7 Pivotal Books on Finding Your Purpose

infographic displaying 7 book covers on finding purpose against a lavender background

Wake up to what your life can be with Simplish Reads: books on finding your purpose. If you're living for busy work, you're missing out! Reflecting on your own purpose and aligning your life with a values-based higher calling can totally transform the way you get things done everyday. Whether you're seeking soul-nourishing wisdom for a spiritual journey or a practical, inspiring guide on how to live a more meaningful life, you'll find it in this book collection.

7 Books on Finding Your Purpose That Will Transform Your Life

1. The Little Book of Ikigai by Ken Mogi

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

the little book of ikigai book cover by ken mogi red and black coy illustration against a white background with red script

Genre: Self-Help, Japanese Philosophy

Vibe: A quick guide written with great care introducing the concept of Ikigai to a Western audience

Read It If You…

  • Are looking for an introduction to the Japanese concept of Ikigai from a Japanese philosopher and neuroscientist

  • Seek balance and harmony in everyday activities and your pursuit of purpose

  • Struggle to align personal priorities with working life

Get a brief introduction to the Japanese concept of Ikigai, sometimes translated into English as "reason for being" or "reason to get up in the morning," from the respected neuroscientist and philosopher, Ken Mogi. For an in depth work on Ikigai, see Mogi's Awakening Your Ikigai: How the Japanese Wake Up to Joy and Purpose Every Day

Simplish Review of The Little Book of Ikigai by Ken Mogi

In The Little Book of Ikigai by Ken Mogi, we embark on a thought-provoking expedition into the heart of Japanese philosophy, where happiness intertwines with purpose and life unfolds in harmonious balance. Blending the wisdom of ancient traditions with modern insights, Mogi invites us to embrace the art of Ikigai – the profound sense of fulfillment that arises when we align our passions, skills, and contributions. Eager to unveil more secrets about this fascinating philosophy? Then read on our review to start making the first meaningful steps onto a self-transformative path!

If you've ever felt like you're navigating the complexities of life without a compass, The Little Book of Ikigai by Ken Mogi can be like a soothing balm for the soul. In a world brimming with hustle and noise, this book invites you to slow down and explore the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which encapsulates the essence of finding purpose, passion, and joy in everyday life.

Whether you're caught in the frenzy of a demanding career or simply seeking a more meaningful existence, this book holds the keys to harmonizing your goals and actions. From my perspective, what I personally found incredible about this masterpiece is that the author beautifully manages to combine and harmonize the secrets of ancient wisdom with modern insights, crafting a compelling narrative that resonates universally.

You'll surely be blown away by anecdotes of individuals who have embraced Ikigai’s philosophy and transformed their lives. But the real strength of this book is its brevity, which perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Japanese philosophy, where less is more. Because in the end you’ll realize that just a few pages really have the power to infuse all of the wisdom and truth of this philosophy and trigger a positive change in the course of your journey.

Mogi's narrative gently encourages you to reflect on your life's components: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Through this introspective exploration, you'll inch closer to the core of your Ikigai – that sweet spot where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect. Moreover, what I also found really useful is that this book is not merely theoretic, but is rather peppered with practical exercises and thoughtful prompts, guiding you towards self-discovery and personal transformation.

But perhaps the real beauty of this book lays in the fact that it can open a door to a new perspective in an era of constant motion, where busyness often overshadows fulfillment.  Because this book can be like an oasis of calm, peace, and insight where you can find shelter from the chaos of our hectic world. Mogi encourages you to cultivate mindfulness, appreciating the small moments that compose the symphony of your life. As you turn the pages, you'll embark on a journey to recalibrate your priorities, making room for what truly matters.

So if you're ready to embark on a quest for purpose, if you yearn to infuse your days with meaning, and if you're willing to embrace simplicity as a pathway to genuine happiness, then this book is a total must-read. Join Ken Mogi on this enlightening expedition and unlock the doors to a life filled with joy, fulfillment, and Ikigai.

