20 Life-Changing Books That Shape Your Thinking

Tomas Laurinavicius
January 22, 2024

Over the last 3 years, I read more than 100 books. It has changed my life.

I used to read very little in school. Once I discovered the business and self-help genre I started devouring books.

It’s incredible how one book can change your perspective on life.

But how do you find time to read?

I’m glad you asked.

I wrote an article on why you should read every day and how to do it.

If you’re an avid reader, check my detailed review of the best eBook subscriptions.

The Most Life-Changing Books

If you can’t find time to read, the best way is to listen to audiobooks while commuting, working out or cooking.

👍 With Amazon’s Audible you get 2 audiobooks for free. You can listen online or offline. You get to keep your audiobooks even if you cancel.

Here are my top 20 books that will change your life. Read them to shape your thinking and improve your lifestyle.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I recommend this book to everyone who has dreams of living an adventure. Because life is an adventure. It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.

Mindset by Carol Dweck

There are two mindsets. Fixed mindset and growth mindset. This book will open the whole new world for your growth potential.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

I never understood how wealth worked. This book completely changed the way I think about money and creating wealth.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Whether you like people or not you have to learn how to become more influential to live a better life and build a meaningful business.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

You are a miracle. You already have everything you need. You already are everything you want to be and this book will show you how to fight your ego to become more content and present.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

This book about humankind completely changed the way I understand life and all the stories that keep it together.

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Without an effective morning routine, you are betting on your life instead of taking control of it and focusing on things that matter.

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

If you have a reason, you’ll find a way. If the reason is not something you believe in, you will find an excuse. A great book to help you design a purpose-driven life and business.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

No matter what you do in life you have to communicate with people. Being able to express yourself clearly and communicate effectively will reward you more than any other skill.

Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson

You know something that other people want to learn. This book shows how to build a business out of your expertise.

The Millionaire Fastlane by M. J. DeMarco

Creating wealth fast is possible. It’s not easy but simple if you follow certain rules and detach yourself from distractions and quick wins.

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

The only way to build more wealth, do more and live more is to do ten times more than you are doing now. Simple principle bringing noticeable change to your life.

Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley

You don’t have to struggle to get clients and customers for your business. There’s a way to sell your products and services before they are available and this book shows you how.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Humans are survivors. But only humans who have a purpose survive the longest. This book will make you stop complaining about the things that don’t matter.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Life is simple unless you make it difficult. There are many things in life you don’t need to pay attention to and this book shows you how to do it.

The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner

Living a long and meaningful life is the goal. But how do you keep living and not just existing when you get old? This book explores five zones in the world where people forget to die.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

The rapid technological advancement improved our lives exponentially but at the same time transformed our psychology and got us hooked on all sorts of stimulus. The only way to regain the freedom is to do deep work. This book shows you how.

Principles by Ray Dalio

Life is what you make of it. There are certain situations in life that repeat over and over again and don’t need complex solutions. Developing your set of principles can help you navigate through life when you are faced with “another one of those” decisions to make.

Essentialism by Greg Mckeown

You can move very fast and have a life of your dreams if you become an essentialist and are willing to pay the price of choosing.

Do the Work by Steven Pressfield

The only way to fulfillment and meaningful life work is doing the work. No one can do your work for you because it’s not only about the end result. It’s fighting the resistance, it’s combating your inner demons, it’s showing up and doing the work, day in and day out. Only you can do it.

Follow Your Curiosity

You become better by expanding your mind and acquiring new knowledge. It lets you form your opinion and worldview.

This list contains books that changed my life and allowed me to see the world in many different ways. It provided me different perspectives. The goal is not to live like someone. You must find a lifestyle and work that only you can do in a meaningful and fulfilling way.

The ideas in these books allowed me to see myself and the world the way it is. The stories provided me principles and foundations and taught me to ask better questions. Other than that, it made me more knowledgeable, confident, open-minded and interesting person.

Seeking knowledge and understanding things you never understood is the most exciting thing in the world.

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The more you read the more curious you become.

Tomas Laurinavicius

Hi! I'm Tomas. I'm a founder, marketer, designer, and writer from Lithuania, now happily living in Alicante, Spain. I'm a marketing advisor at Devsolutely and a partner at Craftled, building Best Writing and Marketful, among other useful products.