Tao Te Ching — Lao Tzu said 'relax', basically

 

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say? For such a brief book, it carries surprising depth. It has quietly shifted my mindset more than any self-help book I’ve read in the past few years. I wouldn’t even call it “self-help”; it’s a gentle reminder to live with balance and ease. I’m not a Taoist myself, but reading this made me realize you don’t need to be one to appreciate its wisdom. The teachings are practical and timeless, this is something you can live by as principles rather than as religion.

Some passages that resonated with me:

“To know people is wisdom, but to know yourself is enlightenment. To master people takes force, but to master yourself takes strength.”
“Wild winds never last all morning and fierce rains never last all day.”
“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?”
“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”

Reading these passages made me pause and reflect on how I deal with life. Lao Tzu reminds us that real strength isn’t about controlling others, it is about managing yourself, your reactions, and your choices. He also shows that courage isn’t just about facing challenges head-on; it’s about patience, being grounded, and learning to move through life without forcing it. In today’s fast-paced world, where everything feels rushed and chaotic, his words serves as a reminder to slow things down, stay centered, and find peace in stillness.

I’d recommend this book to anyone curious about philosophy or just wanting a quiet reminder to slow down and think differently. :)

Sun & Steel — Brutally honest and oddly inspiring

Sun & Steel by Yukio Mishima
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a powerful and intense read. It’s part memoir, part philosophical essay, where Mishima reflects on life, death, and the meaning of physical discipline. What really stuck with me is how he talks about the connection between mind and body, how training the body can awaken the mind. That idea really resonated with me and puts me in the mindset to train my body and build strength.. Mishima’s writing is bold and poetic, and even if you don’t agree with everything he says, the book makes you think deeply about discipline, purpose, and living fully.

Notes from the Underground — A Dark Dive into the Human Psyche

Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first time reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, and now I’m curious to explore more of his work. Notes from Underground is intense, raw, and deeply human. Half of it feels like a deep philosophical rant, the other half like a personal confession, all from a narrator who’s bitter, self-aware, and full of contradictions.

The Underground Man challenges the idea that humans are purely logical, saying we actually crave freedom, even if it means choosing to suffer. Not gonna lie, this was a bit hard for me to grasp at first 😅, but it’s totally worth it. By the end, it made me want to read more of Dostoevsky’s work.

And TBH, I found myself relating to him more than I expected... his overthinking, self-awareness, wanting connection but also craving solitude, and questioning life’s meaning felt so human.

The Stranger — Life, Meaning, and the Absurd

The Stranger by Albert Camus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There’s something striking about The Stranger, its brevity and depth working hand in hand. Meursault doesn’t live his life like most of us expect people to. Detached, observant, and indifferent, he moves through life without illusions. The story isn’t just about what he does; it’s about how little meaning he assigns to life and how society reacts to that.

Camus writes plainly, almost sparingly, yet every sentence carries weight. The book lingers not because of a dramatic plot, but because of the questions it leaves behind. For me, it wasn’t just a read, it was an experience that made me question existence itself.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less — Simplify to Amplify

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever felt like you’re doing a hundred things but not really moving forward? That’s exactly what McKeown tackles. The biggest lesson I got from it is that if you really want something, you have to accept the "trade-offs", you can’t do it all. That hit me hard because I tend to stretch myself too thin, saying yes to too many things.

The book is simple and practical, though it does get a little repetitive at times. Still, the message is solid: doing less isn’t about missing out, it’s about focusing on what matters most and doing it better. A gentle reminder I know I will need every now and then.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life — The Art of Living Well

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A gentle and uplifting read that explores the Japanese concept of ikigai, your reason for being, the thing that gives life meaning. I enjoyed how it blends stories from Okinawa with practical wellness habits and reflections on purpose. It’s not heavy or difficult, more like a friendly reminder to slow down, enjoy the little things, and live with intention. That said, some sections felt a bit surface-level, almost like they skimmed over deeper ideas. For me, this book is one you keep nearby to revisit whenever you need a reset.

The Prophet — Timeless Words on Life and Love

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was actually recommended to me by a Lebanese friend, and I think it was such a good pick. It is different from my usual reads, but I found it refreshing and deeply meaningful. It’s a collection of poetic essays that reflect on life, love, freedom, work, and death, all delivered through the voice of a prophet preparing to leave a city he’s lived in for years.

What I liked most is how timeless it feels. Gibran’s words are simple yet poetic, almost like wisdom that could apply to any generation. It’s not just a book, this feels more like a spiritual guide, offering reflections that you can return to again and again. For me, it was a beautiful change of pace and a reminder that sometimes stepping into a different genre can be surprisingly rewarding.

The Art of War — Timeless Tactics for Modern Times

The Art of War by Sun Tzu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A timeless classic that proves great strategy doesn’t expire even after 2,000+ years. This isn’t just a war manual; it’s a blueprint for life, business, and outsmarting your own impulses. Sun Tzu’s lessons on strategy, timing, and valuing information over rash action hit harder than a surprise ambush. My favorite takeaway? Sometimes the sharpest victory is knowing when not to fight at all and honestly, that alone earns this book a solid 5 stars. 

The Alchemist — A Timeless Tale of Self-Discovery

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book felt like a journey. It follows Santiago, a shepherd chasing a dream of treasure, but really it’s about self-discovery. I loved how it blends a simple adventure with deep life lessons about following your dreams and listening to your heart. That said, sometimes it felt a bit too simplistic and overly philosophical, like it was spoon-feeding its lessons. Still, it’s an easy read with a timeless message and a gentle reminder that the journey matters just as much as the destination.