Recently I received a rather rude message on my iPad. I couldn’t download a book onto my Kindle reader because I had run out of storage!
(It may have something to do with the 500 odd photos from Istanbul that are still on there!).
But anyway, I digress.
This rather annoying situation made me realise I have done a lot of reading lately and most of the books I’ve read have had a serious impact on how I now think, feel and act.
So I thought it may be helpful if I shared the top 10 books that have changed my life in the last six months PLUS I have an exciting promo where you have a chance to WIN…..read to the end!
Oprah is seriously one wise and extraordinary lady. If you want a book you can pick up at any time of the day and feel uplifted, understood and enlightened, I suggest you download this piece of heart-felt literature now.
I have never ‘highlighted’ so much on a kindle book! I know it sounds like an exaggeration but pretty much everything in this book resonated with me and I found myself constantly taking notes.
This profound book is full of thoughtful gems which are organised by theme – joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity and power.
Oprah is a genuine and candid storyteller and I know I will keep coming back to this book again and again. I truly feel moved every time I read her words.
If you’re in the business and entrepreneurial world I’m sure you’ve heard about Lisa Messenger and her ground breaking Renegade Collective magazine. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Lisa a few times and she is one energized and inspiring lady.
Daring and Disruptive is an extremely easy read and don’t be surprised if you finish this book in a flash. But be warned, it’s probably not the ideal book to read before going to sleep as you find yourself teeming with brilliant ideas and new found motivation.
One of the best take-aways for me was ‘Let curiosity be your guide.’ This theme has made me approach everything in my life now with a beginners mind and it really has made a difference!
If you’re a bit of a self-development geek like me, you would know there are a heap of books penned about success and how to achieve it. In stark contrast this book is all about failure.
But the good news is that Reynolds explores the main causes of failure but also offers you action-based solutions for overcoming challenges and creating a successful and happy life.
I particularly got a lot out of the chapter ‘Not Enough Thinking’ and the techniques around maximising your creativity. I constantly refer to this chapter when I need to brainstorm and generate ideas fast.
Author of #GIRLBOSS, Sofia Amoruso, is the founder and CEO of online retail giant Nasty Gal. I’ll tell you straight up that this book has been slammed and labeled by some reviewers as ‘shallow as a teaspoon.’ In some respects the entrepreneurial advice is pretty basic but what drew me in was Amuroso’s, dare I say it…journey.
I’m a sucker for delving into someone else’s story, especially if they are successful. Who isn’t?! So if you’re keen to learn how Amoruso turned her eBay vintage clothes store into a multi-million dollar business, I suggest you flick through #GIRLBOSS.
A quote from Amoruso I particularly love is this:
“You create the world, blink by blink. It is entirely yours to discover and yours to create.”
Thought provoking stuff!
Did you know that you have a limit for how much love, joy and success that you allow yourself to receive and feel? Did you know that when things are going really well in your life often you subconsciously self-sabotage by making bad decisions, picking fights, stress out for no good reason and out of the blue you get sick….at the worst possible time?
If you’re someone who likes psychology and enjoys developing your self-awareness muscle, this book MUST be added to your reading list!
Throughout the book Hendricks outlines ways that you ‘upper-limit’ yourself and I can guarantee you will immediately think back to times in your life where you have self-sabotaged! I had loads of examples!
But the good news is The Big Leap shows you the four barriers that tend to get in your way and how to overcome them. Plus you will learn about how to define your ‘Zone of Genius’ and how to create ‘Einstein Time.’
I could go on about this book forever, but you really should just read it yourself!
I’ll tell you straight up, Arianna’s advice is worth taking, even if you’ve heard it before. The first two chapters of Thrive are the strongest, especially the focus on meditation and well-being. But the catch is the way the book is written. If you don’t have an interest in the most current research, and are put-off by too many reference quotes, it may be a difficult read. (Often I felt like I was at Uni reading a psychology research article, but don’t let this put you off).
Huffington has definitely achieved the two metrics that signal success in our society: money and power. But when she passed out in the shower from built-up exhaustion, stress, and lack of sleep, she reawakened to the idea that there needs to be a Third Metric for defining success. That third metric is made up of well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving.
