Timeless Books to Read and That you Will Love
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Don’t know what are the best books to read that are easy and worthwhile? This is a list of favorite books to read or re-read because their positive effect on your life is timeless!
2022 was a year of new beginnings for me. One of them was to rekindle my love for reading good books, even if I had little time to foster this beautiful hobby and habit of reading.
Nothing fancy or super new in this list of book recommendations, but a more powerful list non the less.
My reading list consisted of true stories that relate to my reality and desire to be happy and connect with people, this is a list of books that meet those criteria.
These books are full of stories that give examples of hope and resilience as well as the ability to heal or improve relationships. They are well-seasoned, I don’t think I have a new book on the list.
This is not a list of best fiction books, literary fiction, historical fiction, or anything fiction related. It seems like last year I was craving to read the true biographical stories that I have always liked and enjoyed.
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Inspiring Biographies
1. “The Choice” by Dr. Edith Eger
This book is written by a survivor of the Holocaust, a Doctor in psychology, a wife, and a mother. It tells us that healing of trauma is not only possible but necessary! By the way, if you know any young woman who likes ballet, this would be a great gift 🙂 You will find out why if you read it!
Here is a snippet from “The Choice” by Dr. Eger:
“Trauma happens to us, our loved ones, and our neighbors. It happens everywhere, in every culture, and at every socioeconomic level. But so does resilience. When we harness the power of the mind, we can transform our suffering into an opportunity for growth. When we choose to confront the past face our fears and cultivate forgiveness, we can move forward with purpose and joy.”
This message is as powerful today as when it was written.
2. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl
Ok I know, this book is like a classic. If you have not read it yet give yourself a chance to learn from the best on how to find that meaning in life that you may be looking for.
Here is a snippet from “Man’s Search for Meaning”:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Victor Franckl is another author who survive the Holocaust and had a “master class” on the meaning of life by finding a way to survive the horrors of the war and the encampments as well as the loss of his beloved wife, among many other meaningful relationships and things in his life that he lost.
I read this book for the first time in the early days of my undergrad schooling in Psychology, and it certainly inspired me as it has millions of people.
3. “The Road of Lost Innocence” by Somaly Mam
This is a true story of a survivor of human trafficking. One of my favorite books, but also one of the most difficult reads of my life. It made me open my eyes to the suffering that women go through in some countries. What came out of all that suffering in her story is beautiful and redeeming.
Here is a snippet for “The Road of Lost Innocence”:
“The past was always with me, always within reach, waiting to consume me. I couldn’t erase it, couldn’t forget it, couldn’t run away from it. But I could face it. I could acknowledge what had happened to me and try to understand it. and in doing so, I could begin to heal.”
It is indeed a powerful testimony of the desire for healing after trauma.
Books with More Invaluable Life Lessons
4. “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom
I like this book because it’s full of profound reflections about life and death matters, but at the same time, it takes a look at one men’s ability to keep loving and connecting while suffering.
Here is a snippet from “Tuesdays with Morrie”:
“The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”
The transforming qualities of Morrie’s life dying a painful death from having ALS, changed the lives of many other men and women who encounter his story while he was still alive and after his death.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to those who might be struggling with life’s inevitable suffering.
5. “Coached by Joan of Arc” by Alexandre Havard. This was a short but sweet book about holiness and how to become a woman warrior in the 21st Century, perhaps in the most authentic way possible.
Here is a snippet from “Coached by Joan of Arc”:
“To be a coach means to be a servant of others. To lead others, to accompany them, to encourage them, and to help them achieve their goals. this is what Joan of Arc did for her country and her king. She saw the potential in others and helped them to realize it.”
This book comes with reflection questions at the end of each chapter, it is the best gift for your women and perhaps to read it in a small reading group.
Also Read: HOW TO READ MORE WITH THESE 9 EFFECTIVE TIPS
How to Heal Trauma (Practical Guides)
6. “How to Make Good Things Happen: Know Your Brain, Enhance Your Life” by Marian Rojas Estape. One of my favorite reads so far, it’s filled with true stories and teachings about healing trauma and achieving the dream of a more balanced life.
Here is a snippet of “How to Make Good Things Happen: Know Your Brain, Enhance Your Life”:
“We are not mere spectators of our own lives, but rather active creators of our destiny. We can shape our brains and transform our habits, and by doing so, we can change our lives. This book is a guide to understanding how our brains work and how we can use this knowledge to live happier, more meaningful lives.”
This book is truly a bible for Psychotherapists as well as a very practical guide for every individual looking to understand how to improve their lives in a very tangible way, as well as the great power of our minds.
This is one of Dr. Estape latest books, I am sure I will be reading more from her in the near future.
7. “Getting Past Your Past” by Francis Shapiro. I devoured this book. I consider EMDR the best modality of psychotherapy to heal trauma, and this book explains a lot about that healing process with true stories.
Here is a snippet for “Getting Past Your Past”:
“Most of us have experienced traumatic events that have shaped our lives in profound ways. But trauma doesn’t have to define us. With EMDR therapy, we can reprocess traumatic memories and release the emotional hold they have on us. By doing so we can free ourselves from the past and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.”
I am starting to see a pattern on this list for my reads, somehow I managed to include a lot about healing trauma! But I believe we are all victims of some type of trauma in our lives, and thankfully we have access to a lot of information on how to start our own healing journey.
Spiritual and Entertaining Books
8. “Pope Francis: Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio: His Life in His Own Words” by Sergio Rubin and Francesca Ambrogetti. I’ve read a couple of books from interviews made with Pope Francis, but this one was by far the best. It helps you understand his background and what he is about. It has pictures from his youth, which was a wonderful plus, and a great choice to get to know Pope Francis.
Here is a snippet from “Pope Francis: Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio: His Life in His Own Words”:
“I have always thought that the essence of the Church is mercy. It is a sign that God is present in the world. And mercy is the attribute that attracts people to the Church. We must never forget this. We must always be a Church that is welcoming, that knows how to forgive, that knows how to open its arms to those who are suffering.”
Do yourself a favor and get to know this enigmatic figure of our times by reading this interview book.
The Best Book for Parenting Tips
9. “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting” by Dr. Laura Markham. This book is a gem for us parents. If you are struggling like me as a new parent or as a seasoned one, you need to gift this treasure to you and your children.
Here is a snippet from “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting”:
“Yelling may get your child to comply at the moment but it damages your relationship and sets the stage for more power struggles in the future. Instead, focus on building a strong connection with your child, and you’ll find that discipline comes naturally. When your child feels heard, understood, and valued, they are more likely to cooperate and behave in positive ways.”
I use this book as a reference in my parenting skills and daily life as a reminder of how much impact my attitude and decisions affect my child during our interactions. Highly recommend it!
Final Words about What To Read
That is it, I hope this list is full of interesting books to read for you. While I am not big on science fiction or horror stories about serial killers, I can tell you that my list will inspire you.
The main characters in each of these books are real people like you and me, and each of them has a profound impact on their readers.
My goal was one book per month, but I’m happy that I was able to read as much as I did and that these books fell on my lap or my Kindle.
If you are jump-starting your reading habit you don’t have to read the speed of light to complete the 100+ list of books by celebrities like Oprah.
- Read at your own pace and rhythm.
- Enjoy what you enjoy and be at peace with what you can accomplish.
Maybe I will add other categories in the future but let me know what are the best nonfiction books, debut novels, or romance novels. One novel that I would love to read for the first time is “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. We will find out if I get to it as I think that is one that oftentimes comes up in book clubs and one of many perfect choices when talking about classic literature.
Happy reading and thank you for visiting the magazine!
