Literary theme analysis, by a book like {foo}
Books about Self Realization
Siddhartha
by Hermann Hesse
A spiritual journey of self-discovery for a young man in search of enlightenment.
The story takes place in the ancient Nepalese kingdom of Kapilavastu . Siddhartha decides to leave his home in the hope of gaining spiritual illumination by becoming an ascetic wandering beggar of ... (Wikipedia)
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
by Malcolm X
A gripping account of one man's transformation from criminal to civil rights leader.
Alternate cover for ISBN 9780345350688 Through a life of passion and struggle, Malcolm X became one of the most influential figures of the 20th Century. In this riveting account, he tells of his ... (Goodreads)
Invisible Man
by Ralph Ellison
A black man's journey towards self-actualization in a world of racial oppression.
The narrator, an unnamed black man, begins by describing his living conditions: an underground room wired with hundreds of electric lights, operated by power stolen from the city's electric grid. He ... (Wikipedia)
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
by Eckhart Tolle
A spiritual guide to finding peace and purpose in life, by transcending the ego.
The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, "The Power of Now" With his bestselling spiritual guide "The Power of Now," Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of ... (Goodreads)
Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
A young man's journey of self-discovery, traveling into the wilderness of Alaska.
Librarian's Note: An alternate cover edition can be found, here, In April, 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. ... (Goodreads)
The Portrait of a Lady
by Henry James
A young woman's journey of self-discovery, standing up to society's expectations.
Isabel Archer, from Albany, New York , is invited by her maternal aunt, Lydia Touchett, to visit Lydia's rich husband, Daniel, at his estate near London, following the death of Isabel's father. ... (Wikipedia)
All Systems Red
by Martha Wells
Murderbot navigates a dangerous world while struggling to maintain its own autonomy.
"As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure." In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are ... (Goodreads)
What I Know for Sure
by Oprah Winfrey
A collection of personal reflections on life, love, and lessons learned.
As a creative force, student of the human heart and soul, and champion of living the life you want, Oprah Winfrey stands alone. Over the years, she has made history with a legendary talk show - the ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Dharma Bums
by Jack Kerouac
A journey of self-discovery, fueled by a passion for Buddhism and nature.
The character Japhy drives Ray Smith's story, whose penchant for simplicity and Zen Buddhism influenced Kerouac on the eve of the sudden and unpredicted success of, On the Road, . The action shifts ... (Wikipedia)
Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden
A Japanese girl's journey from poverty to becoming a celebrated geisha, navigating the treacherous world of Japanese customs.
In 1929, nine-year old Chiyo Sakamoto and her 15-year-old sister, Satsu, are sold by their father to work within the entertainment districts of Kyoto. They are taken from their home, the coastal ... (Wikipedia)
Monster
by Walter Dean Myers
A young man's journey through the criminal justice system, and his struggle to find redemption.
The novel begins with 16-year-old Steve Harmon writing in his diary awaiting for his trial for murder . Musing on his short time in prison so far, he decides to record this upcoming experience in the ... (Wikipedia)
The Leopard
by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
Epic story of a Sicilian nobleman's struggle to preserve his family and their way of life in a rapidly changing world.
Most of the novel is set during the time of the, Risorgimento, , specifically during the period when Giuseppe Garibaldi , the hero of Italian unification, swept through Sicily with his forces, known ... (Wikipedia)
The Price of Salt
by Patricia Highsmith
Two women build a relationship against all odds, navigating a taboo romance.
Therese Belivet is a lonely young woman, just beginning her adult life in Manhattan and looking for her chance to launch her career as a theatre set designer . When she was a small girl, her widowed ... (Wikipedia)
The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life and Achieve Real Happiness
by Ichiro Kishimi
Exploring the philosophical roots of happiness through the power of self-determination.
The Japanese phenomenon that teaches us the simple yet profound lessons required to liberate our real selves and find lasting happiness. The Courage to be Disliked shows you how to unlock the power ... (Goodreads)
The Sun and Her Flowers
by Rupi Kaur
An exploration of personal growth, healing, and finding one's self.
