Books are more than words on paper—they are gateways to new worlds, fresh perspectives, and endless inspirations through finding the right ones. These books don’t just entertain; they transform you by helping you grow personally, professionally, and even emotionally and unlock your full potential by—having your back whether you are trying to build better habits, make sense of life’s messiness, or find the motivation to pursue your dreams finally.
Now, we know how easy it is to get lost in distractions—whether scrolling through your newsfeed, binge-watching the latest Netflix series, or switching on your PS5 and kicking back as time passes. It is tempting to collapse after a long day and let technology get the best of you.
But let’s be honest here—it might be a better use of your time if you switch off the TV and reach for a good book instead, and this isn’t just a personal opinion—there’s actual science behind it. Studies show worldwide that reading reduces stress, improves wellness, promotes better sleep, and what’s better than pushing you toward success?
That’s why many of the world’s most successful people commit to reading; they most likely know something we don’t. So here at Many Men Magazine, we’ve done the hard work for you and handpicked 10 books that will change how you see the world and help you along your journey to success or ambitious goals. These aren’t just ordinary books—they’re tools for your transformation. Let’s dive in and get into reading—your future self will thank you!
Favourite Quote: “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Let’s start with the first book, Meditations, which is a personal writing of no other than the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and then himself by providing a window into his thoughts, philosophies, and guidance leading to a meaningful life. This timeless wisdom makes it a powerful companion for self-reflection, offering insights that resonate across generations and guide towards personal growth and deeper understanding.
Why it will change your mind and life: It teaches timeless principles of stoicism, showing you how to remain calm through chaos and focus on what’s important by mastering self-discipline and resilience. It will also help you develop a grounded perspective on life.
Favourite Quote: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
Atomic Habits has been translated into over 60 languages and is a New York Times bestseller. It explores the fascinating idea that small changes can lead to remarkable results, a comprehensive guide to breaking bad habits and building good ones through practical strategies.
Why it will change your mind and life: With a clear insight into the science of habit formation, it offers practical tools to transform your daily routine by mastering the art of small and consistent changes that help you achieve long-term goals.
Favourite Quote: “Wealth is what you don’t see.”
What better way for guys to learn and explore the complex relationship between people and money? Compelling stories and insights demonstrate how money-investing, personal finance and business decisions are typically taught as math-based fields, using data and formulas and how to use them. But we often don’t make these financial decisions on a spreadsheet in the real world, as we should.
Why it will change your mind and life: It inspires you to make smarter financial choices by focusing on long-term values rather than short-term gains by shifting your mindset on money and emphasizing behaviours over technical knowledge.
Favourite Quote: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
The most well-known author of motivational guides in history, who has sold tens of millions of copies, has empowered countless people to succeed, particularly since its initial publication during the Great Depression and subsequent booming economies.
Why it will change your mind and life: Want to build a strong foundation through learning to communicate effectively, be an effective leader, and successfully navigate almost any social situation? This book offers practical advice on building communication, understanding human nature, and leading with empathy—a personal and professional success principle.
Favourite Quote: “Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.”
Let’s be honest—our attention spans make goldfish look like Zen monks these days, and this book is the ultimate antidote for the chaos of pop-ups and the siren call of TikTok. ‘Deep Work’ is like a personal trainer for your brain, teaching you how to flex your focus muscles and get stuff done without falling into the black hole of “just five more minutes” on social media platforms.
Why it will change your mind and life: A wake-up call for your distracted brain by showing you how to focus on what matters so you can crush big tasks, learn faster, and feel accomplished from your work with these simple rules: work deeply, embrace boredom, quit social media (yes, really), and ditch the low value. It’s a game changer for anyone feeling pressured or busy but never really gets anything done.
Favourite Quote: “You can’t be an important and life-changing presence for some people without also being a joke and an embarrassment to others.”
As one of the world’s best international bestsellers, this book throws out the fluffy cloud self-help nonsense and gets the real about life mess by an obsession with endless positivity and argues that our true happiness comes from accepting our flaws, facing the harsh truths and caring less about things that don’t matter. Heads up—packed with raw truth and laugh-out-loud moments!
