1) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This book will awaken you. If you feel lost, unsure about your purpose or calling, read The Alchemist. Paulo Coelho's story will take you on a journey with the main character. You will feel like you are on his quest to finding your life's treasures, to finding your life's meaning. And if you read it with intention, with a goal to get answers, you might hear a voice or a nudge inside you tell you what your calling is. The dream that you buried deep within your heart. The dream that you don't talk to anyone about. The dream that you think is unachievable. That dream will tell you to chase it, to find it. To do everything in your power to start your journey, your quest to finding your life's purpose.
2) Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller
Are you a secure, anxious, or avoidant? If you don't know the answer to this question, Attached is the next book to read. Levine and Heller explain how the relationships we have with our parents at the beginning of our lives define how we interact in every other relationship. Do you beg for love or attention? Do you cut people off? Do you like the chase of romance and get bored when you get what you want? You'll start to recognize patterns in your relationships and understand why you are the way that you are. This book brings clarity on what type of a partner is best suited for different attachment styles and which partners are not good for each other. Maybe recognizing your patterns and behavior can be the first step to changing them if they aren't suiting you anymore.
3) Care Package by Sylvester McNutt III
I love this book. McNutt offers great insights on how to set boundaries, how to let go, how to forgive, and how to stop pleasing people. He uses his personal real-life examples and is so relatable. He speaks to give you courage and help you set yourself free. This book is perfect for those who want to learn how to take care of themselves, practice self-love, and let go of heavy burdens in their life. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and makes you feel like you can take the steps to make your life better. To make your relationships better. And to love yourself better. A great "sequel" to this book is Free Your Energy.
4) 100 Love Sonnets by Pablo Neruda
I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they could use a little less love in their life. So here it is, my favorite book of love poetry. Does anyone write about love better than Neruda? I don't think so. Sometimes I think Neruda has loved more than anyone else. How he describes the woman he loves is deep, romantic, and pure. He wrote my favorite line ever written, "I love you as certain dark things are to be loved." My guess is that Neruda saw love in every part of his life. My guess is that he loved well. That he saw beauty everywhere. So why not add a little more love in your life, even if it is in the form of poetry? Neruda's 100 Love Sonnets is one of the best love poetry books ever written!
5) The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Sometimes, I want a little more wisdom in my life. I want truth. I want expertise that is beyond my years, my experience, and my understanding. That's when I turn to The Prophet. Gibran speaks of pain, of passion, of teaching, of friendship, of children. He brings you a different perspective. A perspective from a higher self. He teaches without belittling. Without saying you are wrong. But he offers truths that are freeing. That can open your eyes and shift your behaviors or preconceived notions about what you thought was reality. It's poetic, it's realistic, it's a must-read for anyone seeking truth and wisdom.