The Three Books that Inspire Me the Most and Why I Love to Re-Read Them
/It’s my life’s goal to inspire others and serve as a source of guidance where I can, and I’m sometimes asked where I turn to when I’m the one in search of inspiration and guidance. I tend to revisit and re-read the three books that have been the most influential for my life, and are most closely aligned with my beliefs, goals, and purpose.
Carina Otero reading in Paris France
In their own way, each of the books on this list have introduced me to interesting perspectives and have helped me organize my own thoughts and ideas, and I believe they have the power to do the same for you. These three books have helped me find my way through various points along my life’s path, and each time I’ve re-read them, they managed to reveal new perspectives and deepen my understanding in ways that weren’t obvious on earlier occasions. To quote Don Miguel Ruiz (the author of the third book on this list):
“Each time you read it, it’s not the book that has changed, but you.”
No matter what you may be going through or whatever it is you may be searching for, discovering the themes described in these books may lead you to your answer. Whether you are looking for inspiration, motivation, guidance, or clarity, you may be able to find it by reading one or all of these books.
Continue reading to learn more about the three books that inspire me the most, the types of guidance each have provided me with, and the moments when I tend to pick them up to be read again.
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
When I need guidance and direction
The Alchemist is a novel that follows the life and adventure of a boy named Santiago, and touches on a number of life’s most important themes in the form of an action-filled story that is exciting to follow and interesting to read. The story is full of metaphors which can draw connection to whatever I may be in search of in any given moment, and can offer a sense of guidance if I’m in need of direction. Another element of this book that speaks to me is the reminder to look out for the signs that appear in life– they remind me that I’m on the right path, or offer a sense of peace if it’s time to change course.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
When I need focus and motivation
The methods that James Clear details in his book are designed to work for any type of habit you wish to create, build, or stop; but in my experience this book has personally helped me the most in regard to professional productivity. I tend to pick up this book when I need to be reminded of its logical, clear, and actionable steps to find real solutions to things I want to change in my life. This book truly serves as a manual for making real transformations and a reminder that even the smallest improvements can create lasting change when practiced consistently over time.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
When I need to reset and find clarity
The Four Agreements is a simplified guide derived from ancient wisdom, which outlines how anyone can live their best life. I reach for this book when I’m in search of clarity or a reminder of my purpose, usually in moments where I’m facing unexpected change along life’s path. This book provides comfort in its directness, and is a reminder that even some of life’s greatest challenges can have simple solutions or can be dealt with in simplified ways.
Another fun fact: I’ve also re-read each of these books in French. While it was mostly a personal exercise to expose myself to various types of content in the French language, reading these books in another language helped me gain totally new perspectives while also reinforcing existing ones. Not only did the practice remind me how my life’s path has influenced my experience learning French, but also how learning French has influenced my life’s path.
You can click here to read about all the techniques I used to learn French quickly
Are you in search of inspiration and recommendations for a new book to read? Or, if you’ve already read and any of these three books, consider this a reminder to pick it up again and re-read it– it may offer a new perspective. If you have any questions about my personal experience or any of the books I’ve included in this list, let me know below in the comments!
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