Inspiring Books

Out of all the books I have read so far, I have gathered here a list of some of the most inspirational books I have had the fortune of encountering. Think of it as your guide to a successful reading list for the summer!

1) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

How it inspires: The Alchemist follows the story of a young boy, Santiago, as he sets out in search of his destiny. Destiny is a prominent theme in this book. Never be afraid of overcoming obstacles to get to what you want and never give up without a fight.

2) Pir-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed

How it inspires: Perhaps the most popular novel penned by Pakistani writer Umera Ahmed, it revolves around two people in their prime each trying to find their path and how their lives intervene. The main theme of this novel is about finding God

3) The Hunger Games series  by Suzanne Collins

How it inspires: The universe of this series is a dystopia, set in a country of wealthy privileged folk with 12 districts of varying poverty. This story is there to open your mind to the workings of the human psyche, how a human life is there for nothing but entertainment for the overly privileged.

4) The Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling

How it inspires: I could literally go on about this one. The Harry Potter series stills remains one of the best series of our time, it teaches us important lessons about love, friendship and, in the words of Stephen King, doing what is right in the face of adversity.

5) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

How it inspires: Originally intended for adults, The Catcher in the Rye also deals with themes directed towards the adolescent mind, such as alienation, teenage rebellion, feeling of loss, identity issues, the fear of being alone.

6) The Giver by Lois Lowry

How it inspires: It depicts a world where everyone is the “same” where common human emotions has been eradicated and in this world of “samness” a young boy, Jonah and the Giver set out to give everyone their memories back in order to help make the world a better place to live. It inspires us by showing how pain, love and other emotions are what makes us human.

7) The Diary of a Young Girl (The Diary of Anne Frank) by Anne Frank

How it inspires: A heart-touching diary kept by Anne Frank during the two years she was in hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. A look inside a young girl’s mind during the World War 2 period.

8) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

How it inspires: Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, deals with serious issues of rape and racial inequality in the American Deep South. It also deals with compassion, courage, humour and warmth. All these themes have a meaningful impact on the reader.