In order to do this, it becomes imperative to widen our sources of information, to see the world through different databases and
There was a person called Otto Von Bismarck, who once said
“Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.”
Chances are, every problem you are facing: Struggling Artist, Broke Entrepreneur, Unproductive Habits, A quest for a Happy Life and so on is a “Been There, Done That” one.
We have the lucky privilege of learning from and mastering the best of what other people have already figured out.
I have been reading books since I was a kid and after reading more than a
“It’s in our long term benefit to become selective in the information we consume.
Our time is limited. So shouldn’t we invest it in something that gives us better and longer returns over time? Invest it once and then use it multiple time and in multiple ways to lead a better and improved life.”
In this reading list, I have listed down the absolute best books I have read in different categories which are especially useful for students and young professionals. This means topics such as Personal Finance, Lifestyle Design, Health, Business Thinking, Emotional Thinking and so on.
Why these books?
Because they focus on timeless knowledge. Knowledge that is useful and important to live a better, meaningful life.
If what I am saying makes sense with you and aligns with your personal values, I invite you to join my Brain Food newsletter. I give useful content and book recommendations every week that will help you grow and improve your life.
Personal Finance
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
I cannot stress the importance of this book for young professionals, especially the ones who have recently started earning. When I first read this book, I couldn’t believe why it was not made mandatory reading in colleges. More than anything else, this is a book on developing the right mindset to personal finance and money. Make this the first book you read on the topic of Personal Finance because having the right mindset is an important pre-requisite to learning more about the actual tools and techniques.
Let’s Talk Money by Monika Halan
Once you have the right mindset, it’s necessary to know the right tools. One of the major challenges in learning more about Personal Finance or just Finance for that matter is a fear of jargons. I was facing a similar challenge while trying to improve my own knowledge when I came across this book. The thing I love the most about this book is that it starts at the very beginning(from the moment you receive that monthly salary) and it doesn’t require any previous financial knowledge. The author explains each concept lucidly and provides stepwise actionable tasks to manage your Personal Finances better. A major benefit is also that it is one of the only good books written specifically for an Indian audience.
Autobiograph y
I deliberately try and expose myself to unique role models because they are our gateway to an alternate life and career narrative. One of the best ways to do it is by reading autobiographies and biographies of unique people. There are multiple books that come to mind here but my top recommendation for a twenty-something student or young professional would be the amazing story of Nike’s founder Phil Knight. The striking aspect of this book is the personal vulnerability of its protagonist. To read and understand that even the best in the business start humble and take beatings along the way provides a much important perspective as well as courage to youngsters like us who will go through it all.
Interpersonal Communication
How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
You might be thinking that you don’t need to learn about something as basic as talking with other people. I used to think the same. However, there is a difference between talking and talking effectively. Interacting with other people is a fundamental human activity which we do for all kinds of things. We might as well make sure we do it in a way that creates the maximum positive impact for us. A great read for young professionals entering the workplace. My suggestion is to just read one chapter a day and try and implement that chapter’s tip. You
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
No discussion of interpersonal communication can ever be complete without this book. I read it during my post graduation and it made me realize the multiple little things that I had been doing wrong that ended up affecting my equation with my classmates. Look at it this way. Most of the times, another person does not have the time to know you properly before he judges you. He makes quick
Health and Nutrition
Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose your Weight by Rijuta Diwekar
Start your health and fitness journey with this book. A healthy body is the most important pre-requisite for all of your life goals. Ignorance of health and fitness is an unacceptable excuse. Rijuta Diwekar is an established name in this industry and in this book, she provides a beginner’s roadmap to eating healthy. Read this book to find out how you should structure your eating habits and diet, which is the primary catalyst to a fitter and healthier lifestyle.
Psychology and Decision Making
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
A book which gives the most value and wisdom per the number of pages you read. Hands down, one of the most important books written on the workings of our brain. The best thing about this book is that it doesn’t bombard you with all the scientific talk. It is equally balanced with real-world applications and practical tips to help you take advantage of this knowledge. Again, this is a book to be read one chapter a day. Buy it fast, read it slowly and use it every day.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
This is a book which is recommended reading for all Marketing folks because it provides a brilliant insight into consumer behavior and decision making. However, I would recommend this book because it’s also about self-awareness. The insights and the experiments mentioned in this book will expose you to your own biases and cognition. Read it to influence or prevent yourself from being influenced. Either way, read it.
Business and Entrepreneurial Thinking
Think of this book as Start-Up 101. An important book for the 21st century of entrepreneurship. Peter Thiel explains to us how the industries and ecosystem are changing because of the new wave of entrepreneurial thinking and start-up culture. Read it to improve your business thinking and understand what it takes to create something original and innovate something from nothing.
I believe that people in their twenties especially should have a basic knowledge of how any business works, irrespective of whether they are a business student or not. This is a brilliant beginners book which explains all of the important concepts of business across areas of Finance, Marketing, Operations, and others. Even if you have done an MBA, go read this book for a wonderful structured summary of those two years. Chances are you will discover something you didn’t know before.
Lifestyle Design and Emotional Thinking
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
I am a self-help junkie who has read many books on this topic. None of those books made me self-evaluate myself as much as this one did. I love this book primarily because it doesn’t do the work for you, but it gives you all the tools and the right direction to start thinking about your personal values and how you deal with things. When we are in our twenties,
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Your habits and your routines are the most important things which will decide your future trajectory. Again one of those life essential books, which should have been a mandatory reading in schools and colleges. Read this book to find out how habits are formed, what you can do to short circuit bad ones and replace them with better and positive ones. Developing proper habits is underrated and it’s about time we learn to get disciplined about it.
This is the book on the story of success. Everyone want it, few get it. Why is that? What differentiates the successful from the not so
Reading
How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler
Think about it. Did you really learn anything new about how to read after your elementary school? Basically, we are still following what we were taught way back then. Mortimer Adler starts with this premise and shows us how to read intelligently with updated tools and techniques befitting a more advanced reader. Reading is again one of those life essential activities which we will engage in every day of our lives. Why not then find out how can we make that activity the most impactful and useful for our purposes?
General Thinking
I have deliberately put this book under the category of General Thinking and not something like History or Evolution. This is because Sapiens is a book which is like a brilliant exercise in logical deduction with humans as the main subject. The credit here goes to the writer since he has constructed the book such that it offers our minds a chance to make important connections between things and how they came to be. I believe this is one of those books that can help us in starting a discussion on any topic related to life. A brilliant, brilliant read.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. It just reflects my current library and the best of the books in that library. I will keep updating this list as and when I come across more life essential books. But this is a good place to start.
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