“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, you more places you will go.”
Dr. Suess
Life Saver Books… No, not that kind.
As a previous English adjunct instructor, books are like lifeblood to me. While this list is by no means all-conclusive, I have listed titles that have import to me. I wouldn’t really call them “beach reading,” but I would go so far as to be cliche and say many of these have been life savers. (Life Savers… get it??)
The products mentioned in this blog are items I have used personally but I cannot guarantee them. While most of these books are linked to Amazon, and if you click those links I do earn a small commission, don’t forget to use your library, Libby a reading app connecting you to your library, Half Price Books, or where ever you can get your hands on these books.
“Coming Apart: Why Relationships End and How to Live Through the Ending of Yours” by Daphne Rose Kingma
This book was an absolute life-changer and I mean that without hyperbole. While still fresh in the throughs of coming to terms with the end of my thirty-year marriage and trying to get a grasp on my new financial situation, I was at my credit union’s Financial Health Center. The lovely counselor asked how I was doing. I replied with a polite response that I was “fine, good, thank you” as social niceties dictate. She stared into my eyes and said, “no, really. How. Are. You. Doing?” I admit I kinda lost it because I was mostly fine, but emotionally it felt like I was always on the verge of tears. I was still in that “what did I do wrong,” “what could I have done better,” mentality.
This is also bullshit and we beat ourselves up too much over these questions.
My lovely advisor suggested this book and it was everything. I do mean EVERYTHING I needed to help me not only push through but come out stronger. Kingma talks about the idea that relationships end because whatever purpose they may have had, sometimes that purpose comes to a conclusion. I had berated myself, tried to see what I had done wrong or could’ve done better… You know, all those things we beat ourselves up over. Nothing is what I could’ve done ultimately. I did what I could do and there was nothing more to be gained from the relationship. This book helped me in ways I could not imagine. It was a life changer and I’m not exaggerating.
“You Are a Badass” collection by Jen Sincero
Sincero then explains how to turn that language around to ultimately develop your personal manta. This was huge for me! I thought I was putting in the work before but seven pages of hand-written fears, self-loathing I was hanging onto like those old, holey underwear in your drawer, and hang-ups showed me I was holding myself back. We create who we are by the habits we live each day. If we say life sucks, blah, blah, sad, sad, then life will be sucky. However, if we say and believe life is about joyful living which we’re worthy of, then that too is our truth.
“Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert, as in “Eat, Pray, Love” shares her creative process. Gilbert asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering, and pushes back at the whole “you must suffer for your art” concept. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives.
“Creating Money: Attracting Abundance” by Sanaya Roman
If you’re not a fan of the metaphysical, don’t let the book’s description put you off. While there is an element of the “woo woo,” “Creating Money…” is “filled with inspiration and encouragement to assist you in releasing lack and limitation, open to receive prosperity, believe in yourself, and create the life you want. There are many exercises to assist you in energizing your work, magnetizing and drawing to you objects, money, clients for your business, and more.
Abundance is your natural state. As you use the information in this book, you will learn how to let money flow readily into your life while doing what you love. These easy-to-learn techniques, positive affirmations, and exercises will help you create rapid changes in your prosperity and lead you to mastery over your life. You do not have to work hard to have abundance. You can learn to work with energy to easily create what you want and attract abundance. Begin today to strengthen your link to the unlimited abundance of the universe!”
I’ve read this on repeat and I love how it helps keep me focused on my dreams. I’m still working on getting where and what I want but this book has helped me realize what I TRULY want for myself.