The best 100 Meaningful Living books

Meaningful Living is a topic that resonates with many people, as we all strive for a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. Understanding the key principles and practices that contribute to a meaningful existence can greatly enhance our overall well-being and happiness. That's where our expertly curated book list comes in.

This list offers a comprehensive exploration of meaningful living-related topics, providing insights and guidance to help you cultivate a life of purpose and satisfaction. So, why not embark on this life-changing journey and discover the secrets to meaningful living?
The best 100 Meaningful Living books
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1
Meaningful Living Books: First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill

First Things First

Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill
To Live, to Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy
4.6 (877 ratings)
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What's First Things First about?

This title provides you with valuable insights and guidelines that will help you focus your life on the things that are truly the most meaningful. You’ll learn how to set your priorities, make the best decisions, and develop a keen vision for the future. If you’re looking to create positive change in your life, this book is a great place to start!

Who should read First Things First?

  • Anyone who feels a lack of inner peace, balance or meaning in life
  • Anyone who wants to use his or her time more effectively
  • Anyone who has a hard time making big decisions
  • Anyone who wants to improve the quality of his or her life

2
Meaningful Living Books: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

The Untethered Soul

Michael A. Singer
The Journey Beyond Yourself
4.4 (619 ratings)
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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

3
Meaningful Living Books: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Marie Kondo
The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
4.2 (1,294 ratings)
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What's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up about?

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up isn’t just a guide to decluttering, it’s a best seller that’s changed lives in Japan, Europe and the United States. The Wall Street Journal even called Marie Kondo’s Shinto-inspired “KonMari” technique “the cult of tidying up.” Kondo explains in detail the many ways in which your living space affects all aspects of your life, and how you can ensure that each item in it has powerful personal significance. By following her simple yet resonant advice, you can move closer to achieving your dreams.

Who should read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

  • Anyone who dreads cleaning their house
  • Anyone interested in how their surroundings affect their lives
  • Anyone looking for tips on how to be a more effective organizer

4
Meaningful Living Books: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection

Brené Brown
Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be and Embrace Who You Are
4.5 (801 ratings)
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What's The Gifts of Imperfection about?

The Gifts of Imperfection offers an accessible and engaging walk through the ten principles that you can follow to live a more fulfilling life, defined by courage, connection and compassion towards others. Filled with relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, the book is a useful resource for readers both young and old.

Who should read The Gifts of Imperfection?

  • Anyone who wants to live a more meaningful life
  • Anyone who has a  great idea, but is afraid to share it with the world
  • Anyone troubled by feelings of inadequacy and vulnerability

5
Meaningful Living Books: The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts

The Wisdom of Insecurity

Alan Watts
A Message for an Age of Anxiety
4.4 (502 ratings)
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What's The Wisdom of Insecurity about?

In The Wisdom of Insecurity (1951), author Alan Watts discusses the paradoxical nature of modern life: we pursue goals and covet material goods that promise happiness, but which leave us feeling empty and more anxious than ever. As we indulge in unproductive thoughts about the future or the past, we tend to forget about what is most meaningful – the present moment.

Who should read The Wisdom of Insecurity?

  • Anyone feeling unfulfilled in life
  • Anxiety sufferers searching for the secrets to happiness
  • People interested in contemporary philosophy

6
Meaningful Living Books: The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin

The Longevity Project

Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin
Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study
3.9 (186 ratings)
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What's The Longevity Project about?

The Longevity Project (2012) is about the impressive and revealing Terman Study, which followed a group of people for eight decades in order to find out what habits and practices helped them live long and healthy lives. These blinks explain why marriage might not be as healthy as you think, and what you can do to improve your chances of happiness and longevity.

Who should read The Longevity Project?

  • People who want to live longer
  • Anyone tired of standard health advice
  • Students of medicine and psychology

7
Meaningful Living Books: 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson

12 Rules For Life

Jordan B. Peterson
An Antidote to Chaos
4.2 (4,594 ratings)
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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

8
Meaningful Living Books: Minimalism by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Minimalism

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
Live a Meaningful Life
4.1 (411 ratings)
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What's Minimalism about?

Minimalism (2011) offers readers an alternative path that avoids nine-to-five drudgery and helps them focus on what’s important in life. Authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus have practical guidance on how anyone can free themselves from the financial and emotional binds of modern life to build a new and simpler lifestyle that is still authentic and rewarding.

Who should read Minimalism?

  • Readers who are ready to live a more peaceful lifestyle
  • Anxious and distracted people eager for a decluttered life
  • Anyone who’s tired of living for a paycheck

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Meaningful Living Books: Stop Reading the News by Rolf Dobelli

Stop Reading the News

Rolf Dobelli
How to Cope with the Information Overload and Think More Clearly
4.5 (417 ratings)
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What's Stop Reading the News about?

Stop Reading the News (2020) shows us how we can live a calmer, healthier, and more thoughtful life if we simply stop reading the news. By practicing what the author calls radical abstinence from the news media, we can rescue our minds from the overload of information, and focus on what actually matters in life.

Who should read Stop Reading the News?

  • News addicts desperate to break the habit
  • Those looking to leave the news media and become long-form journalists
  • Anyone curious about technology and its impact

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Meaningful Living Books: How to Be an Epicurean by Catherine Wilson

How to Be an Epicurean

Catherine Wilson
The Ancient Art of Living Well
4.4 (233 ratings)
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What's How to Be an Epicurean about?

How to Be an Epicurean (2019) brings the ancient philosophy of Epicureanism into the modern age. This fascinating “theory of everything” is about much more than seeking pleasure, and it can help you live an enjoyable, moral, and meaningful life today.

Who should read How to Be an Epicurean?

  • Pleasure seekers looking for a philosophical creed
  • Philosophy fans who want to learn something new
  • Modern-day Stoics seeking another ancient philosophical perspective

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Meaningful Living Books: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

The Lazy Genius Way

Kendra Adachi
Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done
4.4 (351 ratings)
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What's The Lazy Genius Way about?

The Lazy Genius Way (2020) is an essential guide for perfectionists everywhere. We run ourselves ragged trying to excel at everything, but this leaves us exhausted and unfulfilled. Luckily, there is another way. We can identify what really makes our lives meaningful, and put our energy into leading lives that fulfill us. By adopting the practical strategies of the Lazy Genius, we can transform how we live and work, one small step at a time.

Who should read The Lazy Genius Way?

  • Perfectionists who want to learn how to relax
  • Working parents struggling to balance a busy life
  • Anyone overwhelmed by clutter

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Meaningful Living Books: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey
4.3 (299 ratings)
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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

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Meaningful Living Books: The Power of Intention by Wayne W. Dyer

The Power of Intention

Wayne W. Dyer
Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
4.2 (520 ratings)
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What's The Power of Intention about?

What’s it about?

The Power of Intention (2004) explores the connection between human beings and the creative potential of God and the universe. This feel-good guide to spirituality examines the true meaning of intention and explains how we can all live more purposeful lives. 

