The Bee Sting by Paul Murray was one of the best books I read in 2023. It was the perfect holiday season book for me. It has family drama, intriguing characters, a stunning style, and a plot that reads like a thriller. It was hard to put down. No wonder it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2023. I will warn you: you won’t be able to put it down, you’ll mourn finishing it, look up anything you can about the ending, and you’ll keep thinking about it for months afterwards…

“You can only change through awareness and understanding.” – Anthony de Mello

Every once in a while you stumble upon a book that is more than a gem of a read. It’s a compass for life, a roadmap to happiness. A book that decreases anxiety and silences other inner demons. A book you wish everyone would read. Perhaps that’s why Tim Ferriss has recommended the book so many times on his podcast. Past summer I finally read it and there’s so much wisdom in it I might as well have copied the entire book here, but you should read it and experience it for yourself instead.

The book I’m talking about is ‘Awareness’ by Anthony de Mello. De Mello was an Indian priest and psychotherapist. He was a spiritual teacher and public speaker who drew wisdom from both East and West traditions.

On every page, there is a piece of wisdom to be found fitting to whatever predicament you’re in. It’s that powerful. If you only read one more book this year, let it be this one…

Embrace serendipity, connect with people and nature, let go of the past and determine your mission.

“You see, the problem in life isn’t in receiving answers. The problem is in identifying your current questions. Once you get the questions right, the answers always come.” – James Redfield

How adopting an us-first instead of a me-first attitude will get us through this crisis and help design life afterwards

“We’re here on this planet not to build personal empires of control, but to evolve.” – James Redfield

#5: How to work with time in fiction.

“Writing is a way of recording the human voice.” — Margaret Atwood

The four elements that make up a fantastic article

“Writing is thinking on paper. Anyone who thinks clearly can write clearly.” — William Zinsser

“If you don’t believe in magic, you’ll never find it.” — Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is hands down the author who had the most influence on me when I grew up. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve read Matilda, The Witches and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

His worlds filled with wonder, childlike curiosity, and what it means to be different are mesmerizing to me…

Paulo Coelho’s Writing and Creativity Tips Collected.

“Books are not here to show how intelligent and cultivated you are. Books are out there to show your heart, to show your soul, and to tell your fans, readers: you are not alone.” – Paulo Coelho

How the Successful Silo-series Author Changed the Publishing Game.

“I firmly believe that if a well-read author commits to honing their craft and writing two novels a year for ten years, they will be able to make a career out of writing. The beauty of self-publishing is that you can give yourself that ten-year chance. You don’t have to rely on being discovered by an agent.” – Hugh Howey

Ayn Rand’s Writing Tips on Theme, Plot, Characterization and Style.

 “To be the kind of writer you want to be, you must first be the kind of thinker you want to be.” – Ayn Rand

5 Lessons on How to Live a Meaningful Life and Become a Better Human Being.

“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”

5 Lessons on Writing and 5 Lessons on Life From a Creative Genius

“I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found. By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This to me is a miracle.” – Kurt Vonnegut

5 Lessons from ‘Zen in the Art of Writing’.

“There is only one type of story in the world. Your story.” — Ray Bradbury

4 Ways to Conquer Resistance, Procrastination and Fear in Writing.

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now.” — W. H. Murray

Eat, Create, Love. Five lessons from the book Big Magic.

“Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?” - Elizabeth Gilbert

8 Steps to Go After Your Dream and Take Action.

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” — Paulo Coelho