From Rupi Kaur, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of milk and honey, comes her long-awaited second collection of poetry. A vibrant and transcendent journey about growth and healing. Ancestry ... (Goodreads)
Skellig
by David Almond
A young boy discovers a mysterious creature in a dilapidated shed, forming a unique bond with it.
10-year-old Michael and his family have recently moved into a house. He and his parents are nervous, as his new baby sister was born earlier than expected and may not live because of a heart ... (Wikipedia)
Narcissus and Goldmund
by Hermann Hesse
An exploration of the spiritual journey of two men, contrasting their different paths.
Narcissus and Goldmund tells the story of two medieval men whose characters are diametrically opposite: Narcissus, an ascetic monk firm in his religious commitment, and Goldmund, a romantic youth ... (Goodreads)
Some Rain Must Fall
by Karl Ove Knausgård
Femte bind av den selvbiografiske romanen Min kamp er skrevet med voldsom kraft og oppriktighet. Karl Ove flytter til Bergen for å gå på Skrivekunstakademiet. Det blir en gedigen skuffelse; han vil ... (Goodreads)
A Death in the Family
by Karl Ove Knausgård
Autobiographical account of a young Norwegian man's struggles with life.
Romanen åpner med en svimlende beskrivelse av døden. Derfra fortelles det om forfatteren Karl Ove Knausgårds kamp for å mestre livet og seg selv og sine egne ambisjoner på skrivingens vegne, i møte ... (Goodreads)
Born in Fire
by Nora Roberts
A romance between a fiery blacksmith and a reclusive artist that sparks a passion they never expected.
Three modern sisters bound by the timeless beauty of Ireland... The eldest Concannon sister, Maggie, is a reclusive, stubborn and free-spirited glassmaker—with a heart worth winning. Margaret Mary is ... (Goodreads)
The Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali
by Satchidananda
Path to enlightenment, outlining eight limbs of yoga and various meditation practices.
This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new edition of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
by Eckhart Tolle
A journey of self-transformation, learning to live in the present moment and liberate oneself.
Eckhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, ... (Goodreads)
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
by Richard Bach
An exploration of self-expression and personal growth as a seagull learns to defy the boundaries of his flock.
The book tells the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a seagull who is bored with daily squabbles over food. Seized by a passion for flight, he pushes himself and learns everything he can about ... (Wikipedia)
The Stone Angel
by Margaret Laurence
An elderly woman reflects on her life and relationships with family, friends, and society.
In a series of vignettes , The Stone Angel tells the story of Hagar Shipley, a 90-year-old woman struggling to come to grips with a life of intransigence and loss. The themes of pride and the ... (Wikipedia)
Every Last One
by Anna Quindlen
A family's search for resilience as they face tragedy and unexpected struggles.
The latest novel from Pulitzer Prize-winner Anna Quindlen In this breathtaking and beautiful novel, the #1 New York Times" bestselling author Anna Quindlen creates an unforgettable portrait of a ... (Goodreads)
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith
A coming of age story set in Brooklyn, depicting a young girl's struggles and growth.
The novel is split into five "books", each covering a different period in the characters' lives. Book One opens in 1912 and introduces 11-year-old Francie Nolan, who lives in the Williamsburg ... (Wikipedia)
As a Man Thinketh
by James Allen
A philosophical work about the power of thought and its potential for unlocking one's inner greatness.
James Allen was an inspired spiritual mind; whose work was so highly applicable that many consider him the father of the self-help book genre. As an orphan, Allen had a difficult life and learned to ... (Barnes & Noble)
Toward a Psychology of Being
by Abraham H. Maslow
Maslow's theory of self-actualization and the hierarchy of needs, exploring the potential for human growth and fulfillment.
"If we wish to help humans to become more fully human, we must realize not only that they try to realize themselves, but that they are also reluctant or afraid or unable to do so. Only by fully ... (Goodreads)
Autobiography of a Yogi
by Paramahansa Yogananda
Spiritual journey of a yogi, exploring the depths of Eastern mysticism.
This acclaimed autobiography presents a fascinating portrait of one of the great spiritual figures of our time. With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda narrates the inspiring ... (Goodreads)
Sweetbitter
by Stephanie Danler
A young woman's coming-of-age story in the restaurant industry of New York City.