Who should read The Power of Intention?

Who’s it for?

  • Those looking for greater meaning in life
  • Spiritual souls seeking fresh wisdom
  • Fans of New Age philosophy

14
Meaningful Living Books: The Power of Awakening by Wayne W. Dyer

The Power of Awakening

Wayne W. Dyer
Mindfulness Practices and Spiritual Tools to Transform Your Life
4.7 (488 ratings)
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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

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Meaningful Living Books: What Are You Doing with Your Life? by Jiddu Krishnamurti

What Are You Doing with Your Life?

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Explore answers to some of life's most difficult questions
4.5 (564 ratings)
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What's What Are You Doing with Your Life? about?

What Are You Doing with Your Life (2001) attempts to answer some of life’s most important questions. From considering the role of happiness and personal transformation to the purpose of life itself, it sets out a philosophy to guide you through every stage of your journey. 

Who should read What Are You Doing with Your Life??

  • People who feel a little lost and are looking for direction 
  • Those into philosophy and deep thinking
  • Budding gurus and life teachers

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Meaningful Living Books: The Eight Master Lessons of Nature by Gary Ferguson

The Eight Master Lessons of Nature

Gary Ferguson
What Nature Teaches Us About Living Well in the World
4.4 (194 ratings)
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What's The Eight Master Lessons of Nature about?

The Eight Master Lessons of Nature (2019) is a reflective treatise on what nature can teach us about living well. Carefully observing many forms of life, from forest mushrooms to mighty elephants, the guide reveals valuable lessons they may hold for us. In doing so, it invites us to look again at the wild world around us with a renewed sense of awe and wonder.

Who should read The Eight Master Lessons of Nature?

  • City slickers seeking a greener life
  • Nature lovers looking for a deeper connection
  • Those searching for a more mellow approach to living

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Meaningful Living Books: That One Should Disdain Hardships by Musonius Rufus

That One Should Disdain Hardships

Musonius Rufus
The Teachings of a Roman Stoic
4.6 (164 ratings)
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What's That One Should Disdain Hardships about?

That One Should Disdain Hardships (2020) is a collection of lectures delivered in imperial Rome in the first century CE by the Stoic Gaius Musonius Rufus. Heralded as the “Roman Socrates,” Musonius’s philosophy is anything but academic. Designed to help listeners lead the best possible lives, his lectures hone in on practical, everyday questions. The result? A doctrine that you really can live by.

Who should read That One Should Disdain Hardships?

  • Philosophers and thinkers
  • History buffs
  • Practical-minded ethicists

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Meaningful Living Books: The Myth of Sisyphus  by Albert Camus

The Myth of Sisyphus

Albert Camus
4.7 (508 ratings)
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What's The Myth of Sisyphus about?

The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) is an influential essay that contributed significantly to the philosophical movements of existentialism and absurdism. The essay asks whether life is worth living in a world emptied of religious meaning and considers whether suicide is the only appropriate response to the void of meaninglessness. Ultimately, the essay advises against suicide, arguing that the meaninglessness of existence is, in fact, the condition for a fulfilling life lived with freedom, passion, and happiness.

Who should read The Myth of Sisyphus ?

  • Atheists who want to know how to live a meaningful life without faith
  • Armchair philosophers interested in significant works of Western thought
  • Anyone who could use a boost of inspiration and passion in their lives

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Meaningful Living Books: Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

Good Vibes, Good Life

Vex King
How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness
4.3 (444 ratings)
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What's Good Vibes, Good Life about?

Good Vibes, Good Life (2020) explores the power of positive thinking. By outlining simple techniques for changing your mindset, it reveals how every one of us can take control of our happiness – and our future.

Who should read Good Vibes, Good Life?

  • Anyone feeling overwhelmed by 2020
  • Wallflowers looking for a confidence boost
  • Budding entrepreneurs searching for inspiration

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Meaningful Living Books: The Greatest Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The Greatest Secret

Rhonda Byrne
4.3 (381 ratings)
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What's The Greatest Secret about?

The Greatest Secret (2020) is a sequel to the worldwide best seller and self-help phenomenon The Secret, which inspired millions to better their lives by using the laws of attraction. In this installment, we learn an even greater secret: who we really are, and how we can use that knowledge to achieve everlasting happiness.

Who should read The Greatest Secret?

  • Fans of The Secret and other New Age manifestos
  • People attracted to the spiritual and mystical
  • Seekers of joy and happiness

21
Meaningful Living Books: Learning to Pray by James Martin

Learning to Pray

James Martin
A Guide for Everyone
4.1 (204 ratings)
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What's Learning to Pray about?

Learning to Pray (2021) unpacks one of the most important yet misunderstood aspects of spiritual life: prayer. What’s the purpose of prayer? How do you pray “correctly?” What should you expect when you pray? These are just some of the questions that often stand between believers and this deeply rewarding practice. And there’s no better way of answering them than by looking back through the different styles and rituals of prayer found in the Christian tradition. 

Who should read Learning to Pray?

  • Believers struggling with prayer
  • Agnostics and skeptics with an open mind
  • History buffs

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Meaningful Living Books: Forest Bathing by Qing Li

Forest Bathing

Qing Li
How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness
4.7 (339 ratings)
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What's Forest Bathing about?

Forest Bathing (2018) is a guide to the Japanese practice of forest bathing. It explores the beliefs, culture, and traditions behind forest bathing, as well as various studies on its health benefitsIt also lays out easy-to-follow steps for practicing forest bathing in any environment.

Who should read Forest Bathing?

  • People interested in nature’s effect on human health
  • Nature lovers
  • Japanese culture enthusiasts

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Meaningful Living Books: The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter

The Comfort Crisis

Michael Easter
Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
4.4 (334 ratings)
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What's The Comfort Crisis about?

The Comfort Crisis (2021) offers a cure for the physical and mental health problems of modern-day life. It’s all about getting comfortable with discomfort, which can mean anything from roughing it in the wilderness to contemplating death.

Who should read The Comfort Crisis?

  • People feeling disillusioned with modern life
  • Restless spirits craving an Into the Wild experience
  • Anyone interested in improving their physical or mental health

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Meaningful Living Books: Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday

Courage is Calling

Ryan Holiday
Fortune Favors the Brave
4.3 (462 ratings)
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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

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Meaningful Living Books: The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Art of Living

Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now
4.7 (493 ratings)
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What's The Art of Living about?

The Art of Living (2017) offers wisdom on how to fully experience every moment of every day. Many of us are consumed with fears or busyness that prevent us from engaging with the wonder of life. But by expanding our understanding of existence and embracing mindfulness practices, we can overcome the obstacles that stop us from truly living.

Who should read The Art of Living?

  • Stressed-out individuals longing for peace
  • Ambitious people seeking stillness
  • Anyone interested in Buddhism

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Meaningful Living Books: The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck

The Way of Integrity

Martha Beck
Finding the Path to Your True Self
4.3 (357 ratings)
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What's The Way of Integrity about?

