“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” – Mortimer J. Adler
During this time of reflection in the New Year, we are often thinking of ways to improve ourselves. Maybe that’s exercising, meditating, or increasing self-love…the list is endless. While I don’t necessarily want to add to the long list of things we “should be doing more,” I guess I’m going to. Because frankly, the right book possesses the power to transform our lives. You know, the mind-opener and the spark-starter types.
Each of these books touch on themes important to our time: money, media, environmentalism, female sexuality, social justice, and spirituality. Of course, there are many other themes and books that should be on this list.
Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
Re-framing your money mindset
What is your relationship with money like? Do you view money as good or bad? Personally, I’ve been all over the place. But after watching my family make too many money mistakes, I knew I wanted to get money smart. Your Money or Your Life shifts the paradigm of working for a living, financial independence, and work/life balance. The title says it all, “your money or your life.” Growing up I thought I would always choose “life,” but being an adult in today’s world doesn’t make it seem so easy. Refreshingly, this book challenges the status quo around life and money and made me rethink how I want to live my life. For those interested in feeling more financially free, this book is for you.
Learn more about Your Money or Your Life.
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Get value out of technology, don’t let it suck the value out of you
Digital Minimalism teaches you how to do more than just a weekend “digital detox.” It shows you how to build the lasting principles into your lifestyle. A lifestyle which, even months after finishing the book I am still keeping up. If you liked Marie Kondo’s Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, you will definitely find value in this tech equivalent of “sparking joy.”
Learn more about Digital Minimalism.
Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. by Ashlee Piper
Becoming the eco-queen you’ve always wanted to be
For the people who give a sh*t. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like change is possible. We can feel disempowered to the greater forces shaping our political and social landscapes. However, changing daily behaviors is one way to take our power back. And fortunately for mama earth, we can implement them right now. Give a Shit shares hundreds of earth-friendly lifestyle changes that include, but also go beyond, veganism.
Learn more about Give a Sh*t.
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform your Sex Life
Empower your sex life (with science)
I don’t remember learning about the clitoris in sex ed. Turns out it’s pretty damn important for a woman’s sexual pleasure. Focused completely on the female experience, Come as You Are educates readers on achieving true sexual pleasure and what it takes to get there. By dispelling myths and unpacking truths, Dr. Nagoski empowers us to understand that our pleasure matters, even in a culture that can shame and belittle it.
Learn more about Come As You Are.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Putting things into perspective
Homegoing is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It left me both speechless and reflective. And made me feel both depressed and hopeful. The range of emotions helped me to put into perspective an undeniable part of America’s history: the systemic oppression of black people. Yaa Gyasi carries readers through different time periods describing jaw-dropping stories of love and heartbreak. I cannot recommend this novel enough.
Learn more about Homegoing.
Awake and Aligned by Nova Wightman
Raise your vibration and heal
Have you ever heard the quote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”? This book shows us how to change what we’re doing and receive better results. Through reflective exercises and actionable changes, Awake and Aligned teaches us how to raise our vibration and why doing so can bring spectacular outcomes. Awake and Aligned is a guidebook for living a better life, yet goes beyond typical self-help advice and exceeds popular trends like the law of attraction. Want different results? Try reading this book.
Learn more about Awake and Aligned.
What other books should be on this list?
Photo: Aziz Acharki on Unsplash
