The best 99 Inspiration books

1
12 Rules For Life

12 Rules For Life

Jordan B. Peterson
An Antidote to Chaos
4.3 (2,396 ratings)

What's 12 Rules For Life about?

12 Rules For Life (2018) provides readers with an inventory of life’s most pressing concerns and the issues that have been present in the human psyche since ancient times. Author Jordan B. Peterson has collected some of the most enduring philosophical and religious assertions, as well as the lessons from our most cherished tales, to provide us with 12 guidelines to ensure a life of meaning. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, history and myth, these are clear and consistent principles that everyone can live by.

Who should read 12 Rules For Life?

  • Students of psychology
  • Readers seeking meaning in their lives
  • People interested in the lessons of mythology

2
Unlearn

Unlearn

Humble the Poet
101 Simple Truths for a Better Life
4.1 (34 ratings)

What's Unlearn about?

Unlearn (2014) is a collection of 101 short essays on how to live a better life. These succinct yet profound essays prompt you to challenge your own beliefs as well as the commonly held assumptions of wider society. The truths revealed about happiness, love, success, and truth itself aren’t always easy to hear, but they’re crucial insights into the nature of empowerment and freedom.

Who should read Unlearn?

  • Anyone feeling lost or stuck in life
  • Those looking to improve their relationships with others and themselves
  • Artists seeking inspiration

3
The Power of Discipline

The Power of Discipline

Daniel Walter
How to Use Self Control and Mental Toughness to Achieve Your Goals
4.4 (668 ratings)

What's The Power of Discipline about?

The Power of Discipline (2020) explores the biological tendencies within our brains that determine our ability to control our self-discipline. It shows us how we can refine these tendencies in order to develop improved self-disciplinary habits and reach our goals.

Who should read The Power of Discipline?

  • Anyone lacking some self-discipline in their lives
  • Those who need to ditch their bad habits
  • Goal-setters looking for advice on how to be an achiever

4
Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill
The secrets of 40 millionaires' wealth, revealed
4.5 (1,391 ratings)

What's Think and Grow Rich about?

In Think and Grow Rich (1937), Napoleon Hill investigates the methods of the 500 most successful people of his time, including the world’s richest men, top politicians, famous inventors, writers and captains of industry. First published amidst the Great Depression, Think and Grow Rich has sold over 100 million copies.

A note to readers: this Blink was redone especially for audio. This is the reason why the text version might differ from the audio version. If you’re trying to decide whether to listen or to read, we highly recommend listening!

Who should read Think and Grow Rich?

  • Anyone who wants to learn the secrets of people who have made it big
  • Anyone who wants to be successful in life
  • Anyone who’s heard of this self-help classic and wants to see what it’s about 

5
The Everyday Hero Manifesto

The Everyday Hero Manifesto

Robin Sharma
Activate Your Positivity, Maximize Your Productivity, Serve The World
4.2 (693 ratings)

What's The Everyday Hero Manifesto about?

The Everyday Hero Manifesto (2021) is a how-to primer for becoming the hero of your own life. It’s full of detailed plans interspersed with short essays, anecdotes, and even poetry to help you become happier, more productive, and more successful.

Who should read The Everyday Hero Manifesto?

  • Anyone stuck in a rut
  • Go-getters looking to improve their career trajectory
  • Self-improvement seekers searching for practical guides and techniques

6
Living in Flow

Living in Flow

Sky Nelson-Isaacs
The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choices Shape Your World
4.2 (179 ratings)

What's Living in Flow about?

Living in Flow (2019) invites you on a transformative journey to discover the power of synchronicity – and, through it, to create a life filled with ease, joy, and fulfillment. Unveiling the science behind meaningful coincidences, it provides practical guidance for aligning yourself with life's natural rhythms and unlocking your full potential.

Who should read Living in Flow?

  • Personal development enthusiasts
  • Science-minded individuals
  • Fans of Carl Jung

7
Getting to Neutral

Getting to Neutral

Trevor Moawad
How to Conquer Negativity and Thrive in a Chaotic World
4.6 (10 ratings)

What's Getting to Neutral about?

Getting to Neutral (2022) is a step-by-step guide to conquering negativity and embracing the state of neutrality in a stressful world. By delving into deeply personal experiences as well as insights from leading athletes and coaches from around the world, it shows how anyone can find calm and clarity in their everyday life. 

Who should read Getting to Neutral?

  • Anyone who struggles with stress and confusion 
  • High performers who want to conquer blocking thoughts
  • Lovers of an inspiring story

8
Redeeming Your Time

Redeeming Your Time

Jordan Raynor
7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, & Wildly Productive
4.2 (18 ratings)

What's Redeeming Your Time about?

Redeeming Your Time (2021) offers practical, faith-based guidance to help you make the most of your precious time and focus on what truly matters. Drawing on inspiring stories and biblical wisdom, this powerful resource equips you to prioritize your tasks, develop meaningful habits, and ultimately live a more purposeful life. 

Who should read Redeeming Your Time?

  • Busy professionals seeking work-life balance
  • Faith-driven individuals pursuing purposeful living
  • Time management enthusiasts seeking fresh insights

9
Good Morning, Monster

Good Morning, Monster

Catherine Gildiner
A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Journeys to Emotional Recovery
4.2 (138 ratings)

What's Good Morning, Monster about?

Good Morning, Monster (2020) chronicles some of the heroic patients therapist Catherine Gildiner worked with over the course of her practice. The patients experienced varied traumatic events and used different techniques in their work with Gildiner. Their stories exemplify the resiliency of the human mind and spirit.

Who should read Good Morning, Monster?

  • Anyone seeking inspiration from real-life success stories
  • Those curious about the mind’s resilience
  • People wondering how therapy can help transform lives

10
The School of Greatness

The School of Greatness

Lewis Howes
A Real-World Guide to Living Bigger, Loving Deeper, and Leaving a Legacy
4.2 (32 ratings)

What's The School of Greatness about?

The School of Greatness (2015) draws on the author’s own journey and his extensive research into what it takes to lead an inspiring and meaningful life. This includes his many interviews and conversations on the topic with leading figures including entrepreneurs, artists and athletes on his podcast of the same name. 

Who should read The School of Greatness?

  • Personal developers looking for practical, actionable advice
  • Aspiring leaders seeking daily habits to achieve their goals
  • Anyone looking to live a more meaningful, inspiring life

11
The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Joseph Campbell
Understanding the Hero’s Journey Through Psychology and Mythology
4.5 (372 ratings)

What's The Hero with a Thousand Faces about?

The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1948) is a seminal work of comparative mythology. It reveals that foundational myths from around the world share similar structures and themes, which trace back to some of our earliest stories and continue to hold a strong power over us today. 

Who should read The Hero with a Thousand Faces?

  • Anyone interested in storytelling
  • Fans of myths and fables
  • Writers looking for inspiration

12
The 8th Habit

The 8th Habit

Stephen R. Covey
From Effectiveness to Greatness
4.0 (406 ratings)

What's The 8th Habit about?

The 8th Habit (2004) helps you find your inner voice and thereby lead a more fulfilled life. Covey explains why we struggle to feel motivated and passionate (particularly in our working life) and how we can go about changing that.

Who should read The 8th Habit?