The Way of Integrity (2021) is a four-stage process to finding integrity – a quality that can alleviate the suffering caused by harmful autopilot actions and beliefs. In reconnecting to what makes you feel whole, you’ll achieve a sense of purpose, emotional healing, and mental well-being.

Who should read The Way of Integrity?

  • People who feel unhappy but aren’t sure why
  • Disconnected individuals who want to improve their relationships
  • Anyone seeking more joy and purpose in their life

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Meaningful Living Books: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch
4.4 (262 ratings)
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What's The Last Lecture about?

The Last Lecture (2008) is a heartfelt and insightful rumination on life, death, and the value of pursuing your dreams. In this unique text, computer scientist Randy Pausch reflects on mortality after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. 

Who should read The Last Lecture?

  • New parents looking for sage advice
  • Friends and family of terminally ill individuals
  • Anyone seeking a little inspiration

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Meaningful Living Books: The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Thich Nhat Hanh
Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy and Liberation
4.6 (471 ratings)
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What's The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching about?

The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching (1998) explains core Buddhist teachings, including the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. It shows how to apply these practices to daily life to transform suffering into joy and heal the pain of others.

Who should read The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching?

  • People who are suffering
  • Those wishing to adopt Buddhist practices
  • Anyone who wishes to lead a more joyful life

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Meaningful Living Books: Love People, Use Things by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Love People, Use Things

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
Because the Opposite Never Works
4.4 (495 ratings)
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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

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Meaningful Living Books: The Art of Living by Epictetus

The Art of Living

Epictetus
The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness – A New Interpretation by Sharon Lebell
4.7 (708 ratings)
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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

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Meaningful Living Books: Living Beyond “What If?” by Shirley Davis

Living Beyond “What If?”

Shirley Davis
Release the Limits and Realize Your Dreams
4.3 (556 ratings)
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What's Living Beyond “What If?” about?

Living Beyond “What If?” (2021) is an empathetic handbook to realizing your dreams. It shares intimate, affecting anecdotes and sets out a step-by-step guide to overcoming your fears and achieving success.

Who should read Living Beyond “What If?”?

  • People struggling to get over a particular fear or blockage
  • Those who want to reinvent themselves but don’t know how
  • Anyone looking to level-up their life

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Meaningful Living Books: The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins

The High 5 Habit

Mel Robbins
It's Time to Cheer for Yourself
4.3 (1,476 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The High 5 Habit about?

The High 5 Habit (2021) offers a startling proposition: A single change to your morning routine can help upend your outmoded, self-limiting attitudes and kick your life into top gear. Interwoven with personal anecdotes and scientific research, this blueprint for life transformation makes self-improvement seem easier than ever.

Who should read The High 5 Habit?

  • Self-improvement and personal-development fanatics 
  • Anyone who wants to change but needs a strong dose of pep and energy
  • Armchair psychologists interested in the workings of emotional growth

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Meaningful Living Books: The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan with Benjamin Hardy

The Gap and the Gain

Dan Sullivan with Benjamin Hardy
The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success
4.6 (1,880 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Gap and the Gain about?

The Gap and the Gain (2021) is a guide to finding happiness and fulfillment inside yourself, instead of constantly hunting for external affirmation. By learning to define your own standards of success, and by measuring your achievement backward, you’ll appreciate how much progress you’ve actually made, and experience renewed motivation in every area of your life.

Who should read The Gap and the Gain?

  • Undermotivated entrepreneurs 
  • Successful but unfulfilled business people
  • Persistent ruminators who want to learn how to think positively

34
Meaningful Living Books: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

The Comfort Book

Matt Haig
4.7 (834 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
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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

35
Meaningful Living Books: Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh

Living Buddha, Living Christ

Thich Nhat Hanh
Explore the common ground of Christianity and Buddhism
4.3 (285 ratings)
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What's Living Buddha, Living Christ about?

Living Buddha, Living Christ (1995) is a meditation on the surprising intersections between Buddhism and Christianity. This thoughtful text shows the common ground shared by two of the world’s most influential spiritual leaders.

Who should read Living Buddha, Living Christ?

  • Christians seeking a new perspective on Christ
  • Buddhists looking to enrich their practice
  • Anyone wanting to cultivate a deeper spiritual life

36
Meaningful Living Books: Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy

Million Dollar Habits

Brian Tracy
Proven Power Practices to Double and Triple Your Income
4.4 (1,555 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Million Dollar Habits about?

Million Dollar Habits (2017) is the manual to your brain and your life that you never got in school. It explains the “secrets” of success and what you need to do to unlock your full potential.

Who should read Million Dollar Habits?

  • Millionaire wannabes
  • Couch potatoes looking to get fit and healthy 
  • People who want to develop great relationships

37
Meaningful Living Books: The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

The Art of Possibility

Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
Transforming Professional and Personal Life
4.4 (172 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Art of Possibility about?

The Art of Possibility (2000) provides a series of strategies that will invite possibility into every aspect of your life. By putting these strategies into practice, you can fuel your creativity, enhance your problem-solving skills, and deepen your relationships with others.

Who should read The Art of Possibility?

  • Modern thinkers looking for new solutions to old problems
  • Seekers hoping for more abundance in their lives
  • Anyone interested in learning how to transcend their limitations

38
Meaningful Living Books: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Tuesdays with Morrie

Mitch Albom
An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
4.4 (360 ratings)
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00:00

What's Tuesdays with Morrie about?

Tuesdays with Morrie (1997) chronicles an important relationship in Mitch Albom’s life – the one between himself and his old college professor, Morrie. As they reconnect during the professor’s final months of life, they discuss everything from greed and forgiveness to death and a meaningful life. 

Who should read Tuesdays with Morrie?

  • Anyone who feels lost 
  • Individuals actively searching for meaning and purpose
  • People contemplating how to live a good life

39
Meaningful Living Books: Welcome Home by Najwa Zebian

Welcome Home

Najwa Zebian
A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul
4.6 (591 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

40
Meaningful Living Books: From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks

From Strength to Strength

Arthur C. Brooks
Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
4.5 (959 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's From Strength to Strength about?

From Strength to Strength (2022) is a roadmap for thriving in the second half of life. Packed with practical advice, it helps readers stop dwelling on past successes and find fulfillment in the present.

Who should read From Strength to Strength?

  • Anyone facing the decline of their professional abilities
  • Professionals preparing to pivot from one career to another
  • Everyone who wants to lead a life full of purpose

41
Meaningful Living Books: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Translated and commentated on by Sri Swami Satchidananda

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Translated and commentated on by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Timeless Teachings for Mind, Body, and Emotional Harmony
4.7 (393 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali about?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (1978) is a classic text on yogic philosophy and practice. Written in ancient Sanskrit, it explains the core metaphysical, spiritual, psychological, moral, and ethical ideas of yoga. It also lays out the principles of how to practice yoga, so you can put those ideas into action and use them to achieve lasting happiness and inner peace. 

