Top non-fiction books to read in 2024

1.  “IKIGAI” by Hector Garcia.

The Japanese term "ikigai" means "a reason for being" or, more literally, "a reason to wake up in the morning." The intersection of four elements is a common description of it.

• Desire (your affection)
• Your career or mission
• Career (the line of work)
• The occupation you have chosen

Finding your ikigai, or purpose or reason for existing, is supposed to happen when these four aspects come together. By coordinating their passions, mission, vocation, and profession, this approach encourages people to attain balance and contentment in their lives. One route to a purposeful and happy existence is thought to be discovering your ikigai.

2. “ATOMIC HABITS” by James Clear

James Clear's best-selling self-help book "Atomic Habits" was released in 2018. The book provides a thorough foundation for creating positive habits, kicking negative ones, and changing your life little by little.

The main idea of "Atomic Habits" is that tiny habits done regularly over time have a compound effect that leads to big life gains. In his introduction, Clear presents the idea of "atomic habits," which are small adjustments that are simple to implement and keep up over time but can have amazing long-term effects.
The book is structured around four main laws of behavior change:

• Cue: Make it obvious.
• Craving: Make it attractive.
• Response: Make it easy.
• Reward: Make it satisfying.

Clear uses empirical data, academic studies, and workable implementation tactics to demonstrate these ideas in a variety of contexts, including relationships, personal growth, productivity, health, and relationships with others. He also talks about overcoming typical challenges including lack of motivation, procrastination, and setbacks.

"Atomic Habits" highlights the significance of identity-based habits, in which altering one's behavior involves not just what one does but also one's self-perception. Clear contends that you can modify your habits for the better and accomplish your objectives more successfully if you match them with your ideal identity.

All things considered, "Atomic Habits" offers a concise and doable road map for anyone hoping to use tiny habits and ongoing development to transform their life for the better. Its useful suggestions, interesting writing style, and evidence-based approach to habit-building have won a lot of praise.

3. “THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE” by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey's best-selling self-help book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" was initially released in 1989. The book offers a comprehensive strategy for achieving both personal and professional success that is founded on enduring ideas of leadership and character.

The habits are divided into two primary categories by Covey: public victory (habits 4-7) and private victory (habits 1-3). Below is a quick synopsis of every habit:

• Be Proactive: Take initiative and own up to your own responsibilities. Rather than responding to outside events, concentrate on your controllable aspects and take the initiative to accomplish your objectives.
• Begin with the End in Mind: Make your values, objectives, and priorities clear. Make a clear picture of what you want to accomplish in the long run by visualizing your intended results.
• Put First Things First: Make the most use of your time and energy by giving important chores priority over urgent ones. Learn to say no to distractions and concentrate on things that support your values and aspirations.
• Think Win-Win: Develop an attitude of abundance and look for win-win solutions while interacting with people. Accept cooperation, empathy, and teamwork to produce results that are advantageous to all parties.
• Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Prior to trying to understand oneself, try to understand others by practicing empathic listening. Develop sincere bonds of mutual regard, trust, and understanding.
• Synergize: Respect one another's unique qualities and characteristics while cooperating to accomplish common objectives. Harness the combined skills and viewpoints of a group to generate momentum and surpass the accomplishments of solitary endeavors.
• Sharpen the Saw: In the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual spheres of your life, take regular breaks to revitalize and renew yourself. Make long-term investments in self-care, lifelong learning, and personal development to preserve equilibrium and efficacy.

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is regarded as a self-help classic and has had a significant influence on millions of readers worldwide. It provides a timeless foundation for attaining success and fulfillment in both personal and professional life by emphasizing values of character, integrity, and personal responsibility.

4. “THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI” by Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda's spiritual classic "The Autobiography of a Yogi" was originally released in 1946. It is a memoir that details the teachings, experiences, and spiritual meetings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Yogananda, who was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India, in 1893, was drawn to the spiritual path at an early age. His early experiences with spiritual instructors, his boyhood, his pursuit of enlightenment, and his eventual founding of the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in the United States are all chronicled in the book.

