There is nothing like a great book to make you think. It can take you on a journey to another world, or help you explore your own thoughts and feelings in a way that no other medium can. If you’re looking for something that will challenge your mind and make you think, then look no further than these 15 books. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best books out there that will force you to examine your beliefs and see the world in a new light. These books might help you with making reading your hobby. Where some try creative things like cooking, art and craft, etc., others choose to add to their knowledge bank and started reading books.
Whether it is for the lockdown or a regular habit, reading always has a positive impact on the minds of people. However, it is quite important to pick the right book beforehand because you don’t want to leave it in the middle and never finish it as it didn’t ring a bell.
To save you from making the wrong choices for reading (if that is even possible), we have created a list of the 15 best books that make you think. These books are the ones that anyone and everyone can read and if you’re just starting with reading, they won’t discourage you.
So, let’s have a look at these thought-provoking books:
1. Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People’s Minds
Written by Howard Gardner, this book puts light on the incompetence that people face when it comes to changing the mindset of anyone, even their own. The author is a Psychologist from Harvard and describes the process of what happens when a mind is put to a change – how it adapts to it. The book also offers different methods of how you can influence this process. The book works into broadening the horizons of an individual and shaping their lives.
- Facts of psychology explained in simple language
- Outlines the research of the author into changing minds
- A good read for leaders
- Pages: 288
- Publication: Harvard Business Review Press
- Formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
2. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future
Written by Daniel Pink, this book focuses on the author’s idea that the future belongs to people who have their minds in the right place. These people are mentioned as the artists, the storytellers, the inventors, and right-brain thinkers. According to Pink, the keys to success are in developing and cultivating six senses: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. The author fixates on the fact that with the right thinking and a whole new perspective, people can make it to the future that has already arrived, and rule it.
- A good read for people who think outside the box
- Focuses on the conceptual age and changes brought by the same
- New York Times Bestseller
- Pages: 294
- Publication: Riverhead Books
- Formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
3. How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why it Happens
Written by Benedict Carey, this book challenges the age-old methods of learning that we have adopted ever since we were small. The author is an award-winning science reporter and has unveiled his decades of research and studies into the book. He puts light on how our brain functions and retains the information we consume. Looking into the scientific side of learning, this book will stir up your thought process for the good. If you struggle to remember a client’s name, aspire to learn a new language, or student battling to prepare for the next test, this book is a must.
- Helps you adapt a problem-solving aptitude
- Based on years of research study
- Plain English for easy understanding
- Pages: 272
- Publication: Random House
- Formats: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
4. Man’s Search for Meaning – Young Adult Edition
Written by Viktore Frankl, this classic book has been a bestseller throughout the years. It is considered an amazing work in Holocaust literature. For readers looking for guidance in life, this book puts light on how one should cope with suffering and find their life’s purpose. The book is based on Viktore’s experience in the Nazi death camps. These supplementary materials vividly bring Frankl’s story to life, serving as valuable teaching and learning tools.
- A classic explaining the deep meanings of life
- Available in a young adult version of the classic book
- Offers valuable teachings and lessons through deep insights
- Pages: 186
- Publication: WOW Publishings
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Hardcover, Paperback
5. Thinking, Fast and Slow
This book by Daniel Kahneman is suitable for business leaders, managers, medical experts, people in politics, and people looking forward to understanding the thinking patterns of others. He offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and our personal lives. Kahneman has received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his work in psychology. His work in the book reflects his rational model of decision making and judgment.
- Throws light on the behavior and thoughts of people
- Based on scientific research and study
- Bends the thought process of readers
- Pages: 499
- Publication: Allen Jane
- Formats: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
6. Powers of Two: Finding the Essence of Innovation in Creative Pairs
Written by Joshua Wolf Shenk, this book is a combination of social psychology and cultural history that shows the powers of two. Taking the life examples of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and other famous duos, the book delves into the power of two. The author also explains the 6 different stages through which pairs start with their social intimacy. This is a book that will capture readers’ imaginations from the opening pages.
- Focuses on the power of collaborating and working in pairs
- Puts light on why pairs start talking, thinking, and looking alike
- Talks about reasons why some pairs fail while others pass
- Pages: 368 pages
- Publication: Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Formats: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
7. The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do
Written by Jeff Goins, this book can be great guidance to people who think they need to find their path of life. In simpler words, if you feel lost and think you’re stuck in a status quo, this book will help you break the pattern, find your passion, and chase it. Jeff shows readers how to find the vocation they were meant for and what to expect during the long, arduous journey to discovering and pursuing it. The author believes that you need to connect your interest with what the world needs and you can find the purpose of your life.
