“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”

Your mindsets are at the root of everything you experience in life. They shape your thoughts, which in turn shape your feelings and your actions.

In this post, I’ll share 6 books to challenge your mindsets. By mindsets, I’m referring to the attitudes, stories, values, and expectations about the world around you. Many of our core beliefs are formed early on in life with our parents, friends, and teachers playing a big role. A common example is whether our mindsets are fixed or oriented towards growth.

Having our mindsets challenged is a good thing. When we scrutinize our beliefs, we often find that they don’t hold up in light of new information and experiences. Or maybe they do, but they’re misaligned with our actions.

Either way, it’s a healthy thing to do because it fuels personal growth. Think of it as taking your worldview to the gym. But you have to be intentional about it. Otherwise, confirmation bias will get in the way. Confirmation bias is a tendency to seek out information that confirms what you already believe. 

One of the best ways you can keep your mind open is through reading, particularly books that offer unconventional lessons. 

Here are 6 of the best books to inspire you to think differently.

#1: Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari

“There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.”

The Big Idea

Harari argues that we humans rule the planet because we’re the only animal that can believe in things that aren’t technically real — like gods, nation-states, money, and laws. Our civilization is built on stories. 

This book asks you to think big. For example, why did our ancestors forgo their hunting and gathering ways and form cities and kingdoms? Where did our prodigious storytelling abilities come from and how did they create things like currency, bureaucracies, and constitutions? What does this all mean for our future?

These are pressing questions because it is increasingly clear that the near-term survival of our species is not assured. This makes it more important than ever to understand how we got here.

You’ll come away with a greater appreciation for time, for the things that make us homo sapiens unique — both for better and for worse — and maybe even look at yourself a little differently in the mirror. 

#2: The Black Swan, Nassim Nicholas Taleb

“Consider a turkey that is fed every day. Every single feeding will firm up the bird’s belief that it is the general rule of life to be fed every day by friendly members of the human race “looking out for its best interests,” as a politician would say. On the afternoon of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, something unexpected will happen to the turkey. It will incur a revision of belief.*”

The Big Idea

This book is about the improbable events (aka “Black Swans”) that define our world and how bad we are at predicting them. It’s a highly readable medley of economics, psychology, and philosophy.

It has a lot to say about the ways in which we process information, namely the psychological barriers that prevent us from understanding and anticipating the improbable. 

We’re oversaturated with information and increasingly challenged to make sense of it. As this book shows all too well, our brains conspire to stop us from doing that in a litany of ways. Awareness is the first step towards thinking more cleanly and making better decisions. 

#3: Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankel

“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”

The Big Idea

Author Vikor Frankel describes his experience in a Nazi Concentration Camp and the lessons that helped him survive. Frenkel’s perspective is particularly interesting because he went on to a successful career in psychotherapy, and has a lot to say about how people might lead purposeful, fulfilling lives.

I reread this while hunkering down during a particularly grim stretch of the pandemic and his words rang more true than ever.

This book is great for anyone who feels like “life” (their boss, their partner, their family, their you-name-it) has it out for them. Frankel’s response: with the right mindset, you can do anything. It’s hard to argue with him.

#4: The Overstory, Richard Powers

“You and the tree in your backyard come from a common ancestor. A billion and a half years ago, the two of you parted ways. But even now, after an immense journey in separate directions, that tree and you still share a quarter of your genes. . . .”

The Big Idea

We humans have a tendency to put ourselves at the center of the story. It’s easy to forget that we, too, are a part of nature. “The Overstory” forces us to examine that relationship in a way like nothing else that I’ve read does.

It’s for anyone who is up for a damn good novel. Or anyone ready to fall in love with trees (I know it sounds weird, but just trust me and read it. We’ll talk after).

#5: Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality, Frank Wilczek

“The universe is a strange place, and we’re all in it together.”

The Big Idea

This book asked big questions about physics. If you’re anything like me, the word “physics” conjures up long-suppressed traumatic memories involving high school calculus. But not to worry, Wilczek’s book is written for a general audience and does a wonderful job rendering complex topics both understandable and beautiful. Similar to Sapiens, this book will give you a greater sense of scale and make you feel small (in a healthy way). 

It’s great if you’re down to get a little nerdy about science and think big about the realities and mysteries of the universe.

#6: Atomic Habits, James Clear

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”

The Big Idea

This book makes the argument that your habits define who you are.

When we think about change, we tend to visualize it like a movie montage: Eye of the Tiger plays in the background, we empty the pantry of sweets, pump some iron, and voila — we have a movie star bod. Not so fast, Clear says. It’s through habits — through the consistent application or small (atomic) actions over time that results in big changes. 

In contrast to a number of the other titles on this list, this book is great for anyone looking to make a change right now. There are a number of helpful frameworks and tips in the book that will help you accomplish your goals. You can also check out James Clear’s site for some helpful tips.

Challenge Your Thinking

Remember, your brain doesn’t like new ideas. Subconsciously, it will look for ways to repel information that doesn’t fit with your existing mindsets.

I challenge you to pick out the book that you feel the most resistance to and start there. I suspect this will be the one you can learn the most from. 

Be willing to let go of old beliefs. Keep an open mind. Grow and evolve into a better version of yourself.