Reviews of My Favorite Business and Inspirational Books – all available on Audible.com!
This list is in no particular order! I listened to most of them on Audible – even though I looove reading books I just don’t have time ugh…I need to get better at it!
Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
I looove this book not only because I’m a Chip and Jo FREAK, but because it really exposes the business side of trade work. People don’t realize that it takes a LOT of work to build a business, and there are sides to the business that people typically don’t like…like the finance, accounting, taxes, employees, etc. Chip always loved construction but really mis-managed his business and he spills his learnings along the way. He also talks about how him and Jo came about and how he almost lost her!
The best part is…he actually narrates the Audible version and he is hilarious!
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
So this book actually changed my life. After I listened to it the first time, I started noticing HUGE changes in my life. I landed the job that basically got me to where I am today, I met Danny, mended my relationship with my parents, got rid of toxic relationships, and was the healthiest and happiest I had ever been in my life.
I make it a point to listen to it once every couple years. When I “listened” to it the first time in 2014, it wasn’t on Audible yet, so I actually watched the free movie (YouTube version here) where they just the interviews – not really much difference than the Audible version.
Be careful which version you get – make sure to get the ENGLISH version! I think the default selection is like Finnish or something. I suggested this book to a friend and she did the same thing too!
If you aren’t into stuff like this, I would recommend You Are a Badass (reviewed below) which is a similar concept but a little more grounded.
Body Love by Kelly LeVeque
FINALLY a diet lifestyle that is inspired and backed by SCIENCE! Kelly was a biology major and worked in oncology for 8 years, where she saw firsthand how diet affected people’s bodies while battling cancer. She talks about the recent diet industry and how we’ve been prioritizing quantity of food over quality, and our fear of good fats is increasing neurologic disorders like Alzheimers and Dementia. It is everything you thought you knew, backed by science and put into laymen’s terms – it’s seriously mind blowing!
If you are interested in a healthy lifestyle and ready to break the diet/binge cycle, I highly suggest reading this book. I have been practicing this lifestyle and also intermittent fasting/carb cycling with FASTer Way to Fat Loss and I feel SOO good. My hair and nails are longer and healthier, skin is glowing (I didn’t realize until I’ve been getting so many compliments recently), and feel all-around more toned and healthy. If you want to learn more about that program, click here.
The Subtle art of not giving a F*ck
The title basically says it all. My entire life is kinda about not giving a f*ck but this really puts it into perspective on how you let other people control your life when you care too much and let them get under your skin. It’s honestly a really great approach to a low-stress life.
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
This one is great for the woman who is starting out on her journey of exploration and really a good intro to more intense books like The Secret. It is mainly about not taking yourself so seriously and just enjoying the ride. She talks about how we stress ourselves out so much from having such high and crazy expectations of ourselves, and to trust that God’s timing is perfect and everything happens for a reason.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
This one got slow toward the ending but highly valuable throughout the beginning and middle! The 7 habits are things you see every day but wouldn’t naturally attribute them to effectiveness without the author really getting into them.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Chances are high that you’ve seen or heard one of Simon Sinek’s interviews or speeches if you’re in the business world. And you know that they’re all mind blowing – this one is my favorite, about millennials in the workplace. His book is no different! I read this one in college for a class and it has really stuck through my career.
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
This one I loved for just general motivation and inspiration. It’s very similar to The Secret, but a less “new agey” approach if you aren’t that type. The whole concept of it is just believing that you are great, and therefore you will fulfill the self-fulfilling prophecy. Seriously, life changer.
The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell
I actually read this one my senior year of high school by recommendation from my Economics professor. I think this book changed my perspective on the consumer market, capitalism, and consumerism and inspired me to be in the business world. I’m pretty sure it lead my decision to be a business management major, and it sculpted a lot of the principles I still believe in today!
It goes through the “tipping points” of how things go viral and uses real-life examples like Sesame Street. If you’re in marketing (or want to get into marketing) and want to disrupt your market, this one isn’t just suggested, it’s a must-read. And honestly anything by Malcolm Gladwell is a must-read. Start with this one, but another good one of his is Outliers.
Books I Plan to Read in 2019:
- Present over Perfect
- The Power of Habit
- Judgement Detox
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
- Building Your Mental Balance Sheet
