Literature has a way of transforming and expanding your mind. Sometimes this is due to the new perspective it gives you, other times it’s from the skills and knowledge that you gain when you crack open a good book.

Books allow for the author to go into deep detail about a subject and, in some cases, back up the information with their experiences. And as we all know, no matter how advanced technology gets, literature will always have its place in our society.

With this in mind, here are some great options if you are interested in reading a book that will change your perspective or beneficially add to your life.

The Mental Game of Poker – Jared Tendler

We can find a lot of insight about ourselves in unusual places. In the book The Mental Game of Poker, author Jared Tendler shows us just how much this popular game can teach us about psychology and the human condition. As a mental game coach, Tendler draws from years of experience helping athletes and players understand what causes the debilitating effect known as tilt. We all experience this effect in our daily lives whether it is at work or in our hobbies.

So much of this book is centred around recognising the effect our emotions have on our actions and mental state. Tendler helps us to understand this, and then shows some realistic and helpful models to overcome tilt, stress, and anxiety. In his opinion, through controlling our mindset and emotions, we can perform at our best at all times.

The Cape Town Book – Nechama Brodie

While fiction novels are great and certainly have their place, a great nonfiction book that details a time and place in history can be a worthwhile and engaging read. In The Cape Town Book, the reader is taken through the rich story of South Africa’s first city, including the city centre and outside coastal suburbs. The story of this great part of the world is worth exploring in detail as you get a personal look at some famous locations like Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, and the oldest garden in South Africa, Company’s Garden. Few sources are as detailed and comprehensive as this, and you will surely gain a new perspective into this often misunderstood city.

Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins

Author Tony Robbins is a well known motivational speaker that has helped millions of people around the world through his seminars, courses, and written works. Among all of his best-selling books, Awaken the Giant Within may be his most famous. If you are looking for something to kick-start your drive and ambition, this may be the perfect read to rewire your mindset.

Robbins calls himself an expert in the “psychology of change,” and he preaches the concept of self-mastery through positive reinforcement. Through reading this book, you will learn to take control of your life and find your real passions. Topics covered include relationships, careers and self-reflection.

The Girl With the Louding Voice – Abi Daré

This debut novel by up and coming author Abi Daré tells the story of a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who is trapped in a life of servitude. The only thing the character Adunni wants in her life is an education, the only way to receive a “louding voice” as her mother describes it.

Through hardships and struggles, Adunni learns to stand up for herself and follow her dreams against the odds. This novel made our list of the best Amazon books of the year for its heartfelt reflection of the life of many people across Nigeria. Daré recently won the Bath Novel Award for this incredible novel that allows us to peek into another world.

Tools of Titans – Tim Ferriss

We are all the summary of our daily habits and mindset. While you cannot flip a switch and think like someone else, by learning about individuals you admire you can gradually understand their thought process and how they approach problems and create solutions. Best-selling author Tim Ferriss spent two years interviewing over 200 professionals across many different industries and this book is the culmination of that combined wisdom and insight.

Reading this book is like picking the brain of all of the people that inspire you. There are many different tips and tactics that are discussed throughout that come from business owners, athletes, scientists, and pop culture icons. If you’re looking to really take your life to the next level or get the motivation to start a new project, this book can certainly help you on your path.