The world of literature is an amazing escape from the chaos of everyday life. To lose yourself in a book, or to find yourself in one - both timeless and immeasurable experiences. This list of inspirational books includes my personal favorites, books that I’ve read over and over, that I think should belong on every bookshelf, and that have influenced me into who I am today.

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

A timeless story about love, destiny and discovering your purpose in this world. I read this at least once every year and each time get inspired by all the incredible quotes, like this one, for example:

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.”

Other recommendations by Coelho: Aleph, Manuscript Found in Accra, and The Zahir.

2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

I can remember the exact time and place of when I read this book for the first time. The story follows five people, Albom’s protagonist and main character meets after he dies in an act of heroism. Overall, the story takes a dive into a world of dreams and seeks to connect life on earth with death, with an interesting take on the concept of heaven.

Other recommendations by Albom: For One More Day, Have A Little Faith, and The Time Keeper.

3. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

To not include this book on the list would be blasphemy of the literary arts. 19 years ago, Albom published a memoir of his former professor, Morrie Schwartz, and subsequently emerged this text that canvases themes of love, acceptance, happiness and human relationships. Not to mention it's filled with hundreds of quotes that will cause you to shed a tear or two.

4. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

A true story about a professor’s “last lecture” to students and peers at Carnegie Mellon University upon his diagnosis of terminal cancer. It will teach you how to have fun in life and never give up on your dreams. A video of the lecture is also available to watch online.

“The key question to keep asking is, are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.”

5. Ordinary People by Judith Guest

This psychologically astute novel takes an honest look at life and humanity and how grief and depression are dealt with in a typical middle-class American family. It at first seems like not much of a read, but does in fact encapsulate many familiar emotions and inexplicable feelings that Guest makes both interesting and realistic. This book is still relevant 40 years after its initial publication.