Okay, so let’s be real for a second—how many times have you scrolled through book recommendations and thought, “Yeah, sure, another ‘life-changing’ book that’s probably going to collect dust on my shelf”? 🙃 I get it. I’ve been there. But hear me out because these books? They didn’t just change my life; they straight-up rearranged my brain cells. And no, I’m not being dramatic (okay, maybe a little).
Let’s start with the one that hit me like a freight train: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I picked it up on a whim because the cover was pretty (don’t judge me, we all do it). But what I got was a story that made me question every single life decision I’ve ever made. The premise? A woman gets to try out all the lives she could’ve lived if she’d made different choices. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but for grown-ups who are secretly still figuring out what they want to be when they grow up. By the end, I was crying into my tea, reevaluating my career, and texting my ex (don’t worry, I deleted the message before sending).
Then there’s Untamed by Glennon Doyle. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living someone else’s life—like you’re following a script you didn’t write—this book is for you. Glennon’s raw, unfiltered honesty about breaking free from societal expectations hit me in the gut. I remember reading it on a plane, nodding so hard the person next to me probably thought I was having a seizure. It’s not just a book; it’s a permission slip to stop apologizing for who you are. And let’s be honest, we could all use one of those.
Now, let’s talk about Atomic Habits by James Clear. I know, I know—self-help books can be a snooze fest. But this one? It’s like a cheat code for life. The idea is simple: small changes lead to big results. I started with something stupid like “drink more water” and ended up overhauling my entire routine. It’s not magic; it’s science. And it works. Plus, it’s written in a way that doesn’t make you feel like a failure for eating an entire pizza at 2 a.m. (we’ve all been there).
But the book that really made me sit down and think was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I know, it’s a classic, but there’s a reason it’s been on every “must-read” list since the dawn of time. It’s a story about following your dreams, but it’s also a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination. I read it during a time when I felt stuck, and it gave me the push I needed to take a leap of faith. Spoiler alert: it paid off.
And then there’s Educated by Tara Westover. This memoir is wild. It’s about a woman who grows up in a survivalist family, never goes to school, and ends up getting a PhD from Cambridge. It’s a testament to the power of education and the resilience of the human spirit. Reading it made me grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and inspired me to keep pushing myself.
Finally, I have to mention The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. This one’s a bit more spiritual, but stick with me. It’s all about living in the present moment, which sounds simple but is actually really hard. I read it during a particularly stressful time, and it helped me stop obsessing over the past and worrying about the future. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s a mindset shift that’s worth the effort.
So, there you have it—the books that made me laugh, cry, and question everything. They’re not just stories; they’re experiences. And if you’re looking for something to shake up your life (or at least your bookshelf), these are a great place to start. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to reread The Midnight Library and cry into my tea again.