If you’re a booklover, self-growth enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys finding powerful reads that leave a lasting impact, you’re in the right place.
You’ve probably seen the same book titles recommended everywhere: The Alchemist, Atomic Habits, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Think and Grow Rich, etc. These books are popular for good reason, but this post is for those of us who want something different. Something more unique, underrated, and just as (if not more) powerful.
These five books might not always make it to the mainstream “must-read” lists, but they offer deep insight, real transformation, and are truly worth reading at least once in your lifetime. Find more books to read on these posts.
5 Books Worth Reading atleast Once in a Lifetime.
1. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
This book focuses on spiritual and psychological freedom. Instead of offering step-by-step strategies, it helps you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and inner voice operate and how to detach from them.
What It Covers:
- How to separate yourself from your thoughts and emotions
- How the inner voice (your mind chatter) limits your freedom
- How to experience inner peace by observing your thoughts rather than reacting to them
Why It’s Powerful:
Most of us walk around reacting to every thought and emotion we have. This book teaches you how to be an observer of your inner world, giving you control over how you experience life.
Ideal For:
- People dealing with stress, anxiety, or overthinking
- Anyone interested in mindfulness or spiritual growth
- Readers looking to stop letting their inner critic dictate their lives
2. The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
This book is based on Alfred Adler’s psychology and is structured as a conversation between a philosopher and a young man. It challenges the belief that past trauma and external validation define our happiness.
What It Covers:
- Why you don’t need other people’s approval to live a happy life
- The difference between tasks that belong to you and those that don’t
- How to take full responsibility for your own happiness
Why It’s Powerful:
It completely reframes how we think about self-worth, relationships, and success. It emphasizes living according to your own values and freeing yourself from the need to be liked or validated.
Ideal For:
- People-pleasers or those afraid of judgment
- Anyone tired of living for others’ expectations
- Readers who want practical tools for emotional freedom
3. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
This short but profound book is a collection of ten letters written by Rilke to a young man seeking advice about being a writer. However, its themes go beyond writing and touch on personal growth, solitude, and navigating life.
What It Covers:
- The importance of embracing uncertainty and unanswered questions
- The necessity of solitude for personal development
- How to develop self-trust and inner strength
Why It’s Powerful:
Even though it was written in the early 1900s, it still feels relevant. It encourages you to slow down and trust the process of becoming, without rushing toward answers.
Ideal For:
- Creatives, writers, and artists
- People going through change, uncertainty, or self-discovery
- Anyone who values introspection and deep thought
4. The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
This is a memoir and self-help hybrid. Dr. Edith Eger is a Holocaust survivor who later became a psychologist. She uses her story to explore themes of trauma, forgiveness, and resilience.
What It Covers:
- Surviving Auschwitz and dealing with deep psychological trauma
- The importance of forgiveness (not for others, but for yourself)
- How you can choose your response, no matter what life throws at you
Why It’s Powerful:
Dr. Eger doesn’t sugarcoat her experience, but she uses it to show how humans can still choose how to respond, even in the most horrific situations. Her story is both heartbreaking and uplifting.
Ideal For:
- People healing from emotional wounds or trauma
- Readers who appreciate real-life inspiration over theory
- Anyone looking for practical ways to reclaim their life after hardship
5. Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O’Donohue
Written by a poet, philosopher, and former Catholic priest, this book combines Celtic tradition, philosophy, and spiritual wisdom. “Anam Cara” means “soul friend” in Irish, and that concept is central to the book.
What It Covers:
- The role of friendship and connection in our spiritual lives
- How to embrace solitude and stillness
- The idea that life itself is sacred and should be approached with reverence
Why It’s Powerful:
It’s not a how-to guide, but it offers rich insight into living a more soulful, meaningful life. It emphasizes slow living, self-reflection, and deep connection—with yourself and others.
Ideal For:
- People craving a deeper connection with themselves and the world
- Readers interested in spirituality or ancient wisdom
- Anyone feeling disconnected, rushed, or burned out
Final Thoughts: Why These Books Matter
Each of these five books brings something unique to the table:
- “The Untethered Soul” teaches you to detach from your thoughts and emotions.
- “The Courage to Be Disliked” empowers you to live without approval.
- “Letters to a Young Poet” encourages inner trust and introspection.
- “The Choice” shows the power of choosing your response, no matter your past.
- “Anam Cara” helps you rediscover the sacredness in everyday life.
These are not mainstream picks, but that’s what makes them so special. They don’t just give you surface-level motivation. They dig deep and if you let them, they’ll change the way you think and live.
