BOOK RECS for Leveling Up
One of my ALL-TIME favorite simple moments (I mean ALL TIME), is getting a new book from the library, making a coffee, and sitting on my couch for a solid hour on a Saturday morning to just – read. I cannot even express how much JOY this simple moment brings me!!
SO – Welcome to the first of many Simplicity Mindset BOOK REC blogs! Every so often I will be posting a book rec blog, sort of like our own little book club, that will focus on a different topic/genre, so you can try new books out and enjoy your own version of a reading simple moment!
What you can expect:
- 4-5 book recommendations (with links for where to get them)
- Short & sweet synapses of plots/content
- Why I loved it & think you would too
- A rating out of 5 stars – each genre will have different qualifications for the ratings. The ratings for today’s recs will be based on:
o The impact the book had on my life
o Inspiration Quality
o Practicality of applying the messaging
o Overall enjoyment
Let’s get started !!
Personal growth is a constant journey and sometimes you need to listen to people who have gone through what you are working through, or you need to hear how what helped other people get out of a rut in their journeys. This is where our book recs come in …
#1: Atomic Habits by James Clear (Read Aug. 2022) RATING: 5/5 Stars
This book helped me during a time when I needed a RESTART in my growth. It is extremely practical and Clear does a great job of providing examples from his own life of how the small moments (some might even say SIMPLE MOMENTS) can have a large impact over time.
This book is for you IF:
You are looking to create a new and impactful morning routine.
You want to learn more about WHY you do the things you do (our unconscious habits)
The habit loop – how habits are formed and how they can be broken.
#2: 101 Habits That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest (Read Dec 2021) RATING: 4/5 Stars
This book is a series of essays all centered around different aspects of life, like how we perceive others, what is preventing us from the living the life we desire, how to get out of your own way, and so many more. This was a perfect morning read because I could read 2-3 essays and have a tangible takeaway/something to ponder throughout my day. Overall, it made me more mindful of my actions, how I process emotions, and how I relate to others.
This book is for you IF:
You are looking to expose yourself to new perspectives
You feel stuck in your current way of life
You are ready for some brutal honesty and accountability for your actions
#3: You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy (Read April 2022) RATING 4.5/5
This book was a GAME CHANGER for how I show up in conversations and relationships. Murphy breaks down the epidemic of ignoring the people around us and what the scientific impact of not being able to listen is doing to us.
She points out incredible, heartwarming stories about people changing how they listen and how it changes their lives. Immediately when I started reading this, I became so aware of how bad of a listener I can be! She gives tangible tips on how you can improve your listening, and honestly I need to read it again and refresh my memory because I can feel myself slipping back into bad listening habits!
This book is for you IF:
You want to show up fully present in your friendships & relationships
You want to show people around you respect & honor their dignity
You want to change how you engage with the world
#4: The Mastery of Self by Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. (Read October 2023) RATING: 4/5
Ok, I have never highlighted so much in a kindle book before! Fair warning, this book does take a Toltec spirituality approach to self-mastery, but I think there are a lot of incredible tid-bits throughout that are applicable to everyone, no matter your religious beliefs.
Ruiz walks readers through what it means to live as a master of oneself as well as practical exercises to work through the things that are preventing someone from living their life fully. These exercises are POWERFUL and only require a few moments of time alone with your thoughts – WARNING: you will be challenged to think about your past like you never have before and it will cause you to have a change in perspective.
This book is for you IF:
You want to learn how to stop being your own enemy
You want to harness the power in your emotions rather than letting them control you
You desire to live authentically in every situation you encounter