It’s easy to get lost in a world that is constantly on the move. Not only is the planet itself always turning, but everything around us always seems to be in motion, and when you’re busy always running to catch up, you can lose anything in the crowd—even yourself.

Inspirational stories about finding yourself are important because they not only remind us that we are not alone in our lostness, but that others have found their way back—and we can, too. No one can give you a clear blueprint to follow, of course; every journey is different. But reading about how someone else’s story plays out can help you figure out how to rewrite your own and find your own path forward.

Hopefully, these recommended reads will help you do just that.

The Best Inspirational Stories About Finding Yourself

This is not by any means a comprehensive list of all of the inspirational stories out there about finding yourself. I haven’t read them all, and I’m not sure anyone has—and there are more being published every year. But these are some of the best I’ve ever read, the ones that changed me for the better—and might even help you make a change, too.

I’ve divided the list into fiction and nonfiction entries for your convenience.

Fantastic Fiction Stories About Finding Yourself

Fiction, and especially fantasy, has always been my go-to escape from reality. But fiction can also bring us back to reality by granting us a fresh perspective on the world around us and, most of all, ourselves. Here are a few fiction books about self-discovery that strike a particularly deep chord.

• The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho: There are few fiction books as thoroughly drenched in the theme of pursuing personal dreams and a deeper understanding of the self. You don’t have to be religious (I’m not) or even spiritual to appreciate Coelho’s poetic prose and deft mastery of literary alchemy—he can transmute even the most leaden phrases into gold.
• Still Me by Jojo Moyes: Still Me is the third and final book in this romantic fiction trilogy, but it’s worth the effort to get there and watch protagonist Lou Clark finally blossom into the confident, independent, wildly creative person she was always meant to be. (Forget the love story—my favorite relationship in this entire trilogy is Lou’s relationship with herself.)
• The Ancient Magus’ Bride by Kore Yamazaki: Protagonist Chise starts out with such a low sense of self-worth, she sold herself into slavery. Luckily, her buyer turns out to be a magus of immeasurable power, who proceeds to make her his apprentice. The more Chise learns about magic, the more she learns about herself and her true worth. The manga series is ongoing as of this writing, but I am always looking forward to seeing how much she’ll grow and learn with each new volume.
• The Ill-Made Mute by Cecilia Dart-Thornton: First, a disclaimer—this is the first book in a trilogy I haven’t finished yet. It impressed me so much, however, that I decided to include it anyway. This beautiful novel steeped in Celtic lore is more than your typical fantasy epic; it’s also a unique examination of themes like identity and self-discovery, and especially how they are separate from (but can be influenced and even warped by) the image society projects on individuals.
• The Arthur Trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland: A mythical tale embedded in an historical fiction framing narrative, this unusual YA take on a familiar story centers around a young Arthur in mundane twelfth-century England. The only magic to speak of in his world is the Seeing Stone, which grants him a window into the legendary Arthur’s life. Watching him grow and use what he learns from the stone throughout the trilogy to forge his own destiny is nothing short of spellbinding.

A Few Nonfiction Self-Discovery Narratives

Sometimes, the closer a story hits to home, the better. Narratives grounded in the reality of our own world—and actual people who inhabit it—can sometimes be some of the most powerfully motivational. Here are my picks for some of the best inspirational nonfiction stories about finding yourself written to date.

• Wild by Cheryl Strayed: Face it. You knew I was going to name this one. It’s at the top of nearly every reading list with this theme. Take that as a sign and read it, because it’s that good. Especially if, like me, you’re a woman who loves to travel and explore nature but worries (not unnaturally) about going it solo.
• The Priority List by David Menasche: Written by a talented friend who has since passed away, The Priority List is one man’s journey to rediscover what is truly important in life while battling cancer. A teacher by nature as well as by trade, he included instructions for how to figure that out for yourself as well.
• The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna: I’ve written before about just how darn inspiring this little book is. I pick it up and reread it every time I need to remind myself who I am, and why I want to be creative for a living.

Interactive Stories About Self-Discovery

Traditional fiction can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth—all of the items on the list above are prime examples. But what about an interactive fiction story about finding yourself?

IF stories tend, more often than not, to be primarily about exploring imaginary worlds and experiencing narratives we otherwise could never hope to be the heroes of. It makes sense—after all, when else can you slay (or befriend) a dragon, defeat a robot overlord, cast a spell, or convince humans and aliens to get along?

But video games are proven empathy machines, and interactive fiction, in particular, can be an excellent tool for exploring deep, complex themes like self-discovery and acceptance. I haven’t read any IF novels centered around these themes myself (at least not yet), but I can imagine the possibilities.

And that’s what all of this is about in the end, isn’t it? Imagining possibilities for ourselves, for our futures, and finding the courage and confidence to not only choose a version of those possibilities, but to then pursue it. I hope these stories help you find that courage and that confidence, just as they helped me find mine.

Kim Berkley is a fantasy fiction author and narrative designer. Her upcoming interactive fiction novella, chiaroscuro, is the story of one young artist’s quest to find herself and her purpose. Set against the backdrop of beautiful modern-day Rome, it is a low fantasy that explores themes of identity, inspiration, and mental health. Learn more here.