I love reading! But over the past year, my lovey-dovey, romance novels have slowly been replaced with empowering, life-changing reads. There’s just something about putting yourself into a book that has no story, but rather, scenarios and tactics you can easily identify with. These books really made me think hard about everything. Who likes to think anyways? I know. But, that’s the thing…until these publications challenged me to find joy in different ways, I didn’t realize how much I actually needed them <3.
Below I’ve laid out some of my favorite books I’ve read this past year. I hope you find as much pleasure as I have diving deep into figuring out the real meaning of life. I know, I know, that’s intense right? Trust me, you’ll thank me later!
1. “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead” by Brené Brown
This one came to me in the beginning of 2017. I was a new mom, who was working multiple jobs from home, and a husband who was always on the road. I was trying to figure out how I could be everything. Well, that was my first mistake. Thinking I could do it all. And do it perfectly. I didn’t realize how foolish all that was until one of Brené’s quotes really stuck it to me. She said, “Be perfect, but don’t make a fuss about it. And don’t take time away from anything, like your family or your partner, or your work to achieve perfection. If you’re really good, perfection should be easy.” I’ve always been a perfectionist, but being a mom (and reading this book) has made me realize I don’t need to be.
Oh, and asking for help doesn’t make you vulnerable, it makes you smarter, and more courageous. I remember reading that, and thinking what the hell am I doing?…I could find time for everything else if I just suck it up and ask for help. Brené explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. She states, “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.” MIND BLOWN! This is definitely a must read for any walks of life.
Other good reads by this author: “I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t),” “Braving the Wilderness” and “Rising Strong.”
2. “You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero
My dear friend, Barb, suggested I read this one. And I’m SO glad I did! This refreshingly, hilarious book not only provides advice, exercises, and stories (with an occasional swear word or two) but gives you a good chuckle along the way! Jen is blunt and sassy, which is everything I’m not, lol. I think that’s what I loved most about this read. It was like she was yelling in my face saying Laura – what are you waiting for? Are you gonna do this or not? Shit or get off the pot!! Haha, I certainly need more of that in my life. And she almost made me want to get up, put a pair of boxing gloves on, and look anyone in the face that ever doubted me.
As an owner of 3 wildly growing businesses, my mind is going a million different directions all the time. And there are some things I just don’t want to do. Jen nipped it right in the butt when she said, “Procrastination is one of the most popular forms of self-sabotage because it’s really easy.” Hearing that again today just sticks me right in the gut. Self-sabotage. I don’t want that! I’m better than that!
There’s too much awesomeness in this book. You just gotta go pick a copy up for yourself.
More from this author: “You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth.”
3. “Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load” by Jen Hatmaker
This ones for all you moms out there! One of my amazing, fellow entrepreneur friends, Katie, insisted I read this. Jen Hatmaker is a Christian author with a funny sense of humor. Not only did she have me constantly chuckling, but I found this book extremely relatable. She takes the words and deeds of Jesus, adds the hysterics from a young mom’s life, and offers messages of grace and encouragement. When I read this I was consistently becoming more and more overwhelmed with everyday tasks. The point that had me almost melting in my seat was when Jen stated, “You may be busy. But you are also strong and brilliant. And here’s a secret: a lot of those things in your list of expectations are things Jesus never expected you to do on your own.” Goose bumps.
Jen covers topics on marriage, money, worry and the awful comparison trap. I could read this book over and over again. What I liked about her style of the book was that the stories are short, to-the-point devotionals that can easily work into your daily life.
Other titles by the author: “For the Love” and “Of Mess and Moxie.”
More personal reading recommendations:
• “The Magnolia Story” by Chip and Joanna Gaines
• “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg
• “Grace Not Perfection” by Emily Ley
• “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis
• “100 Days to Brave” by Annie Downs
• “Imperfect Courage” by Jessica Honegger
xoxo,
Laura
