Since breaking up with Facebook — and all social media — at the end of last year, I have made more time for my favorite pastime, reading books. This year, as at August 2023, I have read over 30 books which is more books than I read in the whole of 2022!
I have an eclectic taste in books and like to flit from genre to genre. However, I just cannot go past a great new self-help book. No matter how many I have read (and written!), I just know I will find at least one gem that will enhance my life in some way.
Here are three 3 recent self-help books that everyone must read…
1) Quit by Annie Duke
This book presents a concept in an entirely new light and turns conventional wisdom on its head. It shows through research and stories that to quit can be a good thing, even the better thing to do. From climbing Everest to creating a startup to building infrastructure, quitting can and should be a conscious choice for all. The monkeys and pedestals shortcut that reminds you to always attempt the most difficult part first was a key takeaway. Overall this book opened my mind and allowed me to both reflect on past decisions and look into the future in a new way.
2) The Gift by Edith Eger
I loved the previous book by this author, The Choice, and wondered if there would be anything new or extra in this book. Although it did cover some of the same ground, it was a succinct and well-crafted list of ‘mind prisons’ that can hold us back. The stories were sometimes tragic and difficult to read but the life lessons should be mandatory reading for everyone. I listened to the audiobook then underlined half the paperback including gems like “love isn’t what you feel, it’s what you do”.
3) Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Usually time management books are frustratingly tedious so even though this book had been recommended more than once, I came to it with very low expectations. However, with well-researched and interesting stories about screens, patience, vacations and the universe, this has opened my eyes to what is truly important in my 4000 weeks on the planet. In this age of compulsive busyness and distraction, I know the people who most need to hear these messages may never get around to reading this book but I hope some do.
Scrolling is NOT Reading
Getting honest that scrolling is NOT reading has redirected me back to one of the things I love to do most in the world, reading books. I believe that you can pick up ANY self-help book and get something out of it but the three listed here are, without doubt, self-help books that everyone must read.