Who should read The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali?

  • Seekers of wisdom, happiness, and peace 
  • Followers of Eastern spiritual traditions 
  • Anyone interested in those traditions

42
Meaningful Living Books: The 6 Phase Meditation Method by Vishen Lakhiani

The 6 Phase Meditation Method

Vishen Lakhiani
The Proven Technique to Supercharge Your Mind, Manifest Your Goals, and Make Magic in Minutes a Day
4.6 (567 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The 6 Phase Meditation Method about?

The 6 Phase Meditation Method (2022) is a ground-breaking transformational guide divided into six distinct phases. In as little as 20 minutes, you can reclaim your life and reap the many practical benefits of meditation.

Who should read The 6 Phase Meditation Method?

  • Failed meditation experimenters
  • Time-poor self-improvers
  • Mental-fitness geeks

43
Meaningful Living Books: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

Autobiography of a Yogi

Paramahansa Yogananda
3.5 (137 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

44
Meaningful Living Books: Master Your Core by Bohdanna Zazulak

Master Your Core

Bohdanna Zazulak
A Science-Based Guide to Achieve Peak Performance and Resilience to Injury
4.3 (461 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Master Your Core about?

Master Your Core (2021) provides a holistic overview of how strengthening your core can directly boost your athletic performance and mood while reducing injuries. It offers a scientific explanation of “core stability” and includes breathing, stretching, and dynamic exercises to train your core muscles and improve your overall health.

Who should read Master Your Core?

  • Desk workers who want to improve their posture and mood
  • Injury-adverse athletes looking to boost strength and power
  • Anyone craving sculpted abs with a side of mental well-being

45
Meaningful Living Books: The Power of Unwavering Focus by Dandapani

The Power of Unwavering Focus

Dandapani
4.6 (1,014 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Power of Unwavering Focus about?

The Power of Unwavering Focus (2022) is a practical and personal guide that offers clear steps toward ending the distractions, fears, and worries that keep us stressed out and anxious, while carving a clear path toward more mental clarity and focus. Packed with concrete steps and personal reflections, it offers a deep look into the awesome power of the mind and how focus can help everyone live a more purposeful and joyful life.

Who should read The Power of Unwavering Focus?

  • Exhausted multitaskers feeling lost in the grind
  • Goal-seekers looking for a clearer path to success
  • Anyone wanting to live with more purpose in daily life

46
Meaningful Living Books: Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein

Mindfulness

Joseph Goldstein
A Practical Guide to Awakening
4.6 (366 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Mindfulness about?

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening (2013) explores how adopting a Buddhist approach to mindfulness can unlock a true and deeply felt freedom. The author draws on an ancient dialogue conducted by Siddhartha Gotama, the Buddha, and creates a clear, systemic path to establishing mindfulness of body, emotion, thought, and time as a way to overcome suffering.

Who should read Mindfulness?

  • Curious minds interested in the time-tested wisdom of the Buddha
  • Deep thinkers committed to living mindfully 
  • Anyone interested in using meditation to enrich their lives

47
Meaningful Living Books: Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It by Kamal Ravikant

Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It

Kamal Ravikant
4.4 (823 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

48
Meaningful Living Books: Tracking Wonder by Jeffrey Davis

Tracking Wonder

Jeffrey Davis
The Surprising Path to Purpose, Connection, and Fulfillment
4.3 (183 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Tracking Wonder about?

Tracking Wonder (2021) is an inspiring and practical exploration of wonder. Through reclaiming that childlike state of amazement with the world, Davis shows how we can become happier, healthier, and more creative.

Who should read Tracking Wonder?

  • Dreamers
  • Those experiencing burnout
  • Anyone fed up with toxic productivity

49
Meaningful Living Books: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Midnight Library

Matt Haig
4.6 (182 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Midnight Library about?

The Midnight Library (2020) centers around the infinite lives of one person, Nora Seed. In the Midnight Library, she’s able to choose lives that she might have led if she had made different decisions. But, as Nora soon finds out, the reality of life based on those decisions doesn’t always turn out the way it was imagined.

Who should read The Midnight Library?

  • Anyone whose regrets lie heavily in their thoughts
  • Science-fiction lovers
  • Those who think they need to understand life

50
Meaningful Living Books: Abundance by Deepak Chopra

Abundance

Deepak Chopra
The Inner Path to Wealth
4.5 (448 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Abundance about?

Abundance (2022) offers a new way of releasing you from a life of lack and scarcity. By using its meditation techniques, you can transform your life from one dogged by limitations into one where you want for nothing.

Who should read Abundance?

  • Seekers of fulfillment wanting to live their best lives
  • Ambitious dreamers wishing to transform goals into reality
  • Yogis looking to take their practice to the next level

51
Meaningful Living Books: Live Life in Crescendo by Stephen R. Covey and Cynthia Covey Haller

Live Life in Crescendo

Stephen R. Covey and Cynthia Covey Haller
Your Most Important Work is Always Ahead of You
4.5 (280 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

52
Meaningful Living Books: 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Wiest

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

Brianna Wiest
4.3 (818 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think about?

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think (2016) is an antidote to anxiety, but not in the way you think. Instead of mounting roadblocks against your darkest feelings, it encourages you to use them as agents of personal growth. Managing your thoughts will lead you toward the daily habits that will bring you fulfillment.

Who should read 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think?

  • People in their twenties trying to find purpose and meaning, and manage their anxiety
  • Thirtysomethings who want to understand how their past has shaped their present and how they can still salvage the future
  • Those who want to find joy and fulfillment in being themselves

53
Meaningful Living Books: Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday

Discipline Is Destiny

Ryan Holiday
The Power of Self-Control
4.7 (2,446 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

54
Meaningful Living Books: Living Untethered by Michael A. Singer

Living Untethered

Michael A. Singer
Beyond the Human Predicament
4.4 (390 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Living Untethered about?

Living Untethered (2022) is your guide to finding self-realization and unconditional happiness. It provides practical guidance on moving beyond your thoughts, feeling, and emotions and will help you to stop struggling and start experiencing life to its fullest.

Who should read Living Untethered?

  • Spiritual-guidance seekers
  • Anyone who wants to understand who they really are
  • People experiencing anxiety or tension who want to learn how to let go

55
Meaningful Living Books: Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol

Awaken Your Genius

Ozan Varol
Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary
4.5 (539 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Awaken Your Genius about?

Awaken Your Genius (2023) is a straightforward yet philosophical guide to releasing the aspects of yourself that don’t suit your growth. Through a five-step process, it shows readers how they can find their way back to their unique and authentic genius selves.

Who should read Awaken Your Genius?

  • Anyone who feels stuck in a rut
  • People contemplating a major life change
  • Those looking to live more creative lives

56
Meaningful Living Books: Young Forever by Mark Hyman

Young Forever

Mark Hyman
The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life
4.5 (395 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Young Forever about?

