There are certain books every man should read at some point in their lifetime—in some cases maybe even twice. Some required reading from high school is worth revisiting as an adult, for a new perspective. Here are 13 books we suggest all men add to their reading lists.

Fiction

The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger

If you somehow escaped reading this in high school—or even if you didn’t—it’s time to pick up a copy. Holden Caulfield is an iconic character of the 20th century that you’ll love to hate. You’ll relate to him as a teenager and recall memories of your youth through his character.

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

Set in war-torn Afghanistan, the novel explores the themes of patriarchy, power, friendship, sacrifice, betrayal and of course redemption.

1984, George Orwell

Part dystopian fiction and part cautionary tale, this novel examines political manipulation and touches upon what it means to be a rebel.

Nonfiction

The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday

You’ve likely heard of the names Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca. These stoic philosophers are considered some of the wisest leaders of all time. Gather insight, wisdom and historical context in this easy-to-read, hard-to-put-down book.

Walden, Henry David Thoreau

Praised by William Zinsser as an example of clutter-free, concise writing, Thoreau’s account of his time outdoors provides an opportunity for both reflection and growth.

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, Phil Knight

This memoir isn’t a story of success. Rather, it’s a candid account of failure. Phil Knight is both your mentor and best friend in his retelling of how an iconic sports brand came to be.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari

What makes us unique? How did we get here? Learn about the entirety of human history in this book that covers our biology, paleontology, economics and anthropology.

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Two former Navy SEALS share life lessons about ownership and leadership.

Health and Wellness

10% Happier, Dan Harris

Harris describes how we went from being a stressed-out, strung-out Nightline anchor and self-help skeptic to achieving profound happiness through a daily meditation practice.

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, Michael A. Singer

Be prepared to have a spiritual awakening with a book that explores a path to self-awareness that is both relatable and applicable.

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones, James Clear

Learn how to form new habits, or break old ones, from one of the world’s foremost experts. Clear explains how to deconstruct existing systems to set up new ones that will not only work but also provide a better future.

The 5 AM Club, Robin S. Sharma

Even if you haven’t heard of this book, you’ve heard of the concept. Using real-life examples and a step-by-step breakdown, this book explores how adopting a new morning habit can help you optimize your productivity, health and mental state.

Nicole Teitler—known by her trademark, Nikki On The Daily—is a brand storyteller based out of Hoboken, NJ, connecting communities through conversation. Contact her at [email protected] or NikkiOnTheDaily.com.