Ten books that will change your perspective on life

Set in a haunting post-apocalyptic landscape, Juice follows a man and a child, fugitives in a barren desert, as they seek refuge in an abandoned mining site. Though it offers some shelter, they soon realize they’re not as alone as they’d hoped. What unfolds is a brutal, suspense-filled journey that tests the limits of endurance and compassion in a world stripped bare. Tim Winton masterfully captures the fragile balance between survival and humanity, forcing readers to confront what’s left of morality when civilization crumbles and what it means to exist in the face of desolation. 

An instantly addictive should-they, shouldn't-they romance set against the backdrop of New York during Trump's first presidential campaign, this book will make you question everything you thought you knew. When Jess first meets Josh at their Ivy League college she dislikes him immediately: an entitled guy in chinos, ready to take over the world. Meanwhile, Jess is almost always the only Black woman in their class. And Josh can’t accept that life might be easier for him because he’s white. But when they end up working for the same investment bank, their tempestuous friendship soon turns into an electrifying romance, forcing Jess to question who she is and what she's willing to compromise for love. 

Stories of Your Life and Others is a mesmerising journey through alternate realities and profound questions, blending speculative science with deep emotional insight. Across eight stories, Ted Chiang introduces worlds where myth and technology intersect: a massive Babylonian tower reaching the heavens, angels who visit Earth with awe and terror, and a linguistic discovery that bends time itself. But these stories don’t just imagine new worlds – they make us see our own in a new light, challenging our assumptions about existence, consciousness, and morality.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi invites readers into a charming Tokyo cafe where time travel is possible – so long as you return before your coffee gets cold. Four visitors are drawn by the chance to relive moments with those they’ve lost: a heartbroken lover, a wife seeking a memory lost to Alzheimer’s, a sister longing for closure, and a mother yearning to meet her child. This internationally bestselling novel explores love, loss, and second chances with warmth and tenderness, encouraging readers to reflect on the connections that shape our lives. Kawaguchi’s tale is a gentle reminder of the value in the present moment, even as we look back at the past.

A Little Life is an immensely powerful and poignant novel about love and the limits of human endurance. At the centre of the story is Jude, a victim of unresolved trauma of which Hanya Yanagihara spares us no mercy in revealing. Despite finding some comfort from his relationships with Willem, Malcolm and JB, he never finds true relief from his suffering. This is ultimately one of the most addictively heartbreaking books you’ll ever read, so prepare yourself for a gut-punch on each page of beautifully explored misery.

Finding Hildasay is a gripping and heartening account of one man's quest to reclaim his life by walking the rugged coastline of the UK. After years of depression had shut him off from the world, Christian Lewis took a leap that would change everything: with just minimal supplies and his loyal dog, Jet, he set off on foot. On a desolate Scottish island called Hildasay, Chris reached an emotional turning point, finding resilience and self-worth where there seemed to be nothing. Finding Hildasay isn’t just about an epic walk; it’s about discovering peace, purpose, and a fresh perspective on life’s hardships – one that might just change how you see your own challenges.

Shoji Morimoto created a 'Rental Person' service to simply be there for people without offering advice, friendship, or even conversation. Whether it's holding space for someone’s secret, providing silent companionship, or offering a farewell wave, his role illuminates a powerful truth: sometimes, presence alone is enough. Rental Person Who Does Nothing uncovers the surprising ways people crave understanding in a society that often values productivity over personal connection. His reflections on what it means to 'do nothing' challenge our assumptions about purpose, work, and emotional support, encouraging us to rethink how we approach relationships and the subtle art of simply being there.

'The best book about money ever written', according to Diary of a CEO’s Steven Bartlett, and who are we to argue? This global sensation was published in 2020 and has gone on to sell over four million copies. It’s easy to see why: Housel is a consummate story-teller, and these are stories that will change how you think about wealth, greed and happiness forever. Far from being mere cash, money is perhaps the ultimate human construct – and conundrum – that we face.

Rob Burrow is known for his legendary rugby league career, with eight Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges. But in December 2019, not long after retiring and with three young children, Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a rare degenerative condition, and given just a few years left to live. The incredible outpouring of sympathy, affection and support quickly turned to admiration at Rob’s awe-inspiring and ongoing fight against the disease. Immeasurably more than a sports memoir, this is the story of a tiny kid who made it into the Leeds hall of fame and the story of a man who fought to make something positive out of a terrible predicament. 

When Michelle goes to H Mart, an Asian supermarket chain, she's not just searching for cuttlefish and scallions. Amongst the shelves and isles are precious memories of her mother and aunt, who imbued her with a love for Korean food and provided the only link to her Korean heritage. Michelle Zauner tells a story of family, food, grief and endurance in this memoir about growing up mixed-race, re-discovering her Korean identity, and a personal reckoning brought on by the loss of her mother to terminal pancreatic cancer.