Why I Read Books
Over the last eight years, in my journey to understand the world and myself, books have been my primary tool. There are two reasons for this.
Firstly, growing up, I was very shy. I was scared to talk to people, and even if I somehow did talk to others, I was terrified to ask questions. To ask a question, you first must acknowledge your ignorance. I was unwilling to do that because I did not want to be judged.
The second reason was that I did not know who to ask for the right answer.
On the other hand, books will not make fun of you for not knowing. Also, you get to choose the author. For every problem or question you have, you can read the book written by someone who had the same problem or question, solve it, and write a book with the instructions. Additionally, you can research the author and ensure he is one of the best in his field.
So, in this blog post, I will talk about three books that changed my life.
There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.
Walt Disney
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
As I already mentioned, growing up, I was very shy. However, early on, I understood that human relationships are one of our lives most important aspects. You must communicate properly to create, maintain, and grow your relationships with others.
How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the oldest self-development books and the bible of human communication. In this book, Dale Carnegie breaks down this complex concept into smaller and simple sections and explains them in depth. Basic social dynamics are greatly explained, such as the importance of active listening, recalling someone’s name, and expressing genuine compliments and gratitude.
After reading this book, my relationships and my social life changed radically and my social life as a consequence. The quality of my social interactions flourished, the misunderstandings significantly decreased, and my relationships strengthened. All that is because I learned how to be a better communicator, which, paradoxically, is more about listening than talking.
I recommend this book to absolutely anybody. Half of the time I buy a book as a gift, it is this one.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
How money works was one of my many concerns growing up. Although we live in capitalistic societies and money is essential for survival and prosperity, no one seems to discuss it. We go through school without anyone educating us about it. In most families is a subject that is demonized or not talked about.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad was the first book that shed some light on the mystery of money for me. It’s a simple, easy-to-read book that focuses on changing how you look at money.
It explains the basics of how the money system works. It’s like personal finance 101. I was shocked and excited when I read about the difference between an asset and a liability and the idea that you can use your money to make more money instead of your time.
In hindsight, after several years of reading financial books and attending seminars, I think this book is an introduction to the financial system. It shows you the game, explains the rules of the game, and gives some practical guidance. After that, you are responsible for finding the strategy that works for you.
Highly recommended for anybody who wants control over his financial situation.
3. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
The two previous books were some of the first books I ever read on self-development. This book was way later.
Another fundamental concern of mine, and I believe most of us, was the meaning of life. Why are we here, and what are we supposed to do? Is there any higher value that we have to follow? Is there any goal of actual importance, and if so, which is it? Happiness, money, power, or some other abstract term?
In the first years of my studies, while considering all the above and in the bricks of being a nihilist, I stumbled upon the work of Dr. Jordan Peterson, specifically his book 12 Rules for Life.
By reading the 12 rules for life, a lot of my questions were answered. Difficult concepts, abstract terms, and many things that I considered facts without knowing why they were facts were clearly explained. This book redefined my moral sense and completely changed how I view life. It gave me a map of meaning and the necessary foundations to build my life.
Coming across Dr. Jordan Peterson's work was crucial to me. It helped me to set my goals and my life in order while relieving a lot of the overthinking and anxiety from not knowing what to do.
This book is denser, more abstract, and harder to understand than the others. I highly recommend the book and his work to everybody struggling with the abovementioned concerns.
You can check this interview to understand what this is all about.
Final Words
Those were the books with the biggest impact on my life. Each book may impact you differently based on where you are on your journey right now and your specific needs and desires. However, I strongly believe that there is much to gain by reading the aforementioned books regardless.
Feel free to share your thoughts with me if you have read any of the above or after you read them. Also, I am very curious to know the books that changed your life. I will be waiting for your response!
Honorable Mentions and Personal Book List
Fat Loss Forever: How to Lose Fat and Keep it Off by Layne Norton
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Atomic Habits James Clear
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Simplest Gift by Stefanos Xenakis
You can see most of the books I have read rated here.
