The Thought Library

Manifest by Roxie Nafousi reshaped the way I think—not just about goals, but about the way I move through life. It’s not a lesson in dreaming; it’s a wake-up call to step fully into the best version of myself, without hesitation, without doubt. Not that things might happen, but that they are happening because I’ve decided they will. This book reminded me that belief isn’t passive—it’s a shift in how you show up for yourself. Once you embrace that mindset, life doesn’t just change—it catches up to what you’ve known all along.

OG Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World is more than just a book—it’s a journey. Reading it takes commitment, but the wisdom it offers makes it worth it. It’s not just about sales; it’s about mindset, discipline, and personal growth. The storytelling makes it an enjoyable read, and while it requires patience, its messages are timeless and uplifting. A book that leaves you with something meaningful to carry forward.

Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are is a great meditation book—one that meets you exactly where you need it. Whenever I find myself in a challenging moment, my partner reminds me of it, pointing me to a specific passage, and every time, it helps. It’s not a book to rush through; it’s one you take your time with, reading slowly and letting each passage sink in. It calms me, helps me refocus, and serves as a quiet reminder to be present.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is filled with wisdom, but one passage stood out to me the most—when the protagonist loses everything and cries in the market. In that moment, he realizes that crying won’t change his situation; what matters is how he chooses to respond. That realization hit me. It’s a reminder that setbacks don’t define us—how we transform them into strength does. A beautifully simple yet powerful book about following your path, no matter where it leads.

Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature dives deep into what drives people—their desires, fears, and unconscious behaviors. The first chapter on rationality and emotions really stuck with me, breaking down how much of our decision-making is guided by feelings, even when we think we’re being logical. The book has some great insights, but at times, the examples and stories run too long, making certain ideas feel drawn out. Still, it’s an eye-opening read for anyone curious about why people act the way they do.

JL Collins’ The Simple Path to Wealth completely changed the way I think about money. It made me realize everything I had been doing wrong financially my whole life and, more importantly, how to fix it. The book breaks down investing and saving in a way that finally makes sense—so much so that it immediately made me want to save more and open a Vanguard account. It’s practical, direct, and one of the most useful books I’ve ever read about money.

Jean Rhys’s Good Morning, Midnight. The atmosphere and mood in Good Morning, Midnight are beautifully crafted, and the character study is compelling, but I kept waiting for something to happen. The novel is deeply introspective, which some may love, but I found myself craving more movement, more resolution. It’s a quiet, reflective read, but one that left me wanting just a bit more.

Robert Rowland Smith’s Breakfast with Socrates takes an ordinary day and weaves philosophy into it, making big ideas feel more connected to everyday life. I enjoyed seeing daily routines through a different perspective—it was interesting and made me reflect on the small moments we often overlook. While I didn’t find it groundbreaking, it was a nice, engaging read that made philosophy feel more accessible.

Daniel J. Levitin’s The Organized Mind gave me a deeper understanding of how the brain works and how we process information. What I found most valuable were the practical techniques for staying organized—simple but effective strategies that I’ve actually tried, and they work. At times, the book leans heavily into an educational tone, which can make it feel dense, but overall, it’s an insightful read for anyone looking to bring more structure and clarity into their daily life.

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are pure magic. Whimsical, surreal, and endlessly imaginative, they create a world that feels both nonsensical and deeply meaningful at the same time. I love everything about them—the wordplay, the absurdity, the way they make you question logic and reality. A true masterpiece that never loses its charm.

Monica Heisey’s Really Good, Actually is simply fun to read. It’s funny, immersive, and pulls you right into the character’s world—so much so that it almost makes you wonder if you are going through a divorce. I liked it, and it was an enjoyable ride from start to finish.

Daniel C. Dennett’s Consciousness Explained is definitely not a book to read before bed—unless you want to fall asleep from the sheer density of the subject matter. It’s complex, thought-provoking, and requires full focus, but it’s worth the effort. The ideas challenge how we think about the mind and self, breaking down consciousness in a way that makes you question everything you assume about awareness. While it can feel heavy at times, it’s an interesting deep dive into one of the biggest mysteries of existence.

Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass is the kind of book that makes you sit up and actually believe in yourself. It’s not just motivational—it pushes you to see that you’re meant for something bigger and that the only thing standing in your way is you. It’s direct, energizing, and full of moments that make you rethink what’s possible. A great read for when you need that extra push to go after the life you want.

Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power is undeniably interesting, but also a bit unsettling. It lays out the mechanics of power and manipulation so clearly that it’s almost scary to think some people actually operate this way. While it’s an insightful read, it also feels like a manual for building a master manipulator. A fascinating book—but one that makes you look at the world a little differently.

Rüdiger Safranski’s Nietzsche: A Philosophical Biography is more than just an account of Nietzsche’s life—it’s a deep dive into the evolution of his ideas and how they continue to shape the way we think about the self. What struck me most was Nietzsche’s view of identity as a process, not a fixed state. His concept of self-overcoming—constantly evolving beyond our own limitations—feels like a call to action, much like the way I see personal growth and transformation.

I also connected with his emphasis on emotions and intuition as forces that guide us, sometimes more reliably than reason alone. His Will to Power isn’t about control but about the energy that fuels creativity, the same force that drives artistic expression and reinvention. And his belief that truth is a matter of perspective aligns with the idea that reality is fluid—just as Taoism teaches that everything shifts and transforms.

This book not only deepens the understanding of Nietzsche but also serves as a reminder that the self is something we create, over and over again. A powerful and thought-provoking read.

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Anthony Raymond’s Ikigai & Kaizen is filled with insights that feel so logical, yet somehow, we don’t always think about them. That’s what makes it so powerful. It’s not about grand revelations—it’s about simple truths that, once acknowledged, can transform the way you approach life. I find myself returning to its principles daily, using them as a guide to stay mindful, purposeful, and continuously improving. A book that doesn’t just make sense—it sticks with you.