  • Business leaders
  • Anyone feeling lost or unfulfilled
  • People striving to work efficiently and with joy

13
The Daily Laws

The Daily Laws

Robert Greene
366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature
4.5 (491 ratings)

What's The Daily Laws about?

The Daily Laws (2021) is a compendium of 366 rules for life, covering everything from seduction and power to the discovery of your life’s great task. It distills the insights author Robert Greene has uncovered in a series of best-selling books spanning 22 years of word.

Who should read The Daily Laws?

  • Fans of Robert Greene’s best-selling work
  • People who’ve lost touch with their sense of purpose and drive
  • Anyone in need of a strong dose of wisdom

14
Burn the Boats

Burn the Boats

Matt Higgins
Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential
4.3 (243 ratings)

What's Burn the Boats about?

Burn the Boats (2023) tells the story of how Matt Higgins went from abject poverty to wealth and success using one simple approach: tossing Plan B and going all-in. Through both guidance and inspiration, it will help you apply this strategy to achieving your own goals and dreams.

Who should read Burn the Boats?

  • Visionaries with big ambitions
  • Self-doubting entrepreneurs 
  • Anyone holding back on their dreams

15
A Radical Awakening

A Radical Awakening

Shefali Tsabary
Turn Pain into Power, Embrace Your Truth, Live Free
4.1 (24 ratings)

What's A Radical Awakening about?

A Radical Awakening (2021) shows you how to heal by connecting to your authentic self – the person you were meant to be before society’s lies and conditioning morphed you into something else. It speaks from a woman’s point of view, but it doesn’t exclude men. Instead, it seeks to lift everyone from the pain of their past and into a higher consciousness.

Who should read A Radical Awakening?

  • Anyone who wants to heal from their past 
  • Women who’d like to discover their inner power
  • People who feel subjugated by society

16
Tribe of Mentors

Tribe of Mentors

Tim Ferriss
Short Life Advice from the Best in the World
4.2 (417 ratings)

What's Tribe of Mentors about?

Tribe of Mentors (2017) is an insightful collection of interviews with mentors – highly regarded professionals who are widely considered to be leaders in their respective fields. To understand the secrets of their success, Tim Ferriss asks these mentors a variety of questions, from “What are your favorite books?” to “What are your daily habits?” The answers add up to a trove of useful tips for getting to the top.

Who should read Tribe of Mentors?

  • Those seeking life advice from highly successful individuals
  • Readers who love self-help books
  • Anyone craving insight into the lives of famous people

17
Beyond Order

Beyond Order

Jordan B. Peterson
12 More Rules for Life
4.5 (491 ratings)

What's Beyond Order about?

Beyond Order (2021) is a prescription for how to navigate the complexities of modern life. While Peterson’s previous work warned of the danger of excessive chaos, this new guide to living details the perils of too much rigid order.

Who should read Beyond Order?

  • Disorganized thinkers looking to clean up their mental room
  • Inactive dreamers in need of some motivation
  • Anyone looking for a little direction in life

18
Tools of Titans

Tools of Titans

Tim Ferriss
The Tactics, Routines and Habits of Billionaires, Icons and World-Class Performers
3.8 (754 ratings)

What's Tools of Titans about?

Tools of Titans (2016) details the stories, strategies and successes of some of the most inspirational achievers, thinkers and doers of modern times. These blinks will teach you how to strengthen your body and your mind, all while building your creative business.

“There’s a reason why Tim Ferriss has become such an influential voice when it comes to achieving top performance. He always manages to get the best advice out of such fascinating, impressive people. Even Seth Rogan is in here!” – Ben S. Head of Salad at Blinkist

Who should read Tools of Titans?

  • Fitness buffs who are in search of workout tips
  • Budding entrepreneurs in need of inspiration
  • Creative minds looking for words of wisdom

19
Enchantment

Enchantment

Katherine May
Re-awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age

What's Enchantment about?

Enchantment (2023) asks how – in a world of toxic social media, rolling news coverage, burnout, stress, and anxiety – we can spark feelings of wonder, magic, and miracle. It suggests that discovering a connection with nature and rekindling our connection to our own inner selves will awaken our ability to be enchanted by the world.

Who should read Enchantment?

  • Anxious scrollers who can’t seem to tear themselves from their newsfeeds
  • Burnt-out workers, parents, and carers who have lost their spark
  • Anyone who feels disconnected from nature and community

20
Soundtracks

Soundtracks

Jon Acuff
The Surprising Solution to Overthinking
4.4 (324 ratings)

What's Soundtracks about?

Soundtracks (2021) is a simple guide to ending self-doubt, hesitation, and overthinking. Instead of being at the mercy of your fickle and often unhelpful thoughts, you’ll discover patterns of thinking that can strengthen you, make you happier, and bring you closer to achieving your goals.

Who should read Soundtracks?

  • Lifelong overthinkers who finally want to start taking action
  • Negative Nancies who need to inject some optimism into their lives
  • Anyone who lets self-doubt interfere with work, life goals, or relationships

21
Flow

Flow

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
4.4 (769 ratings)

What's Flow about?

Flow (1990) explores how we can experience enjoyment in our lives by controlling our attention and strengthening our resolve. This is achieved by being immersed in an activity or subject that makes us neither anxious (if it’s too hard), nor bored (if it’s too easy). In this “flow state” we lose our self-consciousness, selfishness and sense of time. Using goal-setting and immediate feedback, we can achieve a state of flow that improves our relationship with work, increases our self-worth and gives our lives meaning.

Who should read Flow?

  • Anyone who wants to be more engaged with their relationships, their work or the world
  • Anyone aiming to rise out of mediocrity and gain mastery over something
  • Anyone who wants to know how their health can be improved by ancient wisdom and diverse cultures

22
Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus
A Novel
4.3 (183 ratings)

What's Lessons in Chemistry about?

Lessons in Chemistry (2022) is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist who has the misfortune of being a woman in 1950s America. After a frustrating failed academic career, Zott finds success in an unlikely place: as the host of a television cooking show.

Who should read Lessons in Chemistry?

  • Foodies interested in the science behind cooking
  • Feminists looking for a window into the history of women in STEM
  • Anyone who appreciates stories that are sharp and warm-hearted

23
How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job

How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job

Dale Carnegie
Increase your understanding of human nature to live more fully
4.7 (560 ratings)

What's How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job about?

How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job (1955) provides guidance about getting more out of your day-to-day life, by generating more energy into your workday and improving your personal relationships. It sheds a light on how human nature influences the way we behave, so you can improve your interpersonal skills and deepen your self-understanding.

Who should read How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job?

  • The chronically weary
  • Managers who want to become more effective leaders
  • Students of human nature

24
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It

Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It

Kamal Ravikant
How the Simple Act of Self-Love Can Transform Your Life
4.4 (674 ratings)

What's Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It about?

Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It (2020) is an uplifting and enlightening account of one man's journey to reclaim his life and destiny. It shares hard-won wisdom and unwavering commitment to self-love through a powerful combination of personal stories, practical advice, and an accessible meditation practice.

Who should read Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It?

  • Negative self-talkers
  • Anxious self-haters
  • Busy self-improvers

25
Becoming Supernatural

Becoming Supernatural

Dr. Joe Dispenza
How Common People are Doing the Uncommon
4.2 (441 ratings)

What's Becoming Supernatural about?

