If it weren’t for books, I’d probably be up in a clock tower with a shot gun and my two cats. So I thought I’d share some of my favourites with you.
These books keep me sane and happy so hopefully they’ll do the same for you 
I’ll splitting this page into the following:
Classics
Contemporary
Stuff on the net
Zombie-related
The Classics
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Just wrapped up the Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. What can I say that already hasn’t been said, except OMG, I would love to see the rape of Dominique by protagonist Howard Roark on the silver screen. Hot stuff. But of course all that stuff about individualism versus collectivism, objectivism, and progress is good too.
And despite the raunch, pessimism, and dirty sex, this book is probably the best personal growth book ever. Message: You can achieve whatever you want so long as you stick to it. A lot of rags to riches going on in this book.
My favorite quote:
Men have not found the words for it nor the deed nor the thought, but they have found the music. Let me see that in one single act of man on earth. Let me see it made real. Let me see the answer to the promise of that music. Not servants nor those served; not altars and immolations; but the final, the fulfilled, innocent of pain. Don’t help me or serve me, but let me see it once, because I need it. Don’t work for my happiness, my brothers–show me yours–show me that it is possible–show me your achievement–and the knowledge will give me courage for mine.
Read it. You won’t regret it.
Contemporary
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
You can read this in a day. But despite the easy reading and simple storyline the message is heavy like Oprah at her peak. And while I don’t agree with all of the book (especially the urine-rubbing part), I must say it gives a lot to think about. Yes, it’s classified under the personal growth section but don’t let that freak you out.
Normally I wouldn’t read something like this but I was stuck on an island and had finished the book I originally brought. Faced with staring at the Islanders stare at the white chicks or reading my travelling companion’s book, I stuck with the latter. It proved to be a good choice.
The story starts with one Dan Millman. Champion athlete, full scholarship at Berkeley, king of the world. But like so many angsty hormone-riddled boys, he gets depressed and starts to question the world. PORQUE, MARIA, PORQUE??? So instead of throwing himself into binge drinking and every girl on campus, he decides to walk to a gas station at 3 in the morning because that’s the obvious call to action.
There he meets a mentor whose flashy white hair is mentioned myriad times in the book. Dan then begins a regimen of meeting this strange old man, nicknamed Socrates, almost every night often past 12 am. This strange mystical fellow then brings Dan onto a spiritual journey that lasts over a decade. Throughout this journey, you learn what Dan learns. Neat stuff, eh.
While the premise of a young boy meeting an older man at a gas station at 3 o’clock in the morning does resemble a pedophile’s wet dream, you soon learn to trust that everything is going according to plan and that all will unfold perfectly. Which is one of the key themes of the book.
My big takeaway from this book is to let things go and how to become a “peaceful warrior” who has full control of his emotions so that he/she can remain “unreasonably happy”.
Good read, short read, and if you’re lazy, watch the film adaptation, which I doubt is as good. I really recommend it to people who’ve just been dumped, had their car scratched, or are fond of holding grudges.
Zombies weren’t mentioned in the book but if they were, I’m sure they’d be all part of the plan, part and parcel of the mystical unfolding of the Universe, and would probably be an accepted part of the warrior’s path.
In any case, I’m a little more open to reading personal growth books now. So if you have any suggestions drop a comment.
I'm Gabby, digital marketer by day, aspiring [fill in the blank] by night.
