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I’m a sucker for a good self-help book. I’m a sucker for diving into a fiction book after reading about all the help I need, too.
I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a book worm. In fact, I really should dedicate more time to reading each day, rather than slowly becoming one with my couch, unable to leave its clutches and the terrible daily news on TV.
But, over the last couple years I’ve read my fair share of books and put together a list of the ones I enjoyed most.
You Are a Badass
Synopsis:Â Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, with lots of swear words thrown in between.
My takeaway: This came at a perfect time in my life when I felt cornered and paralyzed in fear of change. I listened to this in my car and it was the right kick in the ass I needed to take charge again.
The Miracle Morning
Synopsis:Â By adjusting your morning routine to include more things that you love, you’ll reshape your day and ultimately, your life.
My takeaway: The Morning Miracle was a game changer for me. It made me reevaluate how I spend that precious time in the morning when the world is still…still. The book breaks it down into quick sections that can easily be adjusted to fit your chaotic life.
The Happiness of Pursuit
Synopsis: Chris Guillebeau set out to visit all of the planet’s countries by age thirty-five and did it! In reaching that goal, he found other people people who made their life about something (the pursuit): including a young widower completing the tasks his wife would never accomplish and a teenager crossing an entire ocean alone.
My takeaway: Â Let’s reexamine the pursuit of happiness. What if happiness is found in the pursuit? Reading these intrinsically diverse stories about people who had projects they were striving to complete, big and small, and didn’t give a shit about what people thought, was incredibly motivating to encourage me to find my own pursuit.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Synopsis:Â “Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better.”
My takeaway:Â Admittedly, I’m still listening/reading this book. But, so far, I’ve reexamined what I put my fucks towards and what I don’t, and how that affects my day-to-day.
The New Jim Crow
Synopsis:Â If you watched the documentary, “The 13th,” then you will appreciate this book. It puts the spotlight on mass incarceration and the notion that the election of Barak Obama signaled a new era of color blindness.
My takeaway:Â This is a tough read, as it should be for anyone with a social conscience. I am still working my way through it, but it’s profoundly affected my view on power and privilege.Â
Yes Please
Synopsis:Â As only Amy Poehler can do, she ushers you into her life full of anecdotes and inspiration. Full of real life examples with laughter in-between, this book gives us polite, but powerful words to live by: Yes please.
My takeaway:Â I was the crazy lady LOLing to this book. I was bummed when it was over, in only the way a good book can make you a feel. Amy Poehler is not only hysterical, but sincere and humble in providing advice.
The Royal We
Synopsis:Â An American women goes to Oxford, becomes friends with the future King of England and ultimately falls in love with the handsome chap.
My takeaway:Â Do we really need to discuss my takeaway? I love the royal family and this light and fun read is hilariously written about an American that married the next in line to the throne. I mean, come on!
The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor
Synopsis:Â Slimmed-down, favorite foods that sill use real ingredients and provide nutritional values.
My takeaway:Â It’s a cookbook, soooo, I take away good food. It’s a delicious book that I regularly use when I want to mix up my weekly menus without adding on the pounds. This is always my go-to recommendation when people are on the struggle bus with losing weight.
Go F*ck Yourself, I’m Coloring: Swear Word Coloring Book
Synopsis:Â Color your hearts out, assholes.
My takeaway:Â I’m 13. This book makes me feel simultaneously good and rebellious while coloring swear words.
So that’s what I’ve got. Let me know if you’ve read any of these or plan to! What’s on your list of books that have helped you in some way, shape or form?
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