping, evolution of new ideas and many more. I am going to throw some light what all 5 books we must read that can help us in innumerable ways.
- “WILD” by Cheryl Strayed
This book teaches an important lesson i.e. always be in the driver seat of your life and search for your best self. Life is never about giving up no matter how hard things become. We generally forget to introspect ourselves and that’s when our lives become vulnerable because we don’t know any more who we are and what we expect from ourselves. The book has crystal clearly put the undying spirit of a 26-year girl who wasn’t afraid to be all by herself even in the remotest places. The book has beautifully set up an example for those young girls who don’t believe in their worth and let others’ voices cloud their judgement.
- “MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING” by Victor Frankl’s:
The book is divided into two parts- first part focuses on writer’s experiences while he was in a Nazi concentration camp and second part talks about his theory of Logotherapy (striving to find meaning in one’s life).
He talked about how when one loses hope to live, there is no way to keep the soul alive. He has beautifully mentioned one line which states- “He who has a why to live, can almost bear any how.” One of the salient task of human lives should always be about finding meaning in life because there is no point of life when we don’t know the purpose of our existence. Human existence should always circle around this. He has also described the power of love and how suffering has a meaning only when we decide to give it a meaning.
- “THE ART OF HAPPINESS” by Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
The fundamental lesson of the book is that the purpose of life is “Happiness”. However, this happiness is determined by many circumstances including one’s internal as well as external conditions. The problem is that we unknowingly try finding happiness in the things that are materialistic when happiness can simply be found in small little things like offering a piece of bread to someone who is hungry. The book has highlighted the significance of compassion which connects every human being. Overall, the book has talked about changing our perspective towards life and humans. Because when we do that there is a good chance of transforming the world.
- “JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL” by Richard Bach:
The book is based upon a seagull, Jonathan Livingston Seagull,who was passionate about flying. It talks about the level of determination one must have to achieve something in life. The way Jonathan learned every little thing about flying is applaudable. It is obvious to fail in the beginning the way Jonathan did. But the way he learned from his mistakes is highly notable. The book has also beautifully mentioned the role and significance of a mentor, who can always bring about a change in his/her student. “Keep working on love” was a golden advise to Jonathan by his mentor.
- “THE GREATNESS GUIDE SERIES” by Robin Sharma:
The book encourages to understand that everyone on this earth is capable of achieving greatness; if that’s what we choose to think. There is no secret recipe for excellence. The only way to do is to make small efforts everyday. One of the beautiful quote of the book that I liked the most is- “We have one mouth and two ears. So listen more and speak less.” Reading this book will make us realise little things we ignore and how important they are to imbibe.
Sumbul Syed
Writer and Blogger
Career Hacks (Division of Kaizen Training Solutions Pvt Ltd.)
