I originally had a much longer introduction but I decided to shorten it after completing the list. Here’s the simple point I want to make: None of has it all together by ourselves. Our world has been built on the shared knowledge and experiences of past generations. Our world will continue to grow and develop with the new knowledge and insights being discovered and learned today. But many of us stop learning. Whether it be learning from our own experiences or learning from others. I get frustrated when I think about that because the old lesson is so true, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” And we are repeating history alright. Making the same mistakes or, some would even say, worse mistakes. I get frustrated but then again I know I often have the same stubbornness and arrogance that most of us human beings have. So for me, I always try to read. It helps me to stay humble. It helps me to think of things I couldn’t think of on my own, and as a result I start to see myself, others and the world in a different light.
So what exactly is this list? It is a list of some of the impactful books I have read in the last few years. You will probably notice I don’t have any fiction books included. I have been able to appreciate a good story of magic and dragons before, but now-a-days I stick to self-help books and biographies. Check-out the list if you would like. But more importantly, find something to read. Something you’re interested in, something you want to learn more about, something that you need help with, etc.
And please share any great books you have read! I don’t think there is a single book that I’ve read that I came across on my own. I always appreciate recommendations and I’m sure many people would be interested to hear some from you too. Comment below! Let’s spread the learning.
The Road Less Travelled - M. Scott Peck
I’ll admit it has been quite a while since I’ve read this book. I do remember being absolutely fascinated by the things he was expressing; I filled several pages of a notebook with quotes from this book. Mr. Peck makes an excellent attempt at addressing such a wide range of topics based on his experiences and encounters as a psychiatrist. Topics such as: discipline, love, growth, and grace. The best part is that he explains these somewhat complex or abstract topics in a way that makes logical sense. “The fact that [challenges] are unwanted makes them all the more a phenomenon of grace- a gift from God, a message from the unconscious to initiate self-examination and repair.” What a positive perspective!
Wild at Heart - John Eldredge
If you guys have been following my blog from the beginning you’ll know that this was a book that helped me to even formulate the idea of starting this blog, with its quote, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, because what the world needs are men who have come alive.” Although it is predominately geared towards a male audience, the author does encourage women to read this book to give them “a look inside the true heart of a man”. I believe it is an important book for this time we are living in as the line between genders become seemingly more and more obscure, because it encourages men- but also society as a whole- to take on a more responsible and truthful understanding of masculinity. John Eldredge recognized that what too often happens to men is that they become caught in the mundane cycles of their everyday life and in order to experience some sort of elation they turn to unfulfilling and sometimes destructive forms of entertainment. The truth is our hearts are searching for something more. We want to be the heroes we dreamed of being as kids. Wild at Heart can help you to take the leap towards a life with purpose, ownership and adventure!
Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum - Jessica Posner and Kennedy Odede
This is one of my favorites from the list. Because it is such an incredible true story of resilience, hope, and kindness, written creatively and vulnerably by the very people who went through the experience. I wrote somewhat of a synopsis in one of my previous posts which you can revisit here. Often I think we are all challenged to step back from our own difficulties which seem to be blocking us from ever again experiencing happiness and peace. However, when we learn about and empathize with the struggle of another person, and especially to hear their journey to overcome adversity, we can be renewed to find the way to go beyond our circumstances. Read this book and be inspired to be the agent of change in your life and in the lives of those around you!
Miracle of Mindfulness - Thich Nhat Hanh
As you can probably deduce from the title the book is basically about how to be present in each moment and with each person by having peace in your mind. I think it’s pretty easy to neglect the value of meditation or even conscious breathing, but the truth is we all could use some improvement in this area of awareness. Especially when it comes to our interactions with others and those closest to us. His explanation on the interdependence of everything is really interesting too. So if you are especially feeling busy or overwhelmed, maybe try reading this. It may not be all relatable to you but it will at least serve as a great reminder to just breathe.
First Things First - Stephen Covey
There are things in our life that should come first because they are just that important. However, how often do we find ourselves putting those things on the backburner, intentionally or not? This book helps you to identify the ways we do this and how to put less of our effort towards the “urgent” things and more towards the important things in our lives. It also contains many helpful forms, questions, and activities so that you can start implementing what you are reading into your own life. Personally, I really liked his explanation on how to maintain balance in the many different, but equally important, aspects of our lives rather than scrambling from area to area or simply ignoring certain areas altogether.
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
Great practical and applicable advice. It is more than a little outdated with the scenarios and people used in its examples, however, the tips given hold true regardless of the generation. I have experienced before not knowing how to fix a certain rift that has appeared in a relationship, personal or professional, and it can be very frustrating. By learning the principles he discovered and using the simple tips, some as simple as a reminder to always smile and greet people, I think we have a good chance of finding the way to improve our relationships and, therefore, our happiness.
