Books That Transform Your Perspective
Dive into these life-changing reads that have the power to reshape your thoughts and habits. Each book offers a unique lens through which to view the world, encouraging you to reconsider your path and embrace new possibilities. Discover the stories that have moved countless readers and might just inspire your own transformation.
The Lord Of The Rings
1267 pages
The depictions of honor and integrity in 'Lord of the Rings' reassured me that it was possible to be a good man under dire circumstances, making it a profoundly impactful read.
Flowers for Algernon
324 pages
This book will increase your empathy for both yourself and others, serving as an intense reminder of what matters most in life. It offers a fascinating perspective on life through various levels of understanding and touches on universal themes of growing up, growing old, and true love, making it a profound read that can transform anyone into a better person.
All Quiet on the Western Front
258 pages
This book powerfully illustrates the unnecessary pain of war, highlighting how those who make the decisions are often not the ones who suffer the consequences.
Brothers Karamazov
1074 pages
It's a profound read that lingers in your mind long after finishing, making it a timeless classic.
Slaughterhouse-Five
289 pages
Kurt Vonnegut's work has a profound impact on personal growth and understanding of adulthood.
Siddhartha
112 pages
This book taught me not to fear life's changes and to embrace existence, highlighting the beauty of simply enjoying life.
The Crossing
434 pages
This book features beautiful writing and profound philosophy, making it a thought-provoking read that left me underlining entire sections for their mastery.
Cloud Atlas (20th Anniversary Edition)
530 pages
This book made me realize how human interactions can reflect predator and prey dynamics, yet it shows that our actions can unite in a beautiful symphony of humanity.
The First Discworld Novels
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series offers profound insights through its characters like Death, Sam Vimes, and Granny Weatherwax. Their unique perspectives on life can be incredibly comforting, especially when grappling with the complexities of existence. Pratchett's philosophy encourages kindness and enjoyment in a world that often feels meaningless and unjust, making it a thought-provoking read.
Braiding Sweetgrass
384 pages
'A hymn of love to the world ... A journey that is every bit as mythic as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise' Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these two ways of knowledge together. Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings - asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass - offer us gifts and lessons, even if we've forgotten how to hear their voices. In a rich braid of reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our own gifts in return.
When Breath Becomes Air (Indonesian Edition)
249 pages
A crazy sad autobiography of a neurosurgeon who faced cancer just before completing his training.
The Kite Runner
500 pages
After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.
Frank Herbert's Dune Saga Collection: Books 1 - 6
4238 pages
This book completely changed my point of view on fear and making fear-based decisions.
Alcoholics Anonymous
372 pages
This book offers simple and effective commentary on character growth, humility, service, and fellowship, making it beneficial for anyone looking to improve themselves.
All the Light We Cannot See
544 pages
This book beautifully intertwines the lives of its characters, creating a moving narrative that resonates deeply.
Speak
212 pages
This book provided the emotional support I needed as a teenager facing similar challenges.
The Neverending Story
401 pages
It opened my world to fantasy and significantly shaped my interests today!
The Goldfinch
820 pages
This novel captivates with its rich storytelling and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impact on its readers.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
284 pages
This book provides profound insights into family dynamics and personal growth, making it a must-read for anyone looking to understand their upbringing better.
1984
309 pages
75th ANNIVERSARY EDITION “Orwell saw, to his credit, that the act of falsifying reality is only secondarily a way of changing perceptions. It is, above all, a way of asserting power.”—The New Yorker In 1984, London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be. Lionel Trilling said of Orwell’s masterpiece, “1984 is a profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book. It is a fantasy of the political future, and like any such fantasy, serves its author as a magnifying device for an examination of the present.” Though the year 1984 now exists in the past, Orwell’s novel remains an urgent call for the individual willing to speak truth to power.
She's Come Undone
512 pages
This book beautifully illustrates the journey of self-acceptance and resilience, showing that even after making mistakes, one can still find happiness and recognize their worth.
