Reading and books are very important to me. I prefer to get lost in one, but some have really brought my reality into a focus I never wanted to face. But it was good for me! Here are the books that I believe have helped shape who I am:
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
This was a recent read. I watched Brene Brown's HBO special reviewing the topics in this book, and I just had to buy it. I highly recommend the special if you prefer to watch it, but I was always a reader. Understanding how to define my feelings has always been a struggle for
me. I was always told how I should feel, but never how to navigate how I actually felt.
This book takes you through different emotions under an overarching theme to help create language to describe how you are feeling and how you can relate to others who are feeling these emotions. Big recommend if you are looking for a meaningful connection.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Bringing creative energy back into my life with a re-read of this one. There are numerous great quotes about stepping outside of fear and creating. I have always felt like creating in any form was astounding and people who are creative always leave me intrigued and inspired. Little did I know, everyone has the ability to create, even me.
“Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Toxic Parents by Susan Forward
Sometimes we don't realize what is happening or has happened to us is/was considered abuse. This book takes you through a slew of examples and case studies of abuse and how it has affected some patients. But part 2 is where it's at: Reclaiming Your Life. This section was so comforting to me. There is hope. There is a reason to continue. And boundaries and forgiveness are in your hands.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
This was a book I took notes on. I still have them. This helped me define the difference between manipulation and inspiration. This book doesn't call it your "north star," but it helps break down why having a purpose-driven direction is important in achieving your goals.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Don't knock off reading a "child
ren's book" just because you are an adult. This has to be the coziest book I have ever read. There is magic in nature and I think we forget that sometimes. How important it is to return to child-wonder and look at everything like it is new like springtime.
“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Atomic Habits by James Clear & The Power of Habit Charles Duhigg
I put these two together because James Clear discusses The Power of Habit in his book. I do not believe you necessarily need to read both, but I read the Power of Habit first and then a few years later read Atomic Habits. The Power of Habit goes more through how habits are formed whereas Atomic Habits has a great system on how to create habits - and get them to stick. James Clear was also featured on a 2 episode podcast with Brene Brown on her podcast, Unlocking Us, if you would like some insight on the book before buying. (Trust me though, you'll want to get your hands on it!)
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
My girl right here. After her Ted Talk, I went into a deep dive into everything she has written. I cannot describe to you how difficult this practice is, but learning about it and understanding has been my unfolding. How dare we live beautiful and meaningful lives by sharing our whole selves with others. How dare we learn that the best parts of ourselves are the parts we are taught to hide.
“Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. The power that connection holds in our lives was confirmed when the main concern about connection emerged as the fear of disconnection; the fear that something we have done or failed to do, something about who we are or where we come from, has made us unlovable and unworthy of connection.”
― Brené Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
I keep coming back to this one. I have a marked-up version of this book from when I read it in high school, and I have probably read it about 8 times since. That first reading had me so shook and full of glee, I read it again. Not saying this is necessarily a happy book, but my mind was so intrigued and my love for Vonnegut began. I even wrote my final college paper on him. Vonnegut reminds us how to see the truth. His topics of war, sex, racism, success, politics, and pollution in America are unfortunately
still relevant today, but I will never put this book down until every last person I love has read it. And then I might pick it up again.
“Of course it is exhausting, having to reason all the time in a universe which wasn't meant to be reasonable.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Breakfast of Champions
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
It does not have to be complicated to be profound. I, of course, loved this book as a child and Silverstein was who got me into poetry at such a young age. But we are talking about the tree. The lovely tree who gave so much of herself to someone who just kept taking. There are many themes this can be applied to.
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