Books That Will Change Your Life

Whether or not you consider yourself an artist, Julia Cameron thinks you have innate creative ability. Her book The Artist’s Way is a renowned step-by-step guide to recovering your inner artist. Readers without grand aspirations can still benefit from emptying the mind with morning pages and scheduling deliberately fun “artist dates.”

Rilke wrote ten letters to 19-year-old Franz Xaver Kappus, a cadet in military school. Each letter gives the young man some insight into how to engage with art, how to write poetry, and how to feel and experience the world. Readers who don’t write poetry will still gain inspiration from this intimate, expansive collection.

Pollan’s most famous work has arguably changed many people’s lives by making readers think more deeply about their food. At a time in history when first world consumers have more options than ever before, people are rethinking their relationships with their plates. Pollan’s deep research on food choices will help you eat more consciously.

This collection of beautifully written advice letters from Strayed’s “Dear Sugar” column in the Rumpus will answer your secret questions about life. Strayed’s style of part-memoir, part honest empathy with her readers, is sure to touch your heart. If you loved Wild, you’ll want to read Tiny Beautiful Things.

Anne Lamott is another writer whose words brim with empathy and hope. Small Victories is a collection of essays in which the author meditates on friendship, life, and love. She celebrates the victories we have over our own hardships, however small they might seem, because they do change us. A comforting read for those working through difficulty.

If you need a dose of courage in your life right now, Daring Greatly will inspire you to take risks. Researcher Dr. Brené Brown asks readers to embrace their own vulnerabilities and imperfections so that they might live more wholeheartedly. She argues that vulnerability is actually the best path to courage, using twelve years of research for support.

Thoreau’s famous reflection on simple living just might change your life if you find that you share his love of the natural world. Part introspection, part comment on society, this is a classic for anyone’s collection. Allow yourself to contemplate the role of the individual in society through Thoreau’s immortal words.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s upcoming book doesn’t hit shelves until September 22, but it’s worth a pre-order. She lets readers in on all of her creative strategies, explains her belief that ideas find people who will create them, and encourages readers to make their own magic. This is an inspiring read for anyone looking to spark creativity or make a leap of faith into the unknown.

What does it mean to live deeply? Anna Quindlen tackles this question in a tiny book on creating a meaningful life with the short time we have. With candid wisdom, she counsels her readers to pay attention to the small moments, and to make the most of their time on Earth. An excellent gift book for those seeking inspiration.