Mistborn
676 pages
From the author of the acclaimed "Elantris" comes the first novel in his Mistborn trilogy--a story which dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? Reissue.
The Goldfinch
820 pages
A young New Yorker grieving his mother's death is pulled into a gritty underworld of art and wealth in this “extraordinary” and beloved novel that "connects with the heart as well as the mind" (Stephen King, New York Times Book Review), named a New York Times Best Book of the 21st Century. Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by a longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into a wealthy and insular art community. As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love — and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle. The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention. From the streets of New York to the dark corners of the art underworld, this "soaring masterpiece" examines the devastating impact of grief and the ruthless machinations of fate (Ron Charles, Washington Post).
Harry, A History - Now Updated with J.K. Rowling Interview, New Chapter & Photos
371 pages
This series is not just for kids; it offers timeless lessons and relatable dilemmas that even adults can reflect on.
Why Does He Do That?
449 pages
This book offers valuable insights into the habits of abusive partners, making it a great read for anyone looking to understand these dynamics better, even if they haven't experienced them personally.
The Road
257 pages
This book has a profound impact, lingering in your thoughts long after you've read it.
Jesus' Son
158 pages
This book is brilliant and lyrical, offering deep insights that can profoundly impact your perspective on writing and life.
Blood Meridian
349 pages
Blood Meridian is a challenging read, but it's so rewarding that you won't want to put it down.
On the Origin of Species
433 pages
This book is a must-read for anyone grappling with the concept of evolution. It helped me resolve my conflicts between religious beliefs and the idea of evolution, providing clarity and solidifying my understanding of our origins.
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The Death of Ivan Ilyich [Easyread Edition]
98 pages
A masterpiece in which Tolstoy's writing prowess reaches its zenith. It focusses on a subject close to human life - death. The issue is introduced through the character of a high court judge who recognizes, after death stares him in the face, that his life has been pointless and devoid of meaning. Moving and insightful!
This Is Vegan Propaganda
171 pages
Our choices can help alleviate the most pressing issues we face today: the climate crisis, infectious and chronic diseases, human exploitation and, of course, non-human exploitation. Undeniably, these issues can be uncomfortable to learn about but the benefits of doing so cannot be overstated. It is quite literally a matter of life and death. Through exploring the major ways that our current system of animal farming affects the world around us, as well as the cultural and psychological factors that drive our behaviours, This Is Vegan Propaganda answers the pressing question, is there a better way? Whether you are a vegan already or curious to learn more, this book will show you the other side of the story that has been hidden for far too long. Based on years of research and conversations with slaughterhouse workers and farmers, to animal rights philosophers, environmentalists and everyday consumers, vegan educator and public speaker Ed Winters will give you the knowledge to understand the true scale and enormity of the issues at stake. This Is Vegan Propaganda is the empowering and groundbreaking book on veganism that everyone, vegan and sceptic alike, needs to read.
Percy Jackson 3: Der Fluch des Titanen
19 pages
Action, Witz und ein finsterer Pakt Es sieht nicht gut aus. Die Titanen haben sich verbündet und rüsten zum Krieg gegen die Götter des Olymp! Percy muss bis zur Wintersonnenwende die Göttin Artemis befreien, die in die Klauen der finsteren Mächte geraten ist. Nur dann kann der Fluch gebrochen und die Göttin gerettet werden. Dabei treten Percy, Annabeth und Grover gegen die gefährlichsten Monster der griechischen Mythologie an - und geraten selbst in tödliche Gefahr. Wie gut, dass die Titanen nicht wissen, dass Percy mit allen Wassern gewaschen ist. Die Jugendbuch-Bestsellerserie mit nachtragenden Ungeheuern und schrulligen Göttern Als Percy Jackson erfährt, dass er ein Halbgott ist und es die Kreaturen aus der griechischen Mythologie wirklich gibt, verändert das alles. Von nun an stehen ihm und seinen Freunden allerlei Monster, göttliche Streitigkeiten und epische Quests bevor. Gespickt mit Heldentum, Chaos und Freundschaft ist die sechsteilige Fantasy-Reihe rund um den Halbgott Percy Jackson inzwischen millionenfach verkauft. Der Mix aus Spannung, Witz und Mythologie begeistert Jung und Alt aus mehr als 40 Ländern und ist die bekannteste Serie von Rick Riordan. ***Griechische Götter in der Gegenwart: chaotisch-wilde Fantasy für junge Leser*innen ab 12 Jahren und für alle Fans der griechischen Mythologie***
Man S Search For Meaning
124 pages
This book is not just a memoir; it's a profound exploration of finding purpose even in the darkest of times, making it a must-read for anyone seeking meaning in their life.
