Hi everyone,
I’m currently looking for a relatively short book that has the potential to genuinely change the way I think or see life.
It doesn’t have to be a self-help book specifically, it could be fiction or non-fiction — as long as it leaves a strong impact. I’m hoping for something not too long, but powerful enough to shift perspective or inspire personal growth.
What short book had a big impact on you?
Would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks in advance!
(Wow, I didn’t expect so many great recommendations. Thank you all so much, I really appreciate it!)
by Legitimate_Poem8432
25 Comments
The power of repetition
__El profeta de Khalil Gibran
__Siddartha, El juego de abalorios, Demian de Herman Hesse
Not sure if it had the same effect for anyone else, but John William’s Stoner did a lot for me
Notes from Underground by Dostoevsky
“The best overture for existentialism ever written.”
Be careful what you wished for…
I recommend Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
The last part gets a bit dense, so it helps if you read it while connecting it to different philosophical ideas or schools of thought.
The alchemist
*The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements* by Eric Hoffer.
Meditations
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, short but such a powerful story that makes you think about the challenges of doing the right thing, a moral lesson that stayscwith you. Convenience Store Woman by Sakura Murata is also lifechanging, as the main character’s struggle to seem normal exposes how weird normal actually is.
idk if its what youre looking for, but the life changing magic of tidying up by marie kondo genuinely changed how i look at consumption and what kind of stuff is/isnt worth keeping or even buying. i have been trying to buy less useless shit in general and this book helped change my mindset abt. also it obviously helped me throw out a ton of shit and keep my home relatively tidy lol
A Psalm for the Wild Built. It’s a short, compassionate book that is a bit like a cup of tea with a good friend. You deserve a respite, and this book is that.
The four agreements
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck.
The Rainfall Market- translated Japanese story about a teen seeking a new life via magical means.
“Night” by Elie Wiesel.
Balcony People
Illusions by Richard Bach
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Stoner by John Williams
The Moon and Sixpence by W. S. Maugham
Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment by George Leonard
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Don’t know how short you are looking for, but on the shorter side, I would suggest Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye.”
Not mentioned much, but perhaps Jonathan LIvingston Seagull by Richard Bach. I see Illusions was mentioned above, which I haven’t read.
Tuesdays with Morrie
How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis. Very short book with good pep talks and framework shifting for those who struggle to care for themselves or their homes due to mental health, ADHD, etc. It is so good and supportive.
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant. Idk if you’d consider it short though like many recs here. It’s close to 300 pages. It’s a great audiobook though and will inspire you.