Forever Young (2023) challenges the notion that poor health associated with aging is an inevitable part of life. Instead, it provides a roadmap to not only live longer but to enjoy good health until death.

Who should read Young Forever?

  • Young people wanting to set themselves up for a long, healthy life
  • Older people looking to reverse the aging process
  • Those suffering from disease who want to improve their well-being

57
Meaningful Living Books: Living in Flow by Sky Nelson-Isaacs

Living in Flow

Sky Nelson-Isaacs
The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choices Shape Your World
4.1 (389 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

58
Meaningful Living Books: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Hamlet

William Shakespeare
4.7 (124 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Hamlet about?

Hamlet (c. 1509-1601) is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s greatest play. A tragedy in five parts, it tells the story of Prince Hamlet, a thinker who must turn to action to avenge his father. It’s not only the finely crafted plot that’s fascinated readers and theatergoers down the centuries, though – Hamlet is also a penetrating study of the meaning of life and death.

Who should read Hamlet?

  • Shakespeare lovers who haven’t gotten around to reading Hamlet
  • Those who find Shakespeare’s original language difficult to enjoy
  • Fans of Hamlet who want a refresher

59
Meaningful Living Books: The Greatness Mindset by Lewis Howes

The Greatness Mindset

Lewis Howes
Unlock the Power of Your Mind and Live Your Best Life Today
4.3 (418 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Greatness Mindset about?

The Greatness Mindset (2023) is a powerful guide to unlocking your full potential and living your best life. With personal stories, transformational strategies, and step-by-step guidance, you'll learn how to define your purpose, conquer self-doubt, and start your journey toward a rich, abundant future.

Who should read The Greatness Mindset?

  • Self-reinventors
  • Ambitious millennials
  • Goal-oriented achievers

60
Meaningful Living Books: The Portfolio Life by Christina Wallace

The Portfolio Life

Christina Wallace
Future-Proof Your Career and Craft a Life Worthy of You
4.1 (92 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Portfolio Life about?

The Portfolio Life (2023) is a guide to veering off of the traditional path and creating a well-balanced, fulfilling, and sustainable life that incorporates all of your varied skills and personal goals. Combining a practical playbook with self-help style coaching, it gives you the tools and motivation to achieve true work-life balance, preserve your happiness, and protect your future.

Who should read The Portfolio Life?

  • People seeking a big life change
  • Anyone looking to follow a less traditional career path
  • Fans of self-help books

61
Meaningful Living Books: I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher with Barbara Smith

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was

Barbara Sher with Barbara Smith
How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It
4.4 (469 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was about?

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was (1994) offers practical guidance to help people figure out what they want in life and how to use that knowledge to go after it. It tackles the most common obstacles to goal-setting with exercises and tactics that help people customize an approach that works best for them.

Who should read I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was?

  • People who do not know what they want in life
  • High achievers who feel like something is missing
  • Anyone struggling with figuring out their next steps

62
Meaningful Living Books: Life Worth Living by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz

Life Worth Living

Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz
A Guide to What Matters Most
4.3 (440 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Life Worth Living about?

Life Worth Living (2023) is about discovering your own vision for a meaningful life. It offers a wide spectrum of philosophic and theological ideas in order to better understand what is most important to you, and how to turn that understanding into action.

Who should read Life Worth Living?

  • Anyone who’s ever wondered about the meaning of life
  • People interested in theology and comparative religion studies
  • Curious minds looking for inspiration and guidance

63
Meaningful Living Books: Happy Mind, Happy Life by Rangan Chatterjee

Happy Mind, Happy Life

Rangan Chatterjee
The New Science of Mental Well-Being
4.5 (335 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Happy Mind, Happy Life about?

Happy Mind, Happy Life (2022) busts the age-old myth that happiness is a by-product of wealth or success. Instead, it’s something to cultivate and nurture independent of life’s circumstances.

Who should read Happy Mind, Happy Life?

  • Frustrated achievers wondering why their hard work isn’t making them happier
  • Those seeking insight into the mind-body health connection
  • Anyone wanting to live with more joy and mindfulness

64
Meaningful Living Books: Phaedo by Plato

Phaedo

Plato
4.1 (547 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Phaedo about?

Phaedo (written around 360 BC), discusses the immortality of the soul, life after death, and true philosophy. It showcases Socratic dialogues, where Socrates, on his deathbed, debates these subjects with his disciples.

Who should read Phaedo?

  • Philosophy enthusiasts
  • Those interested in the afterlife
  • Seekers of metaphysical knowledge

65
Meaningful Living Books: The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Cost of Discipleship

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
4.0 (58 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Cost of Discipleship about?

The Cost of Discipleship, first released in 1937, examines the fundamental commitment required to truly follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. It explores the idea of “cheap grace” versus “costly grace,” presenting an argument that genuine discipleship demands a substantial personal sacrifice.

Who should read The Cost of Discipleship?

  • Theology students
  • Practicing Christians
  • Readers interested in religious philosophy

66
Meaningful Living Books: Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre

Existentialism Is a Humanism

Jean-Paul Sartre
A Philosophy of Freedom
4.4 (83 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Existentialism Is a Humanism about?

Existentialism is a Humanism (1946) is one of Jean-Paul Sartre’s most accessible explanations of his philosophy. Rooted in a matter-of-fact atheism, it contends with humanity’s search for meaning in an absurd and indifferent universe. Rejecting everything-goes nihilism, it argues that we must take responsibility for creating our own meaning.   

Who should read Existentialism Is a Humanism?

  • Philosophically-minded types wondering what it’s all about
  • Anyone in search of more authentic ways of being
  • History enthusiasts 

67
Meaningful Living Books: The Saad Truth about Happiness by Gad Saad

The Saad Truth about Happiness

Gad Saad
8 Secrets for Leading the Good Life
4.1 (164 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Saad Truth about Happiness about?

The Saad Truth about Happiness (2023) offers a series of life lessons from the perspective of a behavioral scientist. Whether you're looking to improve your relationships, your career, or your overall well-being, you’re likely to find some inspiration within these guidelines on good living.

Who should read The Saad Truth about Happiness?

  • Anyone pursuing happiness
  • People seeking a more meaningful life
  • Fans of self-help books with lots of actionable advice

68
Meaningful Living Books: Leading an Inspired Life by Jim Rohn

Leading an Inspired Life

Jim Rohn
4.4 (449 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Leading an Inspired Life about?

Leading an Inspired Life (1996) is a philosophy that will transform your life and business. It’s a credo that will help you attain inner fulfillment, financial independence, and the opportunity to elevate your lifestyle while positively contributing to society.

Who should read Leading an Inspired Life?

  • Anyone who wants to be happy and successful
  • Those trying to start or elevate a business
  • People trying to increase their value in the marketplace

69
Meaningful Living Books: Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey

Build the Life You Want

Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey
The Art and Science of Getting Happier
4.2 (630 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Build the Life You Want about?

