#1. THE UNTETHERED SOUL
This book is my number one recommendation, and I think absolutely everyone needs to read this book. This book is a beginner guide to spirituality. All the basics you need to understand and hopefully implement in your daily life. It talks about the voice inside your head and how to deal with it. And not just that, but how to create a more pleasant inner world for yourself. Letting go, freeing yourself from the mind, and freeing your consciousness are some of the main topics of this incredible book that teaches how to be joyful and liberated. An absolute must-read and an effortless read as well.
#2. THE LAWS OF HUMAN NATURE
An extensive guide to…well…the human nature :)
You will learn to see and recognize patterns in your own and others' behaviors and interpret them correctly. The Laws of Human Nature illustrates the 18 fundamental laws that affect why people behave the way they do. After reading only a few pages, you will notice a shift in your attention to behaviors. You start seeing the things the book talks about in others, and your own patterns of behavior as the author always invites the reader to look inward first, find flaws and weaknesses within yourself, and then look at others. You will become a strategic observer of behavior and learn how to judge characters CORRECTLY. But also how to implement strength in your character.
#3. ATOMIC HABITS
Out of all the habit books I’ve read, this one was my favorite. The author has a remarkable story that he mentions at the beginning of the book. He puts a good amount of research and psychology into this book, making everything he says super countable. Excellent and proven methods to break bad habits, form good ones, become %1 better every day, and develop a strong identity and not rely on motivation and willpower.
#4. SAPIENS AND HOMO DEUS
Sapiens became really popular a few years ago. I’d see it everywhere. I don’t know why Homo Deus didn’t gain nearly the same level of popularity, but I liked it a lot. Sapiens is an awesome recap of human history, from our evolutionary roots till our modern age, capitalist and genetic engineering years. Homo Deus is a prediction of our tomorrow. What might happen, and how it might affect us. Things like artificial intelligence and genetic engineering and free will are discussed deeply in the book.
#4. 48 LAWS OF POWER
Are you really surprised that I’m including another Robert Greene book? After all, he is my favorite author :)
This book is raw. Gives you directly what needs to be learned, without sugar coating and making things sound soft and lovely. The main critique is that “it teaches how to manipulate” and tell you what. It does! This book teaches you Power. How you choose to use it is entirely up to you. The stuff talked about in this book is used on you and around you every day. If you’d rather stay in the dark and not know what psychological games are played on you, be my guest. I, however, would rather learn the stuff and acknowledge when they are being used on me but then choose to use them in positive ways myself.
#5. MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING
This book was recommended to me by one of my favorite psychology professors. It's also repeatedly recommended by Jordan Peterson (If you don't know who he is, what's wrong with you? :p) Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl takes you through his life as a Nazi death camp survivor, teaching what the most important things are when life brings you it's toughest challenge. His method of psychiatry called Logotherapy, and his book revolve around one central idea: Meaning. Finding your meaning and purpose and then devoting your life to it is the single most important thing you can do.
#6. INFLUENCE
Honestly, this book is better than being number 6. It was one of the very first books I got recommended and read, and it changed my view on how I approach people when I want to get a “yes” out of them. It really does teach the psychology of persuasion. And if you are in sales, marketing, advertising, etc., you absolutely must read this book. For everyone else as well, if you want to get rejected less and get people to trust and help you, read this!
#7. THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
This book is extremely easy to read and the perfect small book to read over the weekend. Can it be summarized in an article? Yes. Is it still a great read? Absolutely! It talks about 4 rules you should keep in mind at all times, and I REALLY like them and think if everyone implemented these 4 rules, the world would be a much better place.
#8. CAN’T HURT ME
I listened to the audiobook for this one because it is the first audiobook in podcast style. David Goggins has become a huge motivational figure in the past few years. His story is truly moving, and honestly, I’ve seen some sluggish people who have, after reading his book, started putting in the effort to achieve the things they always put off. I don’t usually like reading memoirs, but this was a must-read. The main takeaways are self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, which Goggins are a true embodiment of all.
#9. THE ALMANAC
This book is not nearly as popular as it should be. Naval is a brilliant guy as well as very successful. This is a great wealth and happiness book with many unique gems. I found ideas in this book that I hadn’t seen put in such simple words anywhere else. Naval also has put up this book on his website for free as public service. Haha, I guess it really is a public service.
#10. THINK AND GROW RICH/ RICH DAD POOR DAD
I couldn’t decide which is a better “money” book, so I put both. Educate yourself financially and learn to build assets with these books. Kiyosaki and Hill both have shady backgrounds, but their books are good, especially for beginners in wealth and finance.
#11. BREAKING THE HABIT OF BEING YOURSELF
I have a lot of respect for Dr. Joe Dispenza. He’s an expert at the intersection of neuroscience, epigenetics, and quantum physics. He broke six of the vertebrae in his spine due to an accident. Through the power of meditation and visualization, he used his mind to heal his body. I know, crazy!! And the book teaches that you are not doomed by genes and hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of your life. He talks about the science of empowering yourself to create the reality you choose.
#12. 12 RULES FOR LIFE
Did I save the best for last? You bet I did. If you don’t know who Jordan Peterson is, drop everything you’re doing right now and look him up. I can’t decide if his first book, Maps Of Meaning, is better or 12 rules, and I still haven’t read his last book. But listen to me. Even if you don’t want to read his books, do yourself a favor and look up his lectures on YouTube. NOW!!! This man is a treasure. He derives his knowledge from so many different fields, from history to psychology to literature. His vast knowledge, mixed with how articulate and wise he is, equals literal gold pouring out of his mind and mouth. Ok, I’m done fangirling, now go see for yourself.
#13. HOW TO WIN FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE
Ok, I had to add this one too. An excellent book if you are trying to learn how to deal with the outside world and people—creatures of emotion and prejudice. People are motivated by pride, ego, and vanity; so it’s best to learn how to deal with them correctly. A super straightforward read and can be done quickly.