10 Books That Rewired How I Think
There are 10 books that rewired how I think.
I hated reading at school and even managed to convince myself that learning wasn’t for me.
But now, I love reading and learning. Finding reading on my own terms completely transformed how I think, work, and live.
So, here are 10 books that have helped change my life, including the final one, which led me to start my own YouTube channel.
Book #1: IT by Stephen King
This book is over 1,100 pages long, and before reading this in 2018, the longest book I had read was around 500 pages.
But on the back of the 2017 IT movie, I actually wanted to read this book.
So, I decided to try, and to my surprise, I couldn’t put it down.
This one taught me that it was possible to not only read longer books, but actually enjoy them too.
Book #2: Limitless by Jim Kwik
This book is filled with tools and techniques for learning, memory, and reading.
Limitless helped me understand that we can all continue to learn and grow, even if school wasn’t for you.
But the biggest lesson from this book? Your brain is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. And it's never too late to start.
Book #3: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
There's something beautifully ironic about this book being on my list.
I feel like I metaphorically burned books when I was at school. This book made me appreciate the power of reading in a way that I never had before.
Every time you pick up a book, you're choosing curiosity over ignorance. You're choosing to think. And in a world full of distractions, that choice matters more than ever.
Book #4: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
At school, history was my favourite subject, and this book made me realise just how much I didn’t know.
It’s accessible, fascinating, and leaves you wanting to find out more.
If you have ever felt like you’re not “smart enough” for big, intellectual books, this is a great starting place.
Book #5: Deep Work by Cal Newport
This book has a number of practical strategies for building deep work into your life.
It helped me to schedule tasks that were important to me, such as deep reading sessions, which I plan for early mornings, before the world wakes up. No phones, no distractions, just me and a book.
If you want to read more, work better, or just feel less scattered, read this book. It'll change how you approach your time.
Book #6: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
This was the book that helped me realise the value of biographies.
Reading about Steve Jobs’ successes and failures helped me realise that even the most successful people in history have faced setbacks. What matters is what you do next.
This book gave me the courage to start building something new, including my YouTube channel.
Book #7: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
The title refers to the average human lifespan, about 4,000 weeks. When you put it that way, life suddenly feels very short.
Burkeman puts across the idea that we’ll never be able to do everything we want to do in our lives. Instead, we should question what we want to do with our limited time.
This book helped me stop feeling guilty about not reading fast enough or not finishing every book I start.
Now, I focus on reading books that genuinely matter to me. Quality over quantity. Presence over productivity.
Book #8: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Facing terminal cancer in his late thirties, Kalanithi asks the question we all avoid: What makes life worth living in the face of death?
It’s easy to get caught up in productivity, keeping busy and chasing our goals. But this book reminded me to consider the things that really matter in your life. To me, that is relationships, experiences and staying present.
If you want a book that will make you think deeply about your life, read this one.
Book #9: The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd
Most of us are taught that there is a correct path to follow in life. Typically, this means going to school, getting good grades, finding a job, and then climbing the career ladder. But that path doesn’t work for everyone.
This book taught me that there is no “right” path and that some of us may need to wander, experiment, and figure things out as we go.
If you feel like you’re on a non-linear journey, you’re just on a different path, and that’s okay.
Book #10: Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
This is the book which finally convinced me to launch my YouTube channel.
For years, I thought people only wanted to hear from experts in a particular field. But this book showed me that people are interested in the journey, not just the result.
I learned not to wait until I was an expert or to find the perfect conditions. Share what you’re learning and be amazed by what happens.
💭Closing Thoughts
Remember, these are the 10 books which have changed MY life. Your list will look different, and that’s part of the reason I love reading. Every book affects every person differently.
I'm always on the lookout for book recommendations, so let me know what books make your list? You can reach me at Hello@charliesamways.com
You can check out the video all about this topic on my YouTube channel below:
If you’re passionate about self-improvement, reading or want to discuss the subject of reading, I’d love to hear from you. So please drop me a message.
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