Raise your hand if you have this whole life thing completely figured out. No hands? That’s because none of us really do! We each have our own set of values and morals that help guide us in this whirlwind of college, jobs, finances, raising a family, etc. though things are never, truly, that black and white. In addition to the unique foundations on which we have been raised, there comes this common and natural truth: Most of us are figuring it out as we go. May these 14 books offer you some comfort, guidance, and laughter as you go about whatever current chapter you are in in your life.
1. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
You may have come across this novel numerous times at your local bookstore and wondered what the heck it’s about. It surrounds a middle aged woman who, in the midst of a mid-life crisis of some sort, decides to travel the world and experience different cultures and ways of life. Only to discover that there really is no one path to happiness. There are multiple.
2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
I’ve personally had the pleasure of crossing this read off my TBR and I was sad to finally see it come to an end once I finished it. The story follows a popular high school student who has a very warped and shallow view of the people and world around here until a strange accident forces her to relive a particular night all over again for the fate of her own life. A truly mesmerizing read that shines a light on the meaning of true inner beauty and selflessness.
3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak follows a young, ordinary, soft-spoken girl who is the victim of a brutal rape at a house party. She is burdened with the guilt, shame and negative emotions of one who was forced to do something against their will, though her story is one of perseverance, self-determination, and the power of one’s voice, no matter how small it may be believed to be.
4. Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman
Mindfulness is a book every busy body should not only have on their shelf, but make time to read! It teaches readers how to live and exist in the present moment, without always pondering about what needs to be done, who needs what, or what went wrong.
. I Am by Howard Falco
What are 5 words you would use to describe yourself? We may not even be aware of it, though the specific thoughts and words that we speak to ourselves, as well as out loud, lay the foundation of the people we will become. We’ll never be perfect people, that’s one of the main parts of being human. However, we can make the best with all we are given, and that starts with taking the very best care of ourselves we can.
6. Whatcha Gonna Do with That Duck?: And Other Provocations by Seth Godin
As important as it is to speak great things, what use do they have if we don’t put them to action? Whatcha Gonna Do with That Duck is a motivational book like no other because instead of just telling you what you should do, (Who wants to be told what to do all the time) it shows you practical ways on how to go about your aspirations and goals without getting extremely overwhelmed and arriving back at square one.
7. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
How often do you put things off until the last minute? If you know, without a doubt, that you’re a master procrastinator, you need this book in your life. It’s true, some people do work better under a lot of pressure, though you’ve got to give yourself a break some time. Create a healthy working balance for yourself to ensure you stay at the top of your game.
8. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
In the midst of your day to day activities, do you ever take a moment and two and just sit and do nothing? I know what you may be thinking: No! Of course, not! I don’t have time to just stop and daydream into space! Perhaps, that is exactly what you need, my friend. Moments to yourself where you can collect yourself so you won’t succumb to mounds of stress and worry. We all go through a plethora of emotions, some more than others daily, however, we all need to set aside time to deal with and face these emotions before they get out of control. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Deep breath in…
9. Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success by John C. Maxwell
Mistakes are inevitable. Everyday there’s going to be something that we could of done differently or better. The point is though, to continue to become better people we do not need to dwell on these mistakes. It is best we choose the higher road and learn and grow from what didn’t work out the first time. After all, nobody is perfect.
10. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
How much more at peace would we be if we didn’t allow so much worry to consume us? There is so much that is out of our control in our lives and the best we can do is simply react to it the best way we know how. I’m sure all of us would be positively impacted by focusing on what we can control, rather than dwelling on all we can’t.
11. Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It by Kamal Ravikant
Many of us may put other’s needs, wants, and dreams often before our own. For parents, it is an obligation to take care of your child selflessly and wholeheartedly. That doesn’t mean that self-love should take a backseat though. I love that this book is so honest and raw in its thinking and basically states that ‘Hey, you will fail and mess up countless times. But you must keep going. You must always act as though you are worthy, even if you can barely get yourself out of bed in the morning.’ Truth is, we’re all worthy. We all deserve the best life has to offer.
Check out our part one of our self-discovery books!
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Featured image via Glen Ganaway