Becoming Supernatural (2017) explores how everyday people can become supernatural. It references breakthrough studies, ongoing research, and incredible stories from regular people that show how anyone can create incredible mental and physical changes within themselves and others by connecting to the unseen energies of the world.

Who should read Becoming Supernatural?

  • Anyone interested in intentionally improving their life
  • People searching for greater connection with the world
  • Those curious about how humans can directly access the quantum realm

26
Radical Compassion

Radical Compassion

Tara Brach
Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN
4.6 (204 ratings)

What's Radical Compassion about?

Radical Compassion (2019) is a practical guide to letting go of painful emotions and embracing the world with more love, forgiveness, and compassion. Mindfulness expert Tara Brach presents RAIN, a simple four-step meditation system that helps practitioners cultivate inner strength to overcome life’s many obstacles.

Who should read Radical Compassion?

  • Mindfulness practitioners eager for additional advice
  • Troubled souls looking to shake negative thoughts
  • Anyone seeking tools to overcome life’s challenges

27
Discipline Is Destiny

Discipline Is Destiny

Ryan Holiday
The Power of Self-Control
4.7 (1,299 ratings)

What's Discipline Is Destiny about?

Discipline Is Destiny (2022) draws on Stoic virtues to make a case for a life guided by self-discipline. It shows how being in control of your body, thoughts, and emotions is a prerequisite to mastering anything else – and uses historical figures to illustrate how things like sleep, discomfort, and kindness tie into greatness. 

Who should read Discipline Is Destiny?

  • Frazzled folks looking for more structure in their lives
  • Go-getters who want to optimize their time and energy
  • Anyone seeking actionable steps to improve their happiness and well-being

28
Embrace the Suck

Embrace the Suck

Brent Gleeson
The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life
4.5 (319 ratings)

What's Embrace the Suck about?

Embrace the Suck (2020) teaches you how to embrace challenges and use them as a tool for personal growth. Through candid storytelling and actionable steps, Brent Gleeson empowers you to expand your comfort zone, build discipline, and transform your mindset to create a fulfilling life.

Who should read Embrace the Suck?

  • Recent graduates or career-changers
  • Stressed-out mid-level managers
  • Retired military veterans

29
The Alchemist

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho
A Magical Fable About Following Your Dreams
4.6 (448 ratings)

What's The Alchemist about?

The Alchemist (1988) follows the story of a young Andalusian shepherd, who travels to the pyramids of Egypt to find a treasure he has recurrently dreamed about. On his journey, he has to overcome multiple obstacles – through which he learns valuable life lessons. Based on a thirteenth-century folktale, it explores topics such as following your dreams, finding your destiny, and the nature of love.

Who should read The Alchemist?

  • People who want to become more resilient
  • Anyone with a dream or passion
  • Those who wish to find their own purpose in life 

30
Things No One Else Can Teach Us

Things No One Else Can Teach Us

Humble the Poet
Turning Losses Into Lessons
4.6 (604 ratings)

What's Things No One Else Can Teach Us about?

Things No One Else Can Teach Us (2019) is a part-memoir, part-unconventional self-help book. Full of revealing personal stories and philosophical musings, it will inspire you to question your beliefs about failure, success, and what really makes life meaningful.

Who should read Things No One Else Can Teach Us?

  • Would-be creatives looking for encouragement to follow the life of their dreams
  • Self-development and personal growth seekers
  • Fans of Humble the Poet who want to learn more about his life

31
The ADHD Advantage

The ADHD Advantage

Dale Archer
What you Thought Was a Diagnosis May Be Your Greatest Strength
3.2 (469 ratings)

What's The ADHD Advantage about?

The ADHD Advantage (2015) provides new insights into ADHD, debunking false assumptions and unveiling the positive sides of this condition. These blinks explore how anyone with ADHD – children, young people and professionals alike – can be nurtured and supported to reach their full potential.

Who should read The ADHD Advantage?

  • Parents of children with ADHD seeking a different perspective on the condition
  • Teachers who want to support children with ADHD in the classroom
  • Anyone who’s struggled with ADHD

32
Discipline Equals Freedom

Discipline Equals Freedom

Jocko Willink
Field Manual
4.1 (511 ratings)

What's Discipline Equals Freedom about?

Discipline Equals Freedom (2020) is your field manual to the art of self-discipline. It uncovers what you need to do to meet your full potential – and why being disciplined sets you free. 

Who should read Discipline Equals Freedom?

  • Fitness buffs looking for a new angle
  • Fans of straight-talking tough love
  • Anyone seeking inspiration to work harder

33
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

Joseph Murphy (Ian McMahan revised)
Unlock Your Master Key to Success
4.4 (309 ratings)

What's The Power of Your Subconscious Mind about?

The Power of the Subconscious Mind (1963) has helped millions of readers around the world harness their subconscious and find true happiness in the process. These blinks share inspiring true stories and effective techniques that will positively influence your career, love life and overall health.

Who should read The Power of Your Subconscious Mind?

  • Illness-prone people who want to improve their overall health
  • People who struggle to achieve the success they desire
  • Anyone with profound fears or obsessions

34
The Untethered Soul

The Untethered Soul

Michael A. Singer
The Journey Beyond Yourself
4.5 (389 ratings)

What's The Untethered Soul about?

The Untethered Soul is all about you: your feelings, thoughts and consciousness. By drawing on different spiritual practices, this book explains how you can navigate your own mind, get in touch with yourself and become your own master, to ultimately achieve enlightenment.

Who should read The Untethered Soul?

  • Anyone who wants to lead a happier and healthier life
  • Anyone needing to let go of negative emotions
  • Anyone who wants to learn about the benefits of spiritualism

35
The Power of One More

The Power of One More

Ed Mylett
The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success
3.9 (109 ratings)

What's The Power of One More about?

The Power of One More (2022) follows the idea that doing “one more” in any situation can bring you greatness and open up more opportunities.

Who should read The Power of One More?

  • High achievers
  • Self-improvement seekers
  • Anyone willing to welcome a lifestyle change

36
Love People, Use Things

Love People, Use Things

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
Because the Opposite Never Works
4.4 (389 ratings)

What's Love People, Use Things about?

Love People, Use Things (2021) is a manifesto extolling the pleasures of minimalism. This primer explains why living with fewer things can lead to less clutter and more fulfilling relationships.

Who should read Love People, Use Things?

  • Budding hoarders looking to cut back
  • Thrifty savers seeking tips on light living
  • Anyone interested in the practice of minimalism

37
Blue Ocean Strategy

Blue Ocean Strategy

W. Chan Kim
How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant
4.2 (358 ratings)

What's Blue Ocean Strategy about?

Blue Ocean Strategy (2004) is a business classic that revolutionized the way companies think about market competition. It explains why some businesses can grow uncontested, while the rest tear each other to bits in a hypercompetitive environment.

Who should read Blue Ocean Strategy?

  • entrepreneurs eager to get ahead of their competition
  • investors deciding which companies to back
  • business students who want to better understand market forces

38
How to Begin

How to Begin

Michael Bungay Stanier
A Proven Plan to Start Something That Matters
4.4 (654 ratings)

What's How to Begin about?

