Best Books to Read to have a Better 2024

Best Books to Feast and Digest in the New Year

"It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. God be thanked for books. They are the voices of the distant and the dead and make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages. Books are true levelers. They give to all who will faithfully use them, the society, the spiritual presence, of the best and greatest of our race." - William Ellery Channing.

Writing New Year resolutions is one thing, sticking to them is another and now that the year has begun, I hope reading at least three to five pages of a book is included. I mean, a physical book, not those PDFs you've downloaded since the 90s and are yet to open or audiobooks…Lol.

They are a great start but to be sincere, there's every tendency to be distracted, unlike buying a book and having a bookshelf or a library where you make choices that appeal, the feeling of joy it brings and that's what reading does. 

Reading isn't just a skill but a gift to be harnessed daily until it becomes a habit. Lemme shock you…

Most smart folks you come across who seem quite knowledgeable are avid readers and do not necessarily show prowess; it is in books they find ideas and know about a person's failures and successes, how to begin, and what to avoid…now tell me, what makes you think reading is hard and stressful?

P.S: Never judge a book by its cover, it's the content that matters…

And to begin with, here are life-changing books you should explore alone or with family and friends.

On the count of 1, 2…

Shoot!

#1 The Obstacle is The Way by Ryan Holiday: I thought the title was just a statement, not until I discovered it was a book written by an author. In it, you will find mysteries about how to survive when problems arise and most importantly, how to make these problems be an added advantage to your success, for example when Singer Shakira was told by her teacher that she wouldn't make it big in the industry because of her inability to sing well…today she's a star who didn't let that be an obstacle because what's standing in the way eventually becomes the way.

#2 Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon: To my fellow creatives in diverse fields, be it photography, writing, music, etc., etc. this book is for you. Here, the author makes us see how everyone is a thief and how we should keep being a thief as an artist.???? It may sound weird because stealing is related to the negative but trust me, experiencing brain block is the least you will have because this book is the solution to it. You get it? I personally believe the title of the book is perfect and draws curiosity.

#3 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: This is one of the best prose fiction I've read so far, something must change about you. One of the themes is the power of fulfilling your dreams, finding one's destiny and as written in the book by the author, it says "Dreams are the language of God," and when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it. You will not read it, ke? I beg you, do. You will not regret it!

#4 Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend: When most people think setting boundaries is all about when they are in a relationship with another person, this book exposes the secret to setting boundaries even in mental, spiritual, emotional, and family space. For instance, A son keeps being irresponsible, making his parents worry despite their help and support to make him responsible. Do you know? To reverse the case of the son being the worried and depressed one over his irresponsibility, his parents have to create boundaries and that's by withdrawing their help and support for the time being. Does it ring a bell? Find out more when you delve into the book…it's way beyond what you can imagine.

#5 The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale: Little backstory, a friend of mine recommended this book, and trust me, I felt the exact way he described the content of the book, I will give it a 10/10…it is what it is.???? No matter how you feel, it leaves you with a kind of feeling, joyful, uplifting, inspired…think of any positive word. Each affirmation is ???? and it gives you practical ways how to go about it. If you are looking to build your self confidence and have a beautiful 20024, you should not sleep on this!

#6 Secrets of The Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker: Aside from the book, How to Win and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, this was one of the books I read thrice to the extent I didn't want it to end. A book that gives you financial advice on how to kickstart your financial life without having to break the bank, it all begins with the mind. Do you desire wealth or do you love it? I implore you to find your answers in the book, get lost in it, and recover with a transformed and renewed mind.

Last but not the least, rather the most important, the book of all books, the greatest of all that has been, will be, and forever be…

Drumrolls, please????????

Clear road for…

#7 The Holy Bible: (clears throat) All hail the bible. Okay, on a personal level, I know and you know, you know and we all know that this book remains the best and it's because it has everything you need to be anything you want to be, has all the ideas, insight and clarity you desire in your pursuit, all it takes is the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened. Don't just read it, study as your life depends on it because it does, you can't do without it, amen?????

Now you have books to read as you journey through the year but don't stick to these alone, explore many others because different genres may appeal based on your preference.

Read, share your thoughts with others, and apply them to your daily living.

Namaste