3 Non-fiction Books for Life Success: Teen Edition
Summary
The teenage years are a great time to establish beneficial habits for life and encourage teens to think more deeply about concepts beyond their immediate individual concerns.
These books cover the areas of philosophy, human relations and finances, three facets of life that lead to undeniable success if mastered from an early age.
The earlier these principles are practiced, the better, so that they become superpowers in a young adult’s life.
Grab a mohair chair or hammock, and delve into some fantastic nonfiction literature!
Man’s Search for Meaning (Adapted for Young Readers)
By Viktor Frankl
I haven’t actually read this book, however, it has been recommended by many prominent thinkers, and a couple family members have read it.
Man’s Search for Meaning tells the personal story of concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl as well as his epiphany of what fuels people to win…succeed…survive… during tough times. The title hints at his revelation.
The content is mature, given the detailed imagery and emotional fortitude it takes to discover the expansive and humanitarian lessons in World War II. But if your teen is capable of learning from the atrocities of history, this book can be enlightening and life-changing.
A teen who can discover meaning in life from young adulthood has a remarkable foundation from which to grow in all areas of life, specifically relational, professional and spiritual.
This is a deeply philosophical book that can help a teen find a life purpose, strengthening their sense of meaning in the world.
Quote from pre-teen who read the book:
“The reason a lot of people died in concentration camps is because they lost hope they’d ever get out… finding a meaning to stay alive.
It taught me that to live properly, you have to have a meaning for why you’re living. So if you’re not active and you don’t have a meaning, you’re not going to live well. ”
How to Win Friends and Influence People
By Dale Carnegie
You’ve probably heard of this book, but have you actually read it?
It’s amazing to me that a book originally copyrighted in 1936 still has so much truth and relevance. The principles transcribed in the book truly are the pillars of becoming a likable person, a good friend and a valuable member of a community. The author’s examples of human relations are amusing, as it gives historical insight into matters of the time, yet every lesson remains useful today.
Some key takeaways from the book are:
People above all else desire to feel important. “Always make the other person feel important” (p. 95).
“Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise” (p. 29).
When giving criticism, begin with praise, then use the word “and” (instead of “but”) to communicate where you’d like the person to improve.
This book is packed with timeless wisdom in dealing with people; after all, those who can effectively associate with people will have better relationships, and consequently, better lives.
It’s an easy read and can pretty quickly capture a reader’s interest with its nostalgic charm, conversational approach and humbly persuasive style. I highly recommend it!
Idea: When the kids head to a class or we go on an adventure, I challenge them to test out one of the principles in the book when they interact with people. It’s a human relations experiment!
We then discuss the results of their trials in the car on the way home. We have a couple pretty incredible stories about making a new friend and someone telling us that we made her day!
Try it for yourself, and let me know how it works out!
The Richest Man in Babylon
By George S. Clason
Another classic, The Richest Man in Babylon, was originally published in 1926 yet contains very practical principles for financial wellness. The book is written in story form with the setting in Ancient Babylon, a city of great riches and influence back in the day.
It begins with a townsman complaining about his financial state, only to begin learning from a wiser man the secret to financial peace and prosperity. The story is riveting and pulls the reader in with its enchanting old-world lingo, captivating characters and interwoven lessons.
This is definitely a book that pre-teens can learn from, and one that will lay a very solid foundation for simple, fortuitous financial habits at a young age. In fact, the paramount lesson echoes the “pay yourself first” notion where 10% is saved right off the top every time the man receives payment for his work. The story continues to address the concept of investments.
Certain lessons will likely be remembered based on the story aspect or the bygone lingo used to describe a principle. It’s a fantastic initial read for financial wisdom and prosperity.
Note: Many organizations have reprinted this book and some may contain typos, so be sure you order a copy from a reputable company!
Conclusion
Finding a purpose in life, learning the art of social charisma and harnessing the power of compound interest are all skills a teen can begin working on today that can have lifelong benefits for their relationships, careers and portfolios.