Ask HN: What books have changed your mind?

I’ve just in the past year discovered the power of reading and how it can change my mind about how I behave, and in turn, alter my character. This effect varies from book to book and person to person. I’ve come across some great book recommendations on HN in the past and I want more. What books have specifically changed your mind, behavior, attitude, etc?

Some examples for myself:

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - Shame is not a good motivator, it does more damage than good in the long run. It’s currently my goal to never use shame on people again.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - One of the most empowering books I’ve ever read. We are creatures of habit and any habit can be altered. We don’t have to put up with bad behaviors and routines, they can be changed. I now constantly think about the habits behind my actions and how I can alter the ones I want to change.

Mindset by Carol Dweck - Any skill can be learned and we are not limited to what we’re born with. When facing difficulty with a new task, rather than shrinking away and saying “I guess I just can’t figure this out”, I instead know that I can learn it, but it may require more effort on my part.

Any of the Foundation Books by Isaac Asimov.

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by Irvine. Pay attention and you will see this book come up time and time again on HN. I have reread multiple times.

The Game by Neil Strauss. I've not turned into a PUA after reading it (it was not the goal) but just after reading the first chapter, I just stood up from my desk and went straight to speak to a girl I was attracted to (but to which I was afraid to speak). I guess that can count as "altering my character".

I also second A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine. Applying some of the stoic principles (negative visualization, dichotomy/trichotomy of control, fatalism, ...) helped me a lot to be peaceful with myself.

Same here!