Quotes from The Little Book of Ikigai by Ken Mogi

2. On Purpose: Discover the meaning of your life by Danielle North

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

on purpose discover the meaning of your life book cover by danielle north sea blue cover with flower seeds

Genre: Self-Help, Psychology, Workbook

Vibe: A "treasure-map" to guide you toward discovering your own purpose and applying it in your life.

 Read It If You…

  • Are looking for inspiration, guidance, and space to reflect on purpose in one handy workbook

  • Are feeling a little lost or unsure, and are seeking a step-by-step guide to understanding your own purpose

  • Are prepared to work! This guide includes journal prompts and empty space for you to reflect

In On Purpose, Danielle North offers a beautifully crafted framework for self-reflection, self-acceptance, and vision-creation.

Quotes from On Purpose: Discover the meaning of your life by Danielle North

3. Siddartha by Hermann Hesse

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

hermann hesse siddartha book cover collage of a human outlined against flowing lava, sky blue background, flower and cosmos

Genre: Classic Fiction, Philosophy

Vibe: An epic tale of the search for wholeness

Read It If You…

  • Love a good epic (in short form)

  • Are interested in a Western telling of the story of Buddha's life

  • Are considering a sabbatical

This classic novel tells the story of a wealthy Indian Brahmin who rejects his life of privilege in search of fulfillment. The work is noted as a classic for its unique integration of religious scripture with Jungian archetypes and Western individualism.

Quotes from Siddartha by Hermann Hesse

4. It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered By Lysa Terkeurst

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

it's not supposed to be this way by lysa terkeurst book cover upside down photograph of a woman walking in front of a white and blue painted house

Genre: Self-Help, Christian literature

Vibe: Fierce, tender, and surprising

Read It If You…

  • Are seeking answers and purpose through faith in God

  • Have experienced disappointment, betrayal, or loss that has left you questioning everything

  • Crave a read to nourish the soul

New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst shares the redemption of living, loving, and believing through life- shattering circumstances. While written for a Christian audience, the story of discovering a higher purpose through crisis welcomes all.

Quotes from It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst

5. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone By Brené Brown

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

braving the wilderness by brene brown book cover blue and white horizon over fir trees with large dark blue block text

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: Uncomfortably honest, and deeply insightful

 Read It If You…

  • Feel overwhelmed by the polarizing world and your place in it

  • Get stuck people-pleasing on your way somewhere more interesting and meaningful

  • Enjoy cultural criticism and interdisciplinary analysis

By reading this book, you will learn how to cultivate mindfulness and love in your relationships. You will explore your personal story and how it has led you to this moment.

Quotes from Braving the Wilderness By Brené Brown

6. The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life's Direction and Purpose by Oprah Winfrey

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

the path made clear: discovering your life's direction and purpose by oprah winfrey book cover photograph of oprah walking alone on a path through a deciduous forest

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: Ambitiously passionate and inspiring

  Read It If You…

  • Love Oprah

  • Are at a crossroads and seeking inspiration

  • Like to dip in and out, pause on beautiful imagery, bookmark pages, and take your time with text as it resonates with your life

In The Path Made Clear, Oprah shares guidance from her own journey and wisdom from interviews with celebrities for every season of life.

Quotes from The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey

7. Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose by Jean Case

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

be fearless: 5 principles for a life of breakthroughs and purpose by jean case book cover bright read background with bold, black, handwritten, text

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: An anthem for conquering fear and living large

Read It If You…

  • Have a sense of where you're going but struggle with fear of failing

  • Get pumped up by anecdotes from successful startups and changemakers

  • Need a nudge to make bigger bets in life

From philanthropist, business woman, and author Jean Case, Be Fearless is a call-to-action for your most successful and daring life. Based on case studies of historical figures, Case presents five principles for living fearlessly to find a life of meaning.

Quotes from Be Fearless by Jean Case