When Vish Rana finished reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, he decided to quit his job in Liverpool and move to London.
In his view, it was ‘one of the best decisions’ he’s ever made, all spurred from a book he felt changed his life.
At the time, Vish was commuting from Liverpool to London once a week, but he knew this wasn’t sustainable.
Reading The Alchemist on one commute back to Liverpool inspired him so much that he handed in his notice the following Monday.
‘Essentially, it’s a self-help in disguise,’ he tells Metro.co.uk. ‘The book boils down to the point that everyone should live in the pursuit of their dreams.
‘It’s a great story with little lessons along the way and never sounds preachy.’
Books are powerful and, as demonstrated above, have the power to change peoples lives, perspectives, opinions and more.
We’re all one impactful book away from rethinking the way we live, and changing the course of our lives in any way possible.
However, for a book to change your life, it doesn’t have to be in the ‘self-help’ genre of your local bookshop.
Many people cite a wide range of books – from total classics to non-fiction reads – as the reason for changing their perspective on life.
When we think of ‘books to change our life’ then popular books such as Atomic Habits come to mind.
However, you might find a fiction read to be more powerful – perhaps you relate to the main character, or a particular scene.
Katie Chodosh, from Surrey, felt that Educated by Tara Westover and A Bit of a Stretch: The Diaries of a Prisoner by Chris Atkins changed the way she viewed education forever.
‘In Educated, it is the only tool she has to escape her father’s radicalism and her violent older brother, and to see her world from a different perspective,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.
‘In A Bit of A Stretch, he explains how education is the only proven route to helping prisoners stop reoffending, and how the better-educated fare in prison.’
For many, books have the power to shape career paths. Zahara Chowdhury, founder of the School Should Be Blog, says that Grit by Angela Duckworth changed her life by inspiring her to leave traditional teaching.
‘The book encouraged me to take risks, take responsibility and reframe my approach to work,’ she says.
‘I recommend it to every student I teach, and use Duckworth’s approach to parenting my children too.
‘I could talk about [her book] for days – she’s my academic crush.’
Lucy Thackray, a deputy travel editor, felt as if Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is the perfect book for ‘anyone dithering’ about doing a creative project.
‘I used to be a lot more nervey about embarking on creative projects, writing heartfelt things and saying “yes” to creative opportunities,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.
‘This book is all about how humans are hard-wired to be creative and why you should do something you love because it’ll be fulfilling – not because it will sell.’
According to her, this book will ‘light a fire’ under you if you’re dithering about writing a book or recording a song – or working on anything creative at all.
However, books aren’t there to help change the way you work.
Many books also serve as a handbook for different parts of life.
Sophie Hannah recommends Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F Heller – a book that looks at the science behind love.
For her, this book allowed her to ‘emotionally mature’ and helped her to feel ‘less alone.’
‘A lot of this book resonated with me,’ she says.
‘It looks specifically at attachment theory, and affirmed how being anxious or avoidant in love isn’t something to be demonised, as long as you keep yours and another’s best interests at heart.
‘Now I’ve realised the importance of the book, I feel so much more confident.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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