Tess is twenty-two when she packs up her things in her car and moves from Ohio to New York City. Knowing nothing and no one she stumbles her way into a job at a semi-prestigious restaurant as a back ... (Wikipedia)
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly
by Sun-mi Hwang
A hen's quest to break free of her mundane life and fulfill her dream of flying.
A Korean, Charlotte's Web,More than 2 million copies sold, This is the story of a hen named Sprout. No longer content to lay eggs on command, only to have them carted off to the market, she glimpses ... (Goodreads)
Anthem
by Ayn Rand
An individual's quest for freedom amidst a dystopian society determined to control thought and behavior.
Equality 7-2521, a 21-year-old man writing by candlelight in a tunnel under the earth, tells the story of his life up to that point. He exclusively uses plural pronouns ("we", "our", "they") to refer ... (Wikipedia)
The Hallowed Hunt
by Lois McMaster Bujold
A prince must navigate political intrigue and supernatural forces to solve a murder and protect his kingdom.
The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile – and Lord Ingrey kin Wolfcliff must transport the body to its burial place and the accused killer, the Lady Ijada, ... (Goodreads)
Pinocchio
by Carlo Collodi
A wooden puppet's adventures and misadventures as he strives to become a real boy.
The story begins in Tuscany , Italy. A carpenter named Master Antonio, but whom everyone calls Master Cherry, has found a block of wood which he plans to carve into a leg for his table. When he ... (Wikipedia)
The Dollhouse
by Fiona Davis
A woman unravels the secrets of a historic New York City apartment building and confronts dark secrets from the past.
Fiona Davis's stunning debut novel pulls readers into the lush world of New York City's glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women, where in the 1950s a generation of aspiring models, secretaries, and ... (Goodreads)
The Collected Stories
by Amy Hempel
A collection of short stories exploring the complexities of human relationships and emotions, often with a touch of dark humor.
The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel gathers together the complete work of a writer whose voice is as singular and astonishing as any in American fiction. Hempel, fiercely admired by writers and ... (Goodreads)
Outline
by Rachel Cusk
A woman's journey of self-reflection, exploring relationships and the complexities of life.
An English woman writer flies to Athens to teach a summer writing workshop. On the plane, she meets an older Greek bachelor , who tells her about his two failed marriages. The next day she meets with ... (Wikipedia)
Divine By Mistake
by P.C. Cast
A woman discovers she is a powerful goddess, setting her on a journey of self-discovery.
It's the beginning of summer break, and high school English teacher Shannon Parker is ready to relax poolside with some red wine and a good book. She's friggin' earned it! But first-a little ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence
by Josh Waitzkin
An inspiring story of how to attain excellence through the martial art of Tai Chi.
Josh Waitzkin knows what it means to be at the top of his game. A public figure since winning his first National Chess Championship at the age of nine, Waitzkin was catapulted into a media whirlwind ... (Goodreads)
Homo Faber
by Max Frisch
A middle-aged engineer's rational worldview is challenged when he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and falls in love with a young woman.
Walter Faber is an emotionally detached engineer forced by a string of coincidences to embark on a journey through his past. The basis for director Volker Schlšndorff’s movie Voyager . Translated by ... (Barnes & Noble)
I Am the Messenger
by Markus Zusak
An unassuming young man is unexpectedly thrust into a journey of redemption and courage.
During a visit to the bank, the protagonist Ed Kennedy, a nineteen-year-old Australian taxi driver, accidentally foils a robbery. After speaking to the police, he is interviewed by local media and ... (Wikipedia)
The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection
by Michael A. Singer
A memoir of Singer's journey to surrendering to life's flow, leading to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.
From the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Untethered Soul comes this thought-provoking, inspirational memoir on the magic that happens when you just let go Spirituality is meant to ... (Goodreads)
A Piece of Cake
by Cupcake Brown
A woman's raw story of resilience and survival in the face of hardship and trauma.
The story begins in January 1975 when the female protagonist gives a short account of why her mother named her Cupcake Brown. Brown's mother died in 1976, when Brown was age 11. Since her biological ... (Wikipedia)
Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality
by Anthony de Mello
Exploration of how to become aware of one's true self, unlocking inner peace and happiness.
