Ryan Holiday: These are the books that will change your life forever

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Have you ever felt like a book has struck in the soulThat has stirred something within you, offering you a new perspective, an unexpected tool, or simply the comfort of feeling understood.

How books can profoundly transform you

We saw it very recently with the artist DoechiiFor many, reading is much more than a hobby; it is a inexhaustible source of growth, happiness and personal improvementFor many like me, reading is as essential as breathing. But even if it isn't for you yet, I can guarantee that immersing yourself in the right pages can make you healthier, richer, wiser and many, many other things.

Today, with the help of Ryan Holliday —the world reference of modern Stoicism— let's explore some of those literary treasures, books that have proven their power to transform, challenge, and, yes, even prepare us for the more complicated aspects of life.

Get ready to add some—if not all—of the titles to your list!

The struggle for power and human nature (even the ugly kind)

Let's talk about something we all desire and fear in equal measure: power. There's a book that dares to break down the rules often. ugly, scary and dark through which it operates. It's so controversial that it has been one of the most stolen bookstores and is banned from the US federal prison system. It must also be said that it has countless detractors...

Why read something like this? Precisely because the more it intimidates you This Machiavellian side or the dark side of human nature, more important is that you read itYou will be much more prepared to avoid falling victim to those who do understand these ideas. I'm talking about "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert GreeneIt's an introduction, a brilliant summary of the writings on power and the history of the human struggle to obtain and protect it. If you haven't read it, you should.

Finding meaning when it seems like nothing remains

One of my favorite books… Imagine having everything taken away from you: your home, your job, your family. You even lose your book manuscript. Viktor Frankl lived through the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust and nearly lost his own life. From that experience, "Man's Search for Meaning", a book that reminds us of a profound truth: even if everything is taken from us, We always have the ability to choose our attitude in any circumstance and create our own path.

This idea is the essence of Stoicism: We don't control what happens to us, but we do control how we respond. Suffering is inevitable, yes. But, as Frankl says, we also have the ability to find meaning in that suffering and grow from itIt's one of the most beautiful and inspiring books ever written, with millions of copies sold. If you haven't read it, you have to do it.

The sacred battle of the creative

Every artist, every person who tries to create something, faces an invisible enemy: "the resistance"You know you want to do it, but a part of you says, "Do it later," "Do it when you're more qualified," "Do it when inspiration strikes."

This is the fundamental battle of all creatives, the fight against our "lower self" to reach our "higher self"To be successful (whether with a large audience or a small one), every artist must be a hero in this battle.

This fight is brilliantly described in "The War of Art" by Steven PressfieldIt is a book that you will change life If you're creative. In fact, many people reread it before starting any creative project.

I love the title…

Rediscovering gems and sending a message… Peculiar

Sometimes history interferes in strange ways. Can you imagine your book, one of the best written about a fascinating city like Los Angeles, being forgotten for 50 years because your publisher was sued by Adolf Hitler himself?

Well that's what happened to "Ask the Dust" by John FanteIt was thanks to Charles Bukowski that he found it in a library that is great Californian novel, a kind of "The Great Gatsby" from the West Coast, was rediscovered and appreciated. It is one of those works that we should all read.

And yes, reading it is like making a "A nice tip of the hat to Adolf Hitler"It is one of those all-time favorite books for many.

Leading when times are turbulent

Being a leader is easy when everything is going well; The difficult thing is to be so in adversity. Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of the great biographers, offers us in Leadership in Turbulent Times a compendium of profiles of leaders (such as Roosevelt, Lincoln, Johnson) who had to lead through deep difficulties and crises.

Obviously we can say that they weren't perfect, of course, but their stories offer wonderful insights into how to be a better leader When things get tough. Something that's good for us all.

The Timeless Wisdom of the Stoics (And How to Stay Calm)

Here we enter sacred territory, both for me and for good old Ryan. There's a book written by the most powerful man in the world at the time, without any intention of publishing it.

He thought to himself about justice, self-discipline, wisdom, and courage. His thoughts on everything from losing his temper to his fear of death are so beautiful, specific and universal which is a unique book. We are talking about "Meditations" by Marcus AureliusIf you haven't read it, it is an imperative.

I specifically recommend this version. It's much more enjoyable to read.

Letters to a friend that changed my perception of reality

Another stoic giant is SenecaThis man had every reason to be angry: he suffered a horrible illness for 10 years, was exiled on trumped-up charges, spent 8 years on an island. And yet, he wrote some of the most lucid reflections on how not to lose patience.

In his essays, as in "On Anger" (one of the parts of "How to Keep Calm"), reminds us that There is no emotion uglier than anger. Your remedy? The delay. Let it rest and cool. It also suggests the selective ignorance: to be less aware of everything that happens so that you get less angry. The Stoics were not emotionless beings, but rather they sought a "balance".

But Seneca also wrote letters, his «Letters to Lucilius», who are incredibly insightful about success, failure, learning, and life in general. They offer advice on where to find peace and how to avoid the traps others fall into. Their definition of philosophical progress is simply beautiful: You know you're making progress when "You've started to be a better friend to yourself.".

Reading your letters is amazing and I personally tell you that it is transformative.

Stoicism under live fire

Can these Stoic ideas withstand the most extreme test imaginable? "Courage Under Fire" by James Bond Stockdale proves so. Stockdale, a fighter pilot shot down over Vietnam, was held prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton for over seven years, suffering solitary confinement and torture. As he parachuted down, knowing what awaited him, he said to himself: "I leave the world of technology and enter the world of Epictetus".

Stockdale tested the doctrines of Epictetus (who was also tortured) in the "laboratory of human experience." He focused on the Stoic idea that, whether on a podium or in a prison, in any situation (good or bad), we have freedom of choice about who we will be. Stockdale became a heroic figure, comforting and strengthening the will of the other prisoners.

This short but book very, very transformative It's an exploration of Stoicism in the most difficult circumstances possible. It's also available for free to everyone in PDF format.

YOU CAN READ IT OR DOWNLOAD IT TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH BY CLICKING HERE

Start your own transformation through books

As you see, reading is an inexhaustible journey that equips us with ancient wisdom, practical tools, and deeper understanding of the world and of ourselves. These books are just a small sample of the treasures waiting to be discovered.

Reading daily has been key to the success and happiness of many, including myself. It encourages you to be a best personSo, why not start today? Choose one of these titles, or find one that speaks to you. The world of books is full of answers, challenges, and the opportunity to change your life, one page at a time.

And you? Have you read any books that have profoundly changed you?

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