As we all know, books are our best companions. They talk to us, stay with us and teach us a whole lot of things about life and human beings.
Whether it is nonfiction or fiction, a book can change our outlook and perspective towards life altogether. In the list mentioned below, you will find 35 top books for reading at least once in your life.
35. Corporate Chanakya
Taking all the teachings of Chanakya, the kingmaker, and applying them in a corporate setting, Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai has written this book titled ‘Corporate Chanakya’.
From leadership to team management, every aspect has been discussed from the perspectives of Chanakya’s teachings. It is a great read, especially if you want to sharpen your corporate skills.
34. The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind
Our subconscious mind is like the director of a film. It stays in the background, does not come in front, but controls everything silently. Delving deep into the powers of our subconscious mind, Dr. Joseph Murphy’s book ‘The Power of Your Subconscious Mind’ teaches you a lot about it and how it can create miracles.
33. Kafka On The Shore
One of the best literary pieces of the last decade, Kafka On The Shore is a novel that encompasses various elements of magic realism and fantasy. This 2002 book is authored by renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami.
If you have the habit of reading and you have not yet read this, go ahead and pick it up now. You will be in for a treat.
32. Word Power Made Easy
If you have always wanted to grow your English vocabulary and failed in your endeavor, this book will be the best investment for you. Written by Norman Lewis, this book will help you learn bountiful English words and their usage.
31. F.U. Money
One of the best books to change your outlook towards life from a monetary perspective, this book written by famous entrepreneur Dan Lok is a must-read. This book will help you build a winning attitude and lead you towards a more prosperous life.
30. To Kill A Mockingbird
An evergreen classic literary creation, Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is a book that is bound to enthrall all its readers. The novel addresses everything from racism to classism and sexism.
One of the most moving novels you will come across, this has to be in your list of the top books for reading. It has been made into a movie that too is an all-time classic.
29. Man-Eaters Of Kumaon
If you are interested in reading adventure stories, this book should be the first addition to your list. Written by Jim Corbett, this novel is an account of Corbett’s hunting experiences. It is a gripping book full of thrilling stories and is a must-read.
28. How To Stop Worrying And Start Living
One of the most famous self-help books ever, this is written by the renowned author-***-lecturer, Dale Carnegie. If you are an overthinker who is always bugged about all kinds of things, this book will help you stop worrying. You should give this a try.
27. The Power Of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment
Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of Now’ is a powerful spiritual book that will teach you several aspects of life. It will help you focus on the ‘now’, and let go of the grievances of the past and tensions of the future.
26. Anne Of Green Gables
A simple yet moving story, this is often considered one of the best classic children’s novels of all time. It is a bildungsroman novel set in the late 19th century. Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this is one of the best novels you can get your hands on.
25. 1984
A dystopian fiction novel written by George Orwell, this is one of the most popular books of the 20th century. It is a social science fiction that paints the picture of a future that is sad and terrifying. If you haven’t read this yet, go ahead and try it out.
24. The Autobiography Of A Yogi
A very heavy book to understand because of its language and content, this is one of the most spiritually awakening books out there. It is an autobiography of the revered spiritual guru Yogananda Paramhansa.
How he journeyed to the west, how he spread eastern philosophy over there, all his experiences are there in the book. Celebrities like Will Smith and Virat Kohli have read the book and openly showed their respect towards it. If you seek spiritual growth, go for it.
23. Sherlock Holmes
Well, this doesn’t need an introduction now, does it? When it comes to Sherlock Holmes, it is really difficult to pick up one book. From ‘A Study in Scarlet’, to ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, there are many.
You have to read all the stories, especially if you love detective stories. Written by none other than the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this is a must-read.
22. Life’s Amazing Secrets
One of the best books about life and spirituality, Gaur Gopal Das’s ‘Life’s Amazing Secrets’ is a book that will change the way you look at life. It is considered one of the best modern books on spirituality and is one of the most loved ones as well.
21. The Idiot
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s ‘The Idiot’ is a novel worth adding to your list. Published in the mid-1800s, this novel has been made into TV shows several times (including one named ‘Ahmaq’ made by Mani Kaul, starring, hold your breath, Shahrukh Khan!).
20. Dracula
There is no way you have not heard of this novel at least once. If you are a fan of thriller stories, this has got to be your first pick. One of the most popular literary works of all time, this novel by Stam Broker should be on your list.
19. The Rudest Book Ever
Written by Shwetabh Gangwar, a famous Indian Youtuber, this book is bound to change your outlook towards life, society, and people. Not only does it give you practical solutions to face any kind of problem you can think of, but also motivates you to develop a strong personality. A must-read indeed.
18. Wisdom From The Ramayana
Chaitanya Charan's 'Wisdom From The Ramayana' is a book that has been lauded by Indian and foreign readers alike. The book is full of useful insights, all based on the various incidents happening in Ramayana. It will make you think, introspect and create a better version of yourself.
