Four Books That Changed My Life: The Foundational Reading List for Intentional Living

In the hustle of my previous life, reading felt like a luxury—something you did on a vacation, not a daily practice. Here in Normandy, where the days unfurl at a slower pace, books have become a vital part of my intentional living ritual. They are the quiet mentors that helped me dismantle the old way of thinking and build this new, more satisfying life.

While the physical move to France provided the setting for my transformation, these four books provided the philosophical blueprint for change. If you are questioning your path or searching for the courage to “start again,” these are the books I keep returning to.

1. Walden by Henry David Thoreau

I know, it sounds cliché, but this book is the ultimate anthem for slow living. Thoreau didn’t just advocate for simplicity; he lived it, distilling his needs down to the bare essentials.

• The Lesson I Took: I used to think I needed more income to solve my stress. Walden taught me I needed fewer commitments. It forced me to interrogate every object and activity in my life with one question: Is this truly essential, or is it merely noise? It gave me permission to walk away from societal expectations and define sufficiency on my own terms.

2. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

This book isn’t about folding clothes; it’s about making a profound spiritual and emotional change through your physical space. It was the necessary first step on my journey to simplicity.

• The Lesson I Took: Kondo taught me that clutter is deferred decisions. By handling every single item I owned and asking if it “sparked joy,” I wasn’t just clearing a closet; I was clearing my mind. It was the practical, physical foundation that allowed the bigger mental shifts to take hold.

3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This is a book I re-read every time I feel fear about a new venture (like starting this blog, or even moving to Normandy!). It’s a simple parable about following your “Personal Legend.”

• The Lesson I Took: The book gave me the courage to trust the process. It taught me that when you follow your deepest, most authentic desire (your Personal Legend), the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it. It was the nudge I needed to believe that this rustic, slow life was not an accident, but my destiny.

4. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Written as a series of meditative essays, this book speaks directly to the modern woman who is struggling to balance marriage, career, and the longing for an authentic self.

• The Lesson I Took: Lindbergh uses seashells as metaphors for different phases of life. Her essay on the necessity of solitude and space (the “single shell”) resonated deeply. It reassured me that retreating to define my own center was not selfish, but necessary for me to show up authentically for everyone else.

These books, much like the quiet fog that settles over my Norman garden each morning, taught me that clarity comes not from seeking more, but from intentionally seeking less.

Which one will you choose to read during your next slow morning?