Written by Deepali Bains
If there’s one thing I absolutely love doing in my free time, it’s reading. As a full-time student juggling study, work and life’s never-ending to-do list, books have been my cherished escape. Whether you are a book lover or just starting to explore, I want to share some great books that have really made a difference in my life as a student.
These books aren’t just helpful in studies – they also offer life lessons. They’re thoughtful, relatable and surprisingly addictive once you dive in.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
I can’t rave enough about this book. Atomic Habits is all about how small changes in our daily routine can lead to bigger and fruitful results. James Clear shares his experience on how he developed good habits, and it is incredibly easy to understand. I started using the techniques he shares, like habit stacking and within a few days, the studying and assignments felt less overwhelming. This book is for the students who want to stop procrastinating, stay motivated and build a better routine.
Favorite quote- “The most practical way to change who you are is to change what you do.”
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Shoe Dog is one of the most captivating books I’ve ever read. One of the first things I noticed when I picked up the book was that it’s printed back to front, and you start reading from the last page. The book is the memoir of how Nike began, not as a success from the start, but as an uncertain dream. It reveals the real struggles, and it reminds me that every success has years of hard work behind it. This is a powerful read for someone who is chasing a big dream and has no idea where to start or which path to take.
Favorite quote- “Let everyone else call your idea crazy… just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where ‘there’ is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop.”
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Power of Now is an insightful read that helped me slow down and live in the present. In this book, Torres explained how most of the stress we take comes from worrying about the future and the past and how simply being in the moment can make a difference. As a busy student, it reminded me to take a break and focus on what’s important. I always return to this book when life feels a bit overwhelming.
Favorite quote- “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
This book is a guide to wisdom and practical thoughts on wealth, life and happiness. The most interesting thing is that it is the best collection of thoughts, interviews, ideas and tweets of Naval Ravikant, but it feels like a wise friend guiding you. In this book, he talks about how to be successful in life and how to live and think clearly. It made me realize that we don’t need to copy others’ success but be authentic to ourselves.
Favorite quote- “Escape competition through authenticity.”
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
The psychology of money completely changed how I think about money. It taught me that people make irrational decisions when it comes to finances. The thing that stuck with me is that being wealthy isn’t about making more money, but how you control and manage your habits, mindset and patience. In this Morgan Housel shares stories and lessons to help us understand how different people react differently. If you want to understand and manage your finances, this one’s for you.
Favorite quote- “Doing well with money has little to do with how smart you are and a lot to do with how you behave.”
Books have always been more than just pages to me and sometimes you just need one book to change your mindset, grow out of your comfort zone and find something interesting about yourself. Whether you want to build habits, find inspiration, just enjoy the present moment, or understand money, these reads had a huge impact on my life and journey as a student. Even if you are not a bookworm, give these a try and maybe you will find a hidden version of yourself hidden between the lines.
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