A Curated Library for Tasteful Minds
Our thoughts are shaped by influence. Music, art, cinema, and books leave their mark. Knowledge has long been associated with power. But beyond that, knowledge carries allure. it is attractive. It is admirable. It reflects discernment.
This is not a list of trends or fleeting recommendations. It is a considered selection, books chosen for their depth, longevity, and ability to refine the way we think. A starting point for a library built with intention. Here are some of our favorites.
I. Atomic Habits – James Clear
Progress is rarely dramatic. It is built slowly, over time, in decisions no one sees. This book focuses on those moments. It breaks growth into systems that make consistency feel natural rather than forced. You don’t overhaul your life for improvement, you refine it.
II. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
First published in 1989, this books has remained relevant because it speaks to something deeper than efficiency. it shifts the focus from doing more to doing what actually matters, all while maintaining clarity, responsibility, and purpose
III. The 48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene
Power exists whether you study it or not. This book does not teach control, it reveals how influence operates, how patterns repeat, and how people move within systems of hierarchy. Its value lies in awareness as it sharpens the reader.
IV. How to Be Unbothered – Nick Trenton
Not everything deserves a response or a reaction. This book explores emotional, mental, and social restraint, as well as the composure that comes from choosing what to engage with and what to let pass without explanation.
V. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Richard Carlson
An ISLADONA favorite. This book reduces stress to its simplest truth. It teaches how perspective changes everything. Most things feel heavier in the moment than they truly are. Sometimes, the most refined response is to step back.
VI. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra
Success does not have to be aggressive. This book approaches achievement through intention, balance, and awareness. It is a reminder that success is ultimately defined on our own terms.
VII. The Little Red Book of Wisdom – Mark DeMoss
A collection of thoughts and reflections meant to be opened at random. It is not read all at once, but returned to, offering perspective in small doses.
VIII. Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon – Rahul Jandial
Written from the operating room, this book reflects on morality, urgency, and what people often regret. It offers clarity on what truly matters and truly grounds the reader.
One last thing to take away is that this list isn’t definitive, it’s personal. These books offer perspective, clarity, and wisdom. Knowledge was never about an accumulation of information, but about the quality of what we know. It is very important to read what speaks to you, and the rest will follow.
