From inspiring us to make big decisions in life to changing our perspectives of it, here are the best life-changing books recommended by the SlubTeam!
So, check out the 9 best life-changing books recommended by the SlubTeam below!
Best Life-Changing Books
Shilpa’s ( Founder/Editor-in-Chief) Motivational Book Recommendations
1. The Class – Erich Segal
Published: 1985; Genre: Drama, Fiction
While this novel is way lesser known than ‘Love Story’ by Erich Segal, I always found it way more powerful and memorable. Since it finds its way into my list of best life-changing books, you can imagine the kind of impact it must have had on my life.
I read it in college, in the Fall of 2005, right around the time my brother visited Oxford, and upon seeing his pictures, I had wanted to do my masters at an old, elite university. Somewhere whose campus had some history and character. And upon reading this great motivational book, I decided it would be Harvard.
Although with its tragic plot twists, The Class hardly tries to inspire anyone to want to go to Harvard, but it made me inspite of itself. It follows the story of five members of a Harvard class and how their lives, from an innocent beginning to their 25th reunion, are filled with ambition and family pressure, joy and sorrow, success and tragedy.
2. The Stars Shine Down – Sidney Sheldon
Published: 1992; Genre: Thriller, Fiction
The Stars Shine Down by Sidney Sheldon
This is one of the earliest stories that inspired me career-wise. Sidney Sheldon’s novels are racy thrillers and way before I was old enough to read them, my elder cousin told me this one’s story. In my early teens. I felt a connection with the protagonist, Lara Cameron, who would stop at nothing to achieve her ambitions. The life-changing story follows her journey from a poor beginning to becoming a real estate mogul, marrying the man of her dreams, all because she wouldn’t give up.
This inspirational novel was published in 1992, and it seems way ahead of its time in retrospect. To this day, women’s ambitions can be considered “too much” and to this day, I don’t feel like sharing how this book inspired me to be limitlessly ambitious because I’ve been judged far too often! But then maybe that’s not because I’m a woman but because I’m a dreamer!
Best Life-Changing Books Recommended by Sahana (Sr. Content Creator)
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J. K. Rowling
Published: 1997; Genre: Fantasy, Children’s Fiction
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
I love reading books from the mystery genre mostly! Since childhood, I’ve been a fan of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. But I wasn’t a dedicated reader. I used to take months together to complete a book. I had no interest in the Harry Potter craze during high school! But a friend insisted (in fact, pestered) me to read the Harry Potter series. And I started to read so that she stops bothering me. But I was completely lost in the book and finished the entire book within a day. J. K. Rowling’s spectacular storytelling and the way I could imagine the character left me spellbound! Right after that, there was no looking back, I started to explore different genres and my reading experience got better.
Unlike watching a movie or a TV show, reading books gave me a chance to imagine, think and visualize the characters my way. This best-selling book definitely inspired me to read more books and I’m glad my friend annoyed me back then! Getting into the habit of reading was not only therapeutic for me but also very educating.
2. A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
Published: 2007; Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Another book that got me back to the habit of reading is this popular life-changing book by Khaled Hosseini. With my busy (read social media-driven) life, I had no time for books. So, I was looking for a book that would be interesting. I picked this book mainly to know what the hype is about. I read it almost 9 years after the release. Again the storytelling was good and my perception of an entire country changed. Also, I realized one should not always believe the media. I always imagined Afghanistan to be a war-ridden country. But in this book, the two female characters surprised me with their attitude towards their lives in spite of the social boundaries.
3. Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert
Published: 2010; Genre: Romance, Fiction
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
This positive and motivational book definitely inspired me to travel by myself. However, I never tried solo travel (I have my own reasons -_-) but I’m still motivated to plan one soon! The book is about the writer, Elizabeth Gilbert’s experiences of her travel. I loved the personal touch in the story and the wittiness.
The protagonist is not quite content with her life though she has everything and sets off to travel three different countries to discover herself. She travels to Rome and spends her time eating the delicious Italian food and enjoying life (eat), she travels to India for spiritual knowledge (pray) and finally, she travels to Indonesia to balance both and finds the love of her life (love). The inspiring book is totally relatable to my life as I wanna travel different places, eat and try different local delicacies.
