Best Books to Read for Happiness (Book Recommendations)

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters.” 

― Audrey Hepburn

 Photo by Tim Mossholder at Unsplash

What does happiness mean to you? For some, it's a feeling of joy and contentment. For others, it might be a sense of accomplishment or freedom. But what is happiness really? And what can you do to achieve it in your own life? In this article, we'll explore the definition of happiness and share some tips for how to find it in your own life through some self help books.

In general, happiness is about living a meaningful and fulfilling life. It's about feeling positive emotions like joy, pleasure, love, and contentment on a regular basis. It's about being satisfied with what you have, and appreciating the simple things in life. Happiness is also about being at peace with yourself and your surroundings. It's about having healthy relationships with family and friends, and feeling connected to something bigger than yourself. If you're looking for happiness, it's important to remember that it doesn't come easy. You have to work at it. But the good news is that anyone can achieve happiness if they put their mind to it.

Books for Happiness

There are many different types of books that can help improve one’s happiness, from self help guides to childhood memoirs. These following books are likely to be very popular with happiness because they offer a variety of perspectives on life, the world, and the person as well as teach you how to be positive and find motivation and happiness.

 Ikigai — Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia

The book introduces the concept of ikigai and how it helps Japanese people to live healthily even in old age. The people of Japan believe that everyone has an ikigai, that is, a reason to live their life freely everyday. And according to the people of the Japan, specially in the island of Okinawa, the world's longest-living people, finding ikigai is the key to living a longer, more fulfilling life. This inspiring and comforting book will give you the life-changing tools to discover your personal ikigai.

“Ikigai is what allows you to look forward to the future even if you’re miserable right now. . . . It might just help you live a more fulfilling life.” 

—BBC

The Happiness Hypothesis — Jonathan Haidt

The author in this book compares the past and present to explain the concept of happiness. He also tells the different ideas of various philosophers and personalities to highlight how the concept of happiness was regarded as the time went by.

" The Happiness Hypothesis is a wonderful and nuanced book that provides deep insight into the some of the most important questions in life--Why are we here? What kind of life should we lead? What paths lead to happiness? From the ancient philosophers to cutting edge scientists, Haidt weaves a tapestry of the best and the brightest. His highly original work on elevation and awe--two long-neglected emotions--adds a new weave to that tapestry. A truly inspiring book." 

 ―David M. Buss

The Happiness Project — Gretchen Rubin

In this book, the author tries out different ways to achieve happiness throughout the year. She then explains the ideas that were successful for her and lead to a peaceful and happy life for her. She also talks on how happiness  can be obtained in various stage and fields of life along with different life choices.

“An enlightening, laugh-aloud read. . . . Filled with open, honest glimpses into [Rubin’s] real life, woven together with constant doses of humor.” 

—Christian Science Monitor

 

The Happiness Equation — Neil Pasricha

This book introduces us to different techniques of achieving happiness that we can implement in our life. It focuses on different aspects of obtaining a fulfilling and happy life. This book has an 'Out of the Box' perspective for happiness in career, relation as well as for one's owns self. 

“Clear, practical, and thought-provoking, The Happiness Equation reveals how all of us can live happier lives.” 

—Gretchen Rubin

 

The Power of Positive Thinking — Norman Vincent Peale

'The Power Of Positive Thinking' by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, is a non-fiction book focusing on positivity and helping people come out of difficult situations. The author focuses on self acceptance and tells us how self-love and belief can change our perspective in life. Furthermore, the author details on stress and anxiety, the ways to manage anger related issues. 

There are plenty of books out there that promise to make you happy. But what if you could find the happiness within yourself without needing to read a single book? Of course, there's no harm in picking up a few titles that promise to help you live a happier life. But don't forget to actually read them! Skimming through the pages or reading them once and then putting them on the shelf isn't going to do you any good.

Best Horror Books That Will Petrify You

 “Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn’t carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life.”

― Stephen King

Photo by Max Kleinen on Unsplash

What is horror, really? Is it a monster jumping out from behind a door? A serial killer stalking his prey? Or is it something more subtle, something that creeps under your skin and lingers in your mind long after you've put the book down? For some, horror is the adrenaline rush of being scared out of your wits. For others, it's the satisfaction of being able to solve a complex puzzle. And for still others, it's the need to understand what makes monsters tick, to explore the dark side of human nature.

Whether you consider it to be a book or a movie, people always love horror stories and what other way would be best than to leave the scary stuff up to your imagination? According to me, even some of the movies can’t create the horror and those creeps that your imagination builds after reading a chilling spooky book. I can only imagine that feeling of someone (or rather something) standing beside me with ominous intent to haunt me, scare me or kill me, while I sleep.

Horror Book Recommendations

Here are some spook-tastic and creepy horror book recommendations that will keep you up all night! Although I do recommend not reading these horror books at night (specially near the 3 A.M. time period).

The Exorcist — William Peter Blatty

Even though this book was written way back in time, it is still considered among some of the top horror books to read. The reason being is that it has all the necessary elements of horror as well as spook and would latch onto you like a spirit until you finish it and the haunting sensation after that won't leave you (Oh let’s not remember that).

" The Exorcist is as superior to most books of its kind as an Einstein equation is to an accountant's column of figures."