How to Begin (2022) argues that you unlock your greatness by working on the hard things. The things that matter. Not to your partner, friends, or family – but to you. The hardest part isn’t the work itself, though. It’s identifying the kinds of projects that are worth investing your time in. Projects which give your life meaning. And that’s what this book is really about: helping you discover worthy goals.

Who should read How to Begin?

  • Self-improvers stuck in a rut
  • Thinkers and doers
  • Anyone who wants to live their best life

39
The Lemonade Life

The Lemonade Life

Zack Friedman
How to Fuel Success, Create Happiness, and Conquer Anything
4.6 (497 ratings)

What's The Lemonade Life about?

The Lemonade Life (2019) is a hands-on guide to living life by design. It argues that most people settle for drudgery in their work, and make excuses for why things aren’t going to plan. But, in the end, the only person who can turn things around is you. If you’re willing to be authentic and bold in pursuit of your goals, you can live a life of fulfillment and adventure. The Lemonade Life demonstrates how to take practical steps to turn your dreams into reality.

Who should read The Lemonade Life?

  • Entrepreneurs itching for new tools to achieve their dreams
  • Anyone who hates their job and wants to make a change but doesn’t know how
  • Lifelong learners interested in new strategies for improving their lives

40
As A Man Thinketh

As A Man Thinketh

James Allen
The classic text that proves the power of positive thinking
4.3 (228 ratings)

What's As A Man Thinketh about?

As a Man Thinketh (1903) captures the philosophy of James Allen. These blinks reveal the power that thoughts have over our personalities, our circumstances and our well-being. We discover the benefits of learning to master our minds and direct our thoughts toward the goals we want to achieve.

Who should read As A Man Thinketh?

  • Readers interested in the beginnings of self-help literature
  • Individuals looking to improve their lives with advice that’s stood the test of time
  • Everyone who loves gleaning new insights from a classic

41
The Power of Awakening

The Power of Awakening

Wayne W. Dyer
Mindfulness Practices and Spiritual Tools to Transform Your Life
4.8 (385 ratings)

What's The Power of Awakening about?

The Power of Awakening (2020) is a collection of timeless writings by the late spiritual and motivational leader Wayne Dyer. They provide an accessible yet inspiring exploration of his belief that enlightened thinking can manifest concrete and positive change in the universe.

Who should read The Power of Awakening?

  • Spiritual seekers ready to connect with a deeper understanding of life
  • Mindfulness devotees interested in exploring the power of thought
  • Self-help fans who want to unlock their higher purpose

42
Never Finished

Never Finished

David Goggins
Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within
4.5 (1,006 ratings)

What's Never Finished about?

Never Finished (2022) is your guide to transforming into the person you never imagined you could be. It shares stories of setbacks and lessons learned that you can use to power through life's unending challenges.

Who should read Never Finished?

  • Injured athletes looking for motivation
  • Midlifers seeking a challenge
  • Anyone seeking to maximize their potential

43
The Motivation Manifesto

The Motivation Manifesto

Brendon Burchard
Declarations to Claim Your Personal Power
3.9 (195 ratings)

What's The Motivation Manifesto about?

The Motivation Manifesto (2014) explains the fundamental driving forces of human nature and how these either help us realize or keep us from our life’s goals. In a few easy steps, you’ll learn how to inspire and increase your own levels of motivation to live a happier life.

Who should read The Motivation Manifesto?

  • Anyone looking for a motivation boost
  • Anyone feeling unsatisfied with how they’re living life
  • Anyone with a big idea they want to see realized

44
Saved

Saved

Benjamin Hall
A War Reporter’s Mission to Make It Home
4.0 (108 ratings)

What's Saved about?

Saved (2023) is the gripping and timely account of a war correspondent’s near-fatal brush with combat in Ukraine in March of 2022 – and the extraordinary effort to save his life and bring him home.

Who should read Saved?

  • News hounds looking for an inside scoop on current events
  • Thrill-seekers who love a fast-paced story of escape against the odds
  • Anyone curious about the lived experience of those who deliver the nightly news

45
Welcome Home

Welcome Home

Najwa Zebian
A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul
4.7 (461 ratings)

What's Welcome Home about?

Welcome Home (2021) uses the metaphor of a house to provide a personalized blueprint for achieving self-worth, belonging, and happiness. Through personal stories, practical advice, and poetry, it lays out tools you can use to build a place where you’re at peace with yourself.

Who should read Welcome Home?

  • Young adults embarking on a journey of self-discovery
  • Lost or directionless individuals who want to take control of their lives
  • Anyone who wants to be stronger, happier, and emotionally healthier

46
The Creative Act

The Creative Act

Rick Rubin
A Way of Being
4.6 (139 ratings)

What's The Creative Act about?

The Creative Act (2023) is a meditative manifesto about what it really means to be an artist. It contends that artists don’t have a monopoly on creativity – everyone is inherently creative. To access that creativity you just need to commit to a creative practice. By cultivating an awareness of the world around you and allowing yourself to make lots of mistakes, you’ll be able to revel in the creative process, instead of fearing it.

Who should read The Creative Act?

  • Music lovers looking for inspiration from a world-famous producer
  • Blocked creatives who want to get over their fears and start making cool stuff
  • Spiritual seekers who want to learn how to delight in the world around them

47
Be the Love

Be the Love

Sarah Prout
Seven Ways to Unlock Your Heart and Manifest Happiness
4.5 (304 ratings)

What's Be the Love about?

Be the Love (2022) offers valuable insights on how to overcome the hardships of everyday life. It provides helpful tools and a mindset to thrive and become more resilient in the face of daily challenges. 

Who should read Be the Love?

  • Overwhelmed people seeking guidance
  • Anyone looking for a new practical philosophy
  • Fans of inspirational stories

48
The Light We Carry

The Light We Carry

Michelle Obama
Overcoming in Uncertain Times
4.3 (405 ratings)

What's The Light We Carry about?

In The Light We Carry (2022), former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, tackles complex questions about community, identity, and relationships with trademark warmth and honesty. Obama believes we all carry a light inside us – in this book, she tells us how to shine that light so it illuminates the potential for hope and healing, and pathways toward a better world.

Who should read The Light We Carry?

  • Anyone whose fear is holding them back from living authentically
  • Those who wants to trade disconnection for community and friendship
  • People who need encouragement to keep doing the work in challenging times

49
Live Life in Crescendo

Live Life in Crescendo

Stephen R. Covey and Cynthia Covey Haller
Your Most Important Work is Always Ahead of You
4.6 (167 ratings)

What's Live Life in Crescendo about?

Live Life in Crescendo (2022) anecdotally provides the answers to many questions about life: How do you live your best life, no matter how old you are? How do you respond to life-changing challenges? What do you do if you have a midlife crisis? It shows how to live life in crescendo – continually growing in contribution, learning, and influence.

Who should read Live Life in Crescendo?

  • People experiencing a midlife (or quarterlife) crisis
  • High achievers looking for a new challenge in life
  • Anyone who wants to learn inspiring life lessons

50
Awe

Awe

Dacher Keltner
The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
4.3 (71 ratings)

What's Awe about?

Awe (2023) is a deep dive into this elusive emotion. Drawing on new research, it shows how awe can improve your mood, well-being, cognitive abilities, and relationships with others. 

Who should read Awe?

