The Obdurate Reader's Guide to Overcoming One’s Stubborn Nature

Five Books That Dare the Unyielding to Yield

Obdurate — used to describe a person who refuses to change their mind, or someone or something that is difficult to deal with or change

In my unwavering and possibly obstinate view, books are the quiet revolutionaries of our world. They sit silently on shelves, biding their time until they can unleash their thoughts upon an unsuspecting reader. 

It’s an open secret among us, the stubbornly steadfast, that to open a book is to risk the unsettling possibility of changing our minds. 

And yet, here I stand (or rather, sit with a book in hand), an advocate for the idea that even the most obdurate among us might find value in letting a few revolutionary ideas slip through our otherwise impenetrable armor of opinions.

So let’s embark on a literary journey, exploring five books that hold the potential to charm even the most steadfast of minds, without necessarily demanding a complete overhaul of one's belief system. 

This exploration is not a call to arms for a radical change but rather an invitation to a lively dance of ideas, where changing one’s mind could be as delightful as discovering a new favorite flavor of ice cream.

“The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Ah, to be Holden Caulfield, sauntering through the streets of New York City, disillusioned with the phoniness of the adult world. For the obdurate soul, Holden’s unwavering skepticism mirrors our own stubbornness in facing change. And yet, beneath his cynicism, lies a quest for authenticity that might just nudge us to reconsider our own adamant stances, if only to make sure they’re truly what we believe in and not just a facade we’re too afraid to shed.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

In this timeless novel, Atticus Finch stands as a pillar of integrity and empathy, teaching us that understanding and respecting viewpoints different from our own does not weaken our convictions but rather enriches them. For those of us who hold our opinions as tightly as we hold our smartphones, Atticus’ wisdom is a gentle reminder that the world is not black and white but a spectrum of colors waiting to be seen.

“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

For the stubbornly curious, Harari’s exploration of human history is a mind-expanding experience that challenges our deeply held beliefs about society, religion, and economics. It’s like going to the gym for your brain, flexing muscles of thought you didn’t know you had, and maybe, just maybe, convincing you to let go of a few outdated ideas along the way.

"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This seemingly simple tale carries profound insights about love, loss, and the importance of seeing with the heart. For the obdurate adults, it’s a nostalgic trip back to childhood, a time when our minds were more malleable, and our hearts led the way. It whispers the question, "When did we become so fixed in our ways?" and invites us to explore the world with the wonder of a child once again.

"1984" by George Orwell

A chilling reminder of the dangers of unquestioned conformity and the suppression of critical thought. It’s a stark portrayal of what happens when minds are not allowed to change. For those steadfast in their views, it’s a cautionary tale that underscores the value of freedom of thought and the importance of being open to different perspectives.

In a world that often prizes decisiveness over doubt, being open to changing one’s mind can feel like an act of rebellion. But as these books suggest, it’s in the exploration of new ideas, the willingness to question, and the courage to admit we might have been wrong, that we find true growth. Changing your mind doesn’t mean losing it; rather, it’s a sign of intellectual flexibility and strength.

So, to my fellow obdurate readers, I extend this challenge: let us approach these books as we would a conversation with a stubborn friend. With patience, humor, and an open heart, ready to be surprised, moved, or even transformed. After all, in the grand scheme of things, being open to change is perhaps the most revolutionary act of all.

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Diamond-Michael

Independent Journalist and Global Book Ambassador