Looking for advice and need some reliable words to help you navigate through the ups and downs of life? Looking for a motivational book that gives you all the answers you’re looking for? Then look no further than these 50 Motivational books that can help shape your worldview and make you soar toward success.
These books contain anecdotes of successful individuals of different fields, self-help coaches who specialize in particular aspects of life motivation, and social workers who have dedicated their lives to helping people.
Overall Motivational Books
Self-help and motivational books can tackle various aspects of life depending on where you seek guidance. If you are in search of a book to suit the needs you have, here are 50 Motivation books across various themes to help your every requirement.
The books range from focusing on general life advice and motivation to lifestyle and health, financial advice, and so much more. These books can help act as a basis for you to begin setting a plan in motion to change the trajectory of your life and slingshot to victory, happiness, or peace.
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Starting off with an unconventional pick for a motivational book. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho narrates the tale of Santiago, a young shepherd, as he travels across various lands. He leaves the stability of his former life as he chases a dream of finding a great treasure that waits for him out in the world, a path on which he comes across an alchemist of great wisdom.
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The alchemist teaches us one of the greatest lessons of life; that nothing holds us back more than our fear of the unknown. The story and Santiago’s journey stand as an allegory for the pursuit of one’s goals in life. It teaches us that sometimes, what we seek is right under our noses, but often we must undertake a journey to grow and learn to appreciate this treasure in an even greater sense than before.
2. Ignited Minds by A.P.J Abdul Kalam
Ignited Minds by former Indian President A.P.J Abdul Kalam is a motivational fiction book for the Indian youth. The book carries forward Kalam’s thoughts on the youth of India and helps children focus on what they must remember when setting their goals. The honorable President describes this book as a logical step toward his dream of India as a glorious nation.
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Within the context of the Indian youth, this book acts as a motivator for them to move forward and take action to fulfill their dreams and help develop their nation. From a wider perspective, Kalam writes this book as a tribute to an intermediate school child who he once met. The book draws inspiration from various figures that Kalam looks up to, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln, and is a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom.
3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Arguably one of the most popular books in the self-help and motivational book genre, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is an absolute all-rounder when it comes to advise on tackling life in style. Covey brings forth this ideal of sculpting out one’s “True North,” not unlike a compass that always points in the same way. The book focuses on tailoring one’s actions to attain one’s goals while keeping a watchful eye on the nature of these patterns as well.
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As every Kung Fu Panda has taught us till now, balance is key. One cannot effectively approach our goals in a healthy manner if our life is unbalanced among its various facts. This book focuses on bringing about that balance by making us rethink our perspectives, thus motivating us to bring changes to ourselves. Covey’s bestseller is to unbalance what chicken soup is to a cold.
4. The First 90 Days Days by Michael D. Watkins
Entering a new phase of life is always daunting, be it starting a new job, taking up a new position, or entering an unfamiliar social space. Knowing how to adapt oneself to a new setting and learning to conquer is the key to success. The First 90 Days by Watkins is the ideal motivational book for anyone seeking guidance in times of critical transitions in life.
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As an international bestseller, this book has proven to be beneficial for novice and veteran employees in their career pursuits and enhancing their work style to achieve success. As the old saying goes, it takes 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to create a permanent lifestyle. Watkins, in this book, helps you create that change to take charge of your situation.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Speaking of habits, one of the most common issues people face when dealing with life is to kick bad habits out. Well, fear not cause Atomic Habits is exactly what you need. This #1 New York Times bestseller focuses on curbing bad habits and focusing on cultivating good ones.
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The book focuses on an all-rounded approach to understanding our habits and the factors that affect them, including the systems we have in place, our lifestyle, and our attitude. It focuses on teaching you how to shape your environments and actions to become better at inculcating good habits into your life.
6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
As brazen as the title sounds, this book is unlike others you’ll see in this list. To put it simply, this is not a life-changing book, yet it is one I’d recommend everyone to read. The Subtle Art is focused on a simple concept of the lives of most people; that we put too much importance on too many things.
