Atomic Habits Book Reviews Novels & Stories

As much as he wanted to sit in the plush corner next to the library to dig in, he didn't have the luxury of time. “Look at this many books. Mommy is going to love this place. Everything looks so good, I want to read every book on the shelves.” David chuckled, completely distracted by his search. He needed to find it. It was the only way he could get things done. The only way he could finally claim what belonged to him. Eli was so excited, he was talking about one of the books he read; Atomic Habit. According to him, this book sharpened him more than he thought any book could.

I said, grinning from teeth to teeth like a child. We walked into the library. It looked like it had been a while, since it was in use. We went through several sections which included, finance, self-improvement, ethics, business amongst all. I caught a glimpse of a book I had been wanting to read, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. I picked it immediately, and started going through it. After a while, I noticed I wasn't hearing any sound from the cook. I looked around and found her wiping tears off her eyes with the hem of her apron.

Atomic Habits by James Clear. I finished the first chapter before my alarm finally rang. I turned it off, sat up, and wrote down the lessons I learnt from the chapter. It's just the first chapter and I've written half a page full of lessons. All I wanted to do was just lie in bed and read the book all day, but I have things to do. I reluctantly roll out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face, do my skin care, and change into my yoga clothes, moving with practiced ease.

I wonder and then my eyes fall on the wall clock which is hanging on the wall in front of me. It's 7:34 PM. I gulp and go inside. The door of the room is still open and I eventually forget about it. I see two bookshelves on the right side of the room. I walk towards them and scan the books. The Silent Patient, The Art Of Dealing With People, Criminal Psychology, Bad Science, The Power Of Your Conscious Mind, Thinking Fast And Slow, Atomic Habits, Rationality, Talking To Strangers, Righteous Mind, The Theory Of Everything.

I take about 30 seconds to take it all in. Today is going to be a great day! I can already feel the greatness. So great that a minute before reaching my campus building, I literally spot my stalker! I can remember that Jet black hair anywhere. Plus I pay attention to people who pay attention to me. And this guy wins, he pays too much attention to me. I walk towards him with confidence. He is sitting on the school bench with a book in his hand. I try to make up the title of the book and it says “Atomic Habits”.

Jax picked both up, sat on the edge of the bed, and opened the first one without much confidence. The language felt clinical at first. He almost closed it but then he forced himself to keep going, reading a few pages about recognizing the difference between anger that protects something and anger that simply needs control. The ideas sat awkwardly in his mind, unfamiliar and a little uncomfortable. He switched to the second book. A section on competitive environments and the habit of turning every loss of status into a personal attack held his attention longer than he expected. He didn’t fully believe the suggestions yet, but he stayed with the page anyway.

Why does she always look so at peace around sad stories? “Oh—right,” I stammered when I realized she was waiting for an answer. “It’s, uh, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.” She nodded thoughtfully. “Do you want us to find it first?” I shook my head. “Why?” she pressed, but I only shrugged. Rolling her eyes, she placed another hardcover on my growing pile. “Let’s go check if they have a cart.” My eyes widened. “How many are you planning to buy?”

“I’ll be fine, Cal. This isn’t the first time that this happened to me.” This was just like the tip of an iceberg. “Fine. But you’re not going to work tomorrow.” Callahan sighed and helped me sit, giving me the medicine and a glass of water. My eyes were on the alarm clock as I took the pill, thinking what excuse to give him to allow me to get out of the room. Callahan looked like someone who would not leave yet because after placing the glass on the side table, he sat on the edge of the bed and took my Atomic Habits book, opening to the page where he left it.