Book recs that truly changed how you live your day to day life (fiction or non fiction)

Question

monna · Answer

Ross Gay, always!: this book made me so much more attuned to my sense of delight and wonder

Kate George · Answer

A new earth by Eckhart Tolle: I feel like this should be required reading. This is just a mind bowing book on ego and presence. I plan to just start reading it from the top now that I’ve finished. I’ve been slowly reading it over this year and it’s been kind of mind altering

Jess · Answer

Everyday Holiness (Alan Morinis): This is a truly remarkable book that will help you figure out how to live your values in a way that honors your human limitations as well as your capacity for growth.

The first section of the book situates it in the Jewish tradition of mussar, but the book is by no means only for Jews; he draws insights and examples from many different cultures. The second section explores a series of individual virtues, like generosity, patience, and enthusiasm. The third section is what's really killer, though - he outlines concrete ways that you can practice and grow.

Note that the "official" way to use the book is to work through multiple virtues at a time, but that's not what's been most effective for me. Instead I pick one virtue from this book to focus on every year. The year I worked on humility was revolutionary for me as an academic, and helped me with unexpected things like being jealous of my peers. This year it's trust, which is already helping me be more vulnerable and courageous with the people I love!