This list of 15 books on travel and self-discovery is a terrific place to start if you're seeking for the greatest books on self-discovery. When you're feeling lost, these books might help you rediscover who you are and what you're here to do.

When the terms "self-discovery" or "finding yourself" are used, many people's eyes glaze away. A lot of "advice" is vague and devoid of factual support or personal experience, so beware.

Self-discovery literature, on the other hand, has the potential to profoundly alter one's outlook on life. Readers on similar journeys might find consolation, inspiration, and motivation in these novels.

I've collected a list of the best self-discovery books, both fiction and nonfiction. All of these will make you feel a bit less lost, whether they're inspirational or instructional.

Non-Fiction Books about Finding Yourself

In these non-fiction books on self-discovery, memoirs and personal experiences are interspersed with useful non-fiction literature.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

After her mother's untimely death and a number of adulterous encounters, Cheryl Strayed strives to reclaim her life in the true tale Wild.

As she embarks on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), she wants to discover herself and her purpose in life once again.

Both the author's personal history and her time on the PCT are discussed in this book in equal measure.

It's revealed that her family was going through a lot and that she reacted by sleeping with a number of guys, which led to the dissolution of her marriage.

She has no idea what she's getting herself into as she sets off on a three-month trip with nothing but a huge rucksack for company.

She loses a few toenails in the process, but she gets a lot more as she discovers more about herself, strangers, strength, and family.

The concept of people "finding themselves" after reading a narrative like this used to make me squirm in my seat.

However, after reading it, all I wanted to do was put on my hiking boots, get out into the wilderness, and spend some time with... myself.

I recommend Cheryl Strayed's narrative to anybody planning a solo expedition since it is both tragic and uplifting. I also recommend checking out the film adaption starring Reese Witherspoon as well.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

A wonderful look back at the amazing lives of an ordinary lady, Michelle Obama's Becoming is a fascinating read.

From the first days of Michelle Obama's life as a kid until the day Donald Trump is elected president and Barack Obama departs the White House, this narrative takes us on a journey through her life.

In this book, the reader is given a glimpse of her family life, career, marriage, and time in the White House.

We get a glimpse into the ups and downs of her life, as well as the lessons she learned from each one along the way.

Throughout the book, she discusses her relationship with Barack Obama and how the two of them were able to build a life together while still pursuing the things that made them happy on their own.

It may take some time to get into this book since it is so long, but the wait will be well worth it. For the times we live in, this book has a good message and is full of optimism. Michelle Obama reads the book, therefore I strongly suggest listening to it on audio. For those of you who have heard her speak, you know she is an excellent public speaker. This is a must-read book that deserves your full attention.

Besides her book, Michelle Obama has also released a 365-day guide to self-discovery and self-reflection.

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover's remarkable book, Educated, describes her upbringing in a survivalist Mormon home. Her childhood was a difficult one.

A violent brother and obsessive father can't shield her from the rest of civilization since they live in a totally secluded community.

As a result of her father's disbelief in hospitals and his distrust of the government, Westover has grown up in a constantly traumatizing environment.

Tara doesn't enter a school until she is seventeen years old, long after Westover had taken it upon herself to begin her education.

After graduating from Brigham Young University, she goes on to study at Harvard and Cambridge universities.

When it comes to Westover's education and family, she finds it more difficult to accept her family as they are as she grows in knowledge.

It's difficult to read about her battle to live a life she enjoys despite the fact that her family would never embrace her newfound independence.

Overall, Educated lives up to the high standards set by critics and audience members alike.

Because Westover's life narrative is so extraordinary, it sometimes reads like fiction, it's hard to believe these events occurred so recently in the twenty-first century.

Even if you're not a fan of autobiographies, you should give this one a go. Reads on family, perspective, education, and self-development are intriguing (sometimes scary). It's something I'd enthusiastically endorse.

Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki

Fumio Sasaki's book, Goodbye, Things, is a guide to living a minimalist lifestyle. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying is one of the greatest books of its type, maybe even better than Marie Kondo's renowned work.

Not exactly what you'd expect to see on a list of books on finding yourself, but this one is all about developing a better perspective about material possessions and just keeping the things you need in your daily life that have a meaningful purpose.

I found the notion of a "invisible" to-do list, made up of all the things we don't need, to be the most helpful, and it comprises 55 bite-sized advice that are each accompanied with an anecdote or brief explanation.

What if you retain the knitting kit you purchased five years ago claiming you'll get around to it one day? You are adding an item to your invisible "to-do list," which is always with you at home, to the list of things you'd want to do.

When you declutter your home and get rid of things you don't need, you may notice that your mental load lightens and you realize what you really like doing with your free time.

There's no need to worry about this novel being about sleeping under a duvet in the midst of an empty living room. As long as you don't mind getting rid of everything in favor of the bare minimum, the author isn't preachy.

It's all about how much weight you can lose by making fewer dietary and lifestyle choices that benefit YOU. The route to simplicity will be different for everyone.

Quiet by Susan Cain

Even if you're not an introvert, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Never Stops Talking is a must-read for everyone who is.

Cain claims that introverts, who make up one-third of the population, are undervalued in society.

In our society, we're taught from an early age to be extroverted and friendly. If a youngster does not provide answers in class, lacks confidence while speaking in front of a group, or has a limited group of friends, it is often considered something that needs improvement.

Cain use tales and examples in a wide range of situations, including parenting, education, the workplace, and socializing. It is not an issue that has to be rectified, as she demonstrates in each of these examples.

Instead, providing an atmosphere where introverts may flourish can be a tremendous benefit for everyone concerned.

Extroverts have a built-in advantage over introverts when it comes to promoting themselves and their ideas, yet this just serves to slow down our own advancement.

For someone who is naturally shy and prefers solitude to social situations, this book was a godsend in helping me get a better understanding of my own personality type and stop labeling myself as "strange."

This book should be essential reading for parents, teachers, and CEOs in order to better understand and nurture the people with whom they work.

When it comes to literature for introverts, I think Quiet is one of the greatest. Throughout the whole book, I couldn't help but shout, "I feel seen!"

The Body by Bill Bryson

The Body is a must-read for everyone looking to learn more about their own bodies in a more concrete way.

In The Body, a non-fiction book, the author takes the reader on a tour of the whole human body, explaining how it functions and recounting the different scientific discoveries that have been made about it.

I learned a lot about my own internal systems and medical history while reading this, therefore I'd suggest it to everyone.

Non-fiction scientific books might be difficult to swallow, but Bryson manages to make them enjoyable. I believe you'd like The Body if you enjoyed novels like Sapiens or The Body of Lies.

As a result, The Body is an excellent book to read right now. Despite its publication date of Oct. 2019, this book includes a wealth of information on epidemics that is still relevant today.

As a sharp reminder, many individuals were aware that an epidemic was a serious possibility, but no country was adequately prepared for this."

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