Reading with Purpose: Fiction Books That Made an Impact Uncovering Life Lessons Hidden in Stories
by T.L. Farris
Fiction is often seen as less than nonfiction when it comes to learning and personal growth. The question is can you learn from fiction? Is someone’s imagination a doorway to inspiration and invitation to knowledge?
Over the past 4 years I’ve read 222 books. 174 of those books were fiction. These books taught me that fiction is just as powerful as nonfiction. As a reader you often hear the split between fiction and nonfiction readers and it’s typically believed that nonfiction is for the reader who reads to learn while the fiction reader reads to have fun or relax.
I have friends that would feel bad because all they read was fiction, they thought a novel wasn’t as impactful as a memoir. They were not only wrong, they were missing out because they weren’t acknowledging the power of the book in their hands.
Fiction is a beautiful expression of our God-given imagination and creativity, it should be enjoyed and appreciated. But, it’s not just for our entertainment. These intentionally crafted stories offer a lot for us to learn from.
Here are two of my favorite fiction books from the last few years. Each of them hold a gift for you if you are willing to read and find it.
The Power of Perspective
Learning from fiction has been something I’ve done for as long as I can remember, I blame Disney for always including some moral or life lesson in their stories. However, translating this to books specifically as an adult was challenging. This first book changed that. Everyone knows perspective is everything but, what does that mean?
Even as I write this I’m reminded of the power of perspective. I had hit a creative block but had a deadline for this article so I did what has become a common practice for me now, I changed my location and therefore my perspective. Which is to say, I sat on the floor. This book is written by one of my all time favorite authors, Andy Andrews, who I’ve mentioned on the blog before.
Andy has a uniquely clear voice in his writing, he takes seemingly huge concepts and boils them down to the simplest practical steps. This book is no exception.
“Many people ignore ‘small stuff,’ claiming to have an eye on the bigger picture, never understanding that the bigger picture is composed entirely of small stuff.”
The Noticer, Andy Andrews
The Noticer follows the story of a mysterious man named Jones who comes to Orange Beach, Alabama. There he shares his gift for seeing what others miss and empowers members of the community to utilize the power of perspective.
I think I’ve read this book 5 times at this point but I quit counting when I realized I would never stop re-reading. It is a quick read with a life-long message. Packed with as many tools and keys as any self-help book I’ve ever read, it is a guide book to living the life you want to live.
The Noticer is a reminder that no matter how small something is, taking the time to notice it could be life changing.
The Power of Generations
Anytime I think about this book I tear up. Honestly, I am trying not to cry as I write this and remember this story. I recommended it to my sister a few months ago and she was hesitant because they are long and it’s actually not one book but two. However, I won and convinced her to read them.
She fell in love! I warned her ahead of time that she would not be able to find another book that would affect her emotionally anywhere near as much as these would. Of course she didn’t believe me, until she had finished. She cried through about 60% of the entire story (both books) whether she was happy or sad.
I purposely chose to share these books last because I think you should always save the best for the last. Marta’s Legacy by. Francine Rivers is most definitely the best. The first book is Her Mother’s Hope and the second is Her Daughter’s Dream. Together they tell the story of four generations of women in the same family, each on their own journey to find their purpose.
It is a masterfully written illustration of the connection between generations, how your struggles and success affect your children and beyond as well as the power of communication between mothers and daughters. I genuinely can’t recommend these books enough. They broke my heart, they made me want to call my mom, they gave me the biggest book hangover ever and ultimately gave me a roadmap to empower generations of women with my decisions today.
Marta’s Legacy is a testament to the connectedness of not just families but the lives we touch everyday, it offers a unique look at relationships and the power one individual’s influence can have long after they are gone.
Honorable Mentions
Anytime I read a book, fiction or nonfiction, I look for what it has to teach me. The author took the time to put their story to paper real or not and there is always something to learn. Sometimes it is simply “choose to be happy”, sometimes it is complicated like “Hope requires suffering just as light requires dark to exist, they are two sides of the same coin.”
These three books are not a full list of recommendations but here are few honorable mentions for when you’ve finished reading:
- How the Light Gets In by. Jolina Petersheim – The path from grief to healing isn’t straight.
- What Alice Forgot by. Liane Moriarty – Tomorrow isn’t promised, so be present today.
- The Heart Mender by. Andy Andrews – Forgiveness is for everyone.
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by. Toshikazu Kawaguchi – You don’t get a do over in life, make your decisions carefully.
- The Great Divorce by. C.S. Lewis – We have been given the freedom to choose.
At the end of the day just remember to read what you want to read and always find the lesson in the story.
What are some of your favorite fiction books? Comment below.
