8 Life Changing Books

Jessica: The Warrior of the Light: A Manual by Paulo Coelho

In this meaningful book, which is a companion piece to the alchemist, Paulo Coelho teaches you never to be a victim no matter the circumstances.

Elizabeth: Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

The summer before my first year of college, my dad highly recommended I read Outliers, a non-fiction book that explains how success is something that is made up of a combination of things such as opportunity, time, and meaningful work. If you put 10,000 hours of hard work into anything, you can master it. This rule has been proven by a number of musicians, athletes, and even through education. After reading this book, I realized that if I want to be successful in something and the opportunity is present, the ball is in my court.

Irma: Lies Women Believe: And The Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

This book helped me be a better woman in a lot of different ways and also helped me break physical, emotional, and religious chains.

Chloe: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Although it was a required reading book for school, To Kill a Mockingbird has become one of my favorite reads of all time. I love how many different motifs are woven within one story line. There are parts of each character I can relate to, and see people in my life in those characters as well. Each time I have read it, a new idea, symbol or story element appears to me, creating even more depth for me to experience as a reader. This book rightfully deserves to be cherished as the American classic and read by all.

BiancaLiving Beyond your Feelings by Joyce Meyer

For a few years, I had really bad anxiety. This book helped me be more aware of my emotions and how to control them. 

Tonya: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

After reading this book, I understood the power of manifestation to attract health, wealth and happiness. It's a must-read!

Twyla: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 

In high school, after years of being drilled on the importance of sentence structure and the shame of passive verbs, I was introduced to the life-changing works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. After reading The Great Gatsby, I was instantly hooked by the artistry of Fitzgerald's sentences, and quickly proceeded to read everything he ever published from novels to short stories and letters written to his eccentric wife, Zelda. F. Scott Fitzgerald transformed the way in which I read, wrote and even thought. Fitzgerald's works taught me that through careful observation and truthful description, the mundane can become the extraordinary.

Caryn: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

This is a book that helped me understand and refocus my dreams and goals.