If you’re following along, you saw that last week I shared our first set of favourite kid books about love and life in my new Little Library section! We love to read with our girls and I hope they continue to love to read as they grow up. I still remember my sister and I getting in trouble for having the lights on and reading too late! Haha, angels I tell ya!
Next up are some recommendations for us Mamas. Pre kids and post-University– you know that sweet spot when the world is your oyster time-wise (BUT you fail to recognize this and totally waste time?) 😉 I was still reading a lot. Over the past year I’ve made time for reading again, thanks in part to the encouragement of friends– my girlfriend started a self development book club, amazing for accountability–and I can tell you it is so refreshing and important.
Today I’m sharing 5 books for personal development. These books are all about finding happiness with who you are, and what you do, and simply about enjoying and living life to its fullest as YOU. If you have been following along you will know that launching this blog was a big deal for me, I was so wrapped up in what people would think. Now I’m all “who cares, I’m me!” and these books have definitely contributed to that shift.
Enjoy! xo
Daring Greatly
Author: Brene Brown
I love Brene Brown’s writing style and I found this book very easy to relate to. To get a sense, check out her Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability. If that doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what will. “In a world where “never enough” dominates and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times. And, without question, putting ourselves out there means there’s a far greater risk of getting criticized or feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation.”
The Big Leap
Author: Gay Hendricks
Some of my biggest takeaways from this book were understanding and identifying my internal limits, and to my surprise it actually impacted my marriage, in that I understood my husband a lot more. I literally read this in two sittings, on my flights to and from a work trip. “New York Times bestselling author Gay Hendricks demonstrates how to go beyond your internal limits, release outdated fears and learn a whole new set of powerful skills and habits to liberate your authentic greatness.”
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck
Author: Mark Manson
I’m only part way through this book in audio format, but I chose to include it here because I wanted to round the list out with something totally different. To learn something in its entirety you definitely need a good variety of perspectives. So, if you’re okay with very frequent F bombs, this book gives a fresh, albeit blunt, perspective on our society’s constant need for more and for approval. ** Probably not the best choice for an audio book if you ever want to pop it on when your kids are in the backseat, haha! #hindsight** “In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be “positive” all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.”
The Universe Has Your Back
Author: Gabrielle Bernstein
I absolutely love this book and Gabrielle Bernstein’s take on letting go and truly living. I found it in a book store on a trip to Seattle when I literally went into the store thinking “hmmm, there’s a personal development book I really want to read, but can’t remember the name of it” and then saw it smack in front of me, a single (and the last) copy on a shelf clearly meant for me to pick up. “In her latest book, The Universe Has Your Back, New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein teaches readers how to transform their fear into faith in order to live a divinely guided life. Each story and lesson in the book guides readers to release the blocks to what they most long for: happiness, security, and clear direction. The lessons help readers relinquish the need to control so they can relax into a sense of certainty and freedom. Readers will learn to stop chasing life and truly live.”
You Are A Badass
Author: Jen Sincero
This book has a fun, honest, and refreshing take on living your biggest dreams and best life, complete with simple exercises to keep you on track. “#1 New York Times Bestselling Author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word. (Nothing near my above recommendation’s profanity!) You Are a Badass will help you: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, blast past your fears so you can take big exciting risks, figure out how to make some damn money already, learn to love yourself and others, set big goals and reach them – it will basically show you how to create a life you totally love, and how to create it NOW.”
