20 Classic Books That Will Make You Think

20 Classic Books That Will Make You Think

Thought-provoking books are known for dealing with big questions such as meaning, purpose, and life in general. They challenge readers by making them think about the world in a whole new way. They can be fiction but also non-fictional because of their rewarding opinions on life’s struggles. Books that invoke bright ideas and helpful thoughts have been studied around the world.

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These books are known for developing critical thinking skills that make you more aware of your decisions and innovative ideas. Here are 20 books that will challenge your thinking;

1. The Stranger by Albert Camus

It is a novella that follows Meursault, a French Algerian man who is indifferent to the world around him. The book explores themes such as alienation and existentialism. The Stranger has been translated into over 100 languages and has sold 12 million copies worldwide. It is a challenging book that can be interpreted in a thousand different ways. 

2. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

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The novella is based on a traveling salesman known as Gregor Samsa. Readers follow him as he navigated his life as a giant insect. When he transforms, he is isolated from his family and friends. Eventually, he has to die as an insect all alone. The Metamorphosis talks about the power of starting over and thinking of solutions to problems that lead to empty feelings in your life. For example for the most part of the book, Gregor is alone which can resonate with many people who sometimes feel alone.

3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

It is a story about Randle Patrick McMurphy, a rebellious patient who is sent to a mental institution. The novel is narrated by Chief Bromden, a giant half-Native American patient who presents himself as deaf and mute. However, Randle’s fake insanity is the main plot of the story. Readers are able to see his challenge in the hospital and the head nurse who rules the ward with an iron fist.

4. The Catcher in The Rye by J.D. Salinger

Michael Mitchell; the credit “Jacket design by Michael Mitchell” is found on the right jacket flap (the left panel). (For jurisdictions that do not recognize the rule of the shorter term, and define copyright term based the date of the author’s death plus a set number of years: according to this post at Cal Arts, Mitchell died in 2009.), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It is based on the life of Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy who has been expelled from Pencey Prep. He is a complex character who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his innocence and the transition into adulthood. Through the first-person narration, we are able to see Holden’s thoughts and feelings. The book shows how Holden wants to protect children from the evils of the adult world.

5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The book is about a father and his young son who are blasted by an unspecified cataclysm that destroyed the industrial civilization and all life. The Road is narrated by the father whose name isn’t shared. Readers follow them as they are constantly struggling to survive in a hostile and unforgiving world. In this post-apocalyptic world, the remaining human is forced to live in small groups which leads the father and son to keep moving from home to home.

6. The Things We Lost in The Fire by Mariana Enriquez

The novel is a collection of 12 stories that explore social issues such as depression, poverty, inequality, and eating disorders. The stories are often dark and disturbing but they invoke thoughts about the world we live in. The Things We Lost in The Fire is a book that helps us understand what these social issues can do to a person. They are beautifully written and are able to explain difficult topics in a thought-provoking way.

7. Beloved by Toni Morrison

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The book is set right after the American Civil War and is based on a dysfunctional family whose home is haunted by a malevolent spirit. Beloved is narrated by Sethe whose home is haunted by the ghost of her daughter whose name is the same as the title. Her presence threatens to destroy the family and confront the secrets of the fast in order to heal.

Some of the themes explored in the book include trauma and slavery. These themes are introduced in a thought-provoking manner that paints a picture of harsh topics that are usually avoided.

8. Start With Why by Simon Sinek

The novel explores themes such as leadership and inspiration. In the book, the author greatly urges leaders and organizations to think about the ‘Why’ in every situation. He describes it as the Golden Circle which is a framework that is used to inspire others in order for them to achieve great things. Start With Why has been divided into three parts all of which have the same topics but describes in different manners.

Through this book, one can find their sense of direction as well as purpose in life. In turn, you can inspire others to follow their own paths in every part of their lives.

9. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

The book explores how habit formation and change can affect a person’s life. Charles urges that habits are mindless routines that can be manipulated in order to help in your day-to-day life. He explains his point in three parts Cue which is an automatic mode, Routine which talks about the actual behavior, and Reward which your brain craves. The Power of Habit can help you understand the power of habit loop.

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10. Mindset by Carol Dweck

It discusses the importance of mindset and how it can affect your present and future. Carol argues about the two types of mindsets which are fixed and growth. A fixed mindset helps you believe that intelligence and abilities are fixed assets that everyone has. They can be used to make decisions and solve challenges. The growth mindset shows how these assets can be developed over time.

Carol shows how one can learn and improve when they are willing to learn from their mistakes and use several strategies to grow their mindset. In the book, she provides strategies that can manifest change.

11. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns

It is a self-help book that focuses on the thoughts and behaviors that can all be changed positively. The book has been divided into three parts which introduce concepts such as exercises that can change the rhythm of your thoughts, the application of automatic thoughts, and the basics of cognitive therapy.

The key points of the book include the change of thoughts can influence behavior, thoughts, and behaviors are interconnected, and the usage of cognitive therapy can be a powerful tool.

12. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

It is a book that explores concepts such as vulnerability, shame, and courage. It shows that vulnerability can be joyful yet painful but can lead to a series of pure happiness. Daring Greatly has been divided into four parts including the anatomy of shame, the power of vulnerability, and the gifts of imperfection. The book has powerful insights that can help people overcome shame.

13. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

It is a self-help book that has a collection of advice and exercises that are meant to help overcome self-doubt and fear of achieving your dreams. The book’s series talks about topics such as fear, rejection, and failure. However, the book itself has been divided into four parts that talk about finding your strengths, believing in yourself, overcoming your fears, accepting yourself, and creating a life that appeals to your goals and dreams.

14. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

It is based on the life of Santiago, a young  Andalusian shepherd who is traveling to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure. During his journey, he is taught a number of things including the importance of following your dreams and listening to your heart. The book is a classic reminder that great things are possible if you believe in yourself.

15. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The book talks about being proactive, having a clear vision of your goals, putting priorities first, and the beneficial solutions to problems. It is a practical book that helps readers improve their lives in more ways than one. Some of the takeaways from the book include having a clear foundation that can keep you focused and motivated.

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16. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

The book explores systems that lead to positive and productive thinking. The first system involves intuitively the part of our beings that makes it possible for gut feelings as well as judgments. The second system is a slow and analytical part that is responsible for conscious thoughts and reasoning. The points that are mainly stressed in the book include how gut feelings can lead to errors in judgment and System 2 can improve decision-making.

17. The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

The book talks about the errors we make that lead us to bad decisions. It explores the tendencies we have of judging events that take place. Rolf shares the strategies that can help mend these errors. These include being aware, testing your assumptions, and seeing things from a new perspective. The Art of Thinking Clearly is an informative book that helps you understand the errors we make in common thinking.

18. The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu

It is a book that explores the nature of joy, the path to finding joy, and the practices and exercises that cultivate joy. The Book of Joy is an inspiring book that has become a must-read for anyone searching for joy in their lives. The key takeaways from the book are joy is a natural state of being, it can be found even in difficult circumstances, and joy is a choice.

19. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

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It is a book that shows the year-long experiment of Gretchen. The book has been divided into 12 chapters, each of which focuses on the different aspects of happiness. Some of the topics discussed include gratitude, the art of savoring moments, finding meaning in our lives, and the power of forming a connection with others. The Happiness Project can be achieved by keeping a gratitude journal.

20. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

It is a self-help book that focuses on the importance of life and facing challenges head-on. The author talks bout the paths that can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. The first and second part of the book discusses the importance of love, values, and spiritual growth. The Road Less Traveled has been noted as a challenging book that can help you open your mind to new possibilities in your life.

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Whether it is self-help books or a classic novel about a fictional character, these books have been praised for their ability to send a message that can improve our lives positively. They not only talk about the realities of life, but they also record the topics that most people choose to ignore instead of working on them.