Why it will change your mind and life: Quite literally, a book that is the refreshing slap of perspective that helps cut through the noise, narrows down your objectives, and a fulfilling life.
Favourite Quote: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
When it comes to this book—it’s a life-changing reflection on finding a purpose even in the darkest times. Viktor E. Frankl was a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who shares his journey through Nazi concentration camps and the profound lessons he has learned about resilience and the human spirit. Frankl’s message is simple yet powerful: ‘Life is about finding meaning and even suffering,’ which inspires us to face life’s challenges with courage and discover significance in every moment.
Why it will change your mind and life: This book is based on logotherapy, which was introduced as a powerful way to find purpose in life. It expands on those ideas, offering more profound insights into how meaning impacts health, from self-actualization to self-transcendence, and how our perspectives over time can promote healing.
Favourite Quote: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
The Alchemist is a powerful story that starts with chasing dreams, discovering your purpose, and embracing life’s journey with Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd, as he leaves the familiar behind and sets off on an adventure from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure. Along the way, he meets mentors who challenge his thinking and learn that true wealth isn’t always what we expect, making this book unique, inspiring, and unapologetically bold; this modern classic speaks to our drive to pursue what you aim for!
Why it will change your mind and life: This book will challenge how you see life, calling you to chase your dreams, trust your gut, and find strength in your struggles throughout your journey. It proves that the obstacles you will face will forge who you are, and the real treasure lies in discovering your purpose.
Favourite Quote: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”
This book has gone viral, taken over TikTok and sparked one of the most-watched TED Talks with over 56 million views—now that’s impressive! The author makes it simple but with powerful ideas because the best leaders and companies don’t focus on what or how they do things—they start with why. If you are trying to lead a life with meaning and make an impact, this is your go-to; it all begins with WHY.
Why it will change your mind and life: It will change your mind and lifestyle, shifting your thoughts about purposes. It teaches that success isn’t just about what you do or how you do it—it’s about why you do it. It’s a real game-changer for anyone looking to make a real difference, whether in their career, business, or personal life.
Favourite Quote: “Change might not be fast, and it isn’t always easy. But with time, Sinek’sort, almost any habit can be reshaped.”
This is one of the books you must read, which shows how mastering your habits can completely change your life with well-researched answers revealing how you can take control of your behaviour by understanding the three-step habit loop of cue, routine, and reward. Packed with powerful stories that prove our actions are shaped more by habits than conscious decisions. It’s not an easy mission to master this, but nothing is impossible.
Why it will change your mind and life: It will change your mind and life by showing you a different perspective on how you can control your actions by revealing what was driven by your habits, not decisions; once you understand these elements, this book can help you for the better.
Okay. You didn’t like our list or may have already read them all. That’s okay; thank god there are so many excellent books out there; we were going to drop another five here for your consideration:
- Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csiksgentmihalyi: A psychologist who dives into his research on “Optimal Experience,” revealing the secrets of true satisfaction in the state of mind called flow. Once you’re in the the flow, you’re fully immersed in the moment—creative, focused, and wholly engaged in life.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: This has changed millions of lives over the past 30 years, from CEOs to parents, by bringing fresh insights and making habits more relevant than ever. These seven habits —like being proactive, thinking win/win, and putting things first—are powerful tools for success in both personal and professional life. They show you how these principles will help you live with integrity and seize new opportunities.
- Can’t Hurt Me By David Goggin: The author, David Goggin, had a very tough childhood—dealing with poverty, prejudice, and abuse—but instead of letting these struggles define him, he used them as fuel to change his life and become one of the world’s toughest endurance athletes and a U.S. Armed Forces legend as a Navy SEAL.
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: This is not your ordinary self-help book but a guide to a deeper and more meaningful life that takes readers on a spiritual journey to discover who you are and unlock new potential growth within yourself. Exploring how the mind states create pain shows us how to fully live in the present moment by connecting with our true essence.
- Mindset by Carol Dweck: A Stanford psychologist, Carol Dweck spent years uncovering a powerful idea: mindset shapes our success; this groundbreaking book explains how people with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are set and hold themselves back. On the other hand, those with a growth mindset see their abilities as development and achieve more, and help you get there by shifting your perspective in all aspects of life.
