Books to Get Your Mind Right For 2019
If you follow me on Instagram you may have saw the book list I shared in my stories a little over a week ago. I hadn't really been into reading books up until I took two college courses, Intro to Travel Literature and Senior Seminar in my senior year. I read some really interesting books including, "Four Corners", "A Man's Search For Meaning" and "The Man Who Quit Money".
Like most college students, I rented those books not realizing that I would enjoy them so much that I want to have them in my growing book collection on my bookcase/media console.
After my son was born, I started reading on my phone while I nursed him to sleep. Kindle downloads were my format of choice up until this year, honestly, since as my son got older, the only time I could read was when I got ready for bed or sneak some reading time while he was playing or watching tv. It was convenient, but I missed the feeling of holding a book in my hands. What also drew me to purchasing books via Kindle was the price. Most times, I could get the book for half the price and instantly.
On my journey to self-awareness, self-healing/nurturing and entrepreneurship, I have dedicated a lot of my reading time on self-help books mixed in with a few leisure reads.
If you are on a similar journey as me or are just interested in reading new, I'll share my list of books I'm reading this year.
List of 12 books I'm reading in 2019:
“Becoming” by Michelle Obama (Jan. 10th- Feb. 5th?)
“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield (Feb. 10th)
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill (March 8th)
“48 Laws of Power” by Robert Green (April 15th)
“Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth (August)
“The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg (Oct.) <-- started, not finished
“7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey (REREAD) (Nov.)
“The Children of Virtue and Vengeance” by Tomi Adeyemi (Dec. 4th)
“The Psychology of Selling” by Brian Tracy (REREAD) (Dec.)
**UPDATED 9/2/19
I ended up reading a few books I didn't expect to so I decided to add them to this list
1. "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay
2. "All About Love" by bell hooks
3. "Tribe of Mentors" by Tim Ferriss
4. "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
**UPDATED 12/16/19
Another book I read that was not on the list!
1. "10% Happier" by Dan Harris
As you can see, I put a day/month on the books as a way to pace myself and hold myself accountable to read the 12 books. I wanted to leave enough room to read the books, reflect on them and start the next book.
At the start of the year, I had finished up, "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz, Ph.D. Great book fulled of plenty of Ah-ha! moments on topics you already know but are applied and stated differently to really help you get it to sink in. For the end of the year, I wanted to re-read two books that have been especially helpful, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey and “The Psychology of Selling” by Brian Tracy.
I'll be honest and say I wasn't in the right mindset to truly appreciate "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" the first time I read it so, that is why I want to re-read it and let the information settle in my mind to continue forming positive habits.
“The Psychology of Selling” is a great book to reference from over and over again because as an interior designer, I am selling myself and my service all the time. I have to strive to be a better salesperson and I don't mean in the sly, slick, sales-y kind of way. I mean truly understand the psychology , the mind work in understanding how people respond to things, how people think and prefer to be talked to/have things explained to them. The details that lie between the lines of general conversation and selling.
There are a few other books that have helped me by opening my eyes and even reminding me of things I already know but applied differently.
Here's a list of the books and how they helped me:
"Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes (read in 2017)
Reading about Shonda's life and how she became who she is today has really allowed me to love work even more. As an avid Grey's Anatomy & How to Get Away With Murder fan, I truly appreciate her sharing her genius and now I appreciate her sharing her vulnerable parts of her life to help others rise above and be the best version of themselves.
"You are a Badass:How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life" by Jen Sincero (Read in 2018)
I think I heard about this book from someone I follow in Instagram who started reading it and shared a few pages of the book. I have so many pages tabbed with post-it flags because there's plenty of gems in that book! I needed to hear what I knew and things I wasn't exactly clear on in a voice that was relaxed and authentic. It's a good kick-in-the-ass but also a gentle dust-your-pants-off.
"You are a Badass at Making Money" by Jen Sincero (Read in 2018)
After reading Jen's first book, I decided to give the second book a read because I could use some ass-kicking when it came to money. Understanding that money is energy has been life-changing, truthfully. The way we view money and anything really, can affect how we use it wisely. This book is a great way to help you get comfortable and respect/appreciate money whole-heartedly. *** Here's a link to buy both books from Jen Sincero!
"13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" by Amy Morin (Read in 2018)
This book is a book on Myleik Teele's book list. Just by the title, I knew this book was something I should give a read. Especially since I am in the middle of self-evaluation. My question to myself, "Am I mentally strong...?". While reading this book, it helped me uncover areas I am not as mentally strong in and helped me identify my stronger areas. I'm still a work in progress and this book will be a book I come back to over and over in different chapters in my life.
"13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do" by Amy Morin (Read in 2018)
After reading her other book, I decided to give this book a go. As a first-time parent, I don't know what I don't know. I love my son and I want him to grow up to be a well-rounded, self-sufficient, independent adult. The traits, habits and behaviors I pass on to him can help or interfere with him being those things...and it all starts at home. We, my husband and I, are his role-models along with other adults in his life. Since I'm a work-in-progress, I have to continue to work on myself daily, if not for myself, then for him.
"We're Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True" by Gabrielle Union (Read in 2018)
Ah, this was a great read. I can't say I was a huge Gabrielle Union fan growing up, but I really like her now that I have gotten to know more about her as a person. I'm rooting for her and was so happy she was able to have a baby after difficulties with conception. Her rawness is admirable and so, so brave!
Reading has helped me move forward in my career, to feel more confident in myself and also be mindful. I am a devoted life-long learner. Whenever I need to break procrastination or I'm just generally feeling stuck, I read. Reading sparks my inspiration and even if I don't receive the message right away, I have it to help guide me when the time is right. Mixing reading memoirs or fiction with self-help/reference books also helps to stay interested in reading and not feeling burnt out from the knowledge and content I consume.
I hope you feel inspired to pick up a book or use a Kindle! You don't have to aim to read tons of books. Make a list of at least 4 books that you want to read and set aside 30-mins a day before bed or in the morning or even during your lunch break, to read. I read by chapter now as a way to not overwhelm myself and to pace myself. Use whatever method helps you!
Want to receive updates on my blog, Aspire, Create, Inspire or the happenings here at Sheyna James Interiors? Click here to subscribe to my newsletter!
Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram for daily inspiration and projects.
