8 Books that changed the way I think

No matter how many books you read during your lifetime, there will always be a few that stay with you. Here are some of those novels that hold a special place in my heart and reshaped the way I think. I simply can’t help but recommend them. PS. No spoilers or plot reveal, just recommendations!

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

I’m pretty sure I won’t be the only one recommending this book to you. You don’t have to be a bookworm to must have heard about it, and that is if you haven’t read it already.

“Where the Crawdads Sing” has been sitting on the New York Times Best Sellers list for over 122 weeks. And it deserves every single recognition it gets. We are talking about a masterpiece here.

Despite its simple plot, this heart-touching book will take you places like no other before. It is so beautifully written it’s almost impossible not to feel, relive, and sympathize with the protagonist. This book is beyond explaining, but I can guarantee that it will always stay with you.

Animal farm by George Orwell

It may sound strange to many people, but just as to kill a mockingbird or Hamlet; most people have already read Animal Farm in middle school! Well, unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for me. I’m pretty embarrassed to say this, but I haven’t heard of it until quite recently. And to someone already interested in politics, this book gave me an entirely new perspective on almost everything.

So if you happen to be just as clueless as I was about this book, don’t be shy to jump on it. A true eye-opener and a bonus point if you’re into politics & how the world runs. It is also the only book I read in one sitting.

The Nightengale by Kristin Hannah

I can’t help but read almost all books related to World War Two; however, none has touched me the same way The Nightengale did. I’m not sure how I can describe its beauty without giving away too much; but, it follows the story of two sisters living in occupied France during WWII. Despite experiencing & witnessing the same horror, they both chose different paths in coping with the atrocities.

It is not the sort of book where you can love it or hate it; you can seriously only love it or love it. Kristen Hannah did a phenomenal job describing the war, making it hard to believe The Nightengale was a fictional story.

So, if you are looking for a book that will send you on an emotional roller coaster, I couldn’t recommend The Nightengale enough.

The Shack

Please do not watch the movie before reading this amazing book. I’m not saying the movie was terrible; it was not bad compared to others based on books, but this book was just too good; it was impossible to recreate it visually.

William P. Young touched on many sensitive topics, including the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?”, giving us answers that will change your perspective on almost everything! The acclaimed author will take you places like no other, I mean, by the end of the book, I started to look at things differently, and by that, I meant in the most positive way possible.

The protagonist’s journey in this book will always stay with me, and in all honesty, I’m glad it will.

No One Belongs Here More Than You

I don’t know where to start with this masterpiece, but the main reason it stayed with me was that I’ve never read anything like this before. It was delightfully quirky, and Miranda July did an absolute phenomenon job describing the experiences and circumstances of each character.

The book consists of 16 unique short stories, with each one keeping you intrigued and wanting more. For some reason, this book reminds me of Shōtarō Yasuoka’s Glass Slipper and Other Stories due to its originality and writing style – realistic yet magical. With that said, I only enjoyed Glass Slipper from Glass Slipper and Other Stories meanwhile, with Miranda July’s No one belongs here more than you, I enjoyed almost every single story.

Now, this is a novel where you can either love it or hate it, and I’m glad I loved it. It has taught me compassion, the powerful feeling of belonging, and that love can come in all shapes and forms.

The Great Alone

It’s no surprise to see another Kristin Hannah book again; she is well known for touching our souls with her words, and The Great Alone is no exception.

I do not want to compare it to The Nightengale because they are both perfect in their own ways. However, The Great Alone has this familiar touch to which most families could relate.

This book doesn’t have a complicated plot or storyline but the character portrayal and the raw emotions, gosh she portrayed it so well. It took days, if not months, for me to forget these characters and their journies. And, of course, my entire perspective on family bonds.

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Let’s talk about the Original Chicken Soup for the Soul; who can forget this masterpiece.
I got this book as a gift, and now I must admit it has to be one of my favorite gifts.

If medicine came in the form of a book, this is the one.

The book contains several fictional and non-fictional short stories to inspire and lift your spirit. The topics include On Love, Learning to Love Yourself, On Parenting, On Learning, Live Your Dream, Overcoming Obstacles, and Eclectic Wisdom.

I must say, It’s the only book I keep coming back to it to read it over and over again.
From now on, whenever I think I have it bad, someone else has it worse, and they still manage to overcome the problem – I’ll never forget that.

A World Full Of Strangers

Now, here’s a book I’ve read over a decade ago and still can’t seem to forget about it ever since. Why is that? Because it was darn good! And funnily, I was not expecting it to be good.

I started the book expecting it to be a simple romance novel. You know, a boy and a girl from different backgrounds falling helplessly in love with each other. However, this book has more in store for me.

Little did I know that I’ll end up learning a few powerful lessons. As a girl who moved abroad and living in a foreign country, this book just hit so close to home.

My biggest takeaway: At the end of the day, regardless of where you come from, your religion, or your ethnicity, you should always stay true to yourself – always.

And there you have it! My top 8 most memorable books. How about you? Do you agree with my list? Without giving away any spoilers, I would love to know which book has left a special place in your heart. I love when a book is more than just a book!