10 Books that can help calm your senses

10 Calming books to read when life gets too hectic

Amanda Lim

27 Nov 2015

updated the 28 November 2015 à 15:55

1/10
The Alchemist
This international bestseller is one for a reason. The Alchemist is one book that will speak to everyone, regardless of spiritual belief. It is a short and simple tale of a shepherd who sells his flock to travel to the Pyramids of Egypt to find his treasure and ultimately finds himself and his purpose on this spiritual journey.
2/10
A Single Shard
This Newbery Award winning novel tells a story of an orphan boy and his devotion to a pottery master. His loyalty takes him on a courageous journey to show his master’s work to a royal emissary. Like working on a potter’s wheel, this novel has a Zen-like quality best read on a rainy day under a warm blanket.
3/10
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
The bestseller by Mitch Albom tells the story of Eddie, who dies on his 83^rd birthday after saving the life of a little girl. He regains consciousness in heaven, where he meets five people – a blue man, his wife, his army captain, a woman named ruby and a little girl he failed to save during the war. The book moves through a surreal landscape and ultimately ends with the bittersweet messages of love after death, redemption and forgiveness.
4/10
Snow Hunters
This short novel is about Yohan, a young tailor's apprentice who is a stranger in a new land after losing his home to war. Yohan’s longs to find a connection with the people in his new life, but fails as he cannot escape his past. This novel about loneliness is a poignant read that can be read in one sitting but is best stretched out to savour every word.
5/10
Johnathan Livingston Seagull
Johnathan is a seagull who is different from other seagulls because of this passion for flying. This oddity causes him to be labeled an outcast. He later meets a group of seagulls like him, before returning to his flock. Jonathan the seagull remains after decades a symbol of non-conformity, forgiveness and reaching your true potential.
6/10
Siddhartha
This book takes place in ancient India where a young man leaves behind his whole life to begin his quest for enlightenment. After seeking out Buddha, he abandons his quest for a beautiful courtesan. His courtship with her turns him on to a life of greed and lust. Later, sickened by his behaviour, he finds his way to a river where he discovers what he’s been looking for.
7/10
Eat, Pray, Love
You’ve seen the movie, now read the book. Author Elizabeth Gilbert decides to take a year off to get over her bitter divorce. She eats her way through Italy, travels to India to learn about spirituality and ultimately finds her balance in Bali. This book will resonate with anyone going through a rough and painful time, and promises that the best is yet to come.
8/10
A Good Year
A wealthy, ruthless and selfish London banker is forced to journey to his late uncle’s vineyard in France. Once there, he is haunted by his childhood memories of his uncle and is forced to admit that he is unhappy. His journey to the past allows him to find himself and his happiness once more.
9/10
Stoner
This book by John Williams tells the story of William Stoner, a farm boy who falls in love with literature after reading Shakespeare. He embraces an academic life but finds himself faced with multiple disappointments in his life. Stoner is a quiet and pensive piece of work, which will cause you to reflect on your life choices as you finish the final chapter.
10/10
The Perks of Being A Wallflower
This bestselling book was an instant classic the moment it hit the shelves. Stephen Chbosky follows Charlie, as he deals with love, loss and being a quiet wallflower in this honest telling of a coming of age story.

Escape into the literary world and find your solace between well-woven words.

Those who find joy in the written word know that reading can provide serenity for your soul. No, we don’t mean reading self-help books on managing anxiety. Just reading your favourite fiction is enough.

The best fictions paint beautiful imagery that helps the reader escape into their own private oasis. Here they can seek refuge from the daily stresses in within their own mind. Not to mention, the feeling of not being able to put down a book is exhilarating and satisfying.

It is true that everyone differs in his or her choice of reading material. Some people escape to fantasy lands, while other lose themselves in mystery novels. If you don’t know what your genre preferences are, try a fiction about personal discovery. These novels are usually quite Zen and won’t leave your heart pounding at the climax.

We round up 10 books that you can get comfy with on a lazy Sunday.

Amanda Lim

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