Real Love and Freedom for the Soul: Eliminating the Chains of Victimhood - Greg Baer
Don’t let the intense title scare you away. This book- which is one of a whole series of Real Love books- is an incredibly eye-opening explanation for why we have so many struggles in our individual lives and in the world. With plenty of great real-life examples, Greg Baer helps to reveal what is the origin of victimhood, how exactly it limits our lives and is even the source of addictions, and how to break free of this way of thinking. Through understanding the real disadvantages of maintaining a victim mentality, we can truly find freedom, happiness, and “real love” in our relationships and in our daily lives. Bottomline, if you are interested in improving your habits, character, relationships, etc. then this is a great book for you to gain a clear understanding of one of the biggest obstacles to your personal growth.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scazzero
You know the common frustration that people have with religious people, that they don’t live up to the high ideals they “preach” about, that they often don’t “walk the talk”? Well this book, in my opinion, attempts to address that problem. Spirituality is a cornerstone to our very being. I believe that. However, sometimes we try to make it separate from the other aspects of our lives. It’s a good, honest book on how we can allow our relationship with God to help us make substantial breakthroughs in our life. To help us be truly a “good”, mature and all-around healthy person. In fact, it is only this vertical relationship that can help us heal and find peace and joy in all our horizontal relationships.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand
The book takes the true story depicted in the 2014 Unbroken movie to a whole new depth. I was so impressed by the level of detail Laura Hillenbrand put into this book, which does justice to the incredible story. The part of the book that I particularly appreciated, and the part that you won’t find in the movie, is the depiction of his life after returning home after his unbelievable ordeal in the war. He suffered severely from PTSD and was engulfed in a hatred that had him locked in a prison almost as inescapable as the real ones he had been in earlier in his life. However, he finds freedom and ends up living a very happy and grateful life. But I’ll let you read it to find out how.
Life Without Limits - Nick Vujicic
You have all heard of this man before right? He may have been born with no arms and no legs, but he has an incredibly big heart, a great smile, and so much to offer the world. He has made it his life’s work to share his story to bring hope and encouragement to people across the globe. The first chapter of his book is called “If you can't get a miracle, become one” and I think it really encompasses his view on life. He found his true value and strength, and he absolutely believes everyone has a unique value and beauty to bring into this world. In order to achieve your dreams, make an impact, and live without limits the first step is to understand deeply that you have an irreplaceable value. Nick Vujicic can help you do just that.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - T. Harv Eker
Here is a book I actually have not been able to finish quite yet, but I felt I just had to add it to the list. My concept of this book before I began reading it was that it was going to be about strategies on making money. I soon discovered that that concept and, in fact, many other ones that I held were wrong. Mr. Eker understands well based on his own experience that first, before learning any strategies, we have to change our thinking. This means becoming aware of our concepts and limiting beliefs that we have inherited from our parents or other influential people in our lives. It is at this point that we can begin the process of training our minds to think differently, to think in a way that is more conducive to growth and receiving good fortune. Reading this book may not make you a millionaire instantaneously, but it can help you get started on the path to achieving and maintaining your greatest financial goals by helping you to truly believe in your potential and to commit.
So what exactly is this list? It is a list of some of the impactful books I have read in the last few years. You will probably notice I don’t have any fiction books included. I have been able to appreciate a good story of magic and dragons before, but now-a-days I stick to self-help books and biographies. Check-out the list if you would like. But more importantly, find something to read. Something you’re interested in, something you want to learn more about, something that you need help with, etc.
And please share any great books you have read! I don’t think there is a single book that I’ve read that I came across on my own. I always appreciate recommendations and I’m sure many people would be interested to hear some from you too. Comment below! Let’s spread the learning.
The Road Less Travelled - M. Scott Peck
I’ll admit it has been quite a while since I’ve read this book. I do remember being absolutely fascinated by the things he was expressing; I filled several pages of a notebook with quotes from this book. Mr. Peck makes an excellent attempt at addressing such a wide range of topics based on his experiences and encounters as a psychiatrist. Topics such as: discipline, love, growth, and grace. The best part is that he explains these somewhat complex or abstract topics in a way that makes logical sense. “The fact that [challenges] are unwanted makes them all the more a phenomenon of grace- a gift from God, a message from the unconscious to initiate self-examination and repair.” What a positive perspective!
Wild at Heart - John Eldredge
If you guys have been following my blog from the beginning you’ll know that this was a book that helped me to even formulate the idea of starting this blog, with its quote, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, because what the world needs are men who have come alive.” Although it is predominately geared towards a male audience, the author does encourage women to read this book to give them “a look inside the true heart of a man”. I believe it is an important book for this time we are living in as the line between genders become seemingly more and more obscure, because it encourages men- but also society as a whole- to take on a more responsible and truthful understanding of masculinity. John Eldredge recognized that what too often happens to men is that they become caught in the mundane cycles of their everyday life and in order to experience some sort of elation they turn to unfulfilling and sometimes destructive forms of entertainment. The truth is our hearts are searching for something more. We want to be the heroes we dreamed of being as kids. Wild at Heart can help you to take the leap towards a life with purpose, ownership and adventure!
Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum - Jessica Posner and Kennedy Odede
This is one of my favorites from the list. Because it is such an incredible true story of resilience, hope, and kindness, written creatively and vulnerably by the very people who went through the experience. I wrote somewhat of a synopsis in one of my previous posts which you can revisit here. Often I think we are all challenged to step back from our own difficulties which seem to be blocking us from ever again experiencing happiness and peace. However, when we learn about and empathize with the struggle of another person, and especially to hear their journey to overcome adversity, we can be renewed to find the way to go beyond our circumstances. Read this book and be inspired to be the agent of change in your life and in the lives of those around you!
Miracle of Mindfulness - Thich Nhat Hanh
As you can probably deduce from the title the book is basically about how to be present in each moment and with each person by having peace in your mind. I think it’s pretty easy to neglect the value of meditation or even conscious breathing, but the truth is we all could use some improvement in this area of awareness. Especially when it comes to our interactions with others and those closest to us. His explanation on the interdependence of everything is really interesting too. So if you are especially feeling busy or overwhelmed, maybe try reading this. It may not be all relatable to you but it will at least serve as a great reminder to just breathe.
First Things First - Stephen Covey
There are things in our life that should come first because they are just that important. However, how often do we find ourselves putting those things on the backburner, intentionally or not? This book helps you to identify the ways we do this and how to put less of our effort towards the “urgent” things and more towards the important things in our lives. It also contains many helpful forms, questions, and activities so that you can start implementing what you are reading into your own life. Personally, I really liked his explanation on how to maintain balance in the many different, but equally important, aspects of our lives rather than scrambling from area to area or simply ignoring certain areas altogether.
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
Great practical and applicable advice. It is more than a little outdated with the scenarios and people used in its examples, however, the tips given hold true regardless of the generation. I have experienced before not knowing how to fix a certain rift that has appeared in a relationship, personal or professional, and it can be very frustrating. By learning the principles he discovered and using the simple tips, some as simple as a reminder to always smile and greet people, I think we have a good chance of finding the way to improve our relationships and, therefore, our happiness.
Real Love and Freedom for the Soul: Eliminating the Chains of Victimhood - Greg Baer
Don’t let the intense title scare you away. This book- which is one of a whole series of Real Love books- is an incredibly eye-opening explanation for why we have so many struggles in our individual lives and in the world. With plenty of great real-life examples, Greg Baer helps to reveal what is the origin of victimhood, how exactly it limits our lives and is even the source of addictions, and how to break free of this way of thinking. Through understanding the real disadvantages of maintaining a victim mentality, we can truly find freedom, happiness, and “real love” in our relationships and in our daily lives. Bottomline, if you are interested in improving your habits, character, relationships, etc. then this is a great book for you to gain a clear understanding of one of the biggest obstacles to your personal growth.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scazzero
You know the common frustration that people have with religious people, that they don’t live up to the high ideals they “preach” about, that they often don’t “walk the talk”? Well this book, in my opinion, attempts to address that problem. Spirituality is a cornerstone to our very being. I believe that. However, sometimes we try to make it separate from the other aspects of our lives. It’s a good, honest book on how we can allow our relationship with God to help us make substantial breakthroughs in our life. To help us be truly a “good”, mature and all-around healthy person. In fact, it is only this vertical relationship that can help us heal and find peace and joy in all our horizontal relationships.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand
The book takes the true story depicted in the 2014 Unbroken movie to a whole new depth. I was so impressed by the level of detail Laura Hillenbrand put into this book, which does justice to the incredible story. The part of the book that I particularly appreciated, and the part that you won’t find in the movie, is the depiction of his life after returning home after his unbelievable ordeal in the war. He suffered severely from PTSD and was engulfed in a hatred that had him locked in a prison almost as inescapable as the real ones he had been in earlier in his life. However, he finds freedom and ends up living a very happy and grateful life. But I’ll let you read it to find out how.
Life Without Limits - Nick Vujicic
You have all heard of this man before right? He may have been born with no arms and no legs, but he has an incredibly big heart, a great smile, and so much to offer the world. He has made it his life’s work to share his story to bring hope and encouragement to people across the globe. The first chapter of his book is called “If you can't get a miracle, become one” and I think it really encompasses his view on life. He found his true value and strength, and he absolutely believes everyone has a unique value and beauty to bring into this world. In order to achieve your dreams, make an impact, and live without limits the first step is to understand deeply that you have an irreplaceable value. Nick Vujicic can help you do just that.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - T. Harv Eker
Here is a book I actually have not been able to finish quite yet, but I felt I just had to add it to the list. My concept of this book before I began reading it was that it was going to be about strategies on making money. I soon discovered that that concept and, in fact, many other ones that I held were wrong. Mr. Eker understands well based on his own experience that first, before learning any strategies, we have to change our thinking. This means becoming aware of our concepts and limiting beliefs that we have inherited from our parents or other influential people in our lives. It is at this point that we can begin the process of training our minds to think differently, to think in a way that is more conducive to growth and receiving good fortune. Reading this book may not make you a millionaire instantaneously, but it can help you get started on the path to achieving and maintaining your greatest financial goals by helping you to truly believe in your potential and to commit.
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