8 Books that Changed my Life

Updated: Jan 17, 2022
By Aisha
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Reading is not only a way to get knowledge but also to develop cognitive abilities, and learn the ways of the society. Personally, reading provides an escape from the harsh realities of life. As a shy introvert, reading is how I get knowledge about how the outside world operates. But there are several books that have changed my life and I think they will change yours too.

Books that Changed My Life

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

Sean Covey is the son of renowned author Stephen Covey who wrote a worldwide popular book called “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” While his father’s book was targeted at grown-ups, Sean’s book is interesting to the teen mind.

With entertaining comic drawings, real-life stories, and friendly talk, it is fun and easy to read. The message of the book centres on personal development.

As the title implies, it teaches teens the habits that will ensure their success. The book is on themes, treating each habit separately and in detail. It is a book that has taught me very much about how to take the right path.

2. Tell Me Why (Revised and Updated) by Chancellor Press

This book served several purposes in my life. It is like an encyclopedia that answered the most basic scientific knowledge that everyone is required to know. Why was the sky blue? Why do volcanoes erupt? Also, why is time different in different countries?

I remember when I was 14, I had waited for my dad to come home just to ask about rainbows, and the next day he, brought me back this book and just the size overwhelmed me. But as I opened it, I immediately got engulfed. I did not need to wait for my dad anymore as I had my own little answer book.

Till today, the book has a special spot on my desk as one of the books that changed my life.

3. 17 Secrets of High-Flying Students by Fela Durotoye

This is one of those books that had a pretty cover that made me interested. I shelved this book for months after I got it. It wasn’t until one day when I was really bored that I started to read it. I am not the fastest of readers but I finished this book in a day. It was that good. It was easy and fun to read, colourful without being childish, and straight to the point.

Furthermore, it had real people stories that did not sound like a motivational speech. It mainly discussed how to navigate through high school successfully, managing friends, family, classes, expectations, and your own health.

It was a very inspiring book.

4. Why Men Marry Bitches by Sherry Argov

This is one of the books that changed my life. The book is mainly for the ladies and I have seen it on many personal bookshelves. Sherry, a woman herself, writes in a uniquely intimate way where she describes how most women are and what men really want in a woman. A nice woman does not get Mr Right, a smart woman does.

In a world where love is hard to find, it teaches females how to make themselves more endearing to the opposite gender without compromise.

It was truly an eye-opener and is highly recommended.

5. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

As much as I love the story in this book, it changed my life mainly due to the writer’s expert use of English. True, his English was less sophisticated than that of Wole Soyinka, but he passed amazing messages in his novels. He made me realize that to be good did not mean that you had to use gigantic words and that simple words used in the right way would get the message across just as beautifully.

Related: Things I Learned Too Late in Life

He was one of the main inspirations behind my love for writing.

6. Bari and Biba

Bari and Biba as one of the books that changed my life is the common name for the book ‘Al-Arabiyyatul Jadeed fi Nigeria.’ Anyone who wants to go to a school to attain Islamic knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith (Islamiyya) should know this book. It is a simple grade course in Arabic where it teaches you basic things to know in the Arabic Language.

This book is entertaining, illustrated, and interesting to read. It made me feel like learning a language was not so difficult and pushed me towards learning more.

7. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

If you have found that you are not very sociable and don’t make friends easily then this book is for you. Carnegie teaches, in easy words, how to navigate your way through the web of making friends. He teaches how to make friends honestly and successfully while also illustrating the importance of good friendships in your life.

This book is one of the reasons I have as many good friends as I do today and I will always remember that.

8. Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson

When I picked up this book, I was 12 and thought it was a storybook. For a few pages, it was. But then I got further in and my 12-year-old brain got bored so I dumped it. I revisited the book 5 years later and I am glad I did. It was a major eye-opener for me.

The message of the book was the consistency of change. It taught me that no matter what you did, the change would find you. It does not matter how well you plan your life or how many binders you use for projects; life was not a tame lake but a raging ocean.

Not only did this book introduce me to this scary truth, but it also taught me how to handle the change and make the most of it. The fact that someone moved your cheese does not mean you should put your life on hold just to chase after a cheese thief.

Conclusion

There are several other books such as Lord of the Rings, Purple Hibiscus, Ben Carsons’ books, Rich Dad; Poor Dad, etc. that have made a massive impact in my life and would be a great read.

I would love to know what books changed your life so leave a comment and enjoy.

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2 Comments

  1. Ahmad

    You mentioned 2 of the most influential books in my personal development journey.
    1). Seven Habits of highly effective people. I really enjoyed the story of the goose and the farmer
    2). How to win friends and influence people. This is a must read for all.

    I would add 2 books
    1). “The millionaire fast lane”, it exposes how we’ve outgrown exchanging time for money, just as the industrial age outgrow the former human labour form of work.
    2). Rich Dad Poor Dad. It taught me a lot on finance, especially creating clashflow

    Reply
    • Abdullahi Malumfashi

      Those are great additions. How to win friends and influence people is definitely a must read.

      Reply

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