Yogananda offers significant insights into the nature of reality, the efficacy of meditation, and the quest for self-realization throughout his autobiography. He tells the story of his interactions with numerous Eastern and Western saints, sages, and spiritual leaders, including Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who was his own guru.

"The Autobiography of a Yogi" is highly regarded because to its profound knowledge, motivational tales, and universal lessons regarding the harmony of all faiths. It has influenced spiritual seekers all around the world and is still a great source of inspiration and direction for people pursuing inner awakening and self-discovery. The book's continued popularity and relevance can be seen in the many languages it has been translated into and the many years it has been in print.

5. "BHAGAVAD GITA AS IT IS" by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 

Published in 1968, "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" includes a thorough commentary by Swami Prabhupada on the passages of the Bhagavad Gita. "As It Is" is a title that expresses Prabhupada's goal to provide the Gita's original Sanskrit verses in all their natural language, meaning and importance included, without the addition of speculation or personal interpretation.

The Bhagavad Gita's devotional content is emphasized in Swami Prabhupada's commentary, which states that the only way to achieve spiritual realization is to submit to Lord Krishna and practice loving devotion, or bhakti. He highlights the Gita's practical application of its teachings in daily life, explaining its philosophical ideas within the framework of devotion and service to Krishna.

The Bhagavad Gita contains insightful lessons and teachings that apply to all facets of life. The Bhagavad Gita contains the following important lessons, along with examples of how to put them into practice:

• Responsibility and Morality (Dharma)
• Self-Awareness and Spiritual Development
• Renunciation and Detachment
• Calm and Harmony
• Activation and Intenseness
• Dedicated and Surrendering
• Oneness and Interdependence

You can find deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment by applying these lessons to your daily life. You can also face life's obstacles with grace and wisdom.

6. “THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK” by Mark Manson

Mark Manson penned and published the best-selling self-help book "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" in 2016. The book presents a paradoxical approach to living a better and more fulfilled life by challenging conventional self-help advice and encouraging readers to prioritize what truly matters to them. 

The central argument of the book is that it is better to accept difficulties and unpleasant circumstances as necessary components of life than to make an effort to escape them. Manson argues that by taking accountability for our deeds, acknowledging our limits, and focusing on the things that are truly essential to us, we can find greater fulfillment and meaning in life.

On a range of topics, including relationships, failure, achievement, and personal convictions, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" offers perceptive direction and practical advice. Manson urges readers to choose priorities with greater care and to let go of social constraints and expectations that do not align with their own values and aspirations.

Notable for its comedy, irreverent writing style, and contentious language are these aspects of the novel. Though it sounds like a book about apathy or indifference, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" is actually more about choosing where to direct our attention and energy in order to live a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Since its publication, the book has drawn a lot of attention and great reviews for its unique and thought-provoking approach to personal development. It has garnered resonance with millions of readers worldwide and has been translated into other languages.
 

7. “LINCHPIN” by Seth Godin

Seth Godin wrote a book titled "Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?" which was released in 2010. In "Linchpin," Godin delves into the idea of what he terms "linchpins"—people who, because of their special talents, inventiveness, and capacity to change things, are indispensable to their communities or organizations.

The book's main argument is that success in today's quickly evolving workplace and economy requires more than just following rules and fitting into predetermined roles. Rather, Godin contends that going above and above what is required of you is necessary to become a linchpin, along with embracing your special talents, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Godin outlines several key qualities and behaviors of linchpins, including:

• Embracing Creativity: Linchpins are not afraid to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.
• Providing Emotional Labor: Linchpins are empathetic and able to connect with others on a deeper level, providing emotional support and understanding.
• Taking Initiative: Linchpins take ownership of their work and are proactive in seeking out opportunities to make a difference.
• Delivering Remarkable Results: Linchpins consistently deliver high-quality work that exceeds expectations and adds value to their organization.
• Building Relationships: Linchpins build strong relationships and networks, collaborating effectively with others and inspiring trust and loyalty.

Godin offers helpful guidance and real-world examples throughout the book to assist readers in discovering their strengths, overcoming resistance and self-doubt, and developing into vital cornerstones in their personal and professional lives.