17. Think And Grow Rich
One of the most revered and popular self-help books ever, 'Think And Grow Rich' is written by Napoleon Hill. The book dives deep into the author's personal life and experiences and extracts all the teachings out of them.
Various teachings about money, economic development, life, and the 'law of attraction' are described vividly in this book.
16. Rich Dad Poor Dad
Robert Kiyosaki has two dads; one is rich and one is poor. Surprised? Well, that's what it is! This book is a masterpiece in itself. The book teaches everything from developing a good money mindset to building assets.
Kiyosaki asks us to collect assets and not liabilities. If you read this book and implement all the teachings, you will have a clear idea of how to approach money as an achievable resource.
15. The Overcoat
‘The Overcoat’ by Russian genius author Nikolai Gogol is a landmark in the history of literature. A simple yet moving story, it has had a huge impact on Russian literature. It has been adapted into movies and shows several times, and continues to mesmerize its readers to date.
14. War And Peace
Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece ‘War and Peace’ is a classic that has managed to achieve monumental heights in the world of literature. Based on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, this novel is set in fifteen long years. From the realism of the characters to the vivid painting of human psychology, this novel has to offer a lot.
13. The Invisible Man
You must have heard about this at some point. Written by H.G. Wells, this is a science fiction novel. It revolves around a scientist named Griffin who manages to go invisible. The consequences that follow make the rest of the novel. If you are a fan of science fiction, this classic is one of the top books for reading at least once.
12. Metamorphosis
‘Metamorphosis’ takes a significant place in the world of literature. A horror, even absurd novella written by Franz Kafka, this has managed to occupy a high pedestal in the literary world. This book is one of the most popular fictional works of all time and is studied all over the world.
11. The Time Machine
A popular novella authored by H.G. Wells ‘The Time Machine’ is a classic sci-fi that is extremely popular among readers across the globe. This novella is often hailed for popularizing the concept of ‘time travel’. Along with all the fictional elements, it also comments on several socio-political issues.
10. The 5 AM Club
One of the most helpful self-help books, Robin Sharma’s ‘The 5 AM Club’ teaches us how we can own our mornings and create a better life for ourselves. Sharing various useful insights, this book delves deep into the practice and implications of waking up early and spending time on self-development.
09. Zero To One
Hands down one of the best books on startups, it is written by the American entrepreneur Peter Thiel and co-written by Blake Masters. It guides the readers to understand everything about developing a startup, or something new in general. An insightful read to add to your list.
08. Sense And Sensibility
This masterpiece by Jane Austen occupies a special place in the world of fiction literature. The movie goes on to explore several issues from class distinction to division based on ***. Beautifully carved characters, subtle humor act as cherries atop. The book has been adapted into an equally brilliant film.
07. All Quiet On The Western Front
The bestselling war novel ever, it is written by Erich Maria Remarque, a German infantryman during the First World War. Bloodbath on the battlefields, the unnoticeable yet tranquil moments of peace between, contribute to make this novel an extremely moving read. You have to read this book to understand the implications of a war. It has been made into a great anti-war film of the same name.
06. The Theory Of Everything
There is no way you have not heard of this book. Written by the genius scientist Stephen Hawking, the book entails a detailed account of the history and origin of the Universe. The book is a collection of speeches given by Hawking. An intriguing book to read, especially if you are a science geek.
05. One Thousand And One Nights
A collection of folk tales from the Middle East, ‘One Thousand And One Nights’ or ‘The Arabian Nights’ is a fascinating read. It consists of some famous stories like ‘Alladin and The Magic Lamp’, ‘Ali Baba and Forty Thieves’, ‘Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor’, etcetera. Loved by people of all ages, this is one of the top books for reading once in your lifetime.
04. Gulliver’s Travels
There is very little possibility of you not having read it. Written by Jonathan Swift, this is a classic adventure tale that revolves around a sailor named Lemuel Gulliver who, by the turn of events, ends up on the shores of Lilliput, the land of Lilliputians, or little people. A fantastic adventure novel, this has got to be on your reading list.
03. The Alchemist
An adventure fantasy fiction written by renowned Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, it is considered one of the best modern classics. If you have not given this a read yet, go for it.
02. Oliver Twist
A book that's been loved by people of all ages alike from every corner of the world, this book is an all-time classic written by Charles Dickens. Based on the central character Oliver Twist, an orphan, this evergreen book is a coming-of-age fiction drama that is one of the top books for reading.
01. Ikigai
If you are searching for spiritual wisdom, this is the best book for you to start your journey. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that helps a person find their reason for existence and determine the purpose of their life. A bestseller and a one-of-a-kind book, this will help you fetch answers to most of the questions you have about life and its purpose. A must-read book.
That was our list of top 35 books to read once in your lifetime. With an innumerable number of books being existent on our planet, it is tough to cherry-pick a mere 35. However, this is just a place for you to begin the journey of exploring. Do let us know below your favorite of the lot.