Meditations is not a traditional book in the way we typically think of one. Written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius sometime during the second century CE, it is essentially a collection of personal reflections, reminders, and philosophical exercises he wrote for himself. As a follower of Stoicism, Aurelius repeatedly returns to ideas of self-discipline, accepting what we cannot control, treating others with compassion, living according to our values, and remembering that life is temporary.

What makes Meditations remarkable to me is how surprisingly relevant it still feels. Marcus Aurelius lived nearly 2,000 years ago, yet many of the questions he wrestled with are questions we continue to face: How do I respond when life doesn't go as planned? How should I treat people who frustrate me? What is actually within my control? What kind of person do I want to be? His position as emperor makes the reflections even more interesting because immense power and responsibility did not make him immune to frustration, uncertainty, grief, or the challenges of being human.

Why I recommend it. I recommend Meditations because its central message has survived nearly two thousand years for a reason. We cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can work toward controlling how we respond.