5 Must Read Books For Personal Growth
If you have been to my apartment, you will know that I am a bookworm beyond bookworms. My dining shelves are not filled with dishes – each one is filled with books, which may or may not be color coordinated (and that’s before reading one of the books on my list, I swear!!). Read on for my take on these five glorious books.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. I don’t suggest anything I haven’t personally used myself and actually find value from owning. By purchasing a book from this blog post, I make a small commission… and I’m truly grateful.
1. The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile
I apologize in advance for how much I will gush about this book, but really this is a #sorrynotsorry moment. If you have ANY interest at all in understanding yourself or your loved ones a bit better, and why certain personalities react in certain ways in different situations, this book is a MUST-READ. Anyone I care about in my life will attest that I have forced him or her to take an Enneagram test since I read this book, and I will proudly claim that I have positively affected at least two marriages by suggesting/gifting this book.
Anyone who knows about the personality types will say that last statement definitely makes me sound like a 2, but I am a 9 for the record. I have never been trusting of personality tests like this, but this book has been the most spot on for multiple people in my life. I have already seen the difference it makes in my level of empathy and understanding for people’s actions and reactions, and the world could always use more of that, right?
2. Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis
I have to say I’m still in the middle of this one, but I’ve been reading it during my lunch break and in bed consistently, so I know I’m hooked! Chase Jarvis is a fellow photographer who struggled with the “I should” mindset as a young man, so you know I was roped in from there! He gives actionable ways to implement creative practice into your daily life, and actually pushes for creative expression that isn’t related to your creative professional career as a way to keep your mind working in different spheres constantly. If you’re in the middle of the grind to make a creative career happen, take this as a hug and a push saying you’re moving in the right direction.
3. Dark Horse by Todd Rose and Ogi Ogas
I heard about this book listening to my latest podcast obsession, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, and immediately Amazon Primed that book right over to my doorstep before a quick weekend trip. Depending on how you look at it, I was very lucky to experience a 5 hour delayed flight from San Francisco to Orange County (I know, that’s ridiculous) and I devoured this book right there in the SFO terminal.
The Dark Horse Project explores the vastly different paths people take to finding fulfillment, and therefore excellence, on his or her own terms. Todd said it best on the podcast – “You can’t quantify fulfillment – it’s completely subjective. It’s the satisfaction of accomplishing things that are important to you.”
4. Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat
Before this cookbook, I had never even considered that I would want to know the science behind cooking. Enter Samin Nosrat. The majority of the book explores why each of the four categories in the book title is essential to rich flavor, and focuses much less on precise recipes. You can also watch her Netflix series of the same name! Her goal is to teach you to cook with your mouth, your nose, and your hands, and I definitely have become much more adventurous in my culinary endeavors.
5. The Home Edit by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
I have been a fan of these two hilarious ladies for awhile now (Have you seen their Instagram stories? You’re welcome). Reading the book was so informational and really, really funny – and included so many different home scenarios to use as inspiration for my own organizational goals! I completely massacred my bathroom and certain cabinets of the kitchen, and I am so happy with the results. I think I’ll be saving those photos for a future blog post, but at the very least, you should just buy it to look at the photos. Cheapest relaxation therapy ever.
Time for a new round of favorites – what are you reading that I should know about? Leave a comment below!!
