#1. In a Sunburned Country - Bill Bryson

I always had a feeling I wanted to explore the world, this book confirmed that feeling. Halfway through reading it I was researching plane tickets. A few months after finishing I was standing in front of the Sydney Opera House on my first international trip. Eight years later I'm still traveling.

#2. Meditations and Letters from a Stoic

These two books comprise the one-two punch of Stoicism. Either one is a great entry point into the philosphy, and I believe both are free on amazon kindle.

#3. Peace is Every Step - Thich Nhat Hanh

This one looks and sounds cheesey, but if you could put into practice everything in this book, you would be the happiest person in the world. If you get a chance you should listen to something by Thich first to get an idea what he sounds like. His accent is very unique.

#4 Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari

Overarching context is what my brain craves, the top-down view. This book is just one giant context provider.

#5 Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl

The western version of Thich Nhat Hanh's book. But instead of serenity and happiness, this deals with purpose and meaning.

#6. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse is one of my favorite authors, and while this book isn't his greatest, it launched a search in my own life. I went on to read Alan Watts, Anthony Demello, the Dalai Lama, and finally Thich Nhat Hanh.

#7 Hegemony or Survival - Noam Chomsky

Be prepared to be depressed. One of most impressivley sourced books I've read.