5 Books Everyone Should Read at least once a Year
Books are probably the greatest invention of Man. Age after age, their influence on Society has never abated. They allow the sharing of ideas between people in totally different geographical locations, social classes and even generations. They are an excellent storage of Wisdom and Information. It is beyond argument that if anyone wants to get ahead they have to love books. I wrote on the benefits and importance of reading books as a habit here.
There are those books that are relevant to a particular situation or transition in your life, and are not necessarily relevant anywhere else. There are those, however, that seem to evergreen, and speak to everyone and every situation. The Wisdom they give is as good and new as today.
For me, five books really stand out, whether you are an Entrepreneur, a Clergyman, Designer, Sportsman, Politician, whatever your vocation, this handful of books will most definitely find place in your life. They are not high-sounding, but have improved the lives of a great many people. I love them and recommend them highly.
1. The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo
Arguably one of the most enchanting personal success books out there now. It teaches principle from a captivating storyline. If you are doing a marathon read, it is a book that you could finish in a day or two, just 80 pages, or at most in a week depending on how much time you devote to reading.
It really strikes a chord as it relates to a story that's very close to the script of life that everyone has. It is a story about achieving your highest dreams, becoming that which is within you to be. Taking us back to the medieval times Spain and Tunisia and Egypt and the travels of Santiago the young man in search of his destiny and treasure.
It's a book that rekindles the flame of personal achievement in every heart. It makes your search your heart again, make you believe that that passion you carry has a place in reality. It was written in such a way that it raises your emotions and passion to accomplish your deepest desires whilst entertaining you as you read as well. I would love to say a lot about this book but, I'd rather leave the book to work its magic on you. I guarantee it, this book will not fail to change your thought stream.
2. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
Ok, Ok, this is not a book on Sales for Salespeople or about Salespeople, its a book on Life. It's one of those old books that have really stood the test of time. It was first published in 1968, and has been on bestsellers charts since, selling over a thousand copies each month. It may be an "old" book bu it's wisdom is as new as and applicable as today.
It has three distinct positives:
1. It first reads like a novel, an interesting and engaging one. So it sucks you in and stimulates your imagination as you follow the course of the story. Like the Alchemist, it's quite entertaining.
2. The main concepts are independent. The main course of the book are the 10 scrolls that Hafied the would be Greatest Salesman in the World was given to guide him in his journeys and quest for a meaningful and successful life. Each scroll gives you a distinct nugget that is not at all linked to any other. It then allows for a person looking to boost a particular area of their life seamlessly. For example if it's Time-Management and Procrastination you wish to improve, you would then jump to scroll number 7 "I Will Act Now!", my favourite chapter!
3. Though written half a decade ago, it's language allows easy reading and comprehension. You want to read a book that you can easily follow without cracking your head to figure out what it is that the author was trying to say. Cpmrehension and Clarity are the hallmark of every good book.
It is quite inspiring, straightforward and an easy read for anyone, even those with hectic or crammed schedules. A lot many people easily fall in love with it from the word go.
3. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Another pleasurable read! This book really helped me in my personal finances. It has a soft but resolute feel to it. At first you are captured by the story, you are kept in a suspense until you meet Akard, The Richest Man in Babylon then from there, the action begins. It's a book based on the historical truths about the principles of wealth creation that made Babylon the richest City of its time. I really loved the intriguing letters archaeologists found in the Babylonian ruins of how trade was done.
If you want to learn personal finance in simple, uncluttered and understandable way this book could just be the answer you seek. It makes the idea of financial prosperity so clear without giving your the often intimidating jargon that we
4. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
This is one of those masterpieces that have really found their way into the hearts of many men and women over the past century. Originally published in 1903 it became a runaway bestseller and even after James Allen wrote a dozen other books on the power of our thinking and personal achievement, As A Man Thinketh, has by far been the mot popular of his works. The Author, James Allen was pioneer of the wave of "The Power of Thought and Mind". No book unveils and presents this subject of the Mind and The Law of Attraction most clearly and with such subtle power than this one. No person I ever recommended it to was disappointed. It has a way of unearthing certain mysteries about our everyday life that you'd wonder at the simplicity in which such deep knowledge is presented.This book has personally helped me, I can trace much success to this book. As you read it, you will surely come across many of those "aha" moments that make a book great. It explains how the thoughts we think have a bearing on our Life and Destiny. He explains that our Thoughts are the fountain of all our Action, and our Actions are the molder of our Character and Character being the fabric that determines our lifestyles and eventually, our Destiny. In short, this is a very enlightening book indeed.
5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Lets face it. The most rampant societal problem we have is not crime or even terrorism, it is poverty. Poverty (and Wealth) is not just a function of money as many believe, its a function of knowledge. The fact that the book written by a not-even-known guy went on to top bestsellers charts, says a lot about it...it has substance.
Rich Dad Poor Dad succeeded because of its unorthodox approach to the issue of personal finances. It somewhat rubbishes the commonly accepted idea "go to school, get good grades and have a great life." It explains that Financial Education is the single most important thing that our educational systems and societies have not addressed.
Kiyosaki shows how his biological father (Poor Dad), a well educated man, with a good job struggled from paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, his other Dad (his friend's Dad- Rich Dad) had a very average academic record but owned businesses and was quite successful financially. He learnt that financial success is never determined by the job one has, or by the level of academic excellence which one attains, but how much you know and understand about finance and how Money works and grows...all else is secondary. It challenges the bulk of the myths on money that we have held for a long time.
These books really answered a lot of questions and struggles that I had in my life. Now that I have come across them, I have significantly improved and am continuing as I go.
Remember,
"The person who does not read has no advantage over the person who can't read."
