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Books That Didn’t Just Teach Me — They Changed Me

  • akapoor27
  • Jul 5
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 14


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Why Some Books Stay With Us Forever

 

I’ve always believed that the right book finds you when you need it most. Over the years, I’ve read my share of bestsellers and big ideas, but only a few have etched themselves so deeply into my day-to-day thinking that I can hear their lessons in moments of doubt or decision.

 

These three books didn’t just inform me — they reshaped how I lead teams, manage money, and think about my place in the world. If you’re looking for a read that might quietly (or loudly) transform you, start here.


1️⃣ What I Talk About When I Talk About Running — Haruki Murakami

 

I found this book at a time when I was pushing myself hard at work and struggling to stay consistent with my running routine. Murakami, a celebrated novelist and a dedicated runner, writes with such disarming honesty that it felt like he was gently coaching me from a park bench somewhere.

 

One line still echoes every time I lace up my shoes: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

 

Running taught him — and reminded me — that discipline is not about heroic bursts of energy but about showing up again tomorrow. Structure may feel repetitive, even dull, but it’s the soil in which meaningful growth takes root.


2️⃣ The Psychology of Money — Morgan Housel

 

I grew up believing that money was about numbers, tactics, and clever decisions. Housel’s book turned that idea on its head.

 

Through simple, memorable stories, he shows that financial success is less about IQ and more about how calmly you behave when the world is anything but calm. Consistency beats brilliance. Humility outperforms greed.

 

One idea I keep close: “Plan for volatility — it’s a feature, not a bug.”

 

Whether I’m making an investment or navigating a career risk, I remind myself: you don’t have to win every time. You just have to stay in the game long enough to let good habits work their magic.


3️⃣ The Courage to Be Disliked — Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

 

Of the three, this book rattled me the most. Written as a dialogue, it explores radical ideas about freedom, relationships, and happiness. Some pages made me pause, reread, and argue with myself for hours.

 

One thought hit me square in the chest: “All problems are interpersonal problems.”

 

I started noticing how much of my stress came from seeking approval, avoiding conflict, or living up to what others expected. This book didn’t give me all the answers, but it handed me the courage to ask better questions: What if I stop living for other people’s applause? What if being ‘normal’ is more peaceful than chasing validation?


Why I Keep Returning to These Pages

 

Years after I first read them, these books feel like quiet companions. They whisper reminders when life gets noisy: stay consistent, be patient with the process, live on your own terms, and don’t let money or opinions control your peace.

 

I don’t read to escape reality — I read to understand it, and myself, a little better.


What’s on Your Shelf?

 

I’d love to hear from you: What book changed how you think? Maybe it’s a novel that opened your heart, a memoir that lit a fire, or a practical guide that saved you from repeating old mistakes.

 

Drop your recommendations below — because the next life-changing book is often just a conversation away.


 
 
 

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Hi, my name is Ashish. This is my life experiences from Delhi to Melbourne to Seattle and beyond.

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