Build the Life You Want (2023) provides a blueprint for a happier life. Based on scientific knowledge and decades of personal and academic research, it offers practical strategies that you can implement to increase your happiness immediately, regardless of your circumstances.

Who should read Build the Life You Want?

  • Happiness seekers
  • Lonely souls looking for connection
  • Cravers of purpose and meaning

70
Meaningful Living Books: Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett

Happy Sexy Millionaire

Steven Bartlett
Unexpected Truths about Fulfillment, Love, and Success
4.4 (377 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Happy Sexy Millionaire about?

Happy Sexy Millionaire (2021) is part unfiltered memoir, part practical guide, and part desperate plea to today’s connected generation. Challenging pervasive narratives around what we “should” be chasing, it posits that fulfillment, genuine relationships, and intrinsic success are the true markers of a life well lived, and offers a range of strategies to get you on your way. 

Who should read Happy Sexy Millionaire?

  • Those feeling they may be chasing the wrong things 
  • Entrepreneurs carving out their own definition of “success” 
  • Individuals interested in self-discovery and personal development

71
Meaningful Living Books: Travel Light by Light Watkins

Travel Light

Light Watkins
Spiritual Minimalism to Live a More Fulfilled Life
4.3 (65 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Travel Light about?

Travel Light (2023) is a refreshing take on the practice and philosophy of minimalism. Rather than focusing on streamlining physical possessions, it suggests that true minimalism begins from within, with the streamlining of beliefs and desires. 

Who should read Travel Light?

  • Minimalism enthusiasts
  • Those who want to live more simply but don’t necessarily want to give away all their stuff
  • Individuals who’ve already given away their stuff who’re questioning the effectiveness of minimalism

72
Meaningful Living Books: The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell

The Conquest of Happiness

Bertrand Russell
4.5 (125 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Conquest of Happiness about?

The Conquest of Happiness (1930) explores the pursuit of human happiness. It dissects common obstacles to happiness, such as competition and fatigue, as well as the various factors that contribute to it. Equal parts philosophical and practical, you’ll come away with a deepened understanding of, and preparedness for, a fulfilling life. 

Who should read The Conquest of Happiness?

  • Anyone wanting to increase their sense of fulfillment
  • Individuals interested in the development of the personal happiness movement
  • Philosophy enthusiasts seeking an understanding of Russell’s perspective

73
Meaningful Living Books: Finding Clarity by Marc Lesser

Finding Clarity

Marc Lesser
How Compassionate Accountability Builds Vibrant Relationships, Thriving Workplaces, and Meaningful Lives
4.4 (258 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Finding Clarity about?

Finding Clarity (2023) offers insight into developing more fulfilling personal and professional relationships through the practice of compassionate accountability. It delves into seven strategies for enhancing communication and understanding in relationships, to foster environments that are both supportive and productive. 

Who should read Finding Clarity?

  • Professionals seeking improved workplace communication and leadership skills
  • Individuals looking to enhance personal relationship dynamics
  • Anyone interested in mindfulness and emotional intelligence development

74
Meaningful Living Books: Be Here Now by Ram Dass

Be Here Now

Ram Dass
4.2 (234 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Be Here Now about?

Be Here Now (1971) is the story of one man’s spiritual awakening in India. In addition to his learnings and insights, it contains practical guidance for anyone embarking on their own spiritual journey.

Who should read Be Here Now?

  • Truth-seekers
  • People who want to deepen their happiness and fulfillment
  • Anyone interested in Eastern spirituality

75
Meaningful Living Books: Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

Uninvited

Lysa TerKeurst
Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely
4.4 (176 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Uninvited about?

Uninvited (2016) addresses the universal struggle with rejection, and why it hits some harder than others, revealing how childhood experiences shape our adult responses to disappointment. It presents key strategies for building rejection resilience, creating boundaries, and surrounding yourself with safe, supportive people.

Who should read Uninvited?

  • Creative professionals and aspiring artists looking for perspective on critique and rejection
  • Exhausted people-pleasers and approval seekers still feeling alone and unheard
  • Anyone healing from childhood wounds or looking to break patterns of self-doubt that keep them small 

76
Meaningful Living Books: The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain De Botton

The Consolations of Philosophy

Alain De Botton
A Guide to Finding Wisdom and Comfort in Life
4.1 (37 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Consolations of Philosophy about?

The Consolations of Philosophy (2000) invites you to embrace the timeless lessons passed down by philosophers of ages past. Drawing on the wisdom of Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, and Schopenhauer, this guide lights the path toward great consolation, understanding, and a deeper appreciation of human existence. 

Who should read The Consolations of Philosophy?

  • Anyone seeking timeless wisdom to apply to modern problems
  • Overthinkers craving clarity amongst life’s chaos
  • Lovers of philosophy looking to discover the ideas of historical thinkers

77
Meaningful Living Books: How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job by Dale Carnegie

How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job

Dale Carnegie
4.6 (252 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

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

78
Meaningful Living Books: Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self-Reliance

Ralph Waldo Emerson
4.4 (190 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Self-Reliance about?

Self-Reliance (1841) challenges societal conventions and stresses the importance of individual thought, independence, and self-expression. It serves as Emerson’s passionate advocacy for intellectual freedom and nonconformity.

Who should read Self-Reliance?

  • Independent thinkers
  • Lovers of philosophical texts
  • Students of American literature

79
Meaningful Living Books: Do the New You by Steven Furtick

Do the New You

Steven Furtick
6 Mindsets to Become Who You Were Created to Be
3.3 (295 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Do the New You about?

Do the New You (2024) explores how to align your self-perception with God’s vision to become the person he designed you to be. It speaks to the challenge of living out your authentic, God-given identity and calling by unpacking practical mindsets to shift from who you are today to where God is leading you. It emphasizes that the true, ideal you isn’t an imaginary future self but the “you” God has always known you to be.

Who should read Do the New You?

  • Anyone seeking their identity in Christ
  • People struggling with self-acceptance
  • Christians seeking spiritual growth

80
Meaningful Living Books: Think Remarkable by Guy Kawasaki & Madisun Nuismer

Think Remarkable

Guy Kawasaki & Madisun Nuismer
9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference
4.2 (92 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Think Remarkable about?

Think Remarkable (2023) is a transformative guide to unlocking your full potential and living an extraordinary life. It draws on the wisdom and insights of remarkable individuals to provide a blueprint for personal growth and success.

Who should read Think Remarkable?

  • Students aiming to develop the skills and mindset needed for success
  • Anyone feeling stuck in a rut and wanting to break free from mediocrity
  • Those seeking inspiration and guidance from the world’s most remarkable people

81
Meaningful Living Books: You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman

You Only Die Once

Jodi Wellman
How to Make It to the End with No Regrets
4.4 (86 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's You Only Die Once about?

