As we roll every so quickly into November, and thus the Holiday Season which includes gift giving, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite books that I read in 2022. And perhaps in this list you may find something of interest for yourself, or for someone on your "Nice List" that could use a good book.
In no particular order....
What it's about:
(Sourced from Amazon description)
At the height of his career at the age of 50, Arthur Brooks embarked on a seven-year journey to discover how to transform his future from one of disappointment over waning abilities into an opportunity for progress. From Strength to Strength is the result, a practical roadmap for the rest of your life.
Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and eastern wisdom, as well as dozens of interviews with everyday men and women, Brooks shows us that true life success is well within our reach. By refocusing on certain priorities and habits that anyone can learn, such as deep wisdom, detachment from empty rewards, connection and service to others, and spiritual progress, we can set ourselves up for increased happiness.
My thoughts:
Sitting here at "half-time" aka 50 years old, I found this book timely and fascinating. Although Mr. Brooks focuses on how we naturally have a shift in skills, knowledge and thinking as we hit our 40's, 50's and 60's, I also found the information applicable to anyone experiencing a natural transition in life. Specifically when you find that what you have been doing no long seems to be what you should be doing. Additionally, there is a lot of great research and data cited, as well as stories that make this an informative and good read. Grab your copy here.
What it's about:
(Sourced from Amazon description)
Radical Love is the debut memoir from Zachary Levi (Shazam!, American Underdog, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Chuck), which shares his emotional journey through a lifetime of crippling anxiety and depression to find joy, gratitude, and ultimate purpose. Facing the scars of childhood trauma and the voices in his head that told him he would never be enough, Zac recounts the raw yet honest behind-the-scenes story of his family life, career successes, and the personal disappointments that led him to rock bottom and landed him in a therapy center, where he learned to address the underlying issues that preceded his downward spiral.
Radical Love combines witty, touching, and powerful commentary with relatable illustrations to help you on your own path toward mental wellness. With vulnerability and humor, Zac relates the valuable lessons and insights he’s learned so that you can rise from the ashes of trauma and pursue a meaningful life of gratitude.
My thoughts:
A story that reminds us that we are all human, no matter who we are or what we have accomplished. It has its gritty, foul and ugly side. It has hard falls that we sometimes create for ourselves and sometimes there are those that push us into those falls. And it can also be beautiful, with love and support coming at us from strangers. This is not a "feel good" memoir, nor is it a "woe-is-me" memoir. It is however, a really, really good memoir. Zachary says it best himself, "I'm not an expert, therapist, pastor, teacher, or monk. I am merely a person going through my own mental and emotional health journey, hoping that I can pass on some of the wisdom and tools that I'd been blessed enough to learn along the way. And I truly believe that if we can help heal the hearts and minds of everyone on earth, we will solve every other problem known to man in the process." Grab your copy here.
What it's about: (Sourced from Amazon description)
In The Power of Habit, award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Distilling vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives that take us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to the sidelines of the NFL to the front lines of the civil rights movement, Duhigg presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.
My thoughts:
The saying, "To truly change your life, you need to change your habits." is pretty popular in the personal and professional growth world. And that's because it is completely true. Our habits shape our behaviors and our behaviors shape how we live our life. Charles Duhigg does and outstanding job of breaking down the science of how and why our brain seeks habitual behavior, even if those behaviors do not always serve our best interests. Definitely a must read if you want to better understand not just how to live a better life, but also why we do what we do. Get your copy here.
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