Explore 13 transformative books—fiction and nonfiction—that inspire, challenge, and change lives across generations.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What makes a book life-changing?
• What I look for in a life-changing book
• How I compiled this book list
• 13 books that will change your life

What makes a book life-changing?

Books have the power to shape how we see the world, understand ourselves, and engage with others. Some books, however, go beyond mere influence and spark profound shifts. Life-changing books call on us to reexamine our beliefs, shift our mindset, and embrace a new way of being. They don't just entertain or inform; they become part of who we are. 

What I look for in a life-changing book 

For me, a truly transformative book is one that broadens my understanding and challenges my perspective. I’m drawn to works that:

• Explore history, how it unfolds and what lessons it holds for us today.
• Speculate about humanity's future, asking us to imagine what lies ahead
...

Explore eight stories with emotional resonance, cultural and historical significance, and timeless lessons for every generation. 

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• Why should we read tear jerkers?
• How I compiled this book list
• 8 timeless books that will make you cry

Why should we read tear jerkers? 

Reading tear jerkers offers a unique kind of catharsis, a deep emotional release that we often need but may not get during the course of everyday life. Tear jerkers take us on carefully crafted emotional journeys, as we follow characters through their struggles and triumphs. They help us process our own emotions and contemplate more deeply what it means to be human. 

Beyond the emotional release and life lessons, tear jerkers help us connect with others. In seeing the world through the eyes of fictional characters, we learn to feel empathy and compassion, not only for people who exist only on paper, but also for each other. 

How I compiled this book list

To compile this list of te...