University of Kwazulu-Natal

10 Books That Changed My Perspective On Life Medium

Bonisiwe Shabane
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10 books that changed my perspective on life medium

My belief that I knew everything about life disappeared when I realized I knew almost nothing. Life sometimes arrives with such surprises. I was lucky (but my self-image is fragile) to discover and read these books as a last hope to change my life. What a mess! Both challenges to my beliefs and questions about everything I believed turned into public crying sessions (this method surprisingly works to open subway seats). So, these 10 exceptional books rewired my mind and led me toward profound existential insights according to my own experience.

Jump into my head in three, two, one… Death exists as a background subject for me, which occasionally creates noticeable silence, yet it remains ever-present. Once you struggle to keep fears of mortality at bay, Irvin Yalom’s work Staring at the Sun is like a close friend who sympathizes with your condition. His teachings don’t come as false relief through spiritual bypassing because he discourages the act of believing in life after death to mitigate suffering. This week, I wanted to share something more tangible—my favorite book recs! and I’m excited to see if you’ve read any.

I was never really a big reader growing up, unless it was the click books lol, BUT I’ve always believed that books have a way of finding us at just the right time. The ones that land in our hands when we’re in the midst of a transformation, searching for answers, or just needing a shift in perspective. Over the years, there have been certain books that felt like teachers, like little guides lighting the way through my journey of self-discovery, healing, and personal expansion. Each one supported me in a different way—guiding me to new opportunities, deeper understanding, and even some unexpected mentors in my life. If you’re on your own path of self-exploration, I hope this list becomes a bucket list of reads to check off! These 10 books have profoundly shifted my consciousness, expanded my perception of life, and helped me step into a more aligned, soul-led way of living.

…and if you’re more of an audiobook person like me—these are all amazing to listen to like a podcast while on a walk, making tea, or just chilling in bed. Sometimes, just hearing the words land different and can make all the difference. I’m obsessed with Caroline Myss. This one completely shifted the way I see my existence in the world. It introduces the idea that our souls create “contracts” before we come into this life—agreements about the lessons we’re here to learn and the roles we’re meant to play. It really shifts the way you see every relationship you’ve ever had in a really healing way.

Books have the power to transform our perspectives, inspire growth, and teach life lessons that resonate long after the final page. Whether it’s empathy, resilience, love, or perseverance, the stories we read can shape our values, guide our decisions, and enrich our lives. If you’re looking for inspiring reads to help you navigate relationships, embrace change, and become a better person, these ten powerful books will leave a lasting impact. Synopsis:Louis Zamperini’s incredible journey—from Olympic athlete to WWII bombardier to prisoner of war—is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. His perseverance in the face of unimaginable hardships inspires readers to stay strong during life’s toughest moments.📚 Buy on Amazon Synopsis:Psychologist Carol S.

Dweck explores the difference between a fixed and growth mindset, showing how resilience and effort—not innate talent—are what lead to lasting success in personal and professional life.📚 Buy on Amazon Synopsis:Auggie Pullman, born with a facial difference, teaches classmates—and readers—that kindness, empathy, and acceptance matter more than outward appearances. A heartwarming, family-friendly read.📚 Buy on Amazon As children, we were familiar with well-known quotes like “knowledge is power” and “books are our best friends.” Back then, reading was a joy, with cartoon books, novels, and comic stories lighting up our... But as we grew older, our tastes evolved. Some of us gravitate toward horror, young adult fiction, fan fictions, mythology, or even anime.

As adults, our quest for reading often shifts toward books that challenge our thinking, expand our understanding, and offer insights that reshape the way we live. Whether it’s discovering new philosophies, understanding human mind and feelings, or learning to master our habits, certain books have the power to transform our perspective. Here are 10 books that will not only change the way you see the world but inspire you to live with purpose, clarity, and resilience. The Alchemist is more than just a novel; it’s a fable about following your dreams and listening to the whispers of your heart. The story of Santiago, a young shepherd searching for treasure, reminds us that the journey to finding our “Personal Legend” is just as valuable as the destination. Coelho’s writing teaches that everything in life is interconnected and that the universe conspires to help us achieve our deepest desires if we are willing to take bold steps toward them.

2. Ikigai : The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia This book by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles is a captivating exploration of the Japanese concept of ikigai—a term that roughly translates to “the reason for being” or the thing that gives your life... The book delves into the wisdom and practices of the people of Okinawa, a region renowned for having the highest population of centenarians in the world, and uncovers the secrets behind their long, happy,... James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a practical guide to understanding how small changes in our habits can lead to remarkable transformations over time. Clear explores the science of habit formation, breaking down how habits work and how we can build systems that align with our long-term goals.

