“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” (Cicero)…

If you need a dose of positive energy, then grab one of these books ASAP.

Whether you need a shift in perspective, a jolt of wisdom, help to get over a fear, or you just plain feel stuck, these short but powerful books will give you what you need to get started. Because hey, if you’re not growing, you’re either stuck or shrinking.

I find myself reading about one to three books every month and recommend many of them often, but these are the five that I think every person (both women and men—and even teens) should read. They are each short and completely life-changing in the best ways possible. Commit to reading or listening to all of them to enjoy an extra boost of inspiration and greatness in your life.

5 Books That Will Immediately Improve Your Life

I’ve listed these in the order I think they should be prioritized if you haven’t read them, but you can start anywhere. The most important thing is just to start.

1. The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying

By Bronnie Ware

Holy organic cow if you haven’t read this book yet then get it immediately.

Author Bronnie Ware was a hospice caregiver and spent a considerable amount of time with people in the last few weeks and days of their lives. After decades of learning from the dying, she’s categorized all of their regrets into five main categories. Everyone who reads or listens to this book will simply wish that they’d done it sooner. I’ve recommended this book to just about every single person I know. If you read (or listen) to it, share your experience with others in the comments below to inspire others to read it, too. Get it here.

2. The Four Agreements

By Don Miguel Ruiz

The Four Agreements is a user’s guide for life. Every successful person I know operates by The Four Agreements. It will help you tremendously in both your personal relationships and your professional success. In fact, my most successful friends refer to it often in both personal and business situations. Once you operate by The Four Agreements, you’ll immediately notice when another person does not (thus, they are struggling.) One of my uber-successful business friends had a challenging work situation the other day and said, “Oh if he just understood The Four Agreements he wouldn’t be sabotaging himself so much.” I read this book every year and refer to it often. Get it here.

3. The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

The story of The Alchemist is so good that the first time I read this book, I intentionally had to slow down and read only five pages each night to savor the last twenty pages. This short story is beautifully written, clever, and a much-needed reminder that…. wait I’m not going to tell you because I don’t want to ruin the story if you haven’t read it yet. The moral of the story is one that every person will benefit from. It’s a short book. I’ve read The Alchemist a few times and enjoy it each time I revisit it. You will for sure recommend it to friends after you read it. Get it here.

4. Change Me Prayers

By Tosha Silver

I don’t consider myself religious per se, but I believe we’re all connected and prayer is a birthright. I had this book on my bookshelf for over a year before I picked it up because I had some subconscious resistance to thinking it would be a heavy read. Like, I’d have to get heady and do some deep, difficult work. I was wrong, DEAD WRONG! Whether you’re religious, spiritual, or just believe in being a good person, everyone will benefit from this delightful book. One of the best things about it is that its short story-style chapters are broken into one to three pages, so you can easily read one or two a day to boost your mood and spirit. Author Tosha Silver teaches you how to change into a person who can accept things as they are, not as you wish or think they should be. Instead of feeling challenged or defeated, this breezy storybook will leave you feeling content and connected.

I keep Change Me Prayers on my nightstand and often just open to a random page to relish in the story, lesson, and change-me-prayer at the end. For example, “Change me Beloved into One who easily sets boundaries wherever needed,” and, “Change me Divine Beloved into One who trusts that the perfect relationship always arrives on time.” I feel happier every time I read one! Get it here.

5. Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much

By Anne Wilson Schaef

The New York Times says this book “should be put at the top of the stack.” It quickly became one of my favorites. This fantastic little book is full of reminders to slow down and not let societal rules run your life. The print version is out of stock often but you can often find a used copy on Amazon—buy a hard copy if you can find one. But, there is a Kindle version for just a few bucks so you can at least get the electronic version.  I love thumbing through it in the morning for a quick meditation to start my day. Get it here.

Have you read any or all of these?

Let us know which is your favorite in the comments below.