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The book focuses on a simple philosophy of letting go of things that are beyond your control. The book’s tone is raw and bold, not afraid to call people out. It subverts a lot of traditional thinking that people generally have to make way for betterment or, at the least, a more peaceful life. You might not expect a mind-blowing breakthrough, but expect this book to subtly (as the name suggests) make you rethink the way you structure your life.
7. Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
This is perhaps the most renowned motivational book in the world of self-help and motivation books. Robin Sharma is a common name in the world of motivational books and self-help coaches. Much like The Alchemist, the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is a fictional tale of Julian Mantle, a lawyer who faces a spiritual crisis when he realizes the imbalances of his life. The story takes him on a journey of peace, wisdom, and self-actualization.
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Material wealth has long been considered the most obvious and most important way of measuring success. This often causes people to forget the line that separates financial stability and a fixation on wealth or status. This book, while fictional, draws inspiration from Sharma’s own life when he left his job as a litigation lawyer at the age of 25. The book focuses on achieving a simple yet peaceful life.
8. Chicken Soup for the Soul Series
The Chicken Soup for the Soul series is a book series, each issue encompassing a collection of real-life stories that teach you about the little things in life. From editions like Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul to Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul, this series comprises almost every category and audience for motivational books.
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They’re simple and easy. These anecdotal stories don’t necessarily give you some profound life-changing advice but will give you little bits of wisdom for your everyday life and help you appreciate the things you have. As the name suggests, there’s a comfort in these books, like that of drinking chicken soup when you have a cold; it’s a thing of beauty.
Motivational Books for Health and Well-being
9. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia
Ikigai is a tough book to place under a specific genre as it is too wide a concept to be individualized as one. However, the intent of the authors has been mentioned in the book to draw inspiration from the traditional lifestyle habits of the Japanese culture to find the secret to a long, healthy, and happy life. Ikigai focuses on balance, a balance between your passion, goals, requirements, and satisfaction.
Why should you read it?
CC: AmazonIkigai as a book is a pretty short read, but it’s one of those books you’d keep beside you all through your life and turn to for advice. The book teaches you the difference between living life and merely existing to perform tasks. It’s fascinating how the book shows you that even the smallest habits can have the most profound effects on your life.
10. Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety by Drew Ramsey
The pandemic times saw a drastic increase in cases of depression and poor mental from various sources like isolation from lockdowns, anxiety about health or one’s career, etc. Learning to manage one’s mental health is just as important as managing physical health, and this book gives you the most delicious way to get there; through food!
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The book is simple, that’s why. Ramsey draws facts from solid research in the fields of nutrition and mental health to present easy, actionable tips that readers can apply to their lives. The book doesn’t focus on making you follow a diet regime but rather helps you learn to choose foods that suit your journey toward better mental health.
11. Arnold’s Fitness for Kids by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Yep, you read it right, the Terminator is up next. It’s no surprise that Arnold has been a model of inspiration for professional bodybuilders around the world. But they’re not the only ones who can benefit from his advice. In this book series, Arnold focuses on educating children about fitness, nutrition, and overall health, with different issues covering different age ranges.
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It always helps when the advice comes from someone who practices those words in their actual life as well. As someone who began training at the age of 15, Arnold has always preached about the importance of health and strength over aesthetics when it comes to one’s body. At 75, he is still in excellent health; his experience and achievements are visible proof that his advice comes from a lifetime of testing and perfecting.
Motivational Book on Relationships
12. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray
That’s probably a quote you’ve heard all too many times. Well, get ready to meet the source code. The reason for this quote to gain such widespread usage is due to the sheer relevance of this book in the world of relationships and dating advice. The book focuses on the fundamental differences between the psychology of a man and a woman and how this affects their perceptions.
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A large chunk of relationship problems arises due to a lack of proper communication and a lack of empathy. This book greatly helps with the empathy part. While no principle regarding human behavior is universal, this book helps you gain a certain level of understanding of the perspective of the other sex and helps you build a base if you’re looking to learn.
13. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
It never hurts to try and make more friends, and it certainly never hurts to try and get better at it either. How to Win Friends is perhaps the godfather of all motivational books in the genre of social skills. As the book states, “Learn the six ways to make people like you, the twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, and the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.”
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This book was published in 1936, making it 87 years old as of 2023. Yet despite being close to a century old, this book still stands in the good graces of critics and public audiences alike. This book focuses on simple yet proven ways to get people to like you, associate with and help you achieve your dreams.
14. The Self-Love Experiment by Shannon Kaiser
When it comes to love and relationships, the most important one you’ll have is with yourself. Having healthy self-esteem and practicing self-love is the most important step to ensuring successful relationships in other aspects of life. Kaiser’s Self-Love Experiment focuses on the issue that too many people fail to see their true strengths or fixate on their flaws (sometimes non-existent ones).
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The book focuses on helping one identify signs of self-sabotage that hold us back from success or happiness. The book aims to challenge you to address the barriers you place on yourself and, most importantly, to help you learn that you are enough and that your goals are meant to complement your existence, not complete it.
15. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Love is a complicated emotion that expresses itself in different ways. From cooking for your girlfriend to gaming with your husband, people in relationships show their affection and care in different ways. Chapman’s book focuses on categorizing forms of affection under five major subsets.
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Love languages aren’t something that pertains to romantic relationships alone. Every kind of loving relationship, be it romantic partners, siblings, friends, or parent-child relationships, revolve around these acts of love. Understanding them helps you to not only see the ways your loved ones show their care to you but also helps you see how you give out love to others as well.
16. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Yet another book on self-love and, more importantly, self-acceptance. This motivational book is a worldwide bestseller and a member of the prestigious Oprah’s Book Club. New Earth focuses on spirituality from a more grounded and everyday perspective.
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It follows similar themes of detachment from materialism, like in Robin Sharma’s Monk. However, with New Earth, the focus is also on the worldly attachment of the mental nature, such as ego and resentment. This is a book on the concept of living in the present ad focuses on creating happiness rather than chasing it. As the book states, “Find out who you truly are and change your life for the better, forever.”
17. How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
Being able to talk to people in different settings is an important aspect of being able to build productive relationships. The focus of the book is exactly what the title says it does. Larry King described this book as “You’ll not only break the ice, you’ll melt it away with your new skills.”
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The book has a systematic catalog of 92 tips and tricks that are segregated into various parts and aspects of social interactions. This is particularly for introverts or socially anxious people to break down the daunting process or seek advice for a specific area they struggle with. This is motivational for anyone who finds the idea of speaking to strangers nerve-wracking.
18. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Parenting is hard. Communicating with your kids is harder, and getting them to talk to you is the hardest. This book focuses on how to develop a sense of trust towards yourself in your kids so they will be likely to open up to you and listen to you.
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Letting your children feel heard is an important aspect of building their self-esteem and ability to voice opinions; two traits that are vital to their personality as adults. Thus it is just as important to listen to your kids in a respectful way so that they are more likely to listen to you when they talk.
19. Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
Children are often scared easily. But sometimes, they’re stuck with more troubling issues like phobias or anxieties. These issues can freak out even the most mature adults, and they can be outright crippling for kids who cannot handle the stress and anxiety. While the best solution is to seek the help of a therapist, a book like this helps keep you more informed and better equipped to support your child through their struggles.
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This book is co-authored by a group of highly educated psychologists and psychiatrists who have spent years studying these various conditions and their effects. Moreover, much like a scientific journal, this book is continuously expanded and updated to keep up with the latest research and findings.
20. Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
There’s a fine line between parents who tried but made mistakes and parents who intentionally or carelessly neglected their children’s emotional needs (sometimes general ones as well). In cultures where adults are considered universally right or superior, it can be hard to deal with the trauma that comes from having an emotionally absent parent(s).
