“The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button.”
No matter where you are in the world, life can be overwhelming. Whether it’s grappling with personal struggles and setbacks, seeking purpose or simply looking for solace during a time in history where things never stop, the world of books has become a haven for those looking for empathy, wisdom and inspiration. So whether it is providing a path forward or helping you to build resilience, join us at What We Reading for the best books to read when you feel lost in your life.
The Road Less Traveled – M. Scott Peck
Kicking off our list of the best books to read when you feel lost is M. Scott Peck’s acclaimed 1978 work, The Road Less Traveled. Kickstarting his lecturing career as a leading spiritual psychologist on the back of it, The Road Less Traveled was, and remains, a trailblazing guide through the hurdles life can bring.
Through a combination of intimate stories from his patients as well as his own experiences, Scott Peck succeeds in giving readers a book that is both compelling in its messaging, and heartfelt in its narrative.
Happiness: A Guide To Developing Life’s Most Important Skill – Matthieu Ricard
In his 2003 work, Happiness, Dr. Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist monk and renowned doctor in molecular genetics, actively guides readers through the manifestation of happiness. He argues that individuals should put in as much effort to attain happiness as they would for any personal or professional goal.
And, drawing on everything from fiction and nonfiction works, Western philosophy and Buddhist teachings, Ricard supplies readers with revelatory lessons and exercises for readers to harness a happier life.
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The Charge: Activating The 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive – Brendan Burchard
The Charge is a New York Times bestselling self-help book designed to inject more spark into your life. Author Brendan Burchard takes on the mundane feeling of being stuck in a rut, completing everyday routines and feeling like a pre-programmed robot. It’s an unwelcome sensation most of us will feel in our lives. Thankfully, through his own experiences, Burchard breaks down the 10 human drives needed to inject more life into our lives, offering strategic and effective strategies on how to best employ them in our hectic schedules.
Grit: The Power Of Passion and Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
When you feel lost in life, sometimes the hardest thing to find is the resilience to stay on the path you’re on. Pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth teaches readers how outstanding achievement is obtained through focused persistence in her Goodreads Choice Award-nominated work, Grit.
Drawing on her personal experiences Duckworth explores how a blend of passion and perseverance is the secret to success, utilising historical examples and contemporary interviews and case studies to demonstrate how high achievers reached their peak. Personal and insightful, Grit teaches readers how it isn’t luck or skill that gets them back up after they fall.
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The Gifts Of Imperfection – Brené Brown
Dr. Brené Brown teaches readers how to embrace the individual that they are and let go of the person they think they should be in his acclaimed book, The Gifts of Imperfection. This book is perfect to read when you feel lost in life and need a quick snap of motivation, with Brown candidly sharing ten guideposts on the power of living wholeheartedly.
By opening up to vulnerability and embracing self-compassion, she teaches how to better engage with the world from a place of renewed worthiness.
The Power Of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle
In his multi-million copy-selling book The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle argues how we must learn to leave our analytical minds and fragile egos behind to truly live in the moment. Whilst it is huge in its scope, Tolle’s famous self-help book comes with an easy-to-follow question-and-answer format, utilising simple language to help readers navigate some of the most life-changing discoveries.
By finding peace amidst life’s most challenging moments, Tolle teaches readers how we can find purpose and meaning in the present.
Mindfulness In Plain English – Henepola Gunaratana
A founding member of the Bhavana Society, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is known as one of the world’s most renowned meditation masters. Mindfulness in Plain English breaks down the myths, realities and benefits of mindfulness and meditation for those looking for peace and purpose in life.
The perfect book for anyone looking to learn more about the power of meditation, Gunaratana explores everything from cultivating kindness with one’s self and others, tools to help overcome stress, to how to harvest inner peace, making it one of the best books to read when you feel lost.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
