Originally 5 books of self-discovery from January 2024 we’ve made an edit to include 5 more!
Is there anything better than reading a book that deeply flavours your life, if only for a while?
I can almost connect the dots of my journey – by the books, films or stories which informed me at different times. They’ve boosted me out of slumps, expanded my awareness, and (perhaps most importantly) reminded me of how much I don’t yet know; how much there is to be seen, learned, felt and experienced in this world. Whether you’re seeking guidance, inspiration, or a beautifully crafted story… there’s no denying that a good read can become a powerful portal of self-reflection. I’ve chosen a few below that I believe to be transformative experiences in themselves.
1. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
One of the earliest reads in my own quest for self-understanding, Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of Now’ is a modern classic that has resonated with millions around the world. It reflects largely on the concept of living in the present, highlighting the importance of stilling the incessant chatter of the mind. Through his own experiences, Tolle’s writing provides practical guidance on ways to access a place of profound peace.
2. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Even if you’ve watched the film (brilliantly starring Reece Witherspoon), I highly encourage you to read this book. In fact, they’re both great. Do both. Cheryl Strayed’s memoir moves back and forth between her personal history, and a cathartic solo hike (along the Pacific Crest Trail). She grapples with the loss a parent, break up of a marriage, and discovering who she is beyond her family history. It’s powerful, raw, and very inspiring.
3. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Deemed as one of the 100 Most Important Spiritual Books of the 20th Century, we take a more traditional and Eastern turn here. Published in 1946, this book provides a glimpse into the life and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, yogi and spiritual teacher of India. It offers profound insights, far beyond language. It’s inspired Elvis, George Harrison and Steve Jobs – so if it does call to you, go for it.
4. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
One of my favourite books ever, this timeless novel explores a journey of self-discovery in a profoundly simple way. The story follows Siddhartha, a young man who embarks on a quest for spiritual truth and meaning. Along the way, he encounters various spiritual teachers and experiences, ultimately coming to understand the interconnectedness of life itself. A beautiful and gentle read (written by a Nobel prize winner of literature), I cannot recommend this one enough.
5. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
We dedicated a whole article to the loveliness that is Brené Brown, and ‘Daring Greatly’ reflects no different. Brown’s work in general delves into vulnerability and courage as essential components of self-discovery. Here, she explores how embracing vulnerability can lead to personal transformation and wholehearted living. An easy, gentle an incredibly uplifting read.
6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you haven’t already read this one, I could not recommend it more highly. The movie is sweet, but the book is, in my opinion, much more special. A memoir that begins with divorce, Gilbert sets off on a year of adventure and soul-seeking, with not much left to lose. Her travels take her to Italy, India and finally Bali. A book that reveals how our most challenging moments can often simultaneously be the richest; she navigates life with a solid dose of humour, and a disarming level of honesty. There’s also a wonderful reminder here that sometimes changing your surroundings (whether through travelling somewhere unfamiliar, breaking from routine, or meeting different people) can help you learn more about yourself too. The Bali portion of her journey also unfolds in and around Ubud, a place with its own special magic, and one we’re lucky enough to return to for our Bali retreats each year!
7. Journey to Ladakh by Andrew Harvey
Part travelogue, part spiritual exploration, Andrew Harvey’s Journey to Ladakh follows the writer into the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh, where encounters with Buddhist teachers, monasteries and the landscape itself gradually become something much more profound. There’s a beautiful spaciousness to this book, and a reminder that stepping outside the familiarity of our everyday lives tends to shift something internally too. For anyone drawn to India, travel, Buddhist philosophy, or philosophy in general—this is a transporting read… and one that feels particularly fitting as we prepare to journey to India ourselves for retreat!
8. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Small enough to tuck into a bag and return to time and again, The Prophet is one of those books that seems to meet you differently depending on where you are in life. Through a series of poetic reflections, Gibran explores love, friendship, work, joy, sorrow, freedom and many of the other major categories that make us human. First published over a century ago, there’s a timeless quality to his words that makes them still feel incredibly relevant today. It’s less a book to race through and more one to dip into slowly, underline, dog-ear and keep somewhere close.
9. You Are the Placebo by Dr. Joe Dispenza
This one is in a slightly different category than the others on this list, being neither fiction nor memoir. Still, it’s worth mentioning as I found it to be incredibly inspiring, particularly in the way it challenges us to reconsider how much sway we potentially have over our circumstances—and even health. Drawing on research into the placebo effect alongside stories of personal change, Dispenza explores the relationship between our thoughts, beliefs and physical experiences. There’s something deeply empowering about the central idea: that we may not always be as powerless in the face of our patterns or circumstances as we’ve been led to believe. Whether you take every idea literally or simply use them as thought-experiments, this book offers reminder of the amazing relationship between mind and body—and of how changing the way we think can sometimes change far more than we would imagine..
10. A Little More About Me by Pam Houston
If you loved Wild, I have the book for you. Pam Houston’s A Little More About Me is a collection of stories about adventure, friendship, nature, solitude… and the somewhat messy business of figuring yourself out along the way. I’ll allocate an extra bonus point for all the stories about her dogs. Houston writes with humour and honesty, moving between wild landscapes and the terrain of her own inner world. In this book, self-discovery isn’t presented as something particularly polished. It happens through living, traveling, loving, getting things wrong and reflecting on all the above. It’s a wonderfully entertaining read—and perfect for anyone whose spiritual experiences tend to happen by accident.
