I’ve always believed that the right book finds you at the right time… and if you’re lucky, it stays with you for life.
Some books just entertain. Others shake something loose in you. And then there are a few rare ones that become a part of your wiring – the stories, lessons, or even single lines forever stitched into the way you think, move, and exist.
These are four books that didn’t just change my bookshelf, they changed me.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
This one made me stop and think after each page. It made me question everything I thought I knew about civilization, culture, and our place in the world. Ishmael (who is, yes, a talking gorilla) delivers this slow, eye-opening unraveling of how modern man sees himself as separate from, and superior to, nature. But we’re not. We’re part of it. We were never meant to own the earth. That illusion of control is what’s destroying it.
It showed me that “dominion over the earth” isn’t leadership, it’s conquest. And we were never meant to conquer. We were meant to participate, to protect, to belong. It’s our job to lead with humility, not power. That’s a hard truth to sit with, especially when the world we live in is built on doing the exact opposite.
This book gave me language for a feeling I’d always had: that something about how we live just isn’t natural. It doesn’t sit right in the bones. And because of Ishmael, now I know why. Kind of a radical call to humility, isn’t it?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Yes, yes… this book made my list, but for a special reason. Shortly after I finished The Alchemist, I randomly ran into someone I hadn’t seen in over 15 years; we went to elementary school together. As we talked, I mentioned I’d just read the book, and he told me, “One day, it’ll make sense. It’ll hit you like a ton of bricks.”
At the time, I smiled and nodded, not really knowing what he meant. But I remembered his words. Years later – maybe six? – I was lying in bed, thinking whatever thoughts come to mind when you’re half-asleep and overthinking, and suddenly… it hit me.
I can’t say this is exactly what the book means… maybe it’s different for everyone – but something about the book’s message clicked into place. And the first thing I thought of was that conversation. How he knew it would happen. How sometimes people are just messengers in your life, dropping off little notes from the universe.
It’s stayed with me ever since.
I won’t tell you what my epiphany was… maybe you’re still waiting on yours.
But if you are, maybe I can be for you what my old friend was to me: a quiet little messenger.
One day, it’ll all make sense.
Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
This book gave me permission.
Permission to not have it all together. Permission to not be rich or ultra-planned or “doing it right” in order to see the world. Vagabonding reminded me that anyone can be a traveler. Anyone can live a life full of story-worthy experiences – you just need the will to go.
It taught me that you don’t have to be staying at the Four Seasons to have an adventure. In fact, you’ll probably walk away with better stories if you’re not. Some of my best travel memories happened this way. This book was a little push, a nudge to just go for it, to stop waiting until things are perfect or you feel ready.
Because honestly? You might never feel ready.
And at the end of the day, it’s just you and your silly little life. So, live it. Be the person you want to be. Go where you want to go. The rest, the money, will figure itself out.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Okay, yes, this is that book. The one that ends up on every spiritual awakening list. But hear me out… it earned its spot on mine. Let me tell you why –
There’s a part early in the book where Tolle talks about clearing your mind. As someone whose brain never, ever shuts off (I’m talking 3 AM existential spirals), this part made me stop in my tracks. He shares this technique:
Count down from 5…
Then ask yourself:
“I wonder what my next thought will be.”
Wait.
Notice the stillness.
In that space – before the thought arrives –
you are no longer the thinker.
You are the one who observes.
You’re sitting there, trying to predict your next thought. Waiting. But then something strange happens…
Nothing comes immediately.
For a moment, there are no thoughts to chase.
It was the first time in my life I felt what it was like to have no thoughts. Just stillness. Silence. Peace. Holding that state is still something I’m working on – my mind likes to wander, overanalyze, relive every conversation I’ve ever had, you know, the usual. But this one moment of mental clarity has become a tiny anchor for me. A small reminder that peace is always available. You just have to pause long enough to find it.
Now, these books didn’t hand me answers.
They didn’t try to fix me.
They gave me something better: Perspective. Space. Possibility.
And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
What books changed you?
Browse the blog archives for more vibes — there’s a little bit of everything here. Looking for reviews on books? Check out my book reviews.
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