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When you deal with emotionally abusive or toxic parents, it can often be difficult to accept what you’ve been through, and reading a book like this has been noted by reviews to be validating. This book may allow you to realize internalized habits, opinions, or coping mechanisms that you may have never even realized that you have.
21. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
Marriage is also a tricky subject to deal with, much like parenting. Making a marriage work takes more than just romantic love and movie-esque displays of affection. There is respect, communication, boundaries, compatibility, and various other aspects couples must focus on. Lucky for you happy couples out there, John Gottman’s got you covered.
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Hindu weddings in India follow a custom of being joined for seven rebirths with a marriage; in a poetic fashion, this book sums the main concepts of a healthy marriage into seven principles. The book focuses on the simple idea that the basis of a marriage is a deep friendship with mutual respect, and I believe this is something that can really help put things into both young couples learning to build a marriage or an old couple trying to improve theirs.
22. The Marriage Counselling Workbook by Emily Cook
Why should you read it?
The book is designed to act like a DIY marriage counseling session where the couple goes through communication phases, answering questions and performing real-world exercises aimed at analyzing and improving their relationship dynamics. By actively involving the reader rather than lecturing them, the workbook allows them to use the book as a framework to create their own solutions.
23. It’s Okay that You’re Not Okay by Megan Devine
Loss is an unavoidable part of any relationship, and learning to grieve and process it in a healthy manner is of utmost importance for your mental well-being. This motivational book focuses on a rounded approach to how to see grief as an individual and a part of a society or culture.
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Devine speaks in this book from both perspectives, as a therapist and as someone who has experienced loss. The book does away with many traditional forms of grief and grief support. Devine writes, “Grief no more needs a solution than love needs a solution.” This is a book not only for those that are grieving but also for those who wish to support grieving people.
Motivational Books for Women
24. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
It’s obvious that when it comes to both life advice and career advice, women have a vastly different scenario than men do, and they have to navigate an entirely different set of hurdles. Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In is perhaps one of the most profound examples of feminist motivational books out there.
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This book follows a series of different philosophies regarding expectations and obstacles women face in both home life and work life. Sandberg focuses on empowering women to take charge and achieve their goals boldly. Additionally, this book is backed by an entire foundation that works to promote women in workplaces and help them achieve their ambitions.
25. Becoming by Michelle Obama
There is no doubt that Michelle Obama is a role model as a woman, a mother, and a social worker. Her memoirs detailed in this book talk about her life from her early days to her work as the First Lady at the White House.
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This book works well because it isn’t scripted and polished advice. It’s a raw story. This book, in its entirety, is the honest and uncensored narration of Michelle Obama’s life in her own words. This book allows us to learn from her achievements, her failures, and everything else she has experienced in life.
Motivational Books for Finance
26. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Let’s talk finance now. Knowing how to handle money and manage finances is probably one of the most important skills we need, especially with Gen Z, who are growing up in times of major economic changes. Rich Dad Poor Dad is the paragon of all financial motivational books. Despite releasing in 1997, the book still holds major relevance and is still a constant bestseller.
CC: Rakuten KoboWhy should you read it?
For anyone seeking to understand the value of their assets, learning how to start an entrepreneurship or just learning basic financial intelligence, this book focuses on all of it. The format is based on parables, little anecdotes from Kiyosaki’s own life explaining how to be smart with money.
27. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book certainly has a fascinating story regarding the creation of this book. However, it is undeniable that the book itself is an excellent motivational book for anyone struggling with financial issues.
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Napoleon Hill wrote this book as a set of principles he observed after analyzing various successful millionaires of the time. Boiling down the process into a set of principles will help you tackle each aspect one by one to build a successful financial plan. And as previous examples in this list prove, a book that has stood the test of time proves its worth by its existence alone. Surely a book from 1937 that still holds its place in the world of finance does so due to its worth.
28. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Now here’s a book that promises quite a bit. Fortune’s “New Finance Guru,” Ramit Sethi, created this motivational book along with his blog of the same name. This New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestseller has been popularly called “the book that taught a generation to earn more, save more and live a rich life.”
