1.) Aztec by Gary Jennings – Instilled a sense of adventure, philosophy, and entrepreneurship that has been unmatched by anything else. Inspired me to continue learning and truly set me off on traveling, taking risks, further learning, and living life to the fullest. Immense impact on the direction of my life thus far.

2.) Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – Incredible book on capitalism and a story that contains the philosophy of Ayn Rand. Our country’s people would benefit from reading this one.

3.) Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – Perhaps the best inspirational work of literature ever published. Need help setting goals, determining how to get the most out of life, and living a life of purpose – this one’s for you.

4.) Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts – Amazing story that contains deep words of wisdom and philosophy. The tale of a man’s journey from a maximum security prison in Australia to his escape to India where he lives a life of crime and philanthropy. One of the best stories I’ve ever heard or read. Period.

5.) How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – A book full of lessons on how to conduct yourself and get the most out of your relationships with people. If everyone read this book the world would be a significantly better and more pleasant place to live.

“Search into the depths of Things: there, irony never descends – and when you arrive at the edge of greatness, find out whether this way of perceiving the world arises from a necessity of your being. For under the influence of serious Things it will either fall away from you (if it is something accidental), or else (if it is really innate and belongs to you) it will grow strong, and become a serious tool and take its place among the instruments which you can form your art with.”

Everything written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Especially the essays: Self-reliance, American Scholar, Love, Heroism.

“But he, in his private observatory, cataloging obscure and nebulous stars of the human mind which as yet no man has thought of as such – watching days and months, sometimes, for a few facts; correcting still his old records – must relinquish display and immediate fame. In the long period of his preparation he must betray often an ignorance and shiftlessness in popular arts, incurring the disdain of the able who shoulder him aside. Long he must stammer in his speech; often forego the living for the dead. Worse yet, he must accept – how often! – poverty and solitude. For the ease and pleasure of treading the old road, accepting the fashions, the education, the religion of society, he takes the cross of making his own, and, of course, the self-accusation, the faint heart, the frequent uncertainty and loss of time, which are the nettles and tangling vines in the way of the self-relying and self-directed; and the state of virtual hostility in which he seems to stand to society, and especially to educated society. For all this loss and scorn, what offset? He is to find consolation in exercising the highest functions of human nature. He is one who raises himself from private consideration and breathes and lives on public and illustrious thoughts. He is the world’s eye. He is the world’s heart… Whatsoever oracles the human heart, in all emergencies, in all solemn hours, has uttered as its commentary on the world of actions – these he shall receive and impart.” – american scholar

These as well as The Davinci Method and a modern version of the Holy Bible have transformed my existence from one of fear to one of courage.

Best of luck to you,
Dayne
.-= Dayne | TheHappySelf.com´s last blog ..How to Free Yourself From The Inside Out =-.

Thanks for introducing the book “it works”, I had just got it downloaded from internet! It is hard to find from the local book store as it is a 100 years old masterpiece =) Simple reading and I am going to follow the 3 instructions from today onwards and see how it works =)

Btw, the book by Katie is titled “Question Your Thinking, Change The World” published 2007
http://www.amazon.com/Question-Your-Thinking-Change-World/dp/1401917305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249327131&sr=1-1

This little book full with powerful quotations for areas of relationship, health, parent & children, work & money and self realization. What I found awesome about the book is it will really serve as quick reminder whenever I hit or feel down I will flip to the topic related. Read couples of pages by questioning my mindset then I will feel better & back to a more conscious self. I am carry it with me in my back pack everyday when I am going to work =)

Cheers,
Jen

Once again, thanks for visiting and commenting!

Take care,
Dayne

Thanks for the books list. I have 1, 3 and 9. Reading Tolle the power of now really an eye opener =) However, to pick one book that “saved” me from my deep depression and bring back my hope and consciousness is a book called “Return to love” written by Marianne Williamson – this is one book that literally transformed my whole life from a state of hell =)

Recently I am reading another two books by Byron Katie:
1) I need your love – Is that True?
2) Change your thinking, change your world.

Byron techniques are so simple but really work amazingly. Just by questioning our thnknng we can turn things around. Really a wow, quite a life changing to me!

Cheers,
Jen