"Linchpin" has received recognition for its provocative concepts and inspirational message, encouraging readers to challenge the existing quo and realize their own potential. It has grown to be a well-liked resource for people looking to prosper in the cutthroat and ever-evolving world of today.

8. “THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED” by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

Self-help author Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga's book "The Courage to Be Disliked" was first released in Japan in 2013 and then translated into English in 2018. The book explores the ideas of Austrian psychiatrist and psychotherapist Alfred Adler's philosophy and Adlerian psychology through a conversation between a young man and a philosopher.

The idea that people are free to follow their own paths in life and are not constrained by their circumstances or past is the book's main subject. According to the writers, many people experience feelings of inadequacy and a need for other people's acceptance, which can keep them from living truly and pursuing their own pleasure.

Instead of looking to other people for approval, "The Courage to Be Disliked" exhorts readers to embrace their genuine selves, accept themselves as they are, and live according to their own beliefs and objectives. The book places a strong emphasis on accepting accountability for one's own actions and decisions as well as developing the bravery to go after personal development and fulfillment in the face of opposition or criticism from others.

The book provides exercises and useful suggestions based on Adlerian psychology concepts to assist readers in overcoming feelings of inadequacy, gaining confidence, and forming deeper relationships. It questions received knowledge regarding success and happiness, arguing in favor of a mentality that moves people away from pursuing acceptance and toward empowerment and self-acceptance.

"The Courage to Be Disliked" has garnered positive feedback due to its novel outlook on individual growth and its comprehensible exposition of intricate psychological ideas. Readers all throughout the world have been motivated by it to embrace honesty, develop resilience, and muster the bravery to live life as they see fit.

9. “SAPIENS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUMANKIND” by Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari's best-selling nonfiction book "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" was initially released in Hebrew in 2011 and then translated into English in 2014. The book offers a comprehensive summary of the history of Homo sapiens, covering the period from the African origins of our species to the present.

"Sapiens" addresses several subjects, such as the advancements in cognition, society, and culture that have influenced the course of human history. Key turning points in human development are examined by Harari, including the Agricultural Revolution (which resulted in the shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes to permanent agricultural settlements) and the Cognitive Revolution (which saw the emergence of sophisticated language and symbolic reasoning).
 

The idea that shared narratives and collective myths, like as nationalism, religion, and capitalism, have shaped most of human history is one of "Sapiens"' main themes. Although these myths, according to Harari, have been essential in structuring human communities and influencing behavior, they are also liable to modification and reinterpretation in the future.

"Sapiens" has received recognition for its interdisciplinary approach to history, approachable writing style, and thought-provoking ideas. Its success as a worldwide best-seller and several language translations have sparked conversations and controversies regarding the nature of humanity and the course of human civilization. 

10. “THE 5 AM CLUB: OWN YOUR MORNING ELEVATE YOUR LIFE” by Robin Sharma

In 2018, Robin Sharma wrote and published a self-help book titled "The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life." In order to increase productivity and personal growth, the book suggests getting up early and using the first hour of the day to work on yourself and accomplish your goals.

The fundamental idea of "The 5 AM Club" is that people may change their lives and experience higher levels of success, contentment, and pleasure by rising at 5:00 AM and spending the first hour of the day doing things like working out, practicing meditation, reflecting, and studying.

In this book, a fictional tycoon, artist, and entrepreneur are followed as they go on a life-changing adventure with the help of an enigmatic mentor known only as "The Spellbinder." They first meet in an opulent resort. They gain knowledge about the value of self-control, a positive outlook, and daily routines in accomplishing their objectives and reaching their full potential via a sequence of lessons and experiences.

In "The 5 AM Club," Sharma offers helpful tips, methods, and ideas to help readers make the most of their morning routines, boost output, improve concentration and creativity, and develop a resilient and growth-oriented attitude. He highlights the significance of mastering one's thinking, learning new things constantly, and acting consistently to achieve one's goals, both personal and professional.

Although "The 5 AM Club" has drawn criticism and praise for its early rising and morning practice, it has also encouraged many readers to reconsider their daily routines and habits and to embrace the potential of early rising as a driver of success and personal improvement.