  • Stressed individuals in need of a mood boost
  • Those curious about the power of emotions
  • Urban dwellers craving more meaning in life

51
Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching

Lao Tzu
Taoist Philosophy for Peace, Contentment & Balance in Life
4.2 (129 ratings)

What's Tao Te Ching about?

Tao Te Ching (circa 400 BC) is one of the foundational texts of Taoism, the enduring philosophical and religious movement that can be traced back to around the fourth century BC. Throughout the ages, its poetic wisdom continues to be relevant, inspirational, and timeless.

Who should read Tao Te Ching?

  • Spiritual or philosophical guidance seekers
  • People interested in living a more virtuous life
  • Admirers of Eastern schools of thought

52
You Are a Badass at Making Money

You Are a Badass at Making Money

Jen Sincero
Master the Mindset of Wealth
3.7 (198 ratings)

What's You Are a Badass at Making Money about?

You Are a Badass at Making Money (2017) offers a fresh and exciting perspective on what it takes to bring home the big bucks. Yes, you too can be a money-making maestro once you improve your mind-set and understand the energy of money. So stop making excuses and fooling yourself that only evil people are rich. Unlock your inner badass and open the door to success!

Who should read You Are a Badass at Making Money?

  • The unemployed and underpaid
  • Readers who want more badassery in their lives
  • Anyone looking for motivation and inspiration

53
Make your Bed

Make your Bed

William H. McRaven
Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe The World
4.1 (456 ratings)

What's Make your Bed about?

Make Your Bed (2017) is a collection of the author’s ten most valuable personal experiences during his many years of service with the US Navy SEALs. Each is a simple yet priceless piece of advice that will have a positive influence on your life.

Who should read Make your Bed?

  • Team leaders looking for inspiration
  • Anyone struggling to cope with life
  • Motivational speakers

54
The Snowball

The Snowball

Alice Schroeder
Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
4.6 (362 ratings)

What's The Snowball about?

"By age eleven he’d saved up $120, which was a whole lot of money in 1941. He used that money to make his first investment. He bought six shares of the company Cities Service Preferred – three for him and three for his sister Doris."

The Snowball (2008) offers a revealing look at the life and times of one of modern America’s most fascinating men: Warren Buffett. Find out how this shy and awkward man earned his first million dollars and how following a few fundamental rules enabled him to become the world’s wealthiest man.

This is a Blinkist staff pick

“Warren Buffet is one of those people who seems to have a magic touch. It’s almost as if he’s aware of certain universal secrets that nobody else is privy to! I love learning more about what made him so successful (he memorized textbooks?!) and trying to figure out what makes him tick.” – Ben S., Head of Audio at Blinkist

Who should read The Snowball?

  • Investors
  • Philanthropists
  • Anyone looking for an inspiring story

55
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

Eric Jorgenson
A Guide to Wealth and Happiness
4.6 (614 ratings)

What's The Almanack of Naval Ravikant about?

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant (2020) condenses the wisdom of philosopher and entrepreneur Naval Ravikant into actionable, bite-sized chunks. Although he covers many topics, this collection of insights circles around two profound questions – how do you build wealth, and how do you find happiness? Ravikant’s answer? Both are skills that need to be practiced.

Who should read The Almanack of Naval Ravikant?

  • Entrepreneurs and self-starters
  • Practical philosophers
  • Hard workers tired of the rat race

56
The More of Less

The More of Less

Joshua Becker
Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
4.5 (442 ratings)

What's The More of Less about?

The More of Less (2016) is the ultimate guide to getting more out of life by owning less. Written by a leading light in America’s growing movement against excessive consumerism and cluttered living, this is a practical book designed to help you free up headspace, resources and time so that you can pursue the things that really matter.

Who should read The More of Less?

  • Hoarders and shopaholics
  • Would-be nomads tied down by too many possessions
  • People who have had enough of overflowing closets and cluttered garages

57
On the Shortness of Life

On the Shortness of Life

Seneca
Life Is Long If You Know How To Use It
4.5 (350 ratings)

What's On the Shortness of Life about?

On the Shortness of Life (49 AD) is an essay on how to appreciate life – and how to use it. These blinks show you what is truly valuable in this world and how to avoid getting distracted by unimportant matters. They’ll show you where genuine happiness comes from and why working hard will not lead to a tranquil and satisfied mind.

Who should read On the Shortness of Life?

  • Workaholics who never have any time for anything
  • Thinkers trying to decide what it means to live a good life
  • Anyone who wants to be inspired to learn and read more

58
Courage is Calling

Courage is Calling

Ryan Holiday
Fortune Favors the Brave
4.3 (245 ratings)

What's Courage is Calling about?

Courage is Calling (2021) is both a meditation on bravery and a guide to courageousness. From how to dispel your fears to the benefits of taking small steps first, it gives concrete advice for building courage, and lays out, in writing rich with anecdotes, the simple ways that each of us can become a little bit braver.

Who should read Courage is Calling?

  • Scaredy-cats in need of a strong dose of daring
  • The already-courageous who want to become even braver
  • Anyone interested in how courage has shaped history

59
Organize Tomorrow Today

Organize Tomorrow Today

Jason Selk
Eight Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life
4.5 (230 ratings)

What's Organize Tomorrow Today about?

Organize Tomorrow Today (2015) is the definitive guide to achieving a successful career and fulfilling life. These blinks offer you valuable information, giving you the tools to unlock the power of your mind, increase your self-confidence and become your most productive self.

Who should read Organize Tomorrow Today?

  • Artists and creatives looking to be more productive
  • Athletes who want to create positive new habits
  • Students and professionals who want to become better public speakers

60
Finding Your Element

Finding Your Element

Ken Robinson
How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life
4.3 (478 ratings)

What's Finding Your Element about?

Finding Your Element (2013) offers engaging advice on ways you might discover your true passions and talents, and then reorient your life to incorporate more time for them. Written with a keen sense of wit, Finding Your Element offers entertaining and inspiring wisdoms that will help you not only to be more productive but also to improve your overall happiness and quality of life.

Who should read Finding Your Element?

  • Anyone who would like to focus on their passions more
  • Anyone who'd like advice on how to discover their passions
  • Anyone interested in improving the quality of their life in general

61
The Fifth Agreement

The Fifth Agreement

Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz
A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery
4.5 (149 ratings)

What's The Fifth Agreement about?

Our perceptions of our true selves are clouded by the society we live in and the people around us. The Fifth Agreement (2010) introduces five pacts that will help you strip away those misconceptions and uncover the truth about who you really are – without running off to a mountain top to be a hermit.

Who should read The Fifth Agreement?

  • Anyone who wants to feel freer.
  • People who feel discouraged about their life.
  • Anyone searching for a deeper understanding of themselves

62
A Year of Positive Thinking

A Year of Positive Thinking

Cyndie Spiegel
Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage
4.0 (44 ratings)

What's A Year of Positive Thinking about?

A Year of Positive Thinking (2018) provides you with a dose of positive thinking for every day of the year. By using its daily affirmations, inspirational quotes, and exercises you’ll learn to live your best life.

Who should read A Year of Positive Thinking?

  • Pessimists (and optimists) looking for uplifting advice
  • Individuals currently experiencing hardship
  • Anyone who wants to transform into a better version of themselves

63
The Way of the SEAL

The Way of the SEAL

Mark Divine
Cultivate mental toughness and high performance like a Navy SEAL
4.2 (92 ratings)

What's The Way of the SEAL about?

