For dedicated book lovers, books that inspire and ignite a positive vibe are nothing less than gems. Here, The Week brings you a list of books that spark hope, hoping they give you just what you are looking for when you struggle during your most trying times.
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Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl
When the end seems certain, being hopeful about life is difficult. Like the book says, when hope is lost, all is lost. The book traces the writer's experiences in Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War. The writer has used his expertise as a psychologist by dwelling on the psyche of the prisoners, closely observing their experiences and analyzing them, whether during their time at camp, or when they were told that they were free. Besides that, the writer also talks about his search for meaning during dreadful circumstances, which, he concludes, is to help others find theirs.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi, Mattias Ripa
Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel that portrays her coming of age in Iran during the Islamic revolution. Marjane's innocent retelling of events from her childhood to adulthood gives us an opportunity to learn more about her country and family. Presented in black-and-white comic strip images, it captures the time that saw the fall of the Shah's regime, success of the revolution, and the devastation that the war with Iraq brought to her country. And though the survivors are left behind to deal with the cost of war, it's inspiring to see how they don't give up hope. Even in the face of death and destruction, the characters don't stop living and prove the universal truth that no matter what, life goes on.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Promoting education and enlightenment for girls when they have faced centuries of oppression may sound improbable. But Malala, a girl in her teens, made it a reality despite the odds being stacked against her. She was horribly punished by extremists for her campaign to educate girls, in which she almost lost her life, but it didn't stop her. Her fight for the rights of girls and their education garnered worldwide attention. In this autobiography, she narrates her sad and compelling story. But the beauty is in her perseverance to see her goal of educating fellow girls come true, which leaves the reader in awe of her courage and hope.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Published in 2012, Wild is Strayed's memoir of her 1,100 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in the 1995. As the book describes her journey, it also slowly unfolds the story that made her embark on this difficult journey. After her mother passed away in 1991, she became distant from her stepfather and siblings. It led to a series of personal crisis, from heroin abuse to separation from her husband. Determined to end her sorrows and with no previous back packing experiences, she set out alone in search of her emotional and spiritual stance, when she was just 26. This is a brave book that will give you strength.
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The Invisible Man was published in 1952 and tells the story of a man battling racism of the worst kind where black men are forced into fighting like animals and subjected to psychological and physical violence stemming from bigotry. The novel's nameless protagonist tries to fit into the society that discriminates him, but after everything, he realizes that he must honor his individuality and remain true to his history and identity, without forgetting his responsibility to his community. Circumstances push him into hiding, though, and the story seems to end there, but he realizes that it's not the end. Self-realization sets him free from the chains and lets the protagonist emerge into the open.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinback
Published in 1937, the book is based on Steinback's experiences. The story follows George Milton and Lennie Small, during the Great Depression, who move from place to place, looking for job opportunities and means to see their dream of settling down and owning their own piece of land someday. George is uneducated but intelligent and Lennie possesses great strength but limited mental abilities. Lennie's obsession constantly gets him into trouble, and George, though smaller than Lennie in strength and built, looks out for him and keeps him out of trouble. The friendship between the two teaches you things, as they share their dreams, and go on a journey to achieve it, despite their poor conditions.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Published in 2001, Life of Pi is a fantasy adventure novel, about the protagonist, Piscine Molitor Patel, who survives 227 days in the sea after a shipwreck. With nothing but a lifeboat and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, he's stranded in the Pacific Ocean. In his journey, he sees and experiences events that the authorities wouldn't believe, hence forcing him to make up a real story. The story is largely based on how he teaches himself to survive with his friend, making him the inspiration and the reason to live another day, until he washes up on the shore of Mexico. The journey also marks changes, spiritual and emotional, acquired during it.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
One would say that for a story narrated by Death, it can't in anyway border on optimism. Liesel Meminger, however, is someone who is determined to steal words and explore the beauty of life. Liesel is an orphan who is in the mercy of her foster parents, who have been given a small allowance to take her in. Her foster father slowly teaches her how to read and write, but her enthusiasm for reading doesn't stop there – she steals books. But this book is not just about finding hope during terrible situations, but also about how people change for good, making life better, enhancing our understanding of life.
(Text by The Week Bureau)