Give me a book, and my time will not be wasted. I agree, Charlie Munger. If you like to read, I hope you enjoy these recommendations. If you do not, I hope you learn to love reading because if your books are well-chosen, the wisdom in them can add value to your life. Read a page to see how you feel. Then tomorrow, read another page. Books can help you understand the people in your life better.
The theme of this book selection is Psychology. This by no means means that we selected books only in that field. You will find novels here too. Some authors understand and explain our psychology. Others weave it into stories and encapsulate it in their characters.
Without further ado, here are
Some classical suggestions
Memories, Dreams, Reflection: an Autobiography by Carl Jung
It took me some time (and pages) to get used to how Jung writes. He uses long, complex sentences even when he can write the meaning of his thoughts in just a few words. The book is a favourite. Jung is one of the big names in Psychology, but his autobiography is personal and full of authenticity. He writes about how he came up with the concepts he is famous for, speaks about his life and inspiration. He was a religious man and what made me read the book was my desire to discover what religion meant for him.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
I would classify the book as an easy read. Lori Gottlieb writes as if she speaks to a friend: it is easygoing and enjoyable to flip the pages. That in no way means that what Lori says is not significant. She is candid about her journey and mental health throughout her life. If you feel like you might be misunderstood or depressed, the book can show you that you are not alone. Lori is a columnist for the Atlantic, where she writes for an interesting column: Dear Therapist. Each week she answers an anonymous letter from a person that asks a question as if the person is in her office and seeks her help.
The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D Yalom
The book is originally designed for young therapists who are growing in their careers, but it is a great book for patients. I have always wondered what is going on in a therapist head, which is why I bought the book in the first place. It ended up being a guide to me too. Yalom is very down to earth and practical, and you can see that in his writing style. He believes that “therapy should not be theory-driven, but relationship-driven.”
I’ve Never Been (Un)happier by Shaheen Bhatt
I would put that book in the same category as Lori Gotlieb’s. It is the personal story of an intelligent woman who was diagnosed with depression when she was 18. To me, the book was beautiful because Shaheen can describe her emotions in an evocative, concise way. It was always a struggle for me to dress what I feel and communicate it adequately. If you feel this way too, grab that little edition.
More unorthodox suggestions
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harrari
Sapiens is a story of humankind, but I think our history has everything to do with our psychology. Yuval is one of the greatest storytellers and scientists of our time. The way he structures and reasons his arguments is magic and gives me satisfaction to read through the book. In fact, Yuval states that it is not the big brains, the superior learning abilities, sharp tools and complex social structures that were the steps that led Sapiens to the top of the food chain. These existed for a long time. It was language that ultimately allowed us to develop so quickly. He speaks about the memory overload we experience in our modern society and how there is “no justice in history.” Hope this is enough to stir your interest!
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
One of my all-time favourites. You can find more information about how the book made me feel and what one of my main takeaways was here.
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami
The book made me feel bizarre emotions. I read the beginning (a scene in a slowly-ascending elevator) several times because it was hard for me to finish it. I felt like I am suffocating. Murakami weaves a lot of music in his novel and my suggestion is that whenever you read about a song in the book: play it and imagine the scene as if it is a movie. You will be in for a wild ride. The book is psychological because it encapsulates well some very unusual human conditions. I will not spoil the rest.