The Way of the SEAL draws upon the experience of Navy SEALs to outline the principles that enable them to cultivate mental toughness and excel. It offers the mental exercises necessary to deal with any challenge on the path towards achieving your goals.

Who should read The Way of the SEAL?

  • Students of business strategy and tactics
  • Anyone who wants to take control of their own life

64
Willpower

Willpower

Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney
Why Self-Control is the Secret of Success
3.9 (157 ratings)

What's Willpower about?

Willpower brings the concept of self-control back into mainstream discussions on achievement. It takes contemporary scientific studies and breaks them down, demonstrating that, despite the previously held views of many experts, willpower can indeed be harnessed and strengthened to make the changes in your life you’ve always wanted to make.

Who should read Willpower?

  • Anyone interested in behavioral science
  • Anyone whose fickleness gets in the way of their success
  • Anyone interested in how the brain works

65
The Compound Effect

The Compound Effect

Darren Hardy
Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success
4.3 (356 ratings)

What's The Compound Effect about?

The Compound Effect shows us how to make lasting changes by paying attention to the smallest decisions we make – and their cumulative effect on us. It’s about the slow burn, not the big gesture. Author Darren Hardy teaches us that by accepting responsibility for our own lives, we can change our habits and carve out a life that is more successful, fulfilling and happy.

Who should read The Compound Effect?

  • Anyone who wants to improve their lives and transform their daily habits
  • Anyone who wants big, sustainable results
  • Anyone who’s tried quick fixes and gotten nowhere

66
Second Chance

Second Chance

Robert T. Kiyosaki
For Your Money, Your Life and Our World
4.4 (192 ratings)

What's Second Chance about?

Second Chance (2015) outlines the reasons for the growing wealth gap in the United States and offers advice on working your way up the economic ladder. It explains how you can leverage assets and debt to enjoy more financial success in your future, while lifting your nose from the daily grindstone.

Who should read Second Chance?

  • Hard workers who never seem to get ahead
  • Anyone interested in working less and earning more
  • People who want to beat the financial system

67
Lighter

Lighter

Yung Pueblo
Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future
4.6 (402 ratings)

What's Lighter about?

Lighter (2022) guides anyone seeking self-improvement through the process of releasing the past and taking power over the future. It’s a combination of wisdom and proverbs as well as a practical guide for doing the inner work of self-healing.

Who should read Lighter?

  • Self-improvement seekers
  • Buddhism buffs
  • Anyone who needs to heal from the past

68
I Am the Storm

I Am the Storm

Janice Dean
Inspiring Stories of People Who Fight Against Overwhelming Odds
4.0 (29 ratings)

What's I Am the Storm about?

I Am the Storm (2023) is an inspiring dive into what it takes to stand as a David against a Goliath. From a single gymnast who took on a whole abusive system, to a grieving mother who chose to tackle the US opioid epidemic head on, it shows that anyone can make a stand for what they believe in, no matter how big their opponent may seem.

Who should read I Am the Storm?

  • Anyone looking for inspiration to face the challenges in their life
  • People sick of big organizations acting with impunity
  • Believers in the strength of human will

69
Peak Performance

Peak Performance

Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, And Thrive With The New Science of Success
4.3 (183 ratings)

What's Peak Performance about?

Peak Performance (2017) employs success stories, case studies and various examples of athletes, artists and intellectuals to give you a crash course in performance. These blinks explain why performance became so integral to society in the first place and how you can be your best.

Who should read Peak Performance?

  • Athletes who want to take their game to the next level
  • Artists who want to become experts in their field
  • Anyone interested in self-improvement or boosting their success

70
Inner Engineering

Inner Engineering

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
A Yogi’s Guide to Joy
4.3 (243 ratings)

What's Inner Engineering about?

Inner Engineering (2016) explains how happiness can only be found within yourself. These blinks introduce spiritual wisdom that will make you happier, more fulfilled and at peace with the life you are living.

Who should read Inner Engineering?

  • Those in search of deeper meaning in their lives
  • Ambitious entrepreneurs who are dissatisfied despite their success
  • Atheists who want to give spirituality a chance

71
The War of Art

The War of Art

Steven Pressfield
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
4.2 (291 ratings)

What's The War of Art about?

In The War of Art, author Steven Pressfield helps you identify your inner creative battles against fear and self-doubt and offers advice on how to win those battles. An inspirational book for anyone who’s had trouble realizing their passion, it offers an examination of those negative forces that keep you from realizing your dreams, and shows how you can defeat your fears to achieve your creative goals.

Who should read The War of Art?

  • Anyone wanting to be an artist or a professional in a certain field
  • Anyone interested in starting their own business
  • Anyone wishing to conquer fear and self-doubt in their creative life

72
The Happy Kid Handbook

The Happy Kid Handbook

Katie Hurley
How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World
4.1 (98 ratings)

What's The Happy Kid Handbook about?

The Happy Kid Handbook (2015) explains the key components of a happy childhood that allows children to thrive as unique individuals. Whether your child is introverted or extroverted, these blinks will guide you through helping them understand stress, negative emotions, social relationships and the importance of finding calm in their lives.

Who should read The Happy Kid Handbook?

  • Parents-to-be who are anxious about raising their child right
  • Mothers and fathers struggling to understand their kid’s confusing behavior
  • Readers interested in the importance of parenting today

73
How Will You Measure Your Life?

How Will You Measure Your Life?

Clayton M. Christensen
Finding Fulfillment Using Lessons From Some of the World's Greatest Businesses
4.2 (219 ratings)

What's How Will You Measure Your Life? about?

As a leading business expert and cancer survivor, Clayton M. Christensen provides you with his unique insight on how to lead a life that brings both professional success and genuine happiness. In How Will You Measure Your Life?, Christensen touches on diverse topics such as motivation and how you can harness it, what career strategy is the best for you, how to strengthen relationships with loved ones, and how to build a strong family culture.

Who should read How Will You Measure Your Life??

  • Anyone struggling to create a balance between work and life demands
  • Anyone curious about how to achieve long-term happiness and meaning in life
  • Fans of Christensen’s critically acclaimed book, The Innovator’s Dilemma

74
The Comfort Book

The Comfort Book

Matt Haig
Hopeful Reflections on the Beauty and Unpredictability of Existence
4.7 (612 ratings)

What's The Comfort Book about?

The Comfort Book (2021) is a compendium of practices, philosophies, stories, and encouragements to help you get through tough times. Matt Haig shares the insights he gained while experiencing years of severe anxiety and depression, as well as his own unconventional strategies for developing a sense of self-worth and looking after your mental health. 

Who should read The Comfort Book?

  • Fans of Matt Haig’s honest and unconventional approach to discussing mental health
  • Anyone looking for strategies to build emotional resilience 
  • People grappling with pandemic-related uncertainty

75
The Hobbit

The Hobbit

J. R. R. Tolkien
A Journey Through Middle Earth—A Lord of the Rings Prequel
4.5 (27 ratings)

What's The Hobbit about?

The Hobbit (1937) is the classic fantasy adventure story of an unsuspecting hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Ripped unexpectedly from his idle epicurean life by the wizard Gandalf, Bilbo finds himself on a journey to help a group of dwarves take back their stolen treasure from the jealous dragon Smaug. Along the way, he encounters trolls, elves, goblins, and spiders –⁠ plus a certain magic ring –⁠ and eventually finds that he had what it took to be a hero all along.

