15 Best Books to Read in One’s Lifetime [August, 2024]

Books open our minds, expand our perspectives, and allow us to traverse the depths of human experiences across time and space. From sparking our imagination to imparting hard-won wisdom, the written word holds unparalleled power. While many books line the shelves, only a select few stand the tests of time and deliver profound impact worth prioritizing.

This definitive list spotlights 15 unequivocally phenomenal books to read in one’s lifetime. Curated by experts, these stellar works deliver stunning writing, dimensional characters, imaginative worlds and deep truths sure to thrill, challenge and inspire readers indefinitely. Beyond topping the charts for sales and popularity, these titles earned their status through crafting transcendent literary experiences unmatched by contemporaries.

Let this expert-approved catalogue point you to your next stirring literary journey guaranteed to delight, devastate and departure your views in the most masterful way. Consider these authors’ magnum opuses essential for intellectual and personal growth befitting the title of “best books” whose wisdom warrants revisiting again and again over a lifetime. We present our cream-of-the-crop list below outlining what cements these works among humanity’s heavyweights of writing.

1. Atomic Habits

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Description

Atomic Habits by James Clear is a powerful book that explores how small, incremental, everyday habits shape our health, productivity, and overall well-being.

Key Features

• Provides practical, science-backed advice for building good habits
• Explains how tiny changes in our routines compound over time
• Helps readers overhaul their habits to be more productive, healthy, and happy

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best books to read in India, Atomic Habits stands out for its actionable and unintimidating advice. While many habit books are dense and theoretical, Atomic Habits breaks down the fundamentals of habit formation into easy-to-implement tips. It emphasizes starting small and celebrates the power of tiny gains over time. We highly recommend Atomic Habits to anyone looking to improve their habits and quality of life.

2. Rich Dad Poor Dad:

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Description

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki is a classic personal finance book that debunks common money myths and explains essential financial concepts. This special 25th anniversary edition includes updates and new insider advice.

Key Features

• Challenges assumption that you need to earn a high income to become rich
• Explains how assets and passive income are key to building wealth
• Provides financial education lacking in schools and households

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best books to read in India for financial wisdom, Rich Dad Poor Dad delivers paradigm-shifting ideas in an engaging, conversational style. While a few examples are dated, the core principles remain timely and applicable. We recommend Rich Dad Poor Dad to anyone seeking a primer on money, investing, and financial freedom.

3. THE 48 LAWS OF POWER

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Description

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene dissects the fundamentals of power and ascendancy, synthesizing lessons from influential figures and events in history.

Key Features

• Explains the timeless laws and strategies used by powerful people
• Provides cautionary tales of transgressions and their consequences
• Useful for navigating workplace politics and social dynamics

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best books to read in India for better understanding power, The 48 Laws of Power is thought-provoking though controversial. While some view its amorality as too cutthroat, others find its unflinching look at manipulation insightful. We recommend The 48 Laws of Power for its rare glimpse into the mindsets and tactics used by those who seek control and dominance. Use wisdom when applying any of its radical teachings.

4. Man’s Search For Meaning

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Description

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl chronicles the author’s experience surviving Nazi concentration camps during WWII and discovers deeper purpose in the midst of suffering.

Key Features

• Profound and timeless insights on finding meaning amid adversity
• Explains logotherapy, Frankl’s theory of man’s primary drive to find meaning
• Inspiring perspective on resilience and the human search for purpose

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best books to read in India or worldwide, Man’s Search for Meaning puts perspective around life’s everyday frustrations. Frankl confronts the darkest chapters of humanity and emerges with rare wisdom. His realization that we can control our inner lives even when outer circumstances seem hopeless uplifts and empowers. We believe this book will profoundly impact how readers interpret and respond to hardship.

5. The Alchemist

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Description

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho follows a young Andalusian shepherd on a soulful journey to discover his destiny by pursuing his Personal Legend.

Key Features

• An inspirational fable that resonates with all ages
• Explores timeless themes like destiny, courage, and self-discovery
• Beautifully written with evocative settings and characters

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best books to read in India, The Alchemist stands out for its simplicity, wisdom and imaginative charm. The novel lyrically captures the allure of adventure, the wisdom of listening to our hearts, and learning from failure along the path to fulfilling our true calling. We recommend The Alchemist as a stirring parable sure to delight and transform casual and discerning readers alike.

6. Grandma’s Bag of Stories

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Description

Grandma’s Bag of Stories by Sudha Murty captures the magic and cultural wisdom of India through a collection of folk tales passed through generations.

Key Features

• Contains 20+ fables and stories from all over India
• Beautiful illustrations bring the stories alive
• Imparts important life lessons to both young and adult readers

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best storybooks to read in India that revels in Indian folklore, Grandma’s Bag of Stories truly has something delightful for all ages. The stories brim with warmth, humor, and unforgettable Life Lessons appreciated across generations. We highly recommend Grandma’s Bag of Stories for some enchanting storytelling that transcends age and makes India’s oral tradition accessible to modern audiences.