By focusing on making 1% improvements every day, this book teaches how minor adjustments can lead to profound, lasting change. Books have the power to alter how we view the world. Research has shown that reading literary fiction can improve empathy and social cognition. Here are some of the most perspective-shifting books that have affected people's lives and might change yours too: Some books have the power to touch our hearts so deeply that they leave an indelible mark on our souls. These rare gems not only tell a compelling story but also challenge our perceptions and evoke profound emotions.

10 Life-Changing Books So Powerful, You Won’t Be the Same After Reading Them (Picture Credit - Instagram) Seasoned Editor and Author with over a decade of experience in literary journalism, author interviews, and publishing trends. Known for curating impac...View More © 2025 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited Discover both fiction and non-fiction that will leave you forever changed. Some books are there to make us laugh, others to make us fall in love or keep us on the edge of our seats.

But there are some books – although undeniably rare – that can transform the way we think and see the world, forever. Whether it be a memoir of defiance in the face of adversity or characters that we can't forget, here are some of the books that have changed the way we view and experience both... Set in a haunting post-apocalyptic landscape, Juice follows a man and a child, fugitives in a barren desert, as they seek refuge in an abandoned mining site. Though it offers some shelter, they soon realize they’re not as alone as they’d hoped. What unfolds is a brutal, suspense-filled journey that tests the limits of endurance and compassion in a world stripped bare. Tim Winton masterfully captures the fragile balance between survival and humanity, forcing readers to confront what’s left of morality when civilization crumbles and what it means to exist in the face of desolation.

An instantly addictive should-they, shouldn't-they romance set against the backdrop of New York during Trump's first presidential campaign, this book will make you question everything you thought you knew. When Jess first meets Josh at their Ivy League college she dislikes him immediately: an entitled guy in chinos, ready to take over the world. Meanwhile, Jess is almost always the only Black woman in their class. And Josh can’t accept that life might be easier for him because he’s white. But when they end up working for the same investment bank, their tempestuous friendship soon turns into an electrifying romance, forcing Jess to question who she is and what she's willing to compromise for... Books have the power to transform our lives, providing new perspectives, knowledge, and inspiration.

Here are 10 books that changed my life and why you should read them too: This book introduced me to the concept of mindfulness and the importance of living in the present moment. Tolle’s teachings on transcending the mind’s distractions helped me find peace and clarity in everyday life. Clear’s guide on habit formation was a game-changer. The idea that small, consistent actions compound over time to create lasting change has helped me develop better routines and overcome procrastination. This fictional tale of a young shepherd’s quest for treasure is a metaphor for pursuing one’s personal legend.

The lessons of following dreams, overcoming obstacles, and listening to your heart were transformative and motivational. Covey’s principles of proactivity, prioritization, and synergy helped me shift my mindset from reactive to proactive. The book’s focus on character development and personal responsibility changed my approach to both work and relationships. In honor of Literary Hub’s tenth birthday, we asked over 200 authors, editors, booksellers, publishing professionals, and other literary luminaries to weigh in on a few questions about the past, present, and future of... We will be sharing their opinions on various subjects with you over the next weeks, but to start, we’ve collated some of the best answers on one of our favorite questions: what’s the best... NB that “recently,” in this case, meant the last 25 years (we’re long-term thinkers), and that rather than ask respondents to choose the best book published in the last 25 years, we asked them...

Here are some of their responses, which reflect very little consensus—suggesting that books might not be dying in a monotonous, homogeneous heap after all: James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. It’s a perfect novel, and reads like it could have been published this year. –Kelsey McKinney, author and co-owner at Defector Giovanni’s Room. “I stand at the window of this great house in the south of France as night falls, the night which is leading me to the most terrible morning of my life.

I have a drink in my hand, there is a bottle at my elbow. I watch my reflection in the darkening gleam of the window pane. My reflection is tall, perhaps rather like an arrow, my blond hair gleams. My face is like a face you have seen many times. My ancestors conquered a continent, pushing across death-laden plains, until they came to an ocean which faced away from Europe into a darker past.” There are moments in life when a book does more than entertain — it shifts your perspective, challenges your beliefs, and changes how you see the world.

Some books open doors to new ways of thinking, while others provide clarity on struggles you didn’t even know you were facing. Over the years, I’ve come across a handful of such transformative works, and they’ve left an indelible mark on my journey. In this article, I’ll share 10 books that profoundly impacted my perspective on life. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, self-improvement, or simply a good read, these titles offer timeless wisdom and fresh insights. This memoir by Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl is one of the most profound books I’ve ever read. Frankl recounts his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and explores how meaning and purpose kept him alive amidst unimaginable suffering.

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