Want to start reading but do not know where to start, beginning your journey into the world of non-fiction can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming. Choosing your first book with so many options is easy to feel lost. That’s why I have created a list of five beginner-friendly non-fiction books that are the perfect fit for anyone starting to read. These books are simple, easy to understand, and deeply insightful, offering valuable lessons and knowledge to apply to your everyday life.
From learning how to leave bad habits to understanding living in the present moment and becoming a better version of yourself, these books will inspire, educate, and motivate you without feeling like a heavy read. So whether you are just starting or looking to add some simple yet impactful books to your collection, these books are sure to make your journey enjoyable!
1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson
This book is an excellent choice for anyone just starting their reading journey and I’m one of them! Yes, I also started my reading journey from this book. This book is filled with humor, straightforward advice, and engaging stories. Mark Manson discusses how to prioritize what truly matters and let go of unnecessary worries. It feels like a friend is advising you, and that’s how effortlessly he convinces you. If you are looking for a book that is simple yet deep this one is perfect. It’s easy to understand and offers practical wisdom for living a happier life.
Main Ideas:
Choosing what to care about: Manson explains we can’t care about everything, so we should choose our values wisely and give our attention only to the things that truly matter and are important.
Accepting life’s struggles: Life is filled with challenges and problems so learning to face them rather than avoiding them leads to a more peaceful life.
The importance of boundaries: Creating clear boundaries with others and yourself is necessary for mental peace.
Embracing failure: Take failure as a lesson, not a loss, it is a necessary part of growth, and it’s important to learn from it rather than fear it.
Manson offers an honest and Straightforward approach to living a meaningful life. While reading this book you will face the harsh reality about yourself which is necessary to grow. From learning not to give attention to unnecessary things to forcing yourself to always be happy and positive, it covers it all. By embracing failure and accepting that you’re not special and can make mistakes, this book helps you accept yourself as you are while striving to become a better version of yourself.
I’ve also written a full review of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*! Sharing my personal experience and key takeaways in a detailed Q&A format. You can read it here: Book review
Click here to buy the book from Amazon.
2. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
If you want to start with something simple yet deep and focus on habits that are common yet crucial then this is the book. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a practical guide to personal freedom and a better life inspired by ancient Toltec wisdom. This book offers four simple yet powerful principles that can help us break free from self-limiting and change the way we live. By embracing these four principles, we can create great happiness and inner peace in our lives.
Main Ideas:
Be impeccable with your word: Choose your words wisely. Even when joking, avoid saying anything that could hurt someone. Words carry power, so you should use them to spread happiness and kindness.
Don’t take anything personally: Don’t give too much attention to what others say about you. Their words reflect their thinking, not your reality.
Don’t make assumptions: Misunderstanding often arises from unclear conversations. Instead of judging someone based on action or event, make a clear conversation and avoid any unnecessary conflict in relationships.
Always do your best: Focus on giving your best effort without obsessing over the result. What matters most is your dedication and efforts.
By following this book we can build an ethical habit that can make our lives better and more peaceful. These Principles may seem simple but they make a great impact in our lives, stressing less, focusing on ourselves more, and carefully using our words make our lives more happier and meaningful. What’s better than starting with these agreements to begin transforming the way we live?
Click here to buy from Amazon.
3. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Have you ever wondered how we went from hunting in the wild to advancing in science, technology, and agriculture? How everything has started, how humans become so a powerful species on the earth! You can get all of your answers and much more information in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. This book explains the journey of humankind uncovering innovations, inventions, farming, science, and trade. It’s an easy-to-follow journey through the past, a look at the present, and a glimpse into what might happen in the future.
Main Ideas:
- The Cognitive Revolution
- The Agricultural Revolution
- The Power of Shared Beliefs
- The Scientific Revolution
- Modern Society’s Challenges
- The Future of Humanity
These are the key trackways from the book. This book is both interesting and informative especially if you enjoy reading history. Sapiens provides us the valuable insights that change the way we view the world, also it encourage us to think about the future of humanity. This book is all about us, our history, our journey, our present, and our future, therefore starting with knowing our kind is a great choice.
Click here to buy from Amazon.
4. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear is must read for anyone looking to improve their life. This book focuses on how small habits can make big changes in our lives. The way Clear explains these ideas makes them so easy to understand and apply for anyone. So If you’re starting your reading journey, why not begin with a book that helps you build new, beneficial habits and break the bad ones?
Main Ideas:
The Power of Atomic Habits: Small good habits when doing consistently make a huge impact in our lives. They not only affect our body and health but also shape our mindset and overall well-being.
The Four Laws of Behavior Change
Clear provides these simple rules to build good habits:
- Make it obvious – Make your desired habits easy to see and remember.
- For example, Keep a water bottle on the desk to remember to drink more water
- Make it attractive – Pair habits with something you enjoy.
- For example, Watch TV or listen to songs while exercising.
- Make it easy – Start with something simple, don’t pressure yourself.
- For example, Start with just 10 minutes of reading a day to build a reading habit.
- Make it satisfying – Treat yourself after successfully creating a habit.
- For example, Buy a dress or book or anything for yourself from your salary or pocket money to keep motivated.
Identity-Based Habits: Clear suggests improving yourself is as important as focusing on achieving a goal. For example, you bought a course to learn a skill but instead of only focusing on the course, focus on becoming the type of person who always learning and growing. This shift in mindset helps you embrace continuous improvement rather than just focusing on one task.
Breaking Bad Habits
Clear also teaches how to break bad habits by making them less obvious, less attractive, harder to do, and less satisfying.
This book is about improving and reshaping ourselves by inserting good habits. By following Clear’s points we can make a positive vibe in ourselves. So if you are ready to improve yourself, Atomic Habits is the perfect book to help you begin your journey.
Click here to buy from Amazon.
5. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Do you know what is more important than anything in this era? Inner Peace. We can do anything and achieve any goal if our soul is at peace. In The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, you will learn how to create that inner peace. The author argues that we suffer in every moment of our lives, some people due to their past, some people because of their future, and others because of present challenges. Tolle explains that by becoming more aware of our present joy and letting go of past regrets and future anxieties, we can find our peace.
Main Ideas:
The Power of Now: The core message of the book is to live in the present moment, as it is the only reality.
The mind and the ego: Understanding how our mind and ego create distractions that keep us from experiencing the present.
The pain-body: Becoming aware of and letting go of the pain that holds us back, brings us inner peace.
This book is a spiritual guide to finding inner peace and disconnecting from negative thoughts in our lives. By letting go of past regrets and future worries, you can discover the true joy of living in the present. If you’re looking to find inner peace through a spiritual approach, this book is a great choice to start with.
Click here to buy from Amazon.
These five books are a perfect starting point for anyone looking to start their reading journey with Non-Fiction. Each book is from a different genre and offers unique insights, whether it’s about building better habits, understanding humanity’s history, embracing inner peace, or prioritizing what truly matters. No matter what book you choose, they all are great picks for personal growth and a better perspective on life. Happy reading!
Which book do you find the most interesting? Have you already read any of them? Or do you have other beginner-friendly recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
Stay tuned for more book recommendations and reviews on my blog!
If you’re looking for non-fiction recommendations, check out my beginner-friendly fiction books.
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