7. Tuesdays With Morrie

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Description

Tuesdays with Morrie details author Mitch Albom’s weekly meetings with former professor Morrie Schwartz as Schwartz battles ALS and imparts his final “greatest lesson”: how to live fully and die with grace.

Key Features

• An international bestselling memoir about love, loss and life
• Features relatable and heartwarming life lessons
• Inspires readers to clarify their values and make the most of their time

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best memoirs to read in India, Tuesdays with Morrie tugs at readers’ heartstrings from start to finish. Recounted with humor and wit, it thoughtfully conveys Morrie’s gentle wisdom around accepting ourselves and living meaningfully – right to the very end. We believe this poignant true story will prompt deep reflection in readers of all ages.

8. The Intelligent Investor (English) Paperback – 2013

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Description

Hailed as “the best book about investing ever written”, The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham unpacks timeless principles and strategies to guide smart investing in any market.

Key Features

• Warren Buffett’s favorite investing guidebook
• Explains defensive value investing approach
• Helps develop long-term investment habits to build wealth

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best investing books to read in India, The Intelligent Investor delivers rock-solid advice to weather volatile markets. While some examples feel dated, Graham’s philosophy remains fundamentally sound. We recommend The Intelligent Investor for its back-to-basics value investing foundation – applicable to beginning and seasoned investors alike.

9. Sapiens (L)

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Description

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind charts the evolutionary journey that enabled humans to dominate Earth and provides context on who we are as a species.

Key Features

• Traces milestones for humans: the Cognitive Revolution, Agricultural Revolution and more
• Deconstructs why Homo sapiens survived over stronger species
• Synthesizes insights from diverse fields into our biological and cultural history

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best history books to read in India, Sapiens concisely and authoritatively explores our mysterious evolutionary ascent. Harari writes with verve and wry wit, unafraid to challenge assumptions about human success. We recommend Sapiens to gain paradigm-shifting context on civilization as we know it – where we came from and where we might go next as humankind.

10. Thinking, Fast & Slow (L)

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Description

Thinking, Fast and Slow dives into the psychology of judgment and decision-making, outlining the perks and flaws of our two systems of thinking: fast, intuitive and emotional vs. deliberate, logical and rational.

Key Features

• Breaks down the innate biases and mental shortcuts that influence our choices
• Penned by Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman
• Sheds light on the inner workings of human folly and wisdom

Our Expert Opinion

As one of the best psychology books to read in India, Thinking, Fast and Slow insightfully investigates our mental apparatus for analyzing information and choosing actions. Kahneman relays complicated research with everyday examples and engaging prose. We believe this book will forever change how readers evaluate their thinking and decisions.

11. Norwegian Wood

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Description

Norwegian Wood is a romantic coming-of-age novel by Haruki Murakami that captures the nostalgia, passions and confusions of young adulthood in 1960s Tokyo.

Key Features

• Signature Murakami storytelling brimming with dreams and desire
• Evocative vignettes of first loves and formative friendships
• Musical ode to The Beatles song “Norwegian Wood”

Our Expert Opinion

As one of Murakami’s bestsellers and finest novels, Norwegian Wood stands out as a wistful walk down memory lane. Murakami pens precise portraits of introspective characters grappling with grief, sexuality, sanity and love itself. We recommend Norwegian Wood as a lens into the strange and sensuous world of Murakami’s imagination.

12. Deep Work

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Description

Deep Work lays out tried-and-true techniques for improving concentration, absorbing information rapidly, and churning out distraction-free, high-quality work.

Key Features

• Strategies for protecting deep work time in a noisy world
• Frameworks to master hard skills quickly
• Guidance for wisely integrating technology

Our Expert Opinion

Among the best productivity books to read in India, Deep Work stands out for its practical framework around doing fulfilling and meaningful work. Newport blends compelling research with personal experience into an operating manual for getting more done through better focus. We highly recommend Deep Work for anyone seeking to sharpen their focus, learn efficiently or simply do less shallow work.

13. MINDSET: HOW YOU CAN FULFILL YOUR POTENTIAL

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Description

Mindset: How You Can Fulfill Your Potential upends conventional thinking about talent and offers evidence-backed methods to cultivate success and resiliency.

Key Features

• Dismantles fixed mindset vs. growth mindset
• Science-based tactics to thrive in school, work, sports
• Empowers personal development and achievement

Our Expert Opinion

Among the best self-help books to read in India, Mindset stands out in providing readers agency over their capabilities. Dweck’s seminal work moves beyond platitudes into restarting mental frameworks around mistakes, effort and progress across all areas of life. We recommend Mindset for its power to radically expand readers’ sense of possibility and potential.

14. Zero to One (L)

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Description

Zero to One presents contrarian yet compelling theories around nurturing transformative businesses in the modern economy, unlocking creativity, and accelerating progress.