Harry Potter und die Kammer des Schreckens
394 pages
Growing up with Harry Potter during its release created a unique connection, and it remains a cherished part of childhood and adolescence.
The Stormlight Archive, Books 1-3
3829 pages
This high fantasy masterpiece has provided immense healing and resonates deeply with readers, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a profound experience.
The Midnight Library
316 pages
This book reminded me to appreciate what I have in life and helped me manage my anxiety during a tough time.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
476 pages
This book opened my eyes to the vast world of romantasy, which was absent in my country and mother tongue. It has been invaluable for my reading journey and even for professional growth.
The Grapes of Wrath
596 pages
First published in 1939, "The Grapes of Wrath" is a landmark of American literature. This Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm homestead by the "land companies" and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. A portrait of conflict between the powerful and the powerless, the novel captures the horrors of the Depression and probes the very nature of equality in America. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
The Little Prince
139 pages
“And now here is my secret. It's very simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. The most important things are invisible to the eye.” (The Fox) “When you look up at the sky at night, since I'll be living on one of them, since I'll be laughing on one of them, to you it will sound as if all the stars are laughing.” (The Little Prince) The Little Prince is a story written and illustrated by French writer, poet, and pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. First published in 1943, the book has since been translated into more than 250 languages and has become one of the best-selling books to date. The Little Prince is both for children due to its illustrations and imaginative fairy-tale quality and for adults (since they were children first) due to its several observations about life and human nature. It tells the story of a pilot and the young prince he meets, who has fallen to Earth from an asteroid. The story tries to find out the secret to what is really important in life and urges us to read at many different levels of meaning, from fairy tale to deeper secrets of reality.
Writing Down the Bones
218 pages
Offers advice on writing creatively, discusses the importance of discipline, and suggests writing exercises.
The Artist's Way Workbook
178 pages
“Julia Cameron invented the way people renovate the creative soul.” –The New York Times For the millions of people who have uncovered their creative selves through the Artist's Way program: a workbook and companion to the international bestseller. A life-changing twelve-week program, The Artist's Way has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. Now, for the first time, fans will have this elegantly designed and user-friendly volume for use in tandem with the book. The Artist's Way Workbook includes: - more than 110 Artist's Way tasks; - more than 50 Artist's Way check-ins; - a fascinating introduction to the workbook in which Cameron shares new insights into the creative process that she has culled in the decade since The Artist's Way was originally published; - new and original writings on Morning Page Journaling and the Artist's Date-two of the most vital tools set forth by Cameron in The Artist's Way. The Artist's Way Workbook is an indispensable book for anyone following the spiritual path to higher creativity laid out in The Artist's Way.
Middlemarch
744 pages
George Eliot's Middlemarch (1871-72) is one of the classic novels of English literature and was admired by Virginia Woolf as "one of the few English novels written for grown-up people." The complex main plot and many subplots revolve around Dorothea Brooke, an ardent young woman, and her relationship to three men: Casaubon, a clergyman and scholar twice her age; Lydgate, an ambitious young doctor who shares Dorothea's enthusiasm for reform but whose flaws compromise his ambitions; and Will Ladislaw, a young man of mysterious origins, romantic temperament, and artistic inclinations. A female Bildungsroman and a study of character and society in the realistic mode pioneered by Balzac, Middlemarch is also an historical novel that offers a panorama of English society in an era of social reform and political agitation. This Broadview edition includes a critical introduction and a rich selection of contextual materials, including contemporary reviews of the novel, other writings by George Eliot (essays, reviews, and criticism), and historical documents pertaining to medical reform, religious freedom, and the advent of the railroads.
