World Book and Copyright Day: 5 inspirational books to lean on when life gets tough
When life gets hard, it becomes impossible to find comfort and resilience. We try to escape through movies, books, and music. Connecting deeply with a book is very common, especially in such circumstances. At these times, reading books can help us deal with real-time problems, boost our confidence, get motivated and build character. As we celebrate World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, 2025, let’s have a look at 5 books that can help one get through tough times in life.
No Longer Human
This is a fiction novel by Shūji Tsushima, better known by his pen name Osamu Dazai. 'The Setting Sun' and 'No Longer Human' are considered to be two of his best modern classics. The latter was originally published in 1948, a month after the author's suicide at the age of 38. The story revolves around Yozo, the protagonist, who struggles to understand human behaviour, believing that he was not qualified to be even a human being. He develops a fear of humans, often making him a clown in social situations. The book goes on to talk about the stigma around mental health in society.
White Nights
'White Nights' is a fictional short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky in 1848, set in St. Petersburg. The story involves a young man fighting his inner restlessness, and delves deeply into guilt and a sense of unrequited love. Dostoevsky, considered to be the one of the greatest novelists in both Russian and world literature, has written many highly-influential, top notch works, such as 'Demons' and 'Crime and Punishment'. He is renowned for his exploration of religious themes, social commentary and the human psyche.
The book 'White Nights' is a warning to lovers. One of the most famous quotes from this book is:
“May your sky always be clear, may your dear smile always be bright and happy, and may you be forever blessed for that moment of bliss and happiness which you gave to another lonely and grateful heart. Isn't such a moment sufficient for the whole of one's life? My God, a moment of bliss”.
The last line of the story references this quote, giving it a wonderful close.
The Metamorphosis
This is a novella by Franz Kafka, a Jewish Austrian-Czech author (who wrote in German), published in 1915. He is considered to be a major figure of 20th century literature. 'The Metamorphosis' follows Gregor Samsa, who by unknown magical means has been transformed into a giant beetle, and his struggle to adapt to his new avatar. It shows us how shame can tear a person. This is also one of Kafka's saddest books, which sometimes reflects the author's strained relationship with his own abusive father, Hermann Kafka, who was a ritual slaughterer in Osek.
Ikigai
'Ikigai' is a famous self-help book by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, published in 2016. It is derived from a Japanese word which means “a reason to live” or “a reason to jump out of bed in the morning”. “There is no word like it anywhere in the world,” says Héctor Garcia. The seven rules of Ikigai are:
- staying active.
- slowing down.
- practicing the "80% rule" for eating.
- surrounding yourself with good friends.
- getting in shape through gentle exercise.
- smiling and acknowledging others.
- reconnecting with nature.
On the other hand, the four pillars of Ikigai are what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
The Ikigai; the reason, is different for all of us. In the conclusion of the book, there is a saying that there is always a chance that we might get swayed by powerful forces like money, power, and attention, and it our fate lay in our own hands.
Things Fall Apart
This novel is Chinua Achebe’s debut work, published in 1958. Achebe is one of the most famous figures in African Literature. The novel's title is a quote from a poem by legendary Irish poet W.B. Yeats, titled 'The Second Coming'. The novel delves into themes like the fate-free will question, the tussle between tradition and change, language, masculinity, and religion.
One of Achebe's most significant quotes in this book is:
“He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart”.
The most important message that is conveyed through this book is the effect of colonialism on the native people of Africa. There are different symbols that influence the story such as Fire, Yams, Locusts. Over the years, 'Things Fall Apart' became a classic, not only in African literature but also in global literary discourse, contributing to a more inclusive, dynamic understanding of humanity and world history.
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