The heart of Anthony de Mello's bestselling spiritual message is awareness. Mixing Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Hindu breathing exercises, and psychological insight, de Mello's words of ... (Goodreads)
The Full Cupboard of Life
by Alexander McCall Smith
A heartwarming story of a woman's journey of self-discovery, finding joy in life.
Mma Ramotswe is now engaged to the mechanic Mr. JLB Matekoni, but he seems reluctant to set a wedding date, which makes her a little unhappy. She takes on an interesting investigation: Mma Holonga, a ... (Wikipedia)
Bright Lights, Big Ass
by Jen Lancaster
A humorous memoir of a woman's journey to find herself and make her own way in the world.
A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why It Often Sucks in the City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little ... (Goodreads)
Straight Man
by Richard Russo
A university professor's humorous journey of self-discovery as he navigates campus politics.
William Henry Devereaux, Jr., spiritually suited to playing left field but forced by a bad hamstring to try first base, is the unlikely chairman of the English department at West Central Pennsylvania ... (Goodreads)
A House for Mr Biswas
by V.S. Naipaul
A man's struggle to create a home and identity for himself in a colonial society.
Mohun Biswas has spent his 46 years of life striving for independence. Shuttled from one residence to another after the drowning of his father, he yearns for a place he can call home. He marries into ... (Goodreads)
A Confession
by Leo Tolstoy
A spiritual journey of self-discovery, examining religious faith and moral responsibility.
A Confession – an essay by Leo Tolstoy on his religious thoughts -- shows the great author in process of looking for answers to profound questions that trouble all who take them on: "What will come ... (Goodreads)
5 cm
by Donny Dhirgantoro
An Indonesian student's journey to discover the meaning of life through a 5-centimeter long journey.
Bestseller book di Gramedia Bookstore selama 2 tahun berturut-turut! Lima sahabat telah menjalin persahabatan selama tujuh tahun. Mereka adalah Arial yang paling tampan, Riani sebagai satu-satunya ... (Goodreads)
The Calling
by James Frey
A young man struggles with addiction and finds himself in a mysterious rehab center where he discovers a supernatural purpose for his life.
Twelve thousand years ago, they came. They descended from the sky amid smoke and fire, and created humanity and gave us rules to live by. They needed gold and they built our earliest civilizations to ... (Goodreads)
Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line
by Abby Johnson
Abby Johnson's journey from being a Planned Parenthood clinic director to becoming a pro-life advocate.
Retailers Choice Award winner, 2012Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, ... (Goodreads)
Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy
by Sadhguru
A guide to achieving inner peace and joy through yoga and meditation, with practical advice for daily life.
NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • Thought leader, visionary, philanthropist, mystic, and yogi Sadhguru presents Western readers with a time-tested path to achieving absolute well-being: the classical ... (Goodreads)
Women in Love
by D.H. Lawrence
Two sisters explore their innermost desires as they search for true love and self-fulfillment.
Ursula and Gudrun Brangwen are sisters living in The Midlands in England in the 1910s. Ursula is a schoolteacher, Gudrun a painter. They meet two men who live nearby, school inspector Rupert Birkin ... (Wikipedia)
Ecce Homo
by Friedrich Nietzsche
A philosophical treatise on the meaning of life and the power of the individual.
In late 1888, only weeks before his final collapse into madness, Nietzsche (1844-1900) set out to compose his autobiography, and Ecce Homo remains one of the most intriguing yet bizarre examples of ... (Goodreads)
Jacob Have I Loved
by Katherine Paterson
A young girl's struggle to find her place in the world as she grapples with sibling rivalry and identity.
Esau have I hated . . . Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. Even ... (Goodreads)
The Crown of Embers
by Rae Carson
A princess must use her courage and wit to save her kingdom and find a path to her destiny.
“Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA’s best writers of high fantasy.”— Locus Magazine The second book in Rae Carson’s ... (Barnes & Noble)
Letter to a Child Never Born
by Oriana Fallaci
A woman reflects on her life and contemplates the implications of motherhood.
Published by Rizzoli in 1975, Letter to a Child Never Born was quickly translated and sold in twenty-seven countries worldwide, becoming an extraordinary success. It is the tragic monologue of a ... (Goodreads)
Confusion
by Elizabeth Jane Howard
A family saga set in post-WWII England, exploring the complexities of relationships and the impact of war on individuals.