Nothing Special
292 pages
The Zen master and author of Everyday Zen shares the simple, essential wisdom of embracing the ordinary in life. Zen is life itself, nothing added. But for many of us, pursuing a spiritual path involves fantasies about our future lives—fantasies that separate us from ourselves and leave us anxious to achieve a resolution that is constantly receding just past the horizon of reality. In Nothing Special, Charlotte Joko Beck reveals how living in the knowledge that “things are always just as they are” is not the counsel of despair but an invitation to joy. Author of the Zen classic, Everyday Zen, Charlotte Joko Beck now shows readers how to awaken to daily life and discover the ideal in the everyday, finding riches in our feelings, relationships, and work. Nothing Special offers the rare and delightful experience of learning in the authentic Buddhist tradition with a wonderfully contemporary Western master.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (20th Anniversary Edition)
728 pages
This book offers a thought-provoking perspective on history and anthropology, helping readers understand the cycles of humanity, though it's currently facing critical scrutiny for its colonial lens.
The Sirens of Titan
338 pages
This book challenges your perceptions of government, society, religion, and class, making you rethink everything you thought you knew.
The Beach
449 pages
This book really shaped my perspective on travel and sparked a lifelong desire to explore the world.
Outliers
174 pages
This book served as a guide during a significant turn in my life, making it a must-read for anyone looking for insights on success.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (picture book edition)
48 pages
This book is so captivating that it can be read in one sitting, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy immersive storytelling.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
258 pages
This book is a beautiful and emotional journey that truly resonates with readers.
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
756 pages
Reading 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' helped me let go of the need for everything to make sense. It was a liberating experience that allowed me to just enjoy the story and feel my brain relax.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
544 pages
ONE OF TIME’S TEN MOST IMPORTANT NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY In the searing pages of this classic autobiography, originally published in 1964, Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and anti-integrationist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Black Muslim movement. His fascinating perspective on the lies and limitations of the American Dream, and the inherent racism in a society that denies its nonwhite citizens the opportunity to dream, gives extraordinary insight into the most urgent issues of our own time. The Autobiography of Malcolm X stands as the definitive statement of a movement and a man whose work was never completed but whose message is timeless. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand America. Praise for The Autobiography of Malcolm X “Extraordinary . . . a brilliant, painful, important book.”—The New York Times “This book will have a permanent place in the literature of the Afro-American struggle.”—I. F. Stone
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
522 pages
The definitive eBook edition of the New York Times bestselling classic named #1 Most Influential Business Book of the 20th Century by Forbes. Since its first publication in 1989, The 7 Habits of Highly Influential People has been translated into more than forty languages and sold tens of millions of copies around the world. Stephen R. Covey’s timeless wisdom has inspired people of all ages and walks of life to not only improve their businesses and careers but to live with integrity, service, dignity, and success in all areas of life. This definitive eBook edition includes forwards by Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins, and Covey’s children. “Every so often a book comes along that not only alters the lives of readers but leaves an imprint on the culture itself. The 7 Habits is one of those books.”—Daniel Pink, author of Drive and To Sell is Human
Thinking, Fast and Slow
511 pages
This book really gets you to think critically about your experiences and decision-making processes.
Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie
52 pages
THE STORY: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is the autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morrie's appear
In die Wildnis
267 pages
The life and adventures of Chris McCandless are inspiring, showcasing a journey that challenges the notion of material wealth and happiness.
On the Shortness of Life
80 pages
This book is packed with timeless wisdom and offers a profound perspective on life, urging readers to embrace the present and live immediately.