Key Features

• Insights from PayPal co-founder and billionaire Peter Thiel
• Thought-provoking ideas around innovation and competition
• Tactics for standing out from the crowd and adding value

Our Expert Opinion

Among the best business books to read in India, Zero to One incisively analyzes the global economy and entrepreneurial landscape. While Thiel’s intense philosophy warrants careful interpretation, his raw takes on progress and contrarianism make readers reconsider assumptions. We recommend Zero to One for expanding mental models around creating breakthrough companies.

15. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

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Description

The first novel in J.K Rowling’s beloved fantasy series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone introduces readers to the wizarding world and follows orphan Harry’s magical adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Key Features

• Captivating magical world with vivid characters
• Battle between good and evil resonates with children and adults alike
• Touching story promotes themes of friendship, bravery and self-discovery

Our Expert Opinion

Among the best fantasy books to read in India, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone fires up wonder and imagination. Rowling crafts an intricately built world brimming with wit and whimsy sure to immerse all audiences. We recommend this novel and its sequels to experience the inspiring coming-of-age story of the boy who lived.

Comparison for Best Book to Read

How to Choose the Best Book to Read

With endless options, choosing what book to read next can feel overwhelming. Here is a step-by-step process:

1. Set parameters: Choose desired genre, themes, completion time 2. Get recommendations: Friends, bestseller lists, genre experts 3. Read the description: Assess if it matches your criteria
4. Read first pages: Decide if writing style, pace appeals to you
5. Commit fully: Give the book a fair chance before rejection

Remember interests vary over time. Revisit this process as your needs change!

Different Types of Books

There are countless genres, but most books fit into one of four main types:

Fiction: Stories derived from imagination, not presented as fact

Non-fiction: Factual stories focused on real events and objective information

Literary Fiction: Artful, sophisticated fiction emphasizing themes over plot

Genre Fiction: Formulaic fictional books fitting expected style guidelines that classify text by subject matter and plot (example genres: romance, science fiction, crime, fantasy)

Mix up and diversify your reading across different types of books to maximize learning and enjoyment.

Guide on Usage, Maintenance and Care

Usage: Set aside distraction-free reading time, employ good posture, use dictionary/highlight key passages, balance digital mediums with print

Maintenance: Handle gently, keep away from food/liquids, store upright on solid surfaces away from direct sunlight

Care: Invest in bookends to support upright storage, wrap dust jacket in protective plastic cover, repair minor tears with archival tape

FAQs about Best Book to Read

Q. Which is the best book to read?

The best books to read included in this list are:

• Atomic Habits
• Rich Dad Poor Dad
• The 48 Laws of Power
• Man’s Search for Meaning
• The Alchemist
• Grandma’s Bag of Stories
• Tuesdays with Morrie
• The Intelligent Investor
• Sapiens
• Thinking, Fast and Slow
• Norwegian Wood
• Deep Work
• Mindset
• Zero to One
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

All 15 books highlighted provide profound wisdom and perspective sure to expand one’s mind and deliver lifelong value. The specific best book depends on the reader’s individual interests and reading stage.

Q. Which book is best for students to read?

Some of the best books for students to read from this list include Mindset, Deep Work, The 48 Laws of Power, and Zero to One. Mindset provides tactics to cultivate a growth mindset for achievement. Deep Work lays out focus strategies to maximize learning and productivity which aids academic success. The 48 Laws of Power and Zero to One supply thought-provoking ideas to stand out from the competition which students can apply in classes, careers or business in the future. Sapiens and Thinking, Fast and Slow also make excellent choices for students seeking mind-expanding books that build knowledge. Ultimately the best book depends on the specific student’s needs and interests at the time. All the books here impart transferable wisdom to enrich students’ worldviews.

Q. How do I find time for reading?

Treat reading like an essential daily habit, consistently block off time by waking earlier, using commute time, or substituting low-value screen time. Start small with 15-30 mins daily to build lifelong reading skills.

Q. How many pages per day/week should I read?

Aim for an average pace of 10-15 pages a day to complete an average book per week. Vary page count goals by difficulty level. Reading pace and retention matter more than racing to finish books.

Q. Should I finish every book I start?

Give books roughly 50 pages before deciding if reading further. But if the book still does not captivate you, move on guilt-free knowing your time determines your choices.

Conclusion

Beyond passing fads and fleeting entertainment, the best books reward rereading and pondering, remaining faithful companions for a lifetime. While dropping lesser books partway causes no shame, truly experiencing the best books from start to finish allows their hard-won wisdom to blossom within us across time. Prioritize plunging into these works when mentally ready to bask in their full splendor.

For devoted readers young and old alike, we hope discovering – or revisiting – these esteemed titles transports you on mental sojourns sure to shift your internal landscape for the better. Let these words imbue your days with rich characters, transportive worlds, and human truths certain to awaken your mind and nourish your soul indefinitely. Keep this compilation close whenever you feel that familiar urge to embark on a literary adventure destined to meaningfully reshape your perspectives. Happy reading!