- Based on the personal experience of the author
- Features compelling case studies
- Shows research on the talent and motivation
- Pages: 240
- Publication: HarperCollins Leadership
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Paperback
8. Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently
Written by Gregory Berns, this book is based on the category of people called the Iconoclasts – the innovators. The author believes that no business organization can survive without such people. The book talks about the human brain and its working in terms of innovative thinking. We can consider it a wake-up call to reappraise where we are in our lives and where we need to be. Being a neuroscientist, the author shares some good insights that prompt readers to think differently.
- Features science-based insights
- Tells many engaging stories
- Will help you understand how iconoclasts think
- Pages: 272
- Publication: Harvard Business Review Press
- Formats: eTextbook, Hardcover, Paperback
9. The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice
Written by Todd Henry, this book is directed towards tapping into your creativity and mastering the art of doing that the moment it is required. The author believes that in a world where we are always rushing and running, we feel the need to be available all the time. We are constantly working, trying to make more out of lesser time. As a business creativity expert, Todd Henry throws light on how people are finding it hard to unleash their creativity and the best ways of doing that.
- Helps you change the pattern of your thinking
- Based on the concept of being more productive by setting your mind to it
- An innovative approach of introspecting your creative side
- Pages: 240
- Publication: Portfolio
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Hardcover, Paperback
10. The Willpower Instinct: How Self Control Works, Why it Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It?
Written by Kelly McGonigal, this book tells everything about willpower and how it is important in a person’s life. This book discusses from a biological and neuroscience point of view and helps me see understand many of my indulging actions. The book compiles amazing material based on the latest research and insights on medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and economics. The book covers the topics like willpower, temptation, guilt, control, stress, etc. and the readers can learn different ways of reacting to these.
- Ideal for those struggling with getting their willpower back
- Filled with practical information
- A guide to change with logical insights
- Pages: 290
- Publication: Avery
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Hardcover, Paperback
11. Invisible Man
Written by Ralph Ellison, this book was originally published in the year 1952. The book has been considered an epic milestone in the literature of America. It has been a bestselling novel for over 16 weeks. Through a fictional story, the book tells the story of the narrator who shares his experience growing in a black community. He talks about violence and confusion throughout the story. Invisible Man is certainly a book about race in America, and sadly enough, few of the problems it chronicles have disappeared even now.
- Bestselling novel
- Based on the struggles of the black community
- The story is still relevant after so many years
- Pages: 581
- Publication: Vintage Books
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Paperback
12. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition
Written by Robert B. Cialdini, this book is a New York Times bestseller. The book covers a lot of topics that explain the psychology behind persuasion. There are six principles explained by Dr. Robert B. Cialdini behind this psychology, like reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. The book explains the psychology of why people say “yes” — and how to apply these understandings.
- Gives lessons about self-awareness
- Well-research content
- The principles suits business and everyday life
- Pages: 336
- Publication: Harper Business
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Hardcover, Paperback
13. Life Changing Magic of Tidying
Written by Marie Kondo, this book preaches the benefits of tidy surroundings. Marie Kondo is a de-cluttering expert and a professional cleaner who preaches the KonMari Method of organizing rooms. She talks about successfully tidying the home by keeping what you love and giving up the other waste stuff. It impacts the brain in a good way, making people more organized, productive, and calm. The purpose of the book in to help you in the latter, putting your house in order once and for all
- The book helps you be more motivated
- Along with transforming your space, the book helps you change your mindset
- The book helps readers feel more confident
- Pages: 256
- Publication: Vermilion
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Paperback
14. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Written by Charles Duhigg, this book has been one of the very influential ones on this list. The book has been the New York Times Bestseller and has also been named as one of the best books of the year by The Wall Street Journal. Charles Duhigg is a famous business reporter who explains why humans have habits and how they can be changed through his scientific take on things. Full of practical advice and guidelines, the book provides ways to create and change habits.
- The book is very thought-provoking
- A good read to transform your communities, business, and life
- Changes the mindset of a reader for the good
- Pages: 416
- Publication: Random House Trade Paperbacks
- Formats: Kindle, AudioBook, Hardcover, Paperback
15. Six Thinking Hats
Written by Edward De Bono, this book goes by the pain point that your thinking decides the success of your business. According to De Bono, the thinking process can be explained by six thinking hats – white hat, red hat, black hat, yellow hat, green hat, and blue hat. According to the color of the hat, the different personality traits can be revealed by a person’s thoughts. According to the author, role-playing has a good impact on the thinking of a person and it helps them think better.
- The book will act as an amazing thinking tool
- Helps you make smart decisions
- Described as a must-read by readers
- Pages: 192
- Publication: Back Bay Books
- Formats: Paperback
With this, our list of the 15 best books that make you think ends. Did you like any one of these books? All these books are the best in their own way!