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Gen Z might appreciate this book since it validates the one thing we’ve been yelling about all this while; It’s not the avocado toasts. Yep, that’s right, this book gets it. It talks about organizing your finances and making clever investments to make money, and in the meanwhile, enjoy that toast with a cinnamon latte!
29. Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joseph Dominguez
Your Money or Your Life! No, I’m not mugging you; just telling you where to look. In a question of money vs. life, we would ideally choose life, but when the world works in such a way that you kinda need that money to have a life, looking for a balance is better. Robin and Dominguez’s book talks about the difference between making a living and making a living.
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It’s hard to focus on enjoying life when you live paycheck to paycheck. This motivational book focuses on helping with that. Reviews of this book praise it for simple yet solid explanations that help you understand the world of money. The book follows a 9-step program that works wonders if you can stick to it.
30. What Every Indian Should Know Before Investing
For the Indian audience who have seen all those ads about making investments and wish to enter into the world. This is your guide. For any of you that get the reference, consider this the R.D Sharma of the investing world.
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This book acts as a complete guide for investing and financial planning within the Indian market. The book covers nearly every topic under the sun, including Stocks, Insurance, FDs, Mutual Funds, and so on. This book motivates individuals to pursue financial literacy and put this knowledge to use.
Motivational Book for the Business and Corporate World
31. The Habit of Winning by Prakash Iyer
It would be an oversimplification to call Prakash Iyer’s Habit of Winning a corporate motivational book as it encompasses a wide variety of stories. The point of interest, however, is that they all point to one trait, being a capable leader. To be able to lead efficiently is a critical skill in the world of business and corporate sectors. And this book might as well be a Holy Grail in this.
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I’ll let the book speak for itself with a quote from its blurb, “It is a book that will change the way you think, work and live with stories about self-belief and perseverance, leadership and teamwork; stories that will ignite a new passion and a renewed sense of purpose in your mind.” (mic drop)
32. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Ever wonder why some people are successful while others aren’t? And why is it that, more often than not, these people can repeat their success time and time again? According to Sinek, “Because in business, it doesn’t matter what you do, it matters why you do it.” This TED talk sensation is a deep dive into the concept of the “Why” behind the actions of pioneers like Martin Luther King and the Wright Brothers.
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This book focuses on the two main ways one can exert influence; manipulation and inspiration. History has proven on numerous occasions how inspiration is a far greater tool. Manipulation might coerce others to act in your favor, but inspiration moves them to choose their actions to support you intentionally. To inspire, your reasons matter, and that’s where Sinek’s advice comes in.
33. The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
What do you do when everyone looks at you? When you’re the one others come to for answers, where do you for yours? This is the challenge every manager faces in their position. Luckily Julie Zhuo, in this motivational book, speaks about the factors that make a good manager.
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The book deals with various aspects of a manager’s job description, from interviews to conducting meetings. As the author herself puts it, “Whether you’re new to this job, a veteran leader, or looking to be promoted, this is the handbook you need to be the kind of manager you’ve always wanted to be.
34. Corporate Chanakya by Radhakrishnan Pillai
Chanakya was an ancient Indian polymath. In the 4th century B.C., he wrote down his ideals of leadership and strategy in the Arthshastra. Radhakrishnan Pillai draws from these old texts and simplifies them into a modern context as a guide for corporate leaders to better their skills.
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Modern problems require modern solutions. The book takes the wisdom of the ancient genius to bring it into today’s setting. The book is divided into three main components of the corporate world, Leadership, Management, and Training, and the book dives into various aspects like conducting meetings, time management, and handling emergencies.
35. Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
This parable tale talks about two mice and two “Little people” and their hunt for cheese. The tale is an explanation of the four major reactions one can have when dealing with a major change in work life.
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The book focuses on a simple concept. When presented with an unexpected change, you can either accept it and adapt or choose to wallow in it. The book is simple in narration and is barely an hour-long read, but the story can be potentially life-changing.
36. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
What is it that makes a man truly successful? Well, this book has some rather peculiar things to say about it. Outliers, as the name suggests, make an observation on the highest echelons of various fields and try to understand why the top members of these fields are in those spots.
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This book says that the self-made man is a myth. It claims that success comes from not just mastery over your field through countless hours of practice but also being able to get opportune moments that you can seize, something that is sometimes out of your control. This does take a bit of the weight off your shoulders and tells you to focus on what you can do and keep an eye out for the rest to be in your range.
37. The Winning Way by Harsha Bhogle
Here’s an interesting question, what can a manager learn from a cricketer? In this motivational book, renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle and advertising consultant Anita Bhogle dive into the world of sports to bring you examples of exemplary sportspeople who show traits of good leaders.
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The book states that ability alone is not enough to gain success, especially as competition rises. The right attitude is necessary to ensure optimal results. This book allows you to see the actions and thought process that players undergo that separates the losing teams from the champions.
38. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Distractions are abundant in the modern world, where entertainment is constantly at our fingertips. In a world where everything is trying to grab your attention, it becomes even more important to be able to double down and focus on your work. Cal Newport calls this “Deep Work.”
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It might seem obvious to know how to shift one’s attention from a distraction to one’s work. However, knowing is not the same as actually doing it, especially if you don’t know how to implement it. Newport’s book brings a powerful training routine to build your focus on what’s important and keep your eyes on the ball.
39. Getting Things Done by David Allen
Ever feel like you’re really good at making plans on how to do your work but never get around to actually doing it? Well, a management consultant says, “There is an inverse relationship between things on your mind and those things getting done.” Often we get too caught up in making plans that we forget to focus on the task at hand. Getting Things Done is about trying to deal with this issue.
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This book runs on a simple philosophy, the more relaxed your brain is, the better your work will be. It’s a simple guide to learning to organize your thoughts in a clearer and more stress-free way in order to maximize your output quality and quantity.
40. Blue Ocean Shift by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
One of the most important goals organizations and companies set to achieve is to move from the crowded market sectors to an area that facilitates new growth. The authors of this motivational book refer to this concept as the Red and Blue Oceans. Blue Shift focuses on teaching individuals and companies about how this shift can be made.
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This book details crucial topics of company expansion, such as the drawbacks of fixating on competition, why building confidence is important and how to do so, how to shape your company environment to nurture your growth further, etc.
Biographical Motivational Books
41. ON TOP OF WORLD: My Everest Adventure by Arjun Vajpai
This is a personal favorite of mine. As someone who loves mountains, I enjoyed this book. Arjun Vajpai is one of the youngest Indians ever to climb Mt.Everest. This is a tale of hardship and perseverance.
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Climbing Mt.Everest is perhaps one of the toughest tests a human can endure, especially if they are as young as Arjun was, at 16. The story is written in a very personal manner, as if you were reading his diary during his days of the climb (with his permission, of course). There is a physical, mental, and spiritual aspect to this story that can help you understand how much it takes to achieve success.
42. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
There are no explanations necessary as to why Nelson Mandela is a role model and an inspiration to us all. Nelson Mandela has risen to be recognized as one of the pioneers of racial equality and freedom, and his book is a goldmine of the wisdom he carries.
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Mandela’s biography details his life from his childhood to his days of struggling against apartheid and his rise to be the first elected leader of South Africa. Mandela has often been praised as a “born leader,” and there is a lot that we could learn from his life and experiences.
43. My Brief History by Stephen Hawking
Anyone interested in the world of astronomy and astrophysics shed a bittersweet tear when they saw the first picture of the black hole ever to be captured, knowing that the man who started this dream was not around to see it. Stephen Hawking is perhaps one of the greatest minds to ever exist in the world, so great that even severe illness could not hinder his genius.