From Simon & Schuster, Elizabeth Jane Howard's, Confusion, is the next chapter in the Cazalet Chronicles perfect for any lovers of historical fiction and one that will not disappoint. The long, dark ... (Goodreads)
Book of Longing
by Leonard Cohen
A collection of poetry and drawings exploring love, loss, and spirituality. Cohen's signature wit and melancholy shine through.
Leonard Cohen is one of the great writers, performers, and most consistently daring artists of our time. Book of Longing is Cohen’s eagerly awaited new collection of poems, following his highly ... (Goodreads)
Solanin
by Inio Asano
A group of young adults struggle to find their place in the world after college, facing the harsh realities of adulthood and the pressures of conformity.
Meiko and Taneda graduated from university two years ago. Having no real goals or direction, they step into society, clueless. Meiko works as an Office Lady to pay the rent for her apartment, while ... (Wikipedia)
A Separate Reality
by Carlos Castaneda
A spiritual journey of exploration of the world of sorcery and the power of the Yaqui shaman.
Carlos Castaneda takes the reader into the very heart of sorcery, challenging both imagination and reason, shaking the very foundations of our belief in what is "natural" and "logical." In 1961, a ... (Goodreads)
Captains Courageous
by Rudyard Kipling
The story of a rich boy who is shipwrecked and learns the value of hard work and integrity.
Protagonist Harvey Cheyne, Jr., is the son of a wealthy railroad magnate and his wife, in San Diego, California . Washed overboard from a transatlantic steamship and rescued by the crew of the ... (Wikipedia)
Oblomov
by Ivan Goncharov
A story of a man's struggle to break free from his life of stagnation and inactivity.
The novel focuses on the life of the main character, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov. Oblomov is a member of the upper middle class and the son of a member of Russia's nineteenth-century landed gentry. Oblomov's ... (Wikipedia)
The Guide
by R.K. Narayan
A humorous and satirical novel about a tour guide in India and the eccentric tourists he leads.
Railway Raju (nickname) is a disarmingly corrupt tour guide who is famous among tourists. He falls in love with a beautiful dancer, Rosie, the wife of archaeologist Marco. They have come to Malgudi, ... (Wikipedia)
The Broken Wings
by Kahlil Gibran
A philosophical tale of love and loss, exploring the journey of life and death.
This is the exquisitely tender story of love that beats desperately against the taboos of Oriental tradition. With great sensitivity, Gibran describes his passion as a youth for Selma Karamy, the ... (Goodreads)
Holding the Dream
by Nora Roberts
Three women build a successful business empire while navigating personal struggles and romantic relationships.
On the fast track to a partnership with her accountancy firm, Kate is stunned when she is fired for suspected embezzlement.Forced to cope with the sudden reversal of fortune, Kate returns to ... (Goodreads)
Franz Kafka's The Castle
by David Fishelson
A man's struggle against an oppressive bureaucracy in a mysterious castle.
The protagonist, K., arrives in a village governed by a mysterious bureaucracy operating in a nearby castle. When seeking shelter at the town inn, he claims to be a land surveyor summoned by the ... (Wikipedia)
Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
by Deepak Chopra
A fictionalized account of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became the Buddha, and his journey to enlightenment.
Bestselling author Deepak Chopra brings the Buddha back to life in this gripping novel of the young prince who abandoned his inheritance to discover his true calling. This iconic journey changed the ... (Goodreads)
Listen, Little Man!
by Wilhelm Reich
A scathing critique of the authoritarian mindset and its impact on society, written in a direct and confrontational style.
Listen, Little Man! is a great physician's quiet talk to each one of us, the average human being, the Little Man. Written in 1946 in answer to the gossip and defamation that plagued his remarkable ... (Goodreads)
Lizard
by Banana Yoshimoto
A young woman struggles to come to terms with the death of her mother and finds solace in a strange and mysterious friendship with a lizard.
In these six stories, the author of Goodbye Tsugumi and N.P. explores themes of time, healing and fate, and how her urban, sophisticated, independent young men and women come to terms with them. The ... (Goodreads)
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