It is full of new ideas, creative thinking, information and a genre or topic you enjoy. The sheer wonder of what’s yet to be read and captivating storylines are parts of your imagination that you find fulfilling. But why do you enjoy that? Perhaps the act of choosing what interests you is a clue to what fulfills you, underscoring the Thrive5© pillar of Purpose. Reading can be a powerful way to uncover your passions and purpose, guiding you toward the things that bring meaning to your life. Even books that do not immediately capture your interest can be valuable. They help you discover what you do not enjoy and nudge you toward the subjects and stories that truly inspire you. In this way, every book becomes part of a larger journey, pushing you to make decisions that align with fulfillment and purpose.
Reading can be more than mere entertainment. Each page offers a new perspective, a different voice or a challenge to your assumptions. A novel might awaken empathy, a biography might spark admiration or a work of nonfiction might ignite curiosity about a cause or career. These experiences expand your perspective and help you recognize what resonates most deeply, or what remains as a mystery that you want to find out. Over time, the books you gravitate toward can reveal patterns that point you toward your purpose.
Books also demand focus and reflection, qualities essential to uncovering purpose. In a world full of distractions—text messages, social app notifications, doom scrolling, demanding ads, etc.—reading demands presence and attention span. That quiet space you enter as you begin to read allows you to process ideas more deeply, connect them to your own experiences and ask the questions that matter. What do I care about? What impact do I want to make? What fulfills me?
Beyond personal discovery, reading connects you to community. Sharing books, discussing ideas or joining reading groups creates dialogue that can further clarify your sense of purpose. Often, fulfillment is found not only in what you learn but in how you share it with others.
Dare County Libraries has a list of books for every age range to help discover purpose, because purpose can change throughout life. All books are available for check-out at their locations. To double-check the availability of any book, check on their online catalog here: https://www.darenc.gov/departments/libraries.
Select a book below that interests you and see where it takes you! Or, grab a friend and read a book together!
Finding Purpose in Early Childhood
- Maybe by Kodi Yamada
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers
- Tiny Troubles: Nelli’s Purpose by Sophie Diao
- Petra by Marianna Coppo
- Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
- Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
Finding Purpose Early in Life
- Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by
William Kamwamba and Bryan Mealer
- The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Parenting with Purpose
- Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier and More Secure Kids by Kim John Paybe and Lisa M. Ross
- The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children by Shefali Tsabary
- The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica Lahey
- The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Purpose at Any Age
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
- Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
- The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint by Exupéry
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
- The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner
- The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks
- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
- What is the What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng: A Novel by Dave Eggers
- You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh
