“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.”
—George R.R. Martin

Books have been more than just companions on my journey—they’ve been mentors, guides, and lifelines. If I look at who I am today, the seeds were planted by these pages. Each of these books nudged me forward, reshaped my mindset, and lit a fire that still fuels my path today.

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
—Stephen King

Here are ten books that changed my life—and just might change yours too.

📘 1. The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

 

f you can read only one book on personal growth, let it be this. I read this book every single day for an entire year—and still go back to it. It taught me to take 100% responsibility for my life. No more blaming, complaining, or waiting for someone to fix things. It helped me connect the dots between purpose, vision, and goals. My yearly goals—across work, health, relationships, and service—are rooted in the habits this book helped me form.

📗 2. Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn

This was my gateway to mindfulness. It opened my eyes to the power of the pause—what I now call the mindful gap. I learned to stop, observe, and respond instead of react. I later became a certified Mindfulness Trainer and have carried this wisdom into every area of my life and teaching.

 

📙 3. Flourishing: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being by Martin Seligman

As someone with a tech background, I was pulled toward psychology by what felt like divine intuition. The moment I discovered Positive Psychology, I knew it was my calling. I even completed my master’s thesis on it. This book solidified my belief that small daily actions can rewire our brains for joy.

📕 4. Do Yourself a Favor… Forgive by Joyce Meyer

This one hit me hard. Joyce’s wisdom on anger and forgiveness was a turning point. Her message—“holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”—stayed with me forever. Today, I can proudly say I hold no grudges. This book taught me to let go, love more, and find freedom in forgiveness.

📘 5. Every Day a Friday by Joel Osteen

This book changed how I approach every day. Why reserve joy just for Fridays? Joel’s wisdom helped me start each week with a grateful, excited heart. It helped me reframe tough days and celebrate the small wins. His voice continues to inspire my mindset as a speaker and dreamer.

📙 6. Manifest Your Destiny by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Wayne Dyer was my spiritual guide. Though I never met him in person, I feel his presence in my life. This book introduced me to the idea of living on purpose—not just achieving goals but aligning with a deeper calling. His Nine Spiritual Principles still guide me through the unknown.

📗 7. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

This was my introduction to the Law of Attraction, affirmations, and visualizations. I didn’t just read this book—I memorized it. It taught me that thoughts become things, and our energy creates our reality. I live and teach this principle every day.

📕 8. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

That story of the beggar sitting on a treasure chest? It woke me up. I finally understood the value of being fully present. No more clinging to yesterday. No more worrying about tomorrow. This book taught me how to live in the now—where peace, purpose, and power truly reside.

📘 9. Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

This tiny book packed a punch. It taught me to tackle my hardest tasks first—before the day’s chaos takes over. I still apply this principle every single day, especially when it comes to habits like gratitude, running, and meditation.

📗 10. 21-Day Countdown to Success by Chris J. Witting Jr.

This was the first book that changed my life. I read it in college and followed every exercise word-for-word. It taught me what success meant—and more importantly, how to achieve it. My core success habits were born here.

📚 Bonus Gems

📘 Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

A lifelong guide. Tim’s interviews with hundreds of top performers are pure gold. I often say—if today’s youth could just read this one book, they’d be ready to build the life of their dreams.

📙 The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

This is how I live. Small, smart choices—repeated consistently—create radical change. Whether it’s one push-up, one grateful thought, or one blueberry, I believe progress lies in micro habits.

My Saturday Morning Ritual

Reading is my soul food. Every Saturday, I wake up early, sit in silence in my backyard, and step into a different world. That’s when ideas are born, goals are shaped, and breakthroughs happen. My family often laughs (and slightly fears!) what I’ll come out with next—a road trip, a new book, or a bold new goal.

I read 100–150 books a year. Some become companions, some become mentors, and a few become lifelong friends.

If even one of these books speaks to your heart, pick it up—and let the journey begin.

Let me know if you’ve read any of these or have a favorite I should add to my list. Let’s keep learning, growing, and inspiring each other—one page at a time. 💛

“Books don’t just inform us—they transform us. One chapter, one idea, one spark at a time.”
— Bindu Chintha