10 Books That Will Change The Way You Think
Rafik Taguilsa
1/18/20248 min read
“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.”
-Rene Descartes
If you're already a reader, you know the impact a good book can have on you. Since it's evident that everyone is different, I can't promise that these books will be a good read for you, but they were definitely good for me and I hope it will be for you too.
While reading is a great way to gain knowledge and enhance your congnitive abilites and, in general, help you grow as a person, please don't fall into the common pitfall of using it as a form of escapism from your responsabilites and duties in life. I say this because, after reading, you may feel a sense of satisfaction, thinking you've accomplished something good and deserve some comfort, and many of us become addicted to reading just to escape their problems instead of resolving them. Paulo Coelho actually described it better when he said : "Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience".
That being said, I can now give you my list of 10 books that I enjoyed reading.
Please note that the order of the books is not from the best to the worst; it's just the random order they came to my mind when I was writing this blog post.
1. The little prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“Grown-ups love figures... When you tell them you've made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? " Instead they demand "How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? " Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”
-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
This novel is one of my favorites, I've enjoyted it so much that I've read it 3-4 times. The narrator's airplane crashes in the desert, leaving him with very little food or water. Suddenly, he is approached by a little blond boy who asks him to draw a sheep for him. After that, the narrator learns that the little prince lives on a small planet he calls Asteroid 325. On his tiny planet, a mysterious rose blooms and the little prince fell in love with her. However, she broke his heart, so he decided to leave to explore other planets and cure his loneliness. In doing so, he met the narrator, and they slowly became friends. The story is very profound and has a beautiful ending.
2. The stranger by Albert Camus
“I looked up at the mass of signs and stars in the night sky and laid myself open for the first time to the benign indifference of the world.”
-Albert Camus, The stranger
This novel is a must-read book to understand the philosophical theory of Albert Camus known as 'Absurdism'. Meursault, the narrator, is a very different man; he is emotionally indifferent to others, even to his mother and his lover, Marie. He refuses to change himself just to match with society, and this refusal will cause him a lot of trouble.
There is a good YouTuber who made an analysis of this book that I would like to share with you. Click here to see
3. The prince by Nicolas Machiavel
“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”
-Nicolas Machiavel, The Prince
The prince is a political book written in the 16th century by the italian diplomat Nicolas Machiavel. It explores concepts and advice on what rulers should do to maintain or expand their position and power. The book is controversial due to the morals and ethics expressed by the author, but it's a good read to understand more the nature of our race.
4. Animal Farm by George Orwell
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
-George Orwell, Animal Farm
One of George Orwells's best books, it is a political fable based on the events of Russia's Bolshevik revolution and the betrayal of the cause by Joseph Stalin. This book made me think for weeks about our world and its functioning behind the appearances.
The book is about a revolution in a farm made by animals to get the possession of their farm. After doing so, the animals made rules for the good functioning of the farm. But after the time passed, the pigs began to take control of the farm by manipulating the other animals and making them do all the hard work. The narrative unfolds as a powerful allegory, reflecting the complexities of political power and corruption. Readers are confronted with profound questions about governance, manipulation, and the challenges of maintaining a just society.
5. Rebel by Matoub Lounès
“Better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep”
-Matoub Lounès
Rebel is an autobiography written by Matoub Lounès (1956-1998), a Kabyle Berber singer, songwriter, and poet from Algeria. He is widely regarded as a symbol of the Kabyle cultural and identity struggle, advocating for freedom and resistance. The book delves into his life, experiences, and the challenges he faced as an outspoken figure in the context of Berber cultural preservation and opposition to government policies. Matoub Lounès was tragically assassinated on June 25, 1998, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire those who appreciate his contributions to the cultural and musical landscape of the Kabyle people.
I may have liked the book because I'm a huge fan of Matoub's songs since I was a child, but it can be very interesting to you too. In his autobiography, 'Rebel,' Matoub recounts the challenges and dangers he faced due to his outspoken views.
6. Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
“You can either be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It all depends on how you view your life.”
-Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
Eleven Minutes is a novel written by the popular brazilian author Paulo Coelho. The book explores the themes of love, desire, and the search for meaning in life.
The story is about Maria, a young woman from a small brazilian village, who dreams of finding true love and a meaningful life. In her pursuit of a better future, she moves to Switzerland. In Geneva, Maria faces the harsh reality of being an immigrant. Eventually, she becomes involved in the world of prostitution as a way to survive financially. Throughout her experiences, she encounters various characters who shape her perceptions of love and sexuality.
The title, "Eleven Minutes," refers to the duration of physical intimacy, symbolizing the brief moments of pleasure that contrast with the broader scope of one's life and experiences. Coelho uses Maria's journey to explore the deeper meanings of love, sexuality, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
7. The power of now by Eckhart Tolle
“It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.”
-Echkart Tolle, The power of now
The Power of Now is a spiritual guidebook written by Eckhart Tolle, published in 1997. The book emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and experiencing life without being dominated by the past or future.
This book has resonated with many readers seeking spiritual growth and a deeper connection with themselves and the world. It encourages a shift in perspective that can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
While Tolle incorporates elements from different spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and mysticism, the book does not align itself with any specific religion.
8. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
“You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you have to see and feel.”
-Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a novel written by Khaled Hosseini, published in 2007.
The book follows the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila. They both lead very difficult lives, as if that is not enough, they are forced to marry the same brutal man named Rasheed. At first, they are rivals, but as time passes, they slowly become allies and attempt to escape from Rasheed's house.
The title "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is a reference to a line from a poem by Saib-e-Tabrizi and serves as a metaphor for the resilience and beauty that can emerge from the trials and tribulations of life. The novel sheds light on the struggles faced by Afghan women and provides a powerful portrayal of their strength and endurance in the face of hardship.
9. Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen
“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”
-Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel written by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. It is one of Austen's most popular works.
The title itself reflects one of the novel's major themes: the consequences of excessive pride and hasty judgments. Through the characters of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Austen explores the transformative power of self-awareness and the importance of overcoming prejudice to find true love and happiness.
The story is about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. At first, they don't like each other because of misunderstandings. As the story goes on, they both change and show their true selves. The book explores love, social rules, and how people can grow and learn from their mistakes.
Pride and Prejudice has been adapted into numerous films, TV series, and stage productions, and it continues to captivate readers all around the world.
10. The alchemist by Paulo Coelho
“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”
-Paulo Coelho, The alchemist
This book is a masterpiece, I couldn't choose only one quote. It's a very popular book written by the brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho. It explores the story of a young man named Santiago. Due to a repeated dream of a child that comes and tells him to seek a treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids, he decides to visit a gyspy woman to interpret his dream. After doing so, he decides to start his journey to find this treasure.
