If you’ve engaged in any conversation with me for longer than 5 minutes, chances are high that I will reference a book. I’m often asked for a list of book recommendations, and I have an exhaustive list I have been passing along to EY interns each summer with books I've read and what's in my queue. However, I have never sat down and thoughtfully curated a list of books. When asked again this year for a list of recommendations, I felt it was important to produce a list with intention.?
The list below represents books that have influenced me in some way over the years, both professionally and personally. These books inspire, uplift and elevate my thinking as I pursue an authentic, impactful and vibrant life. Some also give me the kick in the butt I need to keep going!?There are many more, but after unsuccessfully attempting a "top 10", "top 20" or even "top 25" list…a list of 33 felt right (3 is my favorite number ??). This list will no doubt continue to evolve as I evolve –which reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"Choice is the engine of our evolution ... if you choose unconsciously, you will evolve unconsciously. If you choose consciously, you will evolve consciously." - Gary Zukav,
Reading is one of the ways I choose to consciously evolve.?
Please enjoy this list and be sure to add your favorite book recommendations in the comments. I'd love to know what books have influenced and inspired you!
My top 33 (in no particular order):
- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- Chasing Daylight: How My Forthcoming Death Transformed by Life by Andrew Postman, Corinne O'Kelly, and Eugene O'Kelly
- The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor
- The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
- The Purpose driven life: what on earth am I here for? by Rick Warre
- The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today's Leaders by Robert Briner
- Loving Each Other by Leo Buscaglia
- What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey
- Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace by Carla A. Harris
- Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Tim Ferriss
- How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John C Maxwell
- No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline by Brian Tracy
- The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone
- Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim Grover
- Winning: The Unforgiving Race to Greatness by Shari Lesser Wenk and Tim Grover
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't (*chapter on level 5 leadership) by Jim Collins
- Indispensable: Build and Lead A Company Customers Can’t Live Without by James M. Kerr
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- Dare to Lead?by Brene Brown
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
- The ONE Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan
- Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
- The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America by Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld
- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield
- Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
Head of Lead Gen @Birdiva | Helping early-stage founders acquire their first enterprise customer ??
1 年Megan, thanks for sharing!
Marketing Professional | Indie Bookstore Events Coordinator | Editorial Professional | Processes Driven| Strategic & Collaborative
2 年You already know how I feel about this. I’m going to check this out with a notepad and pen in hand!
Thanks for the great recommendations Megan. I jotted several down for my "to read" list.
Leader at Western Union
2 年Though we are not connected, I was tempted to go through the list. I am an avid reader. Glad that some of our favorites are common. Thanks for sharing.
Senior - Technology Risk & Responsible AI at Ernst & Young | MSc in Accounting- Data Analytics | BBA in Finance
2 年Atomic Habits definitely did the work for me. Thanks for sharing the list Megan ??