In 2015 I read and listened(Shoutout to Audible!) to more books than I ever have in previous years. It didn’t matter what genre, I was just interested in reading more stories. Some books were just ‘okay’ and others were extremely good.  Some were entertaining and others were more informational.  Only a few really stood out to me and I thought it’d be cool to share those with you all. I guess you could say that my favorites just so happen to all be classified as “self help”. I know that many people cringe at the idea of ‘self-help’ but these books weren’t at all cheesy. I really liked the concepts discussed and they all offered a different perspective than my own, which is something I can always appreciate. So, check ’em out if you’re looking for something new to read in 2016!

Big Magic: The Power of Creative Thinking

For some reason, I didn’t expect much from this book but Elizabeth Gilbert had some really insightful messages in regards to creativity and creative living. If you are a writer, photographer, dancer, singer, producers, or just someone looking to experience life more creatively, then you might like this book. She explains the reality of creativity and why so many people struggle with living in a creative way and pursuing their passion wholeheartedly. It’s not fluffy, but it’s honest and real. Whether you’re an artist or not, this book is for anyone striving to live an authentic and fearless life.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” your darkest interior voices will demand. “It’s funny you should ask,” you can reply. “I’ll tell you who I am: I am a child of God, just like anyone else. I am a constituent of this universe.

–  Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

The Four Agreements

After constantly hearing about this book, I had to pick it up. It’s a simple, yet practical read. Don Miguel Ruiz shares four truths about life and the world. Some of these seem so obvious, but Ruiz discusses them in a way that makes you think, ‘Wow, ok. That makes so much sense’. I gave this book to my best friend for her birthday and she was obsessed!

1. Be Impeccable with your Words

2. Don’t take anything personally

3. Don’t Make Assumptions

4. Always Do Your Best

“Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally… Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.” –

 Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

The Untethered Soul

(Ignore the horse frolicking in the water on the cover…I swear, this book is nowhere as cheesy as the cover looks)

Carli Bybel, a Youtuber, often mentions that this book changed her life. I decided to give it a try and I was so glad I did. Ever wondered where your thoughts, fears, pain, insecurities, unhappiness, jealousy, etc. come from? Read the Untethered soul! So many people live day to day so unaware of who they actually are, operating on autopilot, and allowing their thoughts/emotions to control them. Singer discusses how consciousness, mindfulness, and self-awareness lead to spiritual freedom.

“In fact, it is estimated that there are over a trillion stars in the Spiral Galaxy. And that galaxy would look like one star to us, if we could even see it. You’re just standing on one little ball of dirt and spinning around one of the stars. From that perspective, do you really care what people think about your clothes or your car? Do you really need to feel embarrassed if you forget someone’s name? How can you let these meaningless things cause pain? If you want out, if you want a decent life, you had better not devote your life to avoiding psychological pain. You had better not spend your life worrying about whether people like you or whether your car impresses people. What kind of life is that? It is a life of pain. You may not think that you feel pain that often, but you really do. To spend your life avoiding pain means it’s always right behind you.” – Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul

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I also read Gone Girl, Girl Boss, Love Does, The Defining Decade, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up, The 7 habits of Highly Effective People, and more. These are just the few that stood out the most. If you’re looking for something new to read, give these a try. Even if you’re not, pick up a book…any book. New stories and insight never hurt anybody!

2016 Reading List

Americanah

The Four Love Languages

Mere Christianity

Screw Tape Letters

Go Set a Watchman

The Bell Jar T

he Harry Potter Series..finally

The Power of Now

All the Light We Cannot See

Outliers

The Girl on The Train

Orphan

Train Beloved

The New Jim Crow

Thinking Fast, and Slow

Talk like Ted + More

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What were your favorite books of 2015 and What’s on your 2016 reading list? Is there anything that I should add to mine? If you decide to read any of those books, come back and let me know if you liked it!

Thanks for reading!