- The New York Times Book Review 

The Amityville Horror — Jay Anson

If you are into haunted houses and paranormal events, then this is the right book for you! It was quite unsettling to read as well as disturbing. The events really startled me! I would definitely add it to my horror book recommendations. 

" This book will scare the hell out of you."

-The Kansas City Star

The Haunting of Hill House — Shirley Jackson

While this book is not based on a true story, the places mentioned in the book sure as hell are true places on earth. This horror book won’t let you sleep for days once you do read it (talk about not getting a sound sleep after reading such unruly events).

" As nearly perfect a haunted house tale as I have ever read."

-Stephen King

The Haunting of Ashburn House — Darcy Coates

This book was truly beautiful (yes, I really called a horror book beautiful) and you would say the same too if you read it from the start to end without skipping any events. Unlike your other horror books, this one has a beautiful storyline (might even turn on waterworks) and a heart wrenching tale. It also contains a few aspects of suspense and mystery. You won't get tired trying to figure out the pieces of the puzzle in this one.

Hell House — Richard Matheson

This book has it all, physical and mental torture, murder and suspense. This is the type of book that haunts you even in broad daylight and the spine-chilling horror won’t leave you for at least a day. If you like haunted houses then do give this one a read. This book sure lived up to its name. A hell of a house!

" May be the scariest haunted house novel ever written."

-Stephen King

Bird Box — Josh Malerman

Although it has it’s own movie, this book always lets you imagine the stuff that movies might not create. The things you imagine are way worse in books than in movies as books are quite de4tailed in this manner and this is one such book that does the trick. Talk about a world where you have to stay blind to survive as it is your only option.

" Hitchcockian . . . . A notably strong study of modern psychological terror."

-USA Today

Pet Sematary — Stephen King

If you are into horror books and are a pet lover, then this is the book for you. It will keep you suspecting your pet for some strange and weird behavior (although most animals are strange and weird but here I'm talking about that scary feeling they will give you) after reading this book. If you already know the famous author of horror, Stephen King, you already know what to expect from this book.

" The most frightening novel Stephen King has ever written."

-Publishers Weekly

The Shining — Stephen King

If you are into haunted hotels and psychic abilities (no, not in the sense of your superheroes but the paranormal ones as in a sixth sense), then this book is right for you. The scenarios in this book will most probably terrify you as they are quite gruesome to read. It is a supernatural horror novel I would definitely add in my horror books to read or horror book recommendations.

"Obviously a masterpiece, probably the best supernatural novel in a hundred years." 

-Peter Straub

House of Leaves — Mark Z. Danielewski

This book is a bit different from the rest mentioned above. It includes a fictional documentary solely based on the house (the haunted house). If you are a fan of documentary then this will be an easy read but if you aren't into fictional documentaries or any documentary at all then do avoid reading this one as it isn't you average haunted house trope including novel.

 

That pretty much sums it up and that’s all folks! Have a safe read and beware of the spooks. Please do note that DON’T read these books if you have a weak heart and can’t cope with too much horror. And also keep away from the night reading sessions (Don’t know what might come after you if you read these at night).

Top Psychological Thrillers to Read

 “Read. Read. Read. Just don’t read one type of book. Read different books by various authors so that you develop different styles.” 

― R.L. Stine

Photo by Florian Olivo on Unsplash

Most of us love mystery, crime, suspense and thriller (plus we all wanna be lowkey detectives in novels), especially when it includes psychological thrillers. Here, I am going to recommend you all some psychological thriller books to read that might leave you wondering, and in some cases, perhaps horrified, petrified and terrified (of some gruesome scenes that you might have never imagined in your life).

Psychological Thrillers

Psychological thriller books are basically books that have thrill in them as well as they have the capability to mess with your mind. I have provided below a list of some of the best psychological thrillers books to read that I always count in my book recommendations.

Silent Patient — Alex Michaelides

This book will leave you completely stunned, completely void. Ever heard a person say they read a book and it left them feeling empty, the type of feeling in which you cannot justify the rights and wrongs? This is that exact book which will play with your feelings.

The Turn of the Key — Ruth Ware

If you are a lover of horror along with psychological thriller then this is the book for you. It isn’t entirely filled with horror but it will leave you feeling scared halfway through and keep you entangled in the mysteries.

Then She was Gone — Lisa Jewell

This book will cause major emotional damage (not forever though). It will let you guess different scenarios for every situation the characters are trapped in (and most of them you will think of in a negative perspective). It is a beautiful book and I really enjoyed reading this one even though it made me ugly cry.

Silent Child — Sarah A. Denzil

This one took a complete three sixty degree turn and everything that was shown in the beginning of the book started changing (drastically) and well, the rollercoaster ride was worth it. It will keep you hooked till the end. You should definitely give this one a try.

The Perfect Nanny (Lullaby) — Leila Slimani

Although I did include it in the psychological book recommendations, this book doesn't have many plot twists but it is exciting in its own way as the scenes slowly go from relaxing and calm to disturbing and freaky.

At the end, I would also like to warn you all that some of these books might be so intriguing and fascinating that you might want to ruin your sleep schedule (which I would highly recommend not doing) and for a few hours they might haunt you mentally.