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Reading goes beyond flipping through pages; it is like a time machine, transporting readers across different times, places and cultures. Through reading, people can escape the stress of daily life, find a comfortable space, and embark on a secret journey towards intellectual and personal development and cultural enrichment. By delving into other eras, characters, and experiences, readers can learn from other’s challenges and successes, expand their horizons, stimulate their imagination, and foster concepts like acceptance, tolerance, and empathy.
As reading can change the world and guide individuals for the better, it is essential to explore a selection of international books that promote intellectual growth and cultural enrichment. These selected works are beacons of light, guiding individuals to a better life. Here are some of the most noteworthy books:
Written by the renowned American author Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People became a worldwide bestseller, generating almost 1.4 billion dollars in revenue. This book offers practical advice and principles, guiding readers on a journey of self-discovery. It encourages them to reorganise their lives and transform their thoughts and behaviours to achieve personal and professional success.
Habits are created and logically developed, starting with self-mastery, which lies in interactions, goal setting, and prioritisation. They then extend to relationships with others, including empathising, supporting, and communicating. Finally, they culminate in self-development and growth through the habit of continuous learning.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People guides individuals to build a solid internal foundation before engaging with the external world and communicating with others. Despite its profound content, the book's language is easy to understand and includes numerous examples that resonate with different cultures, making it more comprehensive and applicable.
“I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
Originally published in the late nineties by German author Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now represents a quantum leap in the way of perceiving life. It emphasises living in the present moment (the NOW), transcending the ego, achieving inner peace, and minimising suffering.
This book encourages readers to focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying excessively about the future, as such behaviours can exacerbate one’s suffering and complicate problems. By focusing on the present, problems and obstacles will appear more manageable and easier to overcome.
Although the book may seem difficult, Tolle has simplified its language and employed a question-and-answer method to make it suitable for everyone.
“Realise deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.”
Since its publication in 1936, Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books. This book elevates the reader's ability to manage, understand and deal with human relationships through a series of practical advice aimed at promoting effective communication with others.
Carnegie emphasises that communication is a skill that can be developed, highlighting the importance of active listening, genuine compassion, and sincere care for others. He offers strategies to win others’ affection, influence them positively, and persuade or change them without ruining relationships. Moreover, the entertaining real-life examples presented in the book enhance its practical value and make it more entertaining to readers.
“Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.”
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
Despite being first published in 1937 during the Great Depression, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich remained a bestseller for decades. This book is primarily about turning ideas into wealth.
Hill masterfully blends pure philosophy and practical advice, encouraging readers to promote positive thinking and emphasising that ideas significantly determine one’s path in life. He also posits that fortune is a natural outcome of cultivating a specific mindset. Think and Grow Rich does not focus heavily on financial advice but on developing personal qualities such as resilience, determination, self-belief, and more.
“Set your mind on a definite goal and observe how quickly the world stands aside to let you pass.”
“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.”
Awaken the Giant Within is one of the best-selling books on building inner strength. It was first published in 1992 by author and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins.
This book serves as a guide to controlling one’s emotions, body, relationships, skills, and finances. It is packed with practical steps and strategies to help readers manage their lives and shape their destinies. Robbins asserts that beliefs, values, and mindsets significantly influence one's life. When developed and nurtured, they can ensure self-control and help individuals find the true meaning of life.
“Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards.”
“Your brain can’t tell the difference between something you vividly imagine and something you actually experience.”
Finally, recognising the importance of reading and its profound impact on society, the UAE has declared March as the Month of Reading. This month includes launching numerous campaigns and initiatives to promote reading, aligning with the Cabinet's decision to cultivate a reading and well-educated society that contributes to the UAE’s development and progress.
[1] divbyzero.com, 15 Personal Growth Books to Read in 2024
[2] innovationtraining.org, Best Books on Growth Mindset
[3] goodreads.com, Best Self Help Books
[4] calvinrosser.com, The 40 Best Self-Help & Personal Growth Books to Read in 2024
[5] mindspacepk.com, TEN REASONS WHY READING IS GREAT FOR YOUR WELLBEING
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