Welcome to The Quiet Rich, your weekly guide to a quiet mind and rich life. Today we’re talking about five books that have stood the test of time. If I were a betting woman, I’d say these are on every billionaire’s bookshelf.
CONTEXT
Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 years ago. He dealt with war, betrayal, plagues, and the pressure of leading millions of people. Every night, he'd sit down and write notes to himself about how to stay calm, stay focused, and not lose his mind.
Those journal entries? Still a bestseller in 2026.
That bewilders me. Because it means the things that stress us out today—uncertainty, difficult people, self-doubt, lack of motivation—are the exact same things that stressed out a Roman Emperor in 170 AD.
And this is why old books are so powerful. Their advice got pressure-tested by millions of readers across 50, 100, 2,000 years. And it’s still helpful today.
5 books that changed (and continue to change) how I think about my life:
THE 5 BOOKS
1. Meditations — Marcus Aurelius
Written nearly 2,000 years ago by a Roman Emperor… to himself. It was never meant to be published. That's what makes it so raw and honest. It's a personal journal about managing stress, staying grounded, and focusing on what you can control. If you only read one book on this list, make it this one.
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie
Published in 1936 and still one of the best-selling books of all time. Carnegie's core idea? People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Every chapter is a masterclass in listening, empathy, and making others feel valued. I re-read it every few years—and every time, I learn something new. That's how you know a book is good.
3. Man's Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl
Frankl survived the Holocaust and wrote about how he found purpose in unimaginable suffering. His big insight: you can't always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you respond. Whenever I feel stuck, this book recalibrates my entire perspective.
4. The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho
A short, beautiful story about a shepherd who crosses the desert chasing a dream. It reads like a fable but hits like a life lesson. The core message? The journey toward your goal matters just as much as reaching it. I finished it in one sitting and immediately bought a copy for someone else. That's the kind of book it is.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey
Covey's framework has been a staple in personal development since 1989. My favorite idea from the book? "Begin with the end in mind." It's the same principle behind my Rich List exercise— start by imagining your future self, then work backwards to decide how to live today.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Pick one. Just one. Read 10 pages a day (that's roughly 15 minutes), and you'll finish it in less than 30 days. In one month, you'll have finished a book that has shaped the thinking of millions before you. By the end of this summer, you'll have read all five.
And here's the best part: these books meet you exactly where you are. Read The Alchemist at age 25 and it's a story about chasing your dreams. Read it again at 45 and it's a story about trusting the journey you've already been on. The words don't change. You do.
Forward this to someone who’ll read one of these with you.
Happy reading. 📚
Much love,
Jade
