The year 2023 is already past its spring season in India. But we can still make some new year’s resolutions for ourselves. New year resolutions may start making more sense with each passing year of your life. As you gain a greater perspective on the world and strive to grow, you realise the importance of small wins and enjoying every moment in life.
New Year resolutions also come in all forms, allowing you to set your own goals. However, reading may be an excellent place to start if you are confused about where to begin your New Year’s resolutions journey.
It is one of the more popular New Year’s resolutions, offering fresh perspectives and an escape into different worlds. Reading is also inspiring and can provide the spark you need to transform your life.
Best Life-changing Books to Read in 2023
For our list of the best life-changing books to read in 2023, we have compiled books focused on delivering change in society. Therefore, our list includes books on education, women empowerment, pregnant women, and children’s health— topics central to bringing tangible change in society.
From memoirs to parenting books to feminist manifestos, read on to find the best life-changing books to read in India in 2023.
1. Educated— Tara Westover
Educated (2018) is a moving memoir by American author Tara Westover. Born to a survivalist Mormon family in the hills of rural Idaho, Tara had an unorthodox childhood. She didn’t receive preschool or high school education, spending her summers stewing herbs for her mother and salvaging her father’s junkyard in winter.
The young girl didn’t even have access to hospitals, as her father forbade formal healthcare. All injuries and diseases, from concussions to burns, were treated at home with herbs.
Since the family lived high in the mountains away from society, Tara didn’t receive a formal education, but that didn’t stop her from educating herself. She taught herself mathematics and grammar and got admitted to Brigham Young University, where she learned history.
Her thirst for knowledge led to Harvard and then a Ph.D. from Cambridge. Educated chronicles her beautiful journey and teaches the value of education.
2. We Should All Be Feminists— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
We Should All Be Feminists advocates feminism better than the writer’s own TED Talk and the inspiration for the book. In the book, the Nigerian writer says feminism is a human rights issue.
She speaks about various forms of discrimination and systemic behaviors that devalue women. Adichie uses her worldwide experience to argue why gender inequality is a curse for men and women.
She also provides an interpretation of feminism in the modern world, with a firm emphasis on inclusivity and consciousness. The book discusses raising boys and girls equally, challenging traditional gender roles, and promoting equality in society.
The writing is witty and compelling and will force you to demand more from yourself concerning feminism.
3. Expecting Better— Emily Oster
Expecting Better is arguably one of the best books to read in life for pregnant women. Challenging the status quo and debunking common myths about pregnancy, the book is a breath of fresh air for pregnant women.
Author and economist Emily Oster use data to prove pregnant women have followed rules that do not really yield results.
Common myths, such as the dangers of caffeine and the need to avoid certain foods, prevent women from enjoying a peaceful pregnancy. Expecting Better addresses that by empowering women to use scientific evidence to decide what to do during their pregnancy and childbirth.
The book promises to make women happier about their pregnancies and ensure they enjoy the best foods during pregnancy.
4. Seeing like a feminist—Nivedita Menon
In Seeing like a feminist, Nivedita Menon reveals the hurdles to feminism in India. The book focuses on feminism and how the Indian male-dominated construct is unfair to women.
In the book, Menon says feminism is less about a triumph over patriarchy and more about changing the perception of men and women forever. Menon also challenges the existing marriage order in India, which only became popular during the British occupation of the country.
Themes of sexuality and gender are also touched upon in the eye-opening book published in 2012.
5. The Happiest Baby on the Block— Harvey Karp
Newborns are precious but challenging for parents. Their sleep cycle is unique and irregular, keeping parents awake throughout the day and night.
Working parents face even more significant challenges, as they may need to juggle work, house chores, as well as their newborn. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp is a potential way out.
It is among the best books to read for parents to promote better sleep for their newborns. The secrets revealed in the book have made Dr. Karp a superstar among pediatricians and parents.
He shares with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history and explains exactly how they work. The “5 S’s” technique is the book’s centerpiece: it involves swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shushing, swinging, and sucking.
6. The Whole-Brain Child— Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Children may be difficult to deal with it not because they want to but due to their developing brains. Their brain develops every day with new experiences of the world around them.
It is vital for parents to understand that so they can help their child’s brain reach its full potential. In The Whole-Brain Child, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, Daniel J. Siegel, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson explain the science of a child’s development.
They explain the meltdowns children have and explain how a child’s brain is wired and matures. Knowing these can help parents address their children’s outbursts, arguments, or fear and promote growth.
7. Becoming— Michelle Obama
Becoming is as much a story of grit, determination, and self-belief as it is the journey of the former First Lady of the United States of America (USA). Michelle Obama gives readers worldwide insight into her spectacular but testing life in her memoir.
She beautifully details her journey from the humble South Side of Chicago to the most popular house on the planet. The former First Lady brings you closer to three distinct phases of her life, “Becoming me, becoming us, and becoming more.”
Standing as a rock by her husband’s side, Michelle Obama also raised two humble daughters and ensured they remained true to nothing but their work. Her story is an inspiration for every woman with ambition and shows the value of grit, hard work, and honesty.
8. Untamed— Glennon Doyle
Untamed is an intimate memoir that sheds light on the incredible strength of women. It is a story of one woman’s journey of finding herself and realizing she can become the perfect role model for her family only if she is true to herself.
It is Doyle’s own story of navigating divorce, falling in love with a woman, and realising her true self. Authenticity is the biggest lesson of the book, but self-discovery, identity, and empowerment are equally explored in this magnificent book. You must add to your best life-changing books 2023 reading list.
Books Inspire Change
Every New Year resolution has its value, but reading more in 2023 might be the best decision you make. Reading will broaden your perspective and increase your wisdom and knowledge of the world around you.
While there are millions of books out there, we’ve listed the eight best life-changing books we feel you need to make 2023 count.
Smile Foundation and A Culture of Reading
The flagship programme of Smile Foundation, Mission Education (ME) has a heartfelt dream of making children from low-income communities excel in work and life. All the projects are shaped in a manner where curiosity and inquisitiveness are encouraged through various activities including reading different kinds of books. Volunteer with us to make a change in the lives of children or donate a small amount to support their education.