Where the Red Fern Grows
306 pages
This book gave me a major emotional response as a kid, highlighting the importance and power of reading and storytelling.
Jane Eyre (Großdruck)
628 pages
Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre Lesefreundlicher Großdruck in 16-pt-Schrift Edition Holzinger. Großformat, 216 x 279 mm Berliner Ausgabe, 2015 Vollständiger, durchgesehener Neusatz mit einer Biographie der Autorin bearbeitet und eingerichtet von Michael Holzinger Erstdruck: In drei Bänden: Cornhill (Smith, Elder und Co.) 1847. Hier nach der Übers. v. Maria von Borch, Leipzig: Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun., [o.J.]. Textgrundlage ist die Ausgabe: Currer Bell [d. i. Brontë, Charlotte]: Jane Eyre, die Waise von Lowood. Übers. v. M. von Borch, Leipzig: Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun., [o. J.]. Herausgeber der Reihe: Michael Holzinger Reihengestaltung: Viktor Harvion Umschlaggestaltung unter Verwendung des Bildes: Von Evert A. Duyckinck, basierend auf einer Zeichnung von George Richmond Gesetzt aus Minion Pro, 16 pt.
Steppenwolf
224 pages
Harry Haller is a sad and lonely figure, a reclusive intellectual for whom life holds no joy. He struggles to reconcile the wild primeval wolf and the rational man within himself without surrendering to the bourgeois values he despises. His life changes dramatically when he meets a woman who is his opposite, the carefree and elusive Hermine. The tale of the Steppenwolf culminates in the surreal Magic Theater—for mad men only. Steppenwolf is Hesse's best-known and most autobiographical work. With its blend of Eastern mysticism and Western culture, it is one of literature's most poetic evocations of the soul's journey to liberation. Originally published in English in 1929, the novel's wisdom continues to speak to our souls and marks it as a classic of modern literature.
The Grapes of Wrath
530 pages
This book shattered my conceptions and changed my outlook on social compassion, making me more empathetic towards the disadvantaged.
Kafka on the Shore
481 pages
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and one of the world’s greatest storytellers comes “an insistently metaphysical mind-bender” (The New Yorker) about a teenager on the run and a deceptively simple old man. Now with a new introduction by the author. Here we meet fifteen-year-old runaway Kafka Tamura and the elderly Nakata, who is drawn to Kafka for reasons that he cannot fathom. As their paths converge, acclaimed author Haruki Murakami enfolds readers in a world where cats talk, fish fall from the sky, and spirits slip out of their bodies to make love or commit murder, in what is a truly remarkable journey. “As powerful as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.... Reading Murakami ... is a striking experience in consciousness expansion.”—Chicago Tribune
Horse Trading in the Age of Cars
245 pages
Gelber's highly readable and lively prose makes clear how this unique economic ritual survived into the industrial twentieth century, in the process adding a colorful and interesting chapter to the history of the automobile.
The Catcher in the Rye
204 pages
The "brilliant, funny, meaningful novel" (The New Yorker) that established J. D. Salinger as a leading voice in American literature--and that has instilled in millions of readers around the world a lifelong love of books. "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." The hero-narrator of The Catcher in the Rye is an ancient child of sixteen, a native New Yorker named Holden Caufield. Through circumstances that tend to preclude adult, secondhand description, he leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
431 pages
ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BOOKS AND WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE _______________________________ 'Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice' Gabriel García Márquez's great masterpiece is the story of seven generations of the Buendía family and of Macondo, the town they built. Though little more than a settlement surrounded by mountains, Macondo has its wars and disasters, even its wonders and its miracles. A microcosm of Columbian life, its secrets lie hidden, encoded in a book, and only Aureliano Buendía can fathom its mysteries and reveal its shrouded destiny. Blending political reality with magic realism, fantasy and comic invention, One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of the most daringly original works of the twentieth century. _______________________________ 'Should be required reading for the entire human race' The New York Times 'The book that sort of saved my life' Emma Thompson 'No lover of fiction can fail to respond to the grace of Márquez's writing' Sunday Telegraph
The Red Tent - 20th Anniversary Edition
266 pages
This book beautifully reminds us that life can be simpler and more meaningful.