This book will give you permission to hit pause on the stressors of our current society so you can focus on health, wellbeing, giving back, and personal fulfilment. It really is a stress-reducing tool for real people.
The big thing that stood out for me was the way Huffington and her Greek family approach death and the dialogue they encourage around the subject. I know it sounds morbid but it was actually really beautiful and insightful!
I.LOVE.THIS.BOOK.
I read this book in one evening it’s that good (plus it’s short, so that helps!). But seriously, this book was an eye-opener and game-changer for me.
Reading this book actually inspired me to start my blogging journey and I constantly refer back to it for snippets of inspiration.
I love Kleon’s genuine and straight-shooting advice, practical tips and useful hand drawn diagrams. The advice around your hobbies and letting them flourish because they ultimately add to instead of detract from your main pursuit rang true for me. You will discover a boat load of other highlights throughout this cleverly crafted book.
If you’re a creative or aspiring creative you must purchase this New York Best Seller. Read it, take notes and implement Kleon’s advice. You won’t be sorry!
Did you cringe at the title or did it leave you feeling intrigued? Denise is actually one of my friends and she is THE woman to go to if you’re experiencing money blocks.
Don’t know what a money block is? You must read this book quick smart! I guarantee you have a few underlying issues with money that you never knew existed! I did for sure.
I’ve read a few books about manifesting money but none have been as entertaining or as practical as Denise’s. (Warning – Denise tells it how it is and she does drop the F-Bomb on a few occasions).
But if you want to welcome more abundance into all aspects of your life, add this to your reading list pronto.
Brene Brown popped up on my radar after I watched one of her blockbuster TedX talks about vulnerability. Since then I have been obsessed with everything she puts out into the world, including Daring Greatly.
In an age where we are constantly feeling pressured to conform and pretend, Brown shows you the alternative – vulnerability. This book dives into how having the courage to be vulnerable and 100% authentic can transform your life.
This book weaves together current research and Brown’s entertaining Texan anecdotes to create a valuable guide on how to be courageously vulnerable.
If I hadn’t have read this book I wouldn’t have written half the blog posts I have to date. And I’ve learned that this would be a huge shame, because it’s the posts where I felt most vulnerable about sharing that are the ones that touch others and that resonate the most.
So read it and embrace being vulnerable!
This book came into my life at the perfect time. It had been circling around my ‘Must Read’ list on Amazon for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I heard author Gabrielle Bernstein speak in Sydney that I took the plunge.
May Cause Miracles is a 42 day program which includes meditation, affirmations, journaling and other exercises which helps you to make small daily changes in your thinking that will result in big changes in your life, i.e. ‘miracles.’
Bernstein has divided the book into six chapters, each focusing on a different area of your life such as relationships, the body, finances, etc. with the major themes including the ego, love, fear and forgiveness.
If you’re new to spirituality and self-development, this book is a good place to start, as it’s an adaption of the hugely popular ‘A Course in Miracles’ by Marianne Williamson (without the heavy religious stuff).
I managed to consistently do the short and simple exercises everyday for the 42 days and to be honest; my life did change for the better!
I felt calmer, more open to new possibilities and I could finally do and see everything from a space of love. (I know that may sound strange, but you must read this book to work it out for yourself. It really is worth it!)
So if you want to change your life, have the discipline to do some easy exercises for 42 days and don’t want to spend a great deal of cash, I can highly recommend ‘May Cause Miracles.’
I’m really excited about this promotion as I can’t wait to gift 2 books to 2 special ‘Starting With A’ readers!
This giveaway is only open to my ‘Great Mail’ subscribers. So if you’re not on my email list just enter your details in the ‘Love This Post’ box below this blog post.
All you have to do to enter the giveaway is join my mailing list and share in the comments below which one of the 10 books you most want to read and why. Simple!
Entries close Wednesday 20th May, 2015 and WINNERS will be contacted by email and shared on social media.
This is an international promotion as I will be giving away 2 Amazon ‘Kindle’ books. If you don’t have a Kindle, don’t worry! All you need is the Kindle Reader App….it’s very straightforward and I can help you out if you have questions!
Love,
