4 Books to Inspire You This Summer
You don’t have to be a bookworm to appreciate a good read. The way I look at it is that we read a lot of text on social media, from headlines to our friends’ status updates. Oftentimes skimming through social media posts doesn’t feel satisfying because we are reading incomplete thoughts. It leaves us wanting for more. I believe that reading books or at least elaborate articles on topics of one’s interest is a lot more effective in stimulating you intellectually plus you are left with a new idea or a new thought.
In the past, I used to read headlines to stay updated on current affairs yet I felt like I am not getting a deep understanding of what’s really happening in the world around me. How does a political leader’s speech connect to mass protests and what causes the police to respond the way it does to the public’s reaction. I figured there is more to every story than what we read in headlines. I slowly discovered a solution to this issue and that was long-form articles and books. The research that goes into long-form articles as well as books allows for a deep dive into the issues at hand. My point is that if you think over the last five years, it would be difficult to gauge what you’ve learned from spending so much time reading excerpts and headlines off of social media. By the same token, if you finish even one book in a year, the information stands out to you. You can probably even summarize what you’ve learned.
To summarize, reading books is an enriching experience that will last you a lifetime. So without further ado, here are five books that will inspire you this summer:
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This book is about a young boy named Santiago whose father wants him to be a priest. Santiago becomes shepherd because he figures that this is one profession that will allow him to travel far and wide. One night, Santiago sleeping in a deserted church, dreams of a treasure hidden beyond the pyramids of Egypt. The boy sets out on an amazing journey looking for the treasure.
2. What Color is Your Parachute? By Richard N. Boles
Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities and taking time off work. It’s also a great time to rethink how you want to live your life and decide what your priorities are. Career being a cornerstone to one’s overall happiness in life is an important subject to ponder on. This book helps you decide what job is right for you and how to go about securing that job.
3. Lean In: Women, Work & Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
As the subtitle suggests this book is about women empowering themselves to take the step towards career advancement. As in the case of a lot of women, starting a family can mean taking a step back in one’s professional life. But Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg urges women to lean in and to take charge of their work life.
4. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
This is a fictional book that details nine insights that the protagonist finds in his quest to find fundamental spiritual truths. The book talks about how we are connected as a human species and that we are on the verge of a spiritual awakening. There is some mystery and drama involved but overall it’s one of the better books based on new-age religion ideas. What I took away from this book is that travel teaches you a lot and that the most important lessons of life are not learned through books through meeting people.