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When Hawking was first diagnosed with his condition, he was given months to survive, and yet he lived for years making strides in the world of physics (and giving life advice to Sheldon Cooper). Hawking’s condition put several obstacles in his personal life and career, yet he came out victorious every time, and I believe we could all learn something from him,
44. Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar
In the world of cricket, Sachin’s name has been etched into the line of greatest sportspeople to ever exist. From his humble beginnings to his rise as one of the greatest pioneers of the sport, his tale is one that stands as motivation for all who aspire to greatness.
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During his peak years, Sachin’s presence on the field was almost always a sign of victory for India. But he did not magically reach here. His autobiography is the embodiment of the years he’s spent honing his craft and perfecting himself. This book is a reminder to everyone about the struggles it takes not just to reach the top but to stay there.
45. An Autobiography by Agatha Christie
Writing a book is no easy task; writing up to 75 of them is monumentally so. Agatha Christie is undoubtedly a brilliant writer, able to write 66 crime fiction novels and have each one gain tremendous amounts of success. This book solves the greatest mystery of hers yet; the story of her life.
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Every aspiring writer can learn from her about the skill of writing to entertain people. The book has a very conversational tone, giving you the feeling that you are having a chat with the queen of crime herself. Agatha has had a full life, living through two world wars, adventures of excavations with her second husband, and her years as a writer. There is much that every creative mind could learn from the creator of Marple and Poirot.
46. Life without Limits by Nick Vujicic
If you’ve come across a video of him before, you know how tough life is for Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs. Yet none of that has stopped him from traveling, being independent, finding love, and even surfing.
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There are a lot of times when we feel like we can’t do anything and that all the odds are stacked against us. And when we look at people like Nick and learn of his experiences, we remember that we can always find the strength to get back and keep moving forward. That we only lose when we decide so.
Niche Motivational Books
47. How to Be a Writer by Ruskin Bond
Ruskin Bond is a common name every student will hear during days in English period. One of the most successful Indian writers, he has written over 500 short stories. He is an individual that aspiring writers can look to for guidance on their career path.
CC: AmazonWhy should you read it?
Aside from the fact that his accomplishments speak for themselves, Ruskin’s Bond’s How to Be a Writer follows his signature style of simple, humorous writing that makes for an easy and fun read. The book contains simple tricks and tips to help you hone your skills as a writer.
48. Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman
Anyone who’s been around superhero pop culture has at least heard of the name Neil Gaiman. The man who immortalized Sandman is one of the most renowned fictional writers of our time.
CC: AmazonWhy should you read it?
Neil Gaiman’s book doesn’t just speak to writers; this book is a shoutout to artists of all kinds; writers, painters, comic book artists, musicians, etc. This book is based on the commencement speech he gave at Philadelphia University, which urges artists to break free from norms and think beyond the regular to create truly inspired art.
49. Legal Eagles by Indu Bhan
This next one is for the legal folk and spiring Harvey Specters out there. Legal Eagle is a motivational book that takes a look at the stories of 7 top Indian lawyers and their journey as each of them rose to the positions they hold today.
CC: AmazonWhy should you read it?
Each of the seven individuals mentioned in this book has come across a plethora of failures in their lives as they struggled for success, and their experience stands as an inspiration for others. As the book quotes, “The book highlights the important milestones of their careers, their victories and failures, their influences, and their work ethic and role models, demonstrating that the path to success is paved with determination, grit, and challenges.”
50. Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay
Anyone can cook, a simple quote from the movie Ratatouille. And a personal motto of mine as well. As much as cooking is a basic skill, we must all learn, a lot of people forget the beauty and art you can enjoy in the act of cooking. And who else would be better to motivate you for that than one of the greatest chefs of modern times, Gordon Ramsay (don’t worry, he doesn’t shout here… I think)
CC: AmazonWhy should you read it?
To maintain a stature where you are a household name across the world for excellence in cooking, you need to put in the work. Ramsay is a man who spends as much time as he can practicing his craft and always seeks to learn new things in the culinary world. This is a man with deep respect for the craft, and everyone who wants to learn more about their food can give this book a read for insights into this man’s journey.
