New year, new you, and so many new books to read. So, I’ve been clearing out my TBR and I’ve come across 7 Books that I think everyone should read. So, are you ready to add some new titles to your reading list?

The World’s Religions by Huston Smith

Even though I was born a Buddhist, I found it fascinating that there are so many different religions in the world. And I kind of felt like you could be born into anything depending on your parents or countries.

For example, someone born in the United States may have a different religion than someone born in China, Cambodia, South Africa, or anywhere else in the world. So I wanted to learn about the different religions in the world.

This book takes the reader on a journey through the religions of the world, starting with Hinduism and Buddhism in India, moving on to the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and ending with the indigenous religions of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Each chapter focuses on a specific religion and delves into its history, beliefs, and practices.

I think this book helped me gain a lot of perspective about different countries, and different cultures, and also realize that in a lot of ways, a lot of religions are a lot more similar than what you might think.

The book is a little bit more of a dry read and it does sort of feel like a textbook. But still, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

This book will make you feel like a time traveler. It’s a wild ride that takes you through the journey of the evolution of the human race since the ages, and it’s absolutely fascinating.

The book is divided into four parts, each exploring a different era of human history.

The first part, “The Cognitive Revolution,” looks at the emergence of Homo sapiens and the development of language, culture, and religion.

The second part, “The Agricultural Revolution,” examines the impact of farming on human societies.

The third part, “The Unification of Humankind,” looks at how humans have come together to create global civilizations.

The final part, “The Scientific Revolution,” examines how science has transformed the world in recent centuries.

Sapiens is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of humanity and the world around us and the book will challenge you to think deeply about the nature of our species and our place in the world.

Some Quotes from the book

You could never convince a monkey to give you a banana by promising him limitless bananas after death in monkey heaven.

History is something that very few people have been doing while everyone else was plowing fields and carrying water buckets.

This is the essence of the Agricultural Revolution: the ability to keep more people alive under worse conditions.

Is there anything more dangerous than dissatisfied and irresponsible gods who don’t know what they want?

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

‘Siddhartha’ is a quest for the meaning of life, for peace, for Enlightenment. In very simple terms, this is a story about a man trying to understand himself.

It is a simply told yet very complex and moving story of a man – from boyhood to the zenith of Enlightenment.

The novel seems to say that you must experience the bad along with the good to attain Enlightenment. It’s like the idea that you are not either good or bad. You are you.

If you are depressed or going through some sort of life or identity crisis, if you’re trying to figure out the meaning of your life, if you’re grieving, or if you just went through a breakup, this would be a good time to start reading Siddharta.

Also, for anybody who’s into Buddhism or if you’re just into folklore mythology, then this book is a must-read.

Read the complete Book review of Siddhartha – a quest for the meaning of life

Some Quotes from the book

 Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else

 I had to experience despair, I had to sink to the greatest mental depths, to thoughts of suicide, in order to experience grace.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

“The Alchemist” is a timeless masterpiece beautifully wrapped in a Philosophical story.

The novel follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd boy from Andalusia, who sets out to find a treasure after having a dream.

The Alchemist explores the themes of self-discovery, following one’s dreams, and the importance of listening to one’s heart. Santiago’s journey teaches us that we all have a purpose in life, and it is up to us to pursue it with passion and determination.

It is a book that encourages us to believe in ourselves, follow our hearts, and never give up on our dreams.

Some Quotes from the book

It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.

Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.

The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant

Naval Ravikant, entrepreneur, investor, and philosopher, has been called the modern-day Marcus Aurelius. His ideas on wealth, happiness, and life have inspired millions of people around the world. In his book, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, he shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics, from wealth creation to relationships, from health to spirituality.

The book is a collection of Naval’s tweets, podcast interviews, and essays, organized into themes such as “Wealth and Money,” “Happiness and Fulfillment,” and “Love and Relationships.” The book’s structure makes it easy to read and digest, as each chapter covers a specific topic and is filled with short, bite-sized nuggets of wisdom.

Some Quotes from the book

The three big ones in life are wealth, health, and happiness. We pursue them in that order, but their importance is reversed.

If it entertains you now but will bore you someday, it’s a distraction. Keep looking.

If they can train you to do it, then eventually they will train a computer to do it.

Escape competition through authenticity.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

If you were to stop working right now, how long can you live comfortably on your remaining savings? By answering this, you could get a pretty good idea about your wealth status.

Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of the BEST personal finance books I’ve ever read. This book will change your view on money.

The book begins with Kiyosaki’s personal story of growing up with two dads – his real dad, who he refers to as “Poor Dad,” and his friend’s dad, who he calls “Rich Dad.”

Despite both dads having successful careers, they had different mindsets when it came to money, which greatly influenced Kiyosaki’s own perspective on personal finance.

Throughout the book, Kiyosaki discusses several key concepts related to wealth-building, including the importance of financial education, building assets, and creating multiple streams of income.

Overall, Rich Dad Poor Dad is a must-read for anyone who wants to take control of their financial future. Whether you’re just starting out to learn about financial literacy or you’re looking to take your money game to the next level, this book has something for everyone.

Read the complete Book review of Rich Dad Poor Dad

Some Quotes from the book

Workers work hard enough to not be fired, and owners pay just enough so that workers won’t quit.

Most people fail to realize that in life, it’s not how much money you make, it’s how much money you keep.

The lack of money is the root of all evil.

The brave new world by Aldous Huxley

What if you could have everything you ever wanted? What if you could sleep with anyone you want just by asking them? What if you could be happy all the time?

A brave new world presents a dystopian future of a superficially utopian society. Paradoxically, this dystopian society is shown to be happy and unburdened by depression and misery.

Brave New World is a deeply philosophical book that raises important questions about free will, happiness, and the nature of humanity itself. It’s a book that will make you think, challenge your assumptions, and maybe even leave you feeling a little uneasy about the future of our own society.

Read the complete book review – Brave New World | Sex, Drugs, and Ignorance

Some Quotes from the book

If one’s different, one’s bound to be lonely.

Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth.

It is natural to believe in God when you’re alone– quite alone, in the night, thinking about death.

So, I hope you have found your next book to read. I will keep updating this book list as the year goes by. And Thank you for joining me on this little adventure, and happy reading!