Who Moved My Cheese?
62 pages
This book was a meaningful gift from my grandmother during a tough time in my life, and it offers valuable insights on dealing with change.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead
311 pages
This version offers a deeper understanding of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, making it a compelling read for those interested in exploring the concepts of life and death.
Cutting for Stone
560 pages
This book inspired me to become a surgeon, showcasing the profound impact of medicine.
The Happiest Man on Earth
134 pages
This memoir by a Holocaust survivor is profoundly moving and offers beautiful lessons that resonate deeply, making it a must-read for everyone.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
335 pages
So random but amazing, just like the title suggests!
Atlas Shrugged
1243 pages
Besides just knowing your enemy and their works, it was a fascinating dive into a kind of political clock that's right twice a day, exposing how laws can be used as leverage rather than for obedience.
The Shadow of the Wind
530 pages
An amazing novel that captivates readers with its intricate storytelling.
The Stand - Das letzte Gefecht
1098 pages
Stephen King's insight into society and human behavior makes this book particularly striking, especially when read during the covid lockdowns.
The Overstory
323 pages
The way Richard Powers tells the stories of the characters is captivating; I still think about them and see myself in some, like the boy obsessed with ants and the lady who learns that trees communicate.
The Forty Rules of Love
418 pages
In this lyrical, exuberant tale, acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak, author of The Island of Missing Trees (a Reese's Book Club Pick), incarnates Rumi's timeless message of love Ella Rubenstein is forty years old and unhappily married when she takes a job as a reader for a literary agent. Her first assignment is to read and report on Sweet Blasphemy, a novel written by a man named Aziz Zahara. Ella is mesmerized by Zahara's tale of Shams of Tabriz's search for Rumi and the dervish's role in transforming the successful but unhappy cleric into a committed mystic, passionate poet, and advocate of love. She is also taken with Shams's lessons, or rules, that offer insight into an ancient philosophy based on the unity of all people and religions, and the presence of love in each and every one of us. As she reads on, she realizes that Rumi's story mirrors her own and that Zahara—like Shams—has come to set her free. The Forty Rules of Love unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives—one contemporary and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, Shams, the whirling dervish—that together explore the enduring power of Rumi's work.
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States (10th Anniversary Edition)
330 pages
It's crucial to read beyond the limited history taught in schools, and this book offers a broader perspective.
Feeling Good
738 pages
I use it all the time to this day, and it's a classic from the early 90s that has helped many people.
Neither Wolf nor Dog
344 pages
This book helped me connect with my dad, who always felt like he was in a foreign country. It opened a dialogue between us that I never thought possible, allowing him to express feelings he struggled to articulate.
Franny and Zooey
134 pages
"Perhaps the best book by the foremost stylist of his generation" (New York Times), J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey collects two works of fiction about the Glass family originally published in The New Yorker. "Everything everybody does is so--I don't know--not wrong, or even mean, or even stupid necessarily. But just so tiny and meaningless and--sad-making. And the worst part is, if you go bohemian or something crazy like that, you're conforming just as much only in a different way." A novel in two halves, Franny and Zooey brilliantly captures the emotional strains and traumas of entering adulthood. It is a gleaming example of the wit, precision, and poignancy that have made J. D. Salinger one of America's most beloved writers.
Leadership BS
192 pages
This book reveals the disconnect between what companies say they want in leaders and the reality of leadership practices. It challenges the notion of 'leadership development' and encourages readers to focus on being genuine and the kind of manager they would want to work for.
Siddhartha
121 pages
A profound exploration of self-discovery, this book emphasizes the significance of forging your own path, even if it diverges from those around you.
The Prophet
70 pages
Reading 'The Prophet' felt like magic, leaving a profound impact that resonates deeply.
