Must-Reads For 2021
And why these books must be in your reading list this year.
Centuries have passed since the world began, and man has not found the cure to mortality. Men wish to pass their knowledge and experiences to the next generation. Lessons they feel would be invaluable to their offspring. But if a man can not stay alive forever to pass these invaluable life lessons to others, how then can the next generation obtain solutions to immortal problems like disease, poverty, war, depression and many more?
The only way was to document their findings and preserve it. In the early 20th century when an ambitious journalist by the name of Napoleon Hill, met with the great Andrew Carnegie, who was at the time the richest man in the world. Napoleon seeking to get financial help or lessons from the great Andrew was surprised when he was given an unexpected task; he was to interview the richest men in America starting with Henry Ford. And write down the secrets to their wealth and success. Unsure of what the result will be, Napoleon went ahead and did as he was told. The result today produced the famous self-help book “Think And Grow Rich”, which has sold over 18 million copies. Despite those millionaires with the likes of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Theodore Roosevelt and Andrew Carnegie, whom he interviewed are no more today, but their knowledge, wisdom and principles lives on through written materials.
Today, nearly almost every millionaire credits and recommend Think And Grow Rich as the go-to handbook for personal and financial growth. That proves the point that reading books are a vital and key element to changing one's life. The problem usually isn’t the presence of obstacles, but the absence of knowledge. I have come to realize that there are no mountains in life; one's ignorance is one's mountain.
Books are a great way to learn. Reading a single book can save you years of mistakes and errors in your life. Though certain books are more powerful and more effective than others, there’s always something to learn from every book. Today I will share with you books that creates instant mind shifts, opens one's understanding and make them see things totally differently. Let’s get started!
As a Man Thinketh — James Allen
There’s no better book than un-blinds a man from failing to take personal responsibility for his life as this book by James Allen. Centred around making you aware that your life is your creation. Your happiness and unhappiness are simply products of your own creative power. What you experience in life you have wrought by your own ignorance. And man will continue to reap the bitterness of his own vineyard until he becomes aware that he is not a victim but the master. And only him alone has the power to change his life. He went further to point out that “Man is eager and willing to change their circumstances, but are unwilling to change themselves. You don’t get what you want out of life, you get what you are. I recommend this book strongly for anyone and everyone who has a dependent mindset. A mindset of blaming everything without, rather than within.
The Untethered Soul — Michael A. Singer
The teachings of the Sages, Buddha and many spiritualists have never been intellectually, practically explained in a conversational style as done by Michael Singer. This is the best go-to book if you need to completely grasp the true knowledge of who you are. This book points out plainly the mystery teachings of Christ. Who are you really? Are you the never-ceasing chattering voice in your head? Who is he that hears the voice? What is consciousness? Can one truly gain true peace as the Buddhist teaches? The book basically teaches how to get unattached to things, memories and experiences to become the untethered soul. One big take from this book is that you are not your experiences, your emotions and feelings; you are the one who is aware.
48 Laws Of Power — Robert Greene
The universe is governed by laws. Physical laws like gravity are not the only laws that govern our world. Man is able to possess powers: influences on others as Robert Greene puts it. In order to truly wield this power successfully, you must understand it’s laws. But most importantly you should know these laws not to fall a victim to human manipulations. These laws as you will find out are used every day in our daily lives. In marriages, between husbands and wives. In family between parents and children. In society between people in power and their subordinates. In businesses to win negotiations and trades. In politics, we see these clashes of power even more. Robert Greene believes just like the Bible said; that the thoughts of man are continually evil. Always seeking for ways to outdo his neighbour. This book will open the stinky side of human nature and help you to arm yourself not to be manipulated and deceived by wolves in sheep clothing.
The Richest Man In Babylon — George Clayson
Written in the contemporary city of Babylon. George Clayson gave a fascinating insight into the wealth and lifestyle of the most wealthy men of Babylon. It showed a sharp contrast between the rich and the poor. Using lovely crafted stories, he took us back in time to see and learn from the ancient men of Babylon how to create wealth and gain financial freedom. Financial independence firstly is achievable by any man who wishes to become financially successful. He went further to point out that luck is not part of the equation, but is created for and by oneself. George Clayson clearly listed the golden laws of money and step by step process to getting out of debt and gaining the financial success you seek. I recommend this book for anyone who wishes to understand the laws of money and how to apply them.
Man’s Search For Meaning — Victor E Frankl
Victor Frankl was a psychiatrist and survivor of the Holocaust during Hitlers infamous quest to conquer the world and destroy the Jews. In this book, he gave graphical accounts of life in the concentration camps, of how man was reduced to nothing but flesh on a bone. During the seven years period of his life in the concentration camp, he contemplated the meaning and purpose of life. Was life just about suffering? What will it take for man to survive the harshest of conditions? The author went further to stress out that even in the face of pain and hopelessness, one must find meaning in their suffering in order to survive. Just as life has meaning, so does death. From the meaning of pain maybe there did joy find it’s purpose. I have read this book many times and each time feels like the first time. If you seek a deeper meaning of life, this is a book I’d recommend.
Final Thoughts
Being a reading addict I’ve come to find the words of Albert Einstein to be true;
“What we know is like a teaspoon and what we don’t know is like the ocean”
The more I gain knowledge the more I realize I know nothing. And the more I want to know more. You don’t have to be an addicted reader — just be a reader. You don’t need to read 300 books in one year, just read 10 books in one year. But I urge you to get the information. You need it to change your life. We learn for two basic reasons; To maximize our potential, and to keep from getting hurt. I encourage you today to be a student of life.
