By no means is this list fully complete. It merely scrapes the surface of literary masterpieces that will open your eyes and inspire you to not only become a better person, but also, give you a perspective of human enlightenment and hope. Our society needs to continue utilizing common interests and passions to inspire collaborative creativity to help empower change in what I call the three pillars of societal discontent - social injustice, poverty and inequality.

So, you must be wondering - how can I possibly help make a positive change when I don't even have time for myself? Well, I'm sure that most of you are probably overworked, full of stress and even struggling to make your own ends meet. However, we need to remove some of our individualistic ideals and motion towards changing our attitude. Our attitude is inversely affected by how we respond to the challenges that confront us. The nine (9) books listed below will inspire you to promote social change and personal success by putting you in charge of your attitude and helping you silence your ego.

(*FYI - all listings below are in no particular order and are linked by their corresponding Google search terms)

#1.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations (2006) - Greg Mortenson
Unlikely friendships and collaborative efforts to address poverty and improve access to education for woman while overcoming cultural divides.

#2.

The Greatest Salesman in the World (1968) - Og Mandino
Without self-confidence we cannot achieve great success. This simple but profound book teaches you how to be a great salesperson; you must believe in yourself and the work you are doing if you wish to make a positive impact on society.

#3.

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life (1992) - Thich Nhat Hanh
This book will teach you how to appreciate, sit back and smile in just about every moment of your life.

#4.

The Brain That Changes Itself (2007) - Norman Doidge, M.D.
Doidge's book is a remarkable and hopeful portrait of the endless adaptability of the human brain - anything is possible, literally, if you put your mind to it.

#5.

The Little Prince (1968) - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A fable about how a child sees the important things in life much more clearly than many adults do.

#6.

How to Win Friends and Influence People (1937) - Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie knew human nature - his underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated will never be outdated.

#7.

Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life (1997) - Shakti Gawain
This book teaches readers how to use their imaginations to manifest their deepest desires.

#8.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Restoring the Character Ethic (1989) - Stephen R. Covey
This book effectively talks about pivotal habits in everyday life that if put into practice will lead to self-improvement and personal success.

#9.

The Magic of Thinking Big (1987) - David Schwartz
I definitely don't believe in self-help books or self-improvement programs - but this book definitely will help you find greater happiness and peace of mind.

As you may already know there are many great inspirational books - if I have missed any books that should have been on this list - please let me know, I would love to read any of the books you recommend.

 Cheers & Keeps Smiling!

-Robert Saric