“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
Haruki Murakami
Books have a way of touching one’s heart, which is much different than any other form of art or writing! Some of us read books to gain knowledge, some read books to escape reality for a bit and some just read books because they simply love it! I love getting lost in the lines of the book. All the books I have read so far, have left a lasting impact on the way I view the world as well as myself! Books in a way, helps people find themselves in the midst of chaos.
To those who want to start reading but have no clue where to start from, here are a few books that you have to read at least once in your life!
1. The Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger
I read this book as part of my syllabus in high school. By the time I came to the end of this book, I was completely broken yet at the same time calm. This book is about a teenager named Holden Caulfield, who leaves his school in Pennslyvania and roams around NYC for three days. The author carefully lays down Holden’s thoughts and experiences as a teen in the late 1940’s, making it an emotional roller coaster for readers! As a teenager reading this book in 2020, in many ways, I felt deeply relatable to the protagonist of this story!
2. The Alchemist by Paula Coelho
Whoever has read this book, will say that this book is an eye-opening and life-changing book. This is about a farm boy called Santiago who is out to search for a treasure way beyond his dreams. Along with his journey to finding the treasure, he learns to listen to his heart and figure out what his dreams are.
3. How To Make Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This book was a great help to me! Dale Carnegie explains the ways of communicating with people and making friends in this complex and complicated society. With many wise words and inspiring quotes in this book, his book is a must to read, in order to succeed in today’s society.
4. Life Of Pi by Yann Martel
If you haven’t yet heard of this masterpiece or seen the movie yet, you are seriously missing out on this emotional epic book! A story about a boy who loses his family in a boat accident and has to survive on a small boat with a bunch of different animals. As he tries to survive on rough waters, he starts to think about his beliefs and what life was like! This book will get you thinking about your own personal values!
5. The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F**** by Mark Manson
The title of the book gives the purpose of the book away. Mark Manson quite literally spits out facts and the harsh truth that most of us do not like to hear, but have to hear! Reading this book, made me realize just how much energy I spend wasting my time caring about what others think! If you want to stop giving a f***, this is the book to read!
6. Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
You want a book with some romance, drama, and murder mystery, this is the book to read! Delia Owen’s novel, which was on the top of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2019 and 2020, is a staple read for many people around the globe. Kya who lives in the marsh is called the ‘marsh girl’ by the other townspeople. After being abandoned by her family, she fights to survive at a young age and finds her comfort in the marsh itself. As she grows up, the author takes you through her romantic relationships as well as struggles, when she is arrested for the suspected murder of Chase, the town’s popular guy!
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.
Charles W. Elliot
The Nice Things In Life 