Inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere, yet getting the motivation to make a positive change in one’s life may not always be that simple. Believe me when I say that I have tried all sorts of methods, from watching TED Talks by world-class motivational speakers like Tony Robbins to scribbling down a list of goals I want to achieve on a notepad. Yet, sometimes, all it takes is a book to effectively broaden your perspective and give you that much-needed boost to conquer your fears or doubts. With that, here are 5 inspirational books that everyone should read for a life-changing experience.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

In Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl recalls his traumatising memories of being an inmate in the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp during the World War II. Despite the daunting circumstances, Frankl never lost hope and instead found a meaning to life which strengthened him with the tenacity to live. This empowering journey of Frankl fighting through a physical, mental and spiritual battle, against all odds is sure to motivate and remind readers of the light at the end of the tunnel.

One Day, All Children by Wendy Kopp

At a tender age of 21, then college graduate, Kopp was inspired to start a movement to improve the public education system in America. With that goal in mind, Kopp launched Teach for America, a non-profit organisation that sends excellent college graduates to teach for 2 years in the most dilapidated and under-resourced public schools in America. One Day, All Children tells the incredible story of how Kopp overcame all the struggles in fundraising to develop a successful non-profit organisation and more importantly, give children in low-income areas of America a higher level of academic qualification that they deserve.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez

The Book of Unknown Americans, an award-winning masterpiece and achiever of many notable titles such as The Daily Beast’s Novel of the Year and BookPage Best Book of the Year, tells the tale of the Rivera family leaving their comfortable life in Mexico and risking everything to migrate to the United States in order to give their fifteen year old, Maribel the necessary care she requires, after sustaining a serious head injury. Follow this remarkable story of hopes, dreams and guilt as Henríquez writes about a profound love between star-crossed teenager lovers, Maribel and Mayor, a Panamanian neighbour and shares the difficulties of adapting in a foreign land through heartwarming testimonials of people who have moved to the United States from all over Latin America.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Browns

Every day, the media bombards us with messages and images that tell us who, what and how we should be in order to be accepted by society. This often leads to people making constant comparisons to one another, which instils a sense of inferiority and a lack of self-confidence. The Gifts of Imperfection, written by best-selling author, Brown, focuses on what it means to “live wholeheartedly” and the importance of self-love as she encourages everyone to embrace their inner flaws and feel comfortable in their own skin instead of fussing over the opinions of others.

Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

If you are someone who possesses a strong sense of wanderlust and aspires to explore the world someday, Vagabonding may just be the fuel you need to embark on the adventure of a lifetime that you longingly desire. The book is an unconventional guide to the art of long-term travel, written by veteran travel writer, Rolf Potts. In this one-of-a-kind handbook, Roff explains how anyone with a strong passion for travelling can easily venture into the world of unknown as he gives helpful tips on considering factors such as financing a budget, identifying the perfect destination and adjusting to the life on the road.