Self Help & Personal Development Books

Books.  They have been a HUGE part of my journey to personal peace. I am where I am today, because of some books that cracked me wide open.  Now, let me make something super clear.  I do not consider myself a big reader.  As a matter of fact, I'm that gal that always fell asleep in English class during High School.  Books never kept my attention.  I always told myself I wasn't a "strong reader".  But the truth of the matter is, I likely wasn't reading the right books for me.  

In 2012, I went through a major life crisis.  MAJOR.  I was devastated on a variety of levels.  Broken to my core.  A million little pieces.  Someone recommended I read "Daring Greatly", by Brene Brown.  Immediately I replied, "Oh!  Sorry honey, I'm not a big reader".  Yup, the story prevailed.  My friend told me to "suck it up and just open it up".  Well, I did.  Basically, because I had lost so much, I had nothing more to lose. Or so I thought. I figured, if I didn't like it I'd simply just not finish it.  Well, let me tell you I ATE UP "Daring Greatly" like the best piece of chocolate I had ever been given.  I literally devoured it.  Every single page spoke to ME!  She was SPEAKING TO ME.  I had an epiphany.  Maybe I am a strong reader.  Maybe all those books I was forced to read, just simply weren't built for me or maybe I just wasn't ready for them.  I was now on a QUEST to find more of these "for me, like me" books.  Over the course of eight years, I have curated quite the list.  Many I have read and some are still on my "list to read". 

All of the books below are designed to crack you wide open and for me, most of them have!  

If you have a book that you think should be on the list comment below!  I'd love some more recommendations!

• The Gifts of Imperfection  Brene Brown
• Daring Greatly  Brene Brown
• Rising Strong  Brene Brown
• The Four Agreements  Don Miguel Ruiz
• The Five Agreements  Don Miguel Ruiz
• What Happened to You?  Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry, MD
• It Didn't Start with You  Mark Wolynn
• The Body Keeps the Score  Bessel van der Kolk
• The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate
• Tell Yourself a Better Lie by Marisa Peer
• How To Do The Work by Dr. Nicole Le Pera
• The Deepest Well  Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking  Susan Cain 
• The Alchemist  Paulo Coelho
• Man's Search for Meaning  Viktor Frankl 
• Becoming the Narcissists Nightmare Shahida Arabi
• Don't You Know Who I Am?  Ramani S. Durvasula
• Should I Stay or Should I Go Ramani S. Durvasula 

This list is ever-growing.  If there is a book you think should be on this list, click on "Recommend a book to me!" and drop me the name and author! I'd love to add more books of relevance!