Who should read The Hobbit?

  • Fantasy lovers
  • Fans of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies
  • Adventure seekers

76
Greenlights

Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey
A tour into the life and mind of award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey
4.3 (216 ratings)

What's Greenlights about?

Greenlights (2020) is a guided tour into the life and mind of award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. These blinks tell his story as only he could tell it, full of “outlaw logic” that has informed a wildly original personal philosophy for how to live life to its utmost.

Who should read Greenlights?

  • Fans of the McConaissance
  • Anyone eager to generate their own greenlights
  • People interested in the inner workings of a creative mind

77
Big Magic

Big Magic

Elizabeth Gilbert
Creative Living Beyond Fear
4.2 (193 ratings)

What's Big Magic about?

Big Magic (2015) explores what both frightens and thrills us: turning our creative ideas into reality. These blinks provide helpful strategies that’ll enable you to manage the fears, frustrations and blocks of creating, allowing you to channel the playfulness you need to express yourself freely.

Who should read Big Magic?

  • Anyone who wants to explore their creative side
  • Writers struggling with half-finished projects and creative block
  • Students seeking advice on how to chase their creative dreams

78
Stealing Fire

Stealing Fire

Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal
How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work
3.9 (155 ratings)

What's Stealing Fire about?

Stealing Fire (2017) explores the controversial and exciting pursuit of altered states of consciousness. From tech entrepreneurs to BASE jumpers, meditators to festival-goers, it takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the revolutionary nonconformists trying to change the way they experience the world.

Who should read Stealing Fire?

  • Burning Man enthusiasts
  • Entrepreneurs curious about performance hacks
  • Psychology buffs interested in alternative therapies

79
In Order to Live

In Order to Live

Yeonmi Park
A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom
4.7 (25 ratings)

What's In Order to Live about?

In Order to Live (2015) follows the survival story of Yeonmi Park, a North Korean woman who escaped from her home country. In this inspiring memoir, Yeonmi goes through her horrific journey from North Korea to China and finally to South Korea.

Who should read In Order to Live?

  • Human rights activists
  • Those curious about North Korea
  • Anyone looking for an uplifting story

80
The Art of Living

The Art of Living

Epictetus
The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness – A New Interpretation by Sharon Lebell
4.7 (582 ratings)

What's The Art of Living about?

The Art of Living (1995) is a clear and concise introduction to Stoic philosophy. This modern interpretation of Epictetus’s teachings gives timeless insight into living a stable and satisfying life.

Who should read The Art of Living?

  • Modern thinkers curious about ancient philosophy
  • Hectic go-getters needing advice on slowing down
  • Anyone seeking a more Stoic lifestyle

81
Stories for Work

Stories for Work

Gabrielle Dolan
The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling
4.4 (138 ratings)

What's Stories for Work about?

In Stories for Work (2017), Gabrielle Dolan explains the effectiveness of a powerful story, and how business professionals can harness this tool to communicate ideas, motivate employees, persuade clients and achieve goals. Dolan walks you through practical advice on coming up with your own stories, and how to apply them to a range of business scenarios.

Who should read Stories for Work?

  • Anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills
  • People curious about the power of storytelling
  • Professionals in “people-facing” roles

82
Outer Order, Inner Calm

Outer Order, Inner Calm

Gretchen Rubin
Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness
4.2 (170 ratings)

What's Outer Order, Inner Calm about?

Outer Order, Inner Calm (2019) explains how you can declutter your home and keep it neat and beautiful. Exploring the reasons why orderly surroundings are so important for our wellbeing, these blinks offer practical tips and advice on how to overcome messiness for good.

Who should read Outer Order, Inner Calm?

  • Anyone wanting to take back control of their life
  • Neat freaks looking for new tips
  • Homeowners hoping to organize their homes better

83
Mind Over Clutter

Mind Over Clutter

Nicola Lewis
Cleaning Your Way to a Calm and Happy Home
3.7 (213 ratings)

What's Mind Over Clutter about?

Mind Over Clutter (2019) explores simple tips and techniques for keeping any home free from clutter. These blinks also reveal the impact of mess on your mental health and explain how you can approach housework in a more eco-friendly way, without the need for harsh chemicals. 

Who should read Mind Over Clutter?

  • Minimalists looking for a fresh angle
  • Messy people hoping to change their ways
  • Neat freaks seeking inspiration

84
Designing Your Life

Designing Your Life

Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life
4.1 (183 ratings)

What's Designing Your Life about?

Designing Your Life (2016) is about taking control of your life by creating a plan that’ll do away with an uninspired nine-to-five routine and usher in a career that you really love. You’ll find advice and exercises that will point you toward your true calling, along with progressive ideas that challenge the limitations of traditional career counseling.

“I love this practical, no-nonsense approach to the often nebulous topic of identifying the life you want to lead.” – Ben H, Head of Content at Blinkist

Who should read Designing Your Life?

  • Students and recent graduates plotting their way forward
  • Adults both young and old who feel adrift in life
  • Career counselors

85
Autobiography of a Yogi

Autobiography of a Yogi

Paramahansa Yogananda
The Life and Teachings of One of the Great Spiritual Figures
3.6 (50 ratings)

What's Autobiography of a Yogi about?

Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) is a deeply spiritual yet light-hearted account of the life of India’s preeminent yoga emissary to the West. In this epic, Paramahansa Yogananda narrates his encounters with legendary gurus, swamis, saints, and astral beings that guided him toward the fulfillment of his mission to unite East and West under one God through the personal and scientific practice of Kriya Yoga.

Who should read Autobiography of a Yogi?

  • Yoga devotees trying to learn more about the author’s personal journey
  • People curious about yoga and the enchanting world of astral beings and their interactions with humans
  • People of faith seeking points of contact and dialogue with different world religions

86
A Return to Love

A Return to Love

Marianne Williamson
Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles
4.4 (124 ratings)

What's A Return to Love about?

A Return to Love (1992) is a powerful call to surrender yourself to a higher power in the universe by rejecting your ego and embracing love. Marianne Williamson’s thought-provoking message shows us how to let go of the fears and resentments that suppress the love we all carry within us. Her practical steps will help you improve your relationships, career and overall happiness.

Who should read A Return to Love?

  • Spiritual people looking for guidance
  • Troubled minds seeking ways to let go and forgive
  • People looking for a meaningful career path

87
Endure

Endure

Cameron Hanes
How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering
3.9 (356 ratings)

What's Endure about?

Endure (2022) is Cameron Hanes’ inspirational story of strength, perseverance, and becoming the greatest bowhunter in the world. Drawing on the author’s anecdotes and life philosophies, it shows that anyone has the capacity to push their limits and be the best that they can be.

Who should read Endure?

  • Extreme sports enthusiasts looking for inspiration from the greatest in the field
  • Adrenaline junkies who need that motivational push to take things just a little bit further
  • The lost or directionless who want to get more out of life and themselves

88
The Power of Strangers

The Power of Strangers

Joe Keohane
The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World
4.2 (160 ratings)

What's The Power of Strangers about?

