Summer is here and that means summer reading! I don’t always have a lot of time to read these days but when summer comes along we do spend a little bit of time up at the cottage and I always have a book for the dock. This summer I am focusing on a few books from my online circle of friends and books that make my life lighter, brighter and more abundant.
One thing to note here is that when I say read sometimes I mean listen. I have a relatively long commute to work every day. Sometimes it can take me an hour and a half to two hours to get from my house to my office. I decided a while ago that I needed to use that time to improve my life rather than just get angry while being stuck in traffic so I use the time to LISTEN to audio books. It is a great way to spend my commute time because it helps me stay sane while driving in bumper to bumper traffic.
Here are a few books on my summer reading/listening list.
Creativity, Inc: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull.
This book is still in progress for me. So far I am loving it. This is a great behind the scene tale of Pixar, how it came to be and some of the challenges and successes of running this trail blazing animation company.
Money Love by Kate Northrup
This book is still in my NEED-TO-GET-TO pile. I follow Kate on Twitter and Facebook and enjoy her philosophy about money and finance. I am looking forward to reading her book. It is all about charting your own map to financial freedom!
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor and Before Happiness by Shawn Achor
I loved both of these books. Both deal with happiness, how to get happy and how being happy benefits your personal and work life. It had me rethinking a lot of things in my life.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Brene Brown is a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging. Be sure to check out her TED Talks, she is amazing. In this book she shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living. It is a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
I listened to this book for hours on my commute to work. It really got me thinking about how I talk to myself and how I interact with others. It is worth a read or a listen to for sure.
Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple by Russell Simmons
This one is on my must-read or rather must-listen-to. I have tried meditation. It is still a work in process. I always feel better, more focused and thankful after meditating but I feel like I am still learning to be still and focused. I am hoping this book will help me learn to find success in meditation. There are real mind, body, spirit benefits to meditation so I am looking forward to this book.
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
This was a quick listen for me. It is a fun book about helping readers (listeners like me) build habits that lead to a happier and more productive life.
I would love to hear what you are reading right now or have on your must-read list. I enjoy anything that is about improving my life, helping me become happier, healthier and more productive!
