Did you know there are books to read when you’re feeling lost in life?
You heard me right. This way of dealing with the feeling may be unconventional because honestly, how many of us read books when we’re feeling lost?
Many would seek support by talking to a trusted friend or family member, practicing self-care, or simply going with the flow and hoping they’d be redirected.
What if I told you that there are books that you can read when you’re feeling lost in life?
You can get inspired, redirected, and supported through these books written by amazing authors who share their stories and wisdom.
I’ve rounded up the best 10 books to read when you’re feeling lost in life. There are many more out there, but I had to stop somewhere, right?
If you’re confused about quitting your job, going through a breakup, being unemployed, starting your life over after a big event, or losing your friends, these books are here to remind you that you will find your way!
1. The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – The Alchemist
Number one on the list of books to read when you’re feeling lost is The Alchemist. This is a 1998 fictional novel about a shepherd boy named Santiago from Andalusia (Spain).
Chasing a recurring dream of treasures at the Egyptian Pyramids, he travels to North Africa and meets people from all walks of life who help him understand the importance of listening to his heart, understanding his deepest purpose in life (which is described as the concept of Personal Legend in the book), and overcoming obstacles.
This book is praised for its inspirational message and easy-to-read style. I agree with this. It was an easy read for me and I found the message truly uplifting and motivating.
Originally written in Portuguese, it’s been translated into many languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
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2. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari By Robin Sharma
"Never regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is."– The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
This book definitely has a catchy title that caught my attention. The story is about Julian Mantle, a high-powered lawyer who seemingly has it all, wealth, success, and a luxurious lifestyle. This would be a dream come true for most of us but not for him.
A near-fatal heart attack made him re-evaluate his life which resulted in him selling all of his material possessions away and embarking on a journey to the Himalayas in search of enlightenment.
There, he encountered the Sages of Sivana who imparted seven ancient wisdoms for living a fulfilling life.
A significant portion of the book revolves around his return to the man-created world to spread the wisdom from the Sages of Sivana and how those lessons can be applied to everyday life.
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3. Tuesdays With Morrie By Mitch Albom
"Accepting what you cannot control is the first step to finding peace." – Tuesdays With Morrie
This 1997 memoir by Mitch Albom is a true story about a bond between a social psychology professor, Morrie Schwartz, and his student Mitch Albom.
Morrie was Mitch’s professor and mentor when he was a college student but he lost touch after graduation.
Albom went on to become a highly successful sports journalist. However, he was feeling unhappy with his life.
He then discovered Morrie after 16 years and learned that he was in his final battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) through an interview with Ted Joppel on ABC's Nightline.
The story centered on Albom visiting his professor every Tuesday and talking about the meaning of life. His visits became a class where he was the only student.
Through their interactions, he learned about love, death, regrets, forgiveness, aging, and the importance of giving to others.
He then transformed all the lessons he learned from Morrie into a book, creating a treasure for all of us to cherish for the rest of our lives.
This book is definitely on my to-buy list!
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4. Man’s Search For Meaning By Viktor Frankl
“Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.” – Man’s Search For Meaning
Man’s Search for Meaning is a 1946 memoir by Viktor Frankl a Holocaust survivor, who pens down his experiences in concentration camps.
The first part of the story discusses Frankl’s experiences at the Nazi concentration camps, and the second part discusses the lessons Frankl learned from his struggles.
He emphasizes the importance of finding meaning & purpose in life, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
The book also explores the concept of logotherapy developed by Frankl after his own experience in different Nazi concentration camps.
He discovered that the primary motivation for humans to live is to find meaning and purpose in life; with this, we can endure any hardships and sufferings.
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5. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”. – I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
This 1969 autobiography by author and poet Maya Angelou describes her experiences from the young and early years of her life living as a black girl growing up in Arkansas, US.
In this powerful coming-of-age story, witness Maya’s journey around racism and segregation back in the day, her self-discovery, and how she found solace and strength in literature.
Please note: Due to mature themes, this book is recommended for young adults and adults. Content warnings are available online, so please consider them to ensure it's an appropriate read for you.
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6. When Things Fall Apart By Pema Chödrön
"Letting be is not about resignation; it's about finding the courage to be present with whatever is here right now." – When Things Fall Apart
Written by a renowned American-Tibetan Buddhist nun, this book guides how to navigate life through difficult times through the lens of Buddhist philosophy.
It talks about numerous Buddhist concepts, including, mindfulness, acceptance, compassion, and others.
This is a great book to read when you’re feeling lost in life to understand the importance of embracing discomfort and uncertainty as opportunities for growth and transformation.
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7. Ikigai by Héctor García And Francesc Miralles
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.” – Ikigai
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates roughly to “reason for being” or “a purpose that gives you a reason to get up in the morning”.
This book is centered around the lifestyles of the residents in Okinawa, Japan, renowned for its high number of centenarians.
It will bring you closer to these centenarians' secrets to live longer, peaceful and purposeful lives. Not only that, this book also provides you with practical tools to help you discover your own personal Ikigai.
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8. Midnight Library By Matt Haig
"Sometimes regrets aren’t based on fact at all." – Midnight Library
I read a lot of good reviews about this book, so I decided to add this to the list.
The story centers around Nora Seed, a woman on the brink of despair who finds herself in a mysterious library after a suicide attempt.
This isn’t an ordinary library, it has an infinite number of books and each of them represents a different life Nora could have lived.
Through Nora’s journey in the library, Haig invites his readers to reflect on their own life choices and the importance of finding purpose and meaning in our lives.
PS. I bought this book and I haven’t got the chance to read it. It’s still sitting beautifully on my bookshelf.
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9. The Mountain Is You By Brianna Wiest
"You cannot stay where you stand if you want to change your perspective and life." – The Mountain Is You.
This book is about self-sabotage. It talks about how to confront our inner obstacles and, transform self-sabotage into self-mastery.
Wiest emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own patterns and behaviors to overcome limiting beliefs. She uses a metaphorical approach, likening personal growth to climbing a mountain, hence the name of the book, I guess.
She also offers practical guidance and exercises to help readers identify their inner limits and develop strategies to overcome them by cultivating a growth mindset and building resilience when embracing any challenge in life.
I think I’ll get this too 😝
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10. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice On Love And Life From Dear Sugar By Cheryl Strayed
"You cannot convince people to love you. This is an absolute rule. No one will ever give you love because you want him or her to give it. Real love moves freely in both directions. Don’t waste your time on anything else." – Tiny Beautiful Things
The last book on the list is Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed.
This book is a collection of essays compiled from Strayed’s “Dear Sugar” advice column, on The Rumpus, an online magazine which she wrote anonymously under her pseudonym Sugar.
Even though it’s an advice column, reviews are saying that it’s more than that. I think it’s because Sugar/Strayed offered just not only advice but also shared a time in her life when she faced a similar problem.
Some problems will sound relatable to you and that in a way positively comforts you to know that there is someone out there going through the exact pain as you, someone who can understand.
The book explores heartbreaks, forgiveness, addiction, grief, and so on. People may find solace in this book as the author offers a compassionate and supportive ear, validating readers’ feelings and encouraging them to find their own strength.
Have you found your books to get lost in from the list? Let me know in the comments!
When you are navigating tough times, there are certain books for when you feel lost that offer comfort, guidance, and a sense of direction.
Of the books listed, I've completed The Alchemist and made it halfway through The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. But don't worry, my book-hoarding tendencies are in full force as I've added several new titles to my collection! 😁
I hope you find your next favorite read. Happy reading!
"Every storm runs out of rain." — Maya Angelou
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