The Power of Strangers (2021) explores why we don’t talk to strangers – and why we definitely should. It looks at how humans evolved to communicate and collaborate with strangers and reveals why our modern alienation from one another is such a problem.

Who should read The Power of Strangers?

  • Anyone feeling lonely in the modern world
  • Those suffering from pandemic isolation
  • People interested in the psychology of communication

89
Life’s Amazing Secrets

Life’s Amazing Secrets

Gaur Gopal Das
How to Find Balance and Purpose in Your Life
4.5 (212 ratings)

What's Life’s Amazing Secrets about?

Packed full of practical wisdom, Life’s Amazing Secrets (2018) begins with a clarifying premise: to experience happiness and balance, we must maintain a spiritual practice, as well as pay attention to our personal lives, our relationships, our work and our social contributions. How to do that is what these blinks are all about. 

Who should read Life’s Amazing Secrets?

  • People seeking purpose in life
  • Successful individuals who aren’t content
  • Seekers striving to realize their potential

90
The Power Of Meaning

The Power Of Meaning

Emily Esfahani Smith
Crafting a Life That Matters
4.6 (334 ratings)

What's The Power Of Meaning about?

The Power of Meaning (2017) discusses the four pillars of meaning that a person should honor if they hope to lead a fulfilling life. This book encourages readers to discover themselves by searching for a purpose in life, connecting with others, engaging in transcendence and learning from past traumas.

Who should read The Power Of Meaning?

  • Anyone interested in spirituality  
  • Those struggling through hardship
  • People interested in psychology, philosophy and literature

91
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober

The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober

Catherine Gray
Discovering a Happy, Healthy, Wealthy, Alcohol-Free Life
4.5 (187 ratings)

What's The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober about?

In The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Catherine Gray persuasively argues that sober living offers a far more intoxicating high than the short-lived pleasures of drinking. Pushing back against socially and culturally ingrained stereotypes that equate sobriety with joylessness, Gray demonstrates that going sober creates opportunities for health, wealth, and, above all, fun!

Who should read The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober?

  • Recovering alcoholics looking for frank and compassionate advice
  • Sober-curious folk who need a nudge to give alcohol the boot
  • Anyone who’s ever done dry January and wondered why they just don’t keep going

92
The Social Animal

The Social Animal

David Brooks
The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement
4.2 (96 ratings)

What's The Social Animal about?

The Social Animal (2011) reviews a trove of scientific evidence explaining what actually determines human behavior. Our iceberg-like unconscious mind helps us navigate the world with split-second judgment, while certain inborn traits drive us to be successful in life. You’re both a lot – and a lot less – smarter than you think!

Who should read The Social Animal?

  • Students of human behavior who want to know what makes us tick
  • Skeptics curious about whether people really are rational beings
  • Anyone who’s interested in understanding what determines our success in life

93
Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home

Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home

Marie Kondo
How to Organize Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal Life
4.5 (286 ratings)

What's Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home about?

In Kurashi at Home (2022), interior organization expert Marie Kondo invites readers to conceptualize their ideal kurashi, or lifestyle. Kondo then shows how, through interacting with and optimizing their living spaces, readers can achieve our idea of kurashi. 

Who should read Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home?

  • People who’d like to live more mindfully in their space
  • KonMari fans eager for more life-changing advice
  • Anyone who wants to live their ideal lifestyle at home

94
The Way Forward

The Way Forward

Robert O’Neill and Dakota Meyer
Master Life's Toughest Battles and Create Your Lasting Legacy
3.9 (156 ratings)

What's The Way Forward about?

The Way Forward (2022) examines the intersection between combat and life as experienced by two decorated American veterans. Although war can be brutal, it also helped the authors uncover their humanity. And along the way, they learned some of life’s most important lessons that can be applied in both military and civilian contexts.

Who should read The Way Forward?

  • People serving in the military, their families, and veterans
  • Anyone wondering what it’s like to be an elite soldier
  • Those looking to be inspired by real-life heroes

95
The Urgent Life

The Urgent Life

Bozoma Saint John
My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival
3.9 (19 ratings)

What's The Urgent Life about?

The Urgent Life (2023) is part-memoir, part-manifesto to the importance of showing up in your life, and being fiercely present – no matter the circumstances. Bozoma Saint John has experienced both highs and lows in the course of her life. Through it all, she has learned to stay true to herself and her dreams, and to live as if nothing is guaranteed. In The Urgent Life, she describes the events that have most impacted her, and shares how you, too, can live life with passionate urgency.  

Who should read The Urgent Life?

  • People who are hungry to live more boldly, 
  • Young professionals looking for inspiration on how to navigate the corporate ladder authentically. 
  • Anyone who has experienced loss, and is figuring out how to carry on.

96
Reasons to Stay Alive

Reasons to Stay Alive

Matt Haig
An optimistic memoir about depression and anxiety
4.4 (288 ratings)

What's Reasons to Stay Alive about?

Reasons to Stay Alive (2015) tells the story of Matt Haig’s struggle with depression and anxiety, which was so severe that he had constant panic attacks and feared leaving the house. It reveals how Haig learned to channel his natural intensity into the creation of art and developed some unusual techniques for easing his distressed mind.

Who should read Reasons to Stay Alive?

  • Memoir lovers who want to read a heartfelt story of personal growth
  • Social workers and psychologists who want a glimpse of what’s going on in their clients’ heads 
  • People struggling with depression and anxiety who want to borrow some faith and optimism

97
The Buddha and the Badass

The Buddha and the Badass

Vishen Lakhiani
The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work
4.4 (389 ratings)

What's The Buddha and the Badass about?

The Buddha and the Badass (2020) breaks down how to master work and life by drawing on a deep awareness of self and learning how to make an impact. These blinks provide practical steps for bringing real meaning to your work, accomplishing bold missions alongside others, and designing and living your ideal life.

Who should read The Buddha and the Badass?

  • People who want their work to have meaning and impact
  • Leaders who want to inspire their teams
  • Anyone who wants to transform their personal and professional life

98
The Path Made Clear

The Path Made Clear

Oprah Winfrey
Discovering Your Life's Direction and Purpose
4.4 (150 ratings)

What's The Path Made Clear about?

Finding the path we’re meant to take in life, and figuring out how to take it, are some of the greatest personal challenges we must all face. Oprah Winfrey addresses this in her new book, The Path Made Clear (2019), offering insight into this spiritual journey and sharing the wisdom she has learned throughout her career.

Who should read The Path Made Clear?

  • Lost souls looking for spiritual guidance
  • Self-reflective people seeking to better themselves
  • Oprah superfans who crave more of the great woman’s wisdom

99
Life Is in the Transitions

Life Is in the Transitions

Bruce Feiler
Mastering Change at Any Age
4.6 (165 ratings)

What's Life Is in the Transitions about?

Life is in the Transitions (2020) is a guidebook to weathering the big changes we may experience in our lives, from getting divorced to starting a new job, from coping with illness to winning the lottery. These major transitions can cause us to feel unstable, uncertain, and overwhelmed. Our lives rarely go as planned, but we can learn to navigate life's changes and better understand what makes them meaningful by changing the stories we tell about ourselves.

Who should read Life Is in the Transitions?

  • Entrepreneurs who want to become better equipped for sudden work transitions
  • People who are grieving a loss
  • Memoir-lovers who are fascinated by how stories give meaning to our lives

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