You Only Die Once (2023) is a motivational guide that encourages people to make the most of their remaining time on Earth. Drawing from positive psychology principles, it offers practical advice and inspiring stories to help you pursue your passions, find meaning, and live life to the fullest.

Who should read You Only Die Once?

  • People seeking to boost their sense of passion, purpose, and engagement
  • Those nearing the end of life who want to make the most of their remaining time
  • Anyone interested in personal growth, self-reflection, and living intentionally

82
Meaningful Living Books: Start Making Sense by Steven J Heine

Start Making Sense

Steven J Heine
How Existential Psychology Can Help Us Build Meaningful Lives in Absurd Times
4.2 (58 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Start Making Sense about?

Start Making Sense (2025) explores the human need for meaning and purpose using cultural and social psychology to engage philosophical questions about the meaning of life. Weaving together history, literature, Existential psychology, and the history of science, it serves as a guide for crafting a meaningful life even in unsettling times. 

Who should read Start Making Sense?

  • Those anxious about the state of the world, or their place in it 
  • Psychology buffs looking for the origins of complex human behavior
  • Anyone curious about how human behavior impacts political and social systems

83
Meaningful Living Books: Solve for Happy by Mo Gawdat

Solve for Happy

Mo Gawdat
Engineer Your Path to Joy
4.7 (39 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Solve for Happy about?

Solve for Happy (2017) is the result of former Chief Business Officer at Google X, Mo Gawdat’s highly personal journey to understand the nature of happiness and how to achieve it. By borrowing ideas from many of the world’s religions and applying his own analytical mind to the problem, Gawdat arrives at a formula for happiness.

Who should read Solve for Happy?

  • Those trying to find a happiness deeper than simple success
  • Anyone who wants to understand why reality can be so confusing
  • People looking for a life-affirming example of strength in the face of tragedy

84
Meaningful Living Books: The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd

The Pathless Path

Paul Millerd
Imagining a New Story For Work and Life
4.4 (81 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Pathless Path about?

The Pathless Path (2022) challenges the conventional “default path” of work and life, urging readers to embrace uncertainty and carve an idiosyncratic path of meaning and aliveness. Whilst not a prescriptive roadmap, it offers insights and inspiration for every step of the pathless path journey, inviting a reimagination of what is believed to be possible. 

Who should read The Pathless Path?

  • Recent graduates questioning traditional definitions of success 
  • Aspiring digital nomads seeking location‑independent lifestyles 
  • Burned‑out corporate employees exploring alternative careers 

85
Meaningful Living Books: I Wish Someone Had Told Me ... by Dana Perino

I Wish Someone Had Told Me ...

Dana Perino
The Best Advice for Building a Great Career and a Meaningful Life
4.2 (106 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's I Wish Someone Had Told Me ... about?

I Wish Someone Had Told Me… (2025) is a practical guide to navigating life and career with purpose, clarity, and confidence. Drawing on stories and insights from a wide range of accomplished professionals, it offers straightforward advice on building momentum, standing out at work, and maintaining balance along the way. From financial planning to long-term fulfillment, it delivers real-world wisdom for every stage of your life journey.

Who should read I Wish Someone Had Told Me ...?

  • Ambitious professionals seeking practical career and life advice
  • Young adults navigating early job and relationship challenges
  • Fans of Fox News personalities and behind-the-scenes stories

86
Meaningful Living Books: On Character by Stanley McChrystal

On Character

Stanley McChrystal
Choices That Define a Life
4.5 (64 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's On Character about?

On Character (2025) reveals the simple but powerful formula behind authentic character. Drawing from decades of military leadership and personal struggles, four-star general Stanley McChrystal argues that true character isn't something you're born with or earn through titles – it's built through countless daily choices over a lifetime. This practical guide offers both philosophical insights and actionable strategies for anyone seeking to close the gap between who they are and who they're capable of becoming.

Who should read On Character?

  • Leaders and executives seeking to align their decision-making with their values 
  • Students and young professionals at formative career stages
  • Anyone interested in moral philosophy and self-improvement

87
Meaningful Living Books: Fired Up by Shannon Watts

Fired Up

Shannon Watts
How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age
3.9 (51 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Fired Up about?

Fired Up (2025) offers inspiration and guidance for women who feel adrift, stagnant, or have lost touch with their passions in life. With tips on how to reignite those passions and turn those dreams into reality, it’s a call to action for those who’ve spent too many years doing what others expect of them, rather than following their hearts.

Who should read Fired Up?

  • Fans of inspirational stories
  • People struggling with burnout
  • Anyone looking for a fresh start in life

88
Meaningful Living Books: Aflame by Pico Iyer

Aflame

Pico Iyer
Learning from Silence
4.0 (119 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Aflame about?

Aflame (2025) shows how the deepest answers to life’s questions come from sitting quietly in the fire of silence. It takes us on a journey into a remote monastery where silence reveals unexpected connections, inner peace, and the fierce joy of simply being. It’s a powerful invitation to discover how stillness can light up our lives in ways we never imagined.

Who should read Aflame?

  • Anyone seeking more peace and clarity in life
  • People interested in spirituality beyond traditional religion
  • Philosophical folks wrestling with questions about connection and purpose

89
Meaningful Living Books: The Opposite of Settling by Case Kenny

The Opposite of Settling

Case Kenny
Get What You Want in Love and Life, Without Losing Your Spark
4.7 (46 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Opposite of Settling about?

The Opposite of Settling (2025) is a practical guide to modern dating that helps readers find empowering love without losing themselves in the process. Blending mindfulness, research, and optimism, it offers a clear roadmap for navigating dating with confidence, recognizing relationships that lift you up rather than weigh you down, and letting go of fear-based habits.

Who should read The Opposite of Settling?

  • Singles who want to learn to date with confidence and clarity
  • Couples who’ve gotten lost in their relationships and want to find themselves again
  • Anyone who’s ready to get off the apps and find true connection

90
Meaningful Living Books: Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It by Daniel Klein

Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It

Daniel Klein
Wisdom of the Great Philosophers on How to Live
4.6 (137 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It about?

Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It (2015) is an entertaining reflection on philosophy and what we can learn from it. As a college student, Daniel Klein began collecting quotes from philosophers, and adding his own commentary. Now in his eighties, he looks back at his notebook and reflects on what he’s learned.

Who should read Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It?

  • Philosophy enthusiasts
  • People looking for guidance on how to live
  • Anyone who’s ever wondered about the meaning of life

91
Meaningful Living Books: Mission Driven by Mike Hayes

Mission Driven

Mike Hayes
The Path to a Life of Purpose
4.3 (47 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Mission Driven about?

Mission Driven (2025) is a practical life guide that helps you discover your authentic purpose and transform it into meaningful action. It guides you through deep self-reflection to understand your mission, as well as providing concrete tools for translating these insights into real-world opportunities and building a fulfilling life.

Who should read Mission Driven?

