These Books Altered My Approach to Life. Here’s Why They’re Important
Introduction
Growing up, I never considered myself a reader. In fact, I practically made not being a reader part of my identity. Yet, I’ve always had an endlessly curious mind and insatiable imagination. One random day, I looked at a small collection of cult classic books that sat on my shelf for so long. Sherlock Holmes, The Great Gatsby, The Odyssey, Dracula, and many more unread books. I was tired of mindlessly consuming content, especially reality television and social media. While I still enjoy those things now, I didn’t consume my time with any enriching hobbies. As a result, I felt unfulfilled.
Compulsively, I read what I had on my shelf and was astonished by how much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t get enough, so I naturally found myself at Barnes and Noble exploring different genres. Three years and many genres later, reading turned my life upside down.
Lately, I’ve been embarrassingly behind on my list of books to read. However, I want to share a few of my favorites that I read in the beginning of my journey that have been immensely impactful to what and how I read now.
Disclaimer: these books don’t necessarily reflect what I now read. In fact, most of these were books either recommended to me through the internet or through friends when I was just starting out. That said, I think many of us book lovers can relate to some of the selections on the list!
Buckle up because it’s time for book club!!
1. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Every time I think about this trilogy, I remember that R.F. Kuang was in college when she wrote it and I am flabbergasted all over again.
Note that if you haven’t read this series, it is not really for the faint of heart and I highly recommend reading into the content warnings if you’re interested.
Despite that, this series not only shifted my perspective on modern Chinese history, but I developed a keen interest in it. I became so engrossed in it that I started dreaming about it (a common theme among the books on this list)!
Kuang is a master of writing the nuances of war. She portrays the lack of innocence with most parties involved while exploring the brutal effects of colonization. Mixed with fantasy elements and compelling characters, this story is a roller coaster of emotions I will never forget.
2. The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
This is another epic high fantasy series written by the author at a very young age. To me, this series is truly something special. Assassins, kings and queens, wyverns, and witches (and more but I won’t spoil for those who haven’t read it). What more could you ask for in fantasy?
Each chapter is written in such detail that it feels as though I’m standing among these characters. There were so many times where I thought, “I want to go there!” or “I want to be their best friend!”
When I finished the series, I was devasted because it felt like leaving good friends and a home behind. During and after reading it, I had countless dreams that I was in Terrasen or some random landscape visited during the series (and Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses).
Although I have mixed opinions about Maas, the series was the first time in my adult life where I felt like my creative side and child-like wonder was lit up again. Even though it would take one more shove (from that dream I talked about in my first blog post) to get things in motion, I wouldn’t be writing this blog today without reading the series. But maybe more on that another time. 😉
3. Man and His Symbols – Or Anything by Carl Jung
I’m going to be completely honest for a moment. Where reading the Throne of Glass series rekindled my creative side, reading this book gave me the necessary tools to dive deep and understand myself.
Whether you’re a fan of Carl Jung or know of his popular teachings like archetypes, shadow work, or his map of the psyche, there’s no denying his impact.
Initially a student of Sigmund Freud, Jung eventually branched off due to fundamental differences. Essentially, he kind of told Freud to STFU when he started publishing his own work.
Man and His Symbols is a book written as a joint effort by Jung and his closest followers (or Jungians) where they discuss the unconscious mind, dreams, and dream interpretation.
One of the most important takeaways of this book is that there is no cookie-cutter definition of what a person’s dreams mean, as each human brain is unique and complex. Instead, one should consider the wildness of the unconscious mind, events happening in their own life, and symbols across human history and mythologies to understand dreams.
This fact alone is what led me to start recording my dreams along with anything happening in my waking life that day or even week.
I could write an entire blog on Jung alone, and this is my first – but not last – time that I’ll nudge you all to do a little digging on him.
4. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
OKAY! It’s taking everything in me to not write this section entirely in caps from pure excitement, but I! Love! This! Book! When I picked it up, I verbally said, and I quote: “I know how this is going to end, I don’t think I’ll cry.”
.
.
.
Spoiler alert: I was boo-hoo, “I want my mommy” crying at 9pm on a Tuesday night over the book. As much as I would tread lightly around spoilers, you’ve all had well over two thousand years to do the reading!! 😇
This book was soul-crushing while being a stunning piece of modern literature. The book is a retelling of the Iliad told from Patroclus, Achilles’ best friend and lover. Madeline Miller is also wonderful at writing prose, and this was exceptional.
Even if you already know the story of The Iliad, the perspective offered in The Song of Achilles will immerse you so deeply that Greek myth will feel like recent history. Many of the dreams I had around the time I read this book reflected symbolism and motifs from this story.
If you’ve already read it, I strongly encourage you to check out Circe, which is a retelling of The Odyssey! If you’ve read both, I will need to hear your thoughts.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
This list is nothing we haven’t heard before, and what better way to finish off this list than the mother of all basic books?
It’s time to be honest again. I actually read this book six months ago, unlike the others listed that I read a few years ago. However, I must emphasize the impact this book actually has when put in practice.
I always know when I’m stressed based on the dreams I’m consistently having. In the months leading up to reading this book, I was having strange and terrible dreams, poor sleep, little drive, and no organization. Some of this was due to physical ailments that I’ve since fixed. However, a large factor that was missing around that time was a guide.
This book is a practical guide to changing your mindset in order to achieve your biggest goals.
It doesn’t stop with finishing the book. There are so many free resources purchased with the book that help create structure to your life. If you’re interested in the advice the book offers, check out James Clear’s website at https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits.
This is not sponsored, but I am a big fan!
Long-Term Impact
Being a deeply imaginative person, reading books is akin to watching a really, really long movie or show. Except, the depth of story and characters is *often* better. Thanks to reading, my worldview has expanded, empathy toward others has grown, and a lust for learning and personal growth have cultivated.
I know all of the books on this list aren’t anything people haven’t spoken about before. I do want you to consider the impact reading has on your brain outside the famous “reading makes you smarter” expression.
Before becoming an avid reader, I didn’t expect to make reality-shifting self discoveries, fully surrender to my love for the arts and history, or even take action on dreams I thought were dead for a long time.
I’ll be forever grateful for choosing to read the dusty books on my shelf a few years ago and to the books on this list. Maybe for some, reading is simply a hobby and not so serious, but I assure you, it is for me.
Thanks for tuning in for more whimsical fun! What’s a book that’s shifted your reality or perspective? If you have one, I want to hear it!
