15 Life-Changing Books to Read in 2025

Almost all self-help books share similar ideas, but since they’re written by different authors, you might connect with the examples and situations differently.

So, let’s dive into some must-read books covering self-help, personal finance, time management, work management, spirituality, and even biographies.

In short, read these 15 books, and you might never need to pick up another one.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

James Clear’s Atomic Habits has truly changed my life. It taught me a lot about how my brain works and why I behave the way I do.

The book emphasizes focusing on tiny habits. For example, if you want to build a reading habit, start by reading for just 5 minutes a day. Five minutes may seem small, but when you stick to it daily for a year, you’ll see the bigger impact it creates.

The key lesson is: if you want to build new habits—whether it’s exercising, reading, writing, or anything else—start small and focus on the process, not the results.

I highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear. It will teach you so much about your behavior and how to make lasting changes in your life.

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money isn’t about where to invest your money. Instead, it focuses on understanding how your brain thinks about money and your relationship with it.

It’s an eye-opening book for personal finance.

One key takeaway is that you should never judge someone for their financial decisions, like buying a smartphone on EMI or taking a loan for a house. You don’t know their situation or reasoning.

For instance, some person buys lottery ticket hoping to win big. You might see it as a waste to spend $500 or ₹10,000 on a ticket, but for them, it’s a symbol of hope.

ReWork by David and Jason

I’ve read many books on work management, but none compare to ReWork by David Heinemeier Hansson and Jason Fried.

If you’re someone working 8 hours a day—whether on your business or at a job—this book is worth your time. It provides a clear perspective on how to spend your time wisely and focus on what truly matters.

One of the standout lessons from the book is learning how to say NO to almost everything so you can focus on your most important tasks.

The key takeaway for me was, “how to copy someone’s homework.” The authors emphasize that it’s okay to take inspiration from someone else’s business—as long as you do it better, far better.

If you’re in school, recently graduated, or feel stuck in your work, ReWork is a must-read. It will change how you approach work and productivity.

The Courage To Be Disliked by Fumitake and Ichiro

This book is written in question-and-answer format that makes it engaging and fun to read.

As the title suggests, it’s a self-help book that helps you understand why people think the way they do about others.

One key takeaway for me was this: “Don’t expect anything from anyone.” Sounds simple, right? If you stop expecting, you won’t feel disappointed or unhappy.

Of course, it’s not easy to apply in real life, but once you embrace this mindset, you’ll find yourself complaining less and appreciating more.

This book is packed with wisdom about life. If you’re looking to pick just one self-help book to read, make it The Courage to Be Disliked.

Tools of Titan by Timothy Ferriss

Tools of Titans is like a library of wisdom from some of the most successful people in the world. Timothy Ferriss interviewed many high achievers on his podcast, and all those interviews are compiled into this book.

It’s not your typical book where you have to read it all at once. Instead, you can take it slow—read just one chapter a day.

You’ll learn so much about business, life, money, and even relationships.

This book is a must-read because it’s always better to learn from someone else’s mistakes than to repeat the same ones yourself.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

This is the book where I learned how to invest and save money. Robert T. Kiyosaki has taught me so much about managing finances, and I hope it does the same for you.

The book begins with the story of a Rich Dad and a Poor Dad. Let me quickly explain:

The Poor Dad worked hard all his life and got a steady job, but he didn’t manage his money well. Every time he got his salary, he spent it on things like a new TV or other unnecessary stuff, and the cycle repeated. He never saved or invested.

On the other hand, the Rich Dad focused on his needs and avoided spending on unnecessary things. He invested his money wisely and tracked his expenses. As an entrepreneur, he understood where and how to spend, which helped him build wealth over time.

The key difference was that the Rich Dad knew the importance of managing money and understanding the difference between needs and wants.

Both dads teach you important lessons about money, and this book helps you see those lessons clearly.

Make sure to read it because it’s always worth learning about something you work so hard for—your money.

The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson

If you’ve never heard of Naval Ravikant, make sure you watch his podcast and read The Almanack of Naval.

This isn’t an autobiography of Naval, but a collection of his wisdom shared on Twitter, YouTube, and various other platforms.

Naval believes that everyone on earth can get rich, and he even provides a roadmap for it.

In short, read this book and dive into Naval Ravikant’s brain to understand his thought process.

Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

Viktor E. Frankl was a psychiatrist who spent part of his life in a Nazi camp, and he shares his experience in Man’s Search for Meaning.

What he writes in the book is beyond imagination. You’ll learn about what humans can endure to protect themselves and their families, as well as the behaviors of different people in extreme situations.

I’ve also read Eddie Jaku’s story in The Happiest Man on Earth, where he talks about surviving World War II.

When you read about the World Wars, you always question why people do these things. The earth is such a beautiful place, and we should all try to make it better, but humans often don’t learn from their own mistakes.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” So try to be a better person every day.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Imagine you get the news that you only have two days left to live. What would you do in those two days?

If I were in your place, I wouldn’t think about money, TV shows I wanted to watch, or even check social media. The only thing I would focus on is spending time with the people I love the most.

In the end, that’s what truly matters.

Morrie Schwartz shares a similar message in his book. Why wait until your deathbed to spend time with the people you care about? Why not do it now?

When Morrie realized that his time was limited, he chose to make the most of it. His story is a powerful reminder of how we should prioritize our loved ones.

This book will make you reflect on your own life and how you spend time with family. Make sure you read it and apply the lessons in your life, treating others with kindness along the way.

Give and Take by Adam Grant

It’s a small book, but it provides a clear path to becoming a better human. The author, Adam Grant, talks about Takers, Givers, and Matchers.

Takers are people who only care about themselves. If they want something, they will come to you, charm you, take what they need, and leave without giving anything in return. They make promises, but rarely keep them.

Matchers are people who try to keep things equal. If you give them a gift on their birthday, they will feel compelled to give you one in return.

Givers are people who help others without expecting anything in return. They give selflessly and make the world a better place.

Adam Grant encourages us to be Givers. He backs this up with well-researched data on Takers, Givers, and Matchers, which will open your eyes and help you see people differently.

So make sure you read this book and understand why the world needs more Givers. As Sandeep Maheshwari says, “If you have more than you need, simply share it with those who need it most.”

Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

Have you ever wondered why we sleep, and why we feel tired if we don’t get enough sleep? Matthew Walker answers all of these questions in his book Why We Sleep.

It’s a well-researched book that clearly explains why humans need 8 hours of sleep and what can happen in the long run if we don’t get enough sleep.

I believe every person on this earth should read this book because we spend half of our time sleeping. It’s important to understand why sleep is so essential.

My advice would be to read only 1 chapter a day and don’t rush through the book in a week.

The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson

This book gives powerful advice: don’t care about what others think and do whatever you enjoy doing. If you fail, you’ll only blame yourself and move on. But if you do something just to please someone else, you’ll end up playing the blame game for the rest of your life.

Yes, it’s a self-help book, but it’s brutally honest. It tells you the harsh truths about life, which might challenge your ego or even make you rethink your mindset.

Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

Procrastination is something we all face. You want to do something but end up saying no to yourself and pushing it to the next day. It could be exercising, reading, or any task, and you find an excuse just because you don’t feel like doing it.

Brian Tracy solves this problem in Eat That Frog. He shares practical solutions to overcoming procrastination that truly work if you apply them in your life.

The book is short and can be finished in a day, so take the time to read it. It will help you stop delaying things and get things done today.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I won’t say much about this book because it’s something every single person should read. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has a beautiful story, and after reading it, you’ll fall in love with the author.

The book is about following your dreams and the journey that comes with them. It teaches powerful lessons about pursuing what truly matters in life.

The Intelligent Investor By Benjamin Graham

The Intelligent Investor focuses more on value investing rather than chasing hype or selling stocks in just one or two years. Benjamin Graham, the author, teaches you how to pick stocks and avoid common mistakes in the stock market.

This book is geared towards beginner investors, not advanced ones.

The core idea is simple: enter the stock market only if you’re willing to invest for at least 7 years. Otherwise, you’re more of a trader who reacts to the news.

Some ideas in the book might feel outdated to some readers, but overall, it remains a timeless guide to stock market investing.

Final Thoughts

You’ve probably heard the saying, “so many books, so little time.” As true as it is, you can’t read every book out there, so it’s important to pick the right ones. That’s exactly what I’ve done for you here.

If you haven’t read some of the books mentioned, I highly recommend you do. And if you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to leave a comment.

Happy reading!

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