I love a good book. Especially ones that expose me to alternative ways of thinking.

Here is a list of books I’ve read that have changed me in one way or another. These books have either provided me knowledge, helped me get through tough times or got me to realize I’m part of something bigger.

The list is small as these are the ones that truly have had an impact on me. I’ll continually add to the list as I find time to read more amazing books.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate and I earn from qualifying purchases. The links below are Amazon Links. As always, I recommend that you check these books out from the library first.. 

Personal Finance

Your Money Or Your LIfe – Vicky Robin

This book was actually a recent read as I had no clue it existed until I saw Jessica at The Fioneers post a review on it. Apparently it was the “original book” on Financial Independence written in the 1992 with roots going back to the 1970’s. I had no clue it even existed until 2019!

The book provides 9 actionable steps to transform your relationship with money and work towards financial independence. It gets you thinking about what is your “enough” and how to declutter your life of the excess.

My favorite aspect of the book is how it got me thinking about money in terms of my life energy. Understanding how much life energy goes into making a dollar shifted my perspective on both earning and spending money.

The Simple Path To Wealth – JL Collins

This is the book that got me confident in investing.

If the idea of investing scares you, THIS IS YOUR BOOK!

JL Collins explains investing  and how it can help you build wealth so simply that anyone willing to learn can put his concepts into practice. It’s a must read for anyone confused at how and where to stash their cash for their retirement.

Personal Growth

DARING GREATLY – BRENE BROWN

I don’t even know where to start with this book. 

I truly believe it’s a must read for all. The book is a reminder that we are part of a bigger world outside of ourselves and explains how we can benefit from opening ourselves up to that world. 

It’s so easy to close ourselves off from the world. And Brown teaches us how to find that courage to allow your true self to be seen. 

If you need a little push to let your true self be seen or a little confidence booster, this is your book. It’s also a great book for a gift. 

Broken Open – Elizabeth Lesser

This book was a gift from a friend when I was going through a difficult time. And I couldn’t have asked for a better way to ignite my healing process. 

The balance of wisdom with true-life stories provides the reader with a sense that they are not alone and the strength to work through the pain.

Broken Open reminds us that everyone is going through something and there is power in allowing those broken pieces to be seen. 

The Book of Joy – dalai lama XIV and desmond tutu

This was another book I received as a gift from a friend during that same difficult time. 

The book chronicles a week long meeting between the 14th Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 

During the week they discuss how to find joy in our ever changing world by each sharing their own perspectives. Just looking at the cover of this book gets me teary-eyed. Hearing their stores of living in exile and how they are still able to find extreme joy in life is comforting beyond belief.

I’ll leave it to this quote to sum up the book:

“The ability to be present in each moment is nothing more and nothing less than the ability to accept the vulnerability, discomfort, and anxiety of everyday life” – Dalai Lama XIV

Women’s Health

Women code – Alisa Vitti

What I wouldn’t give to understand my hormones when I was in my 20’s. Why doesn’t anyone teach us this stuff?

For years, I was confused about my moods and what my body was going through each cycle. 

Women Code broke it all down for me and I finally feel at ease with what I’m experiencing each month. Before this understanding, I simply thought something was wrong with me. I didn’t know there could be an explanation for why I was feeling down and then two weeks later feeling on top of the world. 

Alisa breaks it down into easily digestible tidbits of knowledge while giving you the wisdom to naturally ease some of the symptoms women often experience.

If your cycle confuses you and/or you feel out of sorts each month, Woman Code is a great resource. 

Socially Conscious

Evicted – Mathew Desmond

Living in Milwaukee this book literally hit home. 

Evicted chronicles the lives of several Milwaukee residents and landlords dealing with evictions. It sheds light on a problem that isn’t isolated to Milwaukee, but a widespread problem throughout the United States—affordable housing for the low income population.

I loved this book for it’s ability for it to open my eyes to the world around me. It’s a must read.