  • Young professionals navigating career transitions and major life decisions
  • Anyone feeling stuck seeking clarity on their personal purpose
  • Leaders wanting to balance ambition with meaningful impact

92
Meaningful Living Books: What Matters Most by Diane Button

What Matters Most

Diane Button
Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living
4.5 (256 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's What Matters Most about?

What Matters Most (2025) is a guide to living from an end-of-life doula. Through her work with the dying, Diane Button has learned what matters most in life, and how we can prepare for a good death by living well.

Who should read What Matters Most?

  • People facing the prospect of the death of a loved one
  • Those who want to know what makes a “good death”
  • Anyone looking for advice on how to live a more fulfilling life

93
Meaningful Living Books: What's Your Dream? by Simon Squibb

What's Your Dream?

Simon Squibb
Find Your Passion. Love Your Work. Build a Richer Life.
4.3 (72 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's What's Your Dream? about?

What’s Your Dream? (2025) explores how having a personal dream can become a powerful internal engine for motivation, direction, and resilience. It challenges the myths and assumptions that keep people from pursuing what they truly want, and lays out a simple process for uncovering an authentic dream by asking three foundational questions. It then shows how to turn that dream into reality by removing financial and mental barriers, taking the first concrete steps, securing an initial customer, and ultimately committing fully to the venture.

Who should read What's Your Dream??

  • Anyone wanting to redefine success on their own terms
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs or creatives
  • Professionals feeling stuck or unfulfilled in their careers

94
Meaningful Living Books: The View from Ninety by Charles Handy

The View from Ninety

Charles Handy
Reflections on Living a Long, Contented Life
4.6 (124 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The View from Ninety about?

The View from Ninety (2025) is a collection of final essays written while facing mortality after a stroke. It distills nine decades of experience into reflections on what truly matters – distinguishing the important from merely serious, measuring success in relationships rather than wealth, and finding peace with the natural cycle of life and death. It offers practical lessons for living contentedly when all pretense falls away and only essentials remain.

Who should read The View from Ninety?

  • Professionals reimagining work and redefining success
  • People in their later years seeking wisdom
  • Anyone facing significant life changes or transitions

95
Meaningful Living Books: The Book of Ichigo Ichie by Héctor García, Francesc Miralles

The Book of Ichigo Ichie

Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
4.7 (293 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Book of Ichigo Ichie about?

Ichigo Ichie (2019) is a guide to the Japanese philosophy of treasuring each unrepeatable moment, rooted in Zen Buddhism and the art of the tea ceremony. It teaches you to awaken all five senses and practice genuine presence in order to transform your daily life. By combining ancient wisdom with practical techniques for mindfulness, it reveals how recognizing the singular nature of each encounter can unlock deeper attention, harmony with others, and a genuine love of life.

Who should read The Book of Ichigo Ichie?

  • Mindfulness seekers and busy professionals craving daily presence
  • Creative individuals looking to awaken their full potential
  • Anyone yearning for meaningful connections and spiritual depth

96
Meaningful Living Books: Junglekeeper by Paul Rosolie

Junglekeeper

Paul Rosolie
4.4 (62 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Junglekeeper about?

Junglekeeper (2026) tells the true story of one man’s unlikely journey from outsider to guardian of one of the last wild places on Earth – a remote corner of the Peruvian Amazon teeming with biodiversity and mystery. It’s a reminder that real adventure still exists, and that answering a deep inner calling can change the world.

Who should read Junglekeeper?

  • Nature and wildlife enthusiasts who are fascinated by the biodiversity of rainforests
  • Adventure seekers drawn to stories of exploration, survival, and wilderness
  • Environmental activists looking for real-world examples of grassroots efforts to halt deforestation

97
Meaningful Living Books: A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot

A Hymn to Life

Gisèle Pelicot
Shame has to Change Sides
3.5 (2 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's A Hymn to Life about?

A Hymn to Life (2026) recounts one of the most shocking criminal cases in recent history. For nearly a decade, Gisèle Pelicot was drugged and sexually assaulted by numerous men with the complicity of her own husband. A Hymn to Life follows her personal and legal journey, including why she waived her anonymity and allowed her trial to be held in open court.

Who should read A Hymn to Life?

  • Advocates for justice in cases of sexual violence
  • Anyone moved by stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things in the face of unimaginable circumstances
  • Readers who believe that speaking the truth, no matter the cost, can change the world

 

98
Meaningful Living Books: Flourish by Daniel Coyle

Flourish

Daniel Coyle
The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment
4.5 (23 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Flourish about?

Flourish (2026) investigates why some groups and communities generate extraordinary levels of connection, energy, and purpose. It argues that thriving communities share two core dynamics: a quality of attentive, open engagement with one another, and a collective ability to cocreate and move forward in unison. Drawing on scientific research and real-world examples, it maps out how these principles can be cultivated to build a richer, more meaningful life at any scale.

Who should read Flourish?

  • People curious about what makes certain communities feel alive
  • Individuals craving deeper connections at work, home, or in their neighborhood
  • Anyone who feels successful on paper but wonders if there’s more to life

99
Meaningful Living Books: How a Little Becomes a Lot by Eric Zimmer

How a Little Becomes a Lot

Eric Zimmer
The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life
4.6 (77 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's How a Little Becomes a Lot about?

How a Little Becomes a Lot (2026) shows how small, steady habits slip past the mental defenses that usually block change. Shrinking huge ambitions into pocket-sized steps, paired with a reshaped daily environment, lets you grow without leaning on willpower. You'll see how a softer perspective and real self-kindness turn ordinary choices into a life that feels genuinely yours.

Who should read How a Little Becomes a Lot?

  • Struggling souls who keep falling off daily habits they care about
  • Anyone chasing steady personal growth without burnout
  • People ready to soften the harsh voice inside their own heads

100
Meaningful Living Books: In a Good Place by Leidy Klotz

In a Good Place

Leidy Klotz
How the Spaces Where We Live, Work, and Play Can Help Us Thrive
4.5 (12 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's In a Good Place about?

In a Good Place (2026) explores how the spaces around us quietly shape the people we become. Drawing on psychology, design, and everyday life, it reveals how homes, offices, streets, and public spaces can either nourish or frustrate our need for agency, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Who should read In a Good Place?

  • People interested in psychology and everyday environments
  • Readers seeking calmer, more meaningful living spaces
  • Designers, managers, and parents shaping shared spaces

Related Topics

Meaningful Living Books
 FAQs 

What's the best Meaningful Living book to read?

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard First Things First as the ultimate read on Meaningful Living.

What are the Top 10 Meaningful Living books?

Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill
  • The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
  • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
  • The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
  • The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts
  • The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin
  • 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
  • Minimalism by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
  • Stop Reading the News by Rolf Dobelli
  • How to Be an Epicurean by Catherine Wilson

Who are the top Meaningful Living book authors?

When it comes to Meaningful Living, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill
  • Michael A. Singer
  • Marie Kondo
  • Brené Brown
  • Alan Watts