The Three-Body Problem
365 pages
This trilogy offers a profound perspective on the insignificance of human life and achievements in the vastness of time and space, making it a truly masterful read.
The Complete Malazan Book of the Fallen
11381 pages
This intricate series highlights the power of compassion amidst suffering, making it a thought-provoking read for those who appreciate deep narratives.
Still Life with Woodpecker
277 pages
Tom Robbins' writing captivated me in my youth, offering a unique and enchanting experience.
The Magicians
433 pages
The Magicians trilogy beautifully captures the gut-wrenching transition to adulthood, reminding us that while fantasy worlds may not be real, the emotions they evoke—like awe, joy, hope, and longing—are profoundly impactful.
The Overstory: A Novel
420 pages
The first chapter of 'The Overstory' draws you in with its compelling narrative and rich themes.
Escape from Java and other Tales of Danger
148 pages
This book offers valuable lessons on personal courage and the importance of living authentically.
Living Buddha, Living Christ
242 pages
'Thich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout. He is a scholar of immense intellectual capacity. His ideas for peace if applied, would build a monument of ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity.' Martin Luther King, Jr. Budda and Jesus Christ, perhaps the two most pivotal figures in the history of humankind, each left behind a legacy of teachings and practices that have shaped the lives of billions of people over the course of two millennia. If they were to meet on the road today, what would each think of the other's spiritual views and practices? Thich Nhat Hanh has been part of a decades-long dialogue between the two greatest living contemplative traditions, and brings to Christianity an appreciation of its beauty that could be conveyed only by an outsider. In a lucid, meditative prose, he explores the crossroads of compassion and holiness at which Buddhism and Christianity meet, and reawakens our understanding of both.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
107 pages
A study of heroism in the myths of the world - an exploration of all the elements common to the great stories that have helped people make sense of their lives from the earliest times. It takes in Greek Apollo, Maori and Jewish rites, the Buddha, Wotan, and the bothers Grimm's Frog-King.
The Confessions
353 pages
This book offers profound insights into psychology and self-awareness, making it a deeply impactful read.
Moby Dick
74 pages
Bring the Classics To Life. These novels have been adapted into 10 short chapters that will excite the reluctant reader as well as the enthusiastic one. Key words are defined and used in context. Multiple-choice questions require the student to recall specific details, sequence the events, draw inferences from story context, develop another name for the chapter, and choose the main idea. Let the Classics introduce Kipling, Stevenson, and H.G. Wells. Your students will embrace the notion of Crusoe's lonely reflections, the psychological reactions of a Civil War soldier at Chancellorsville, and the tragedy of the Jacobite Cause in 18th Century Scotland. In our society, knowledge of these Classics is a cultural necessity. Improves fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
The Discourses of Epictetus and the Enchiridion (Deluxe Library Binding)
352 pages
The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of practical informal lectures. Epictetus directs his students to focus attention on their opinions, anxieties and desires so they may never fail to get what they desire. Also included is the Enchiridion.
The Martian
Reading The Martian at a young age inspired me to pursue a career that could take me to Mars. It also made me reflect on themes of isolation, which has been particularly helpful during my recent rereads, especially since I'm feeling socially isolated these days.
Entangled Life
267 pages
The smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller that will transform your understanding of our planet and life itself. 'Astonishing ... it seems somehow to tip the natural world upside down' Observer 'Completely mind-blowing ... reads like an adventure story' Sunday Times *WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY BOOK PRIZE 2021* *WINNER OF THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CONSERVATION WRITING 2021* The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself. 'Dazzling, vibrant, vision-changing' Robert Macfarlane 'Urgent, astounding and necessary' Helen Macdonald 'Gorgeous!' Margaret Atwood (on Twitter) 'Wonderful' Nigella Lawson 'This book is like one surprise after another' David Byrne 'Uplifting' Jeanette Winterson *SHORTLISTED FOR THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE 2021* *SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021* * A Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman, The Times, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday, BBC Science Focus and Time Book of the Year *