Anusha’s (Staff Writer) Best Life-Changing Books
1. Wings of Fire – Abdul Kalam
Published: 1999; Genre: Autobiography
I love to read inspirational autobiographies as one gets to know how famous personalities morphed their lives to reach a reputed position. I read this philosophical book when I was in my high school and the only line that still rings in my ears till date is, “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep”! This quote has changed my way of living and thinking.
Earlier the goals of my life were, accept the things the way they come. But, after reading this autobiography, I felt that destiny is in our own hands and it’s up to us to give our best and never ever leave the things for fate to take over. Face whatever situation you’re in but try your best to alter it’s consequences.This book has impacted me deeply. It showed that just by keeping a positive attitude, one can change the perspective of life entirely and make it easier to achieve our goals. This is certainly one of the best books that can change your life.
2. Shiva Trilogy – Amish Tripathi
Published: 2010; Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi
This fantasy trilogy is inspired by the legend of Hindu religion – Lord Shiva. Any book I start, it takes me quite a few days to complete it if the book really interests me. And this was one amongst them. This uplifting book is a good inspirational book for women. Even in that era where women were treated as untouchables, goddess Sita was bold enough to take her own stand and fight for herself. It’s a good thriller, too! The storyline of the book is gripping and it inspires you to fight for the good.
Nishita’s (Content Creator) Inspirational Book Recommendations
1. Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons From The World’s Most Elegant Woman – Karen Karbo
Published: 2009; Genre: Biography
Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons From The World’s Most Elegant Woman by Karen Karbo
I had this book as part of a reading assignment in college and I started reading it not expecting much out of it other than a couple of ideas for a book report I had to make. Little did I know, on completing the book I would be so tremendously inspired and obsessed with the woman who single-handedly revolutionized fashion. It also assured me that I was on the right path in life.
Each chapter in this motivational book for young adults focuses on a different life lesson based on Coco Chanel’s quotes and her life. Karen has written it in such a witty and hilarious way that it didn’t feel like I was reading a biography. It was thoroughly enjoyable and undoubtedly inspirational! For anyone who’s into fashion or its history, this life-changing book is a must-read! I can easily say that it’s one of the best motivational books ever written.
2. The Art of Happiness – Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler
Published: 1998; Genre: Philosophy, Non-fiction
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
I was never a fan of inspirational biographies until I came across this one. Summer of 2016, my dad gave me this book and I can certainly say that the person I was when I started and ended the book, were not the same. This spiritual non-fiction book is a series of questions asked to the 14th Dalai Lama by a psychiatrist, Howard Cutler. Through this positive-thinking book, the spiritual leader shares his experiences, stories and views on life which will in turn change yours. What I loved most about it was getting to know how his mind works and his spiritual approach to things in life. He touches on various issues that every human being goes through – failure, insecurity, grief, disappointments, relationships, etc. and how you can overcome them.
I’m so glad for the existence of this amazing self help book. It changed my life for the better and helped me understand the purpose of life and also learn that it takes very little to achieve happiness. And that’s what makes this one of the best life-changing books I’ve ever read.
So those were our 9 best life-changing books recommendations. What are yours? Has a book ever changed your life? And which one will you be reading next? Let us know by tweeting us @shilpa1ahuja! 😀
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Nishita is a Staff Writer/ Journalist at ShilpaAhuja.com. She is a graduate of National Institute of Fashion Technology and has a degree in leather design. A lover of all things fashion, she writes about everything from beauty, hair and lifestyle to fashion trends and how-to’s. Her area of expertise is outfit ideas but being fresh out of college, she also loves writing about college fashion. Her new found love of baking is currently taking over her life, making her write about all things chocolate and easy recipes. With a flair for sketching and a great eye for detail, she’s previously designed leather garments for brands like Diesel and Salsa. When she’s not writing, she’s busy reading extremely sappy Nicholas Spark’s novels, sewing clothes and listening to some indie rock. Also super passionate about photography, she loves portraits and wildlife photography – a habit turned love that formed with the amount of traveling she did as a teenager. As a girl who grew up with books and movies like Pride & Prejudice, her love for period fashion is huge. And being curly haired, she’s always on a constant hunt for solutions to problems that come with having ringlets and loves sharing them with people through her articles. For feedback and questions, email [email protected] or connect with her on twitter @ni95.