Books: Entrepreneurship, Sobriety, and Mind-Body Wellness

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If you’ve been reading, you know I’ve been on a journey of personal growth – and one of which ways has been transforming my mornings. A commitment to an earlier wake-up time, unlocking a ton of benefits that have reshaped my entire day. Rising before the sun, the chaos of the kids, and all that life has to throw my way. Mornings, now a sacred ritual, serve as the foundation for intentional living and optimal performance throughout the day. This newfound commitment to early rising has not only enriched my self-awareness but has also become the cornerstone of unlocking productivity levels that were once untapped.

By harnessing the power of mornings, I’ve discovered the transformative potential to navigate life with purpose, focus, and an unwavering commitment to being my best self. During these mornings, listening to audiobooks has been what’s help me rise and leaving me motivated to start my day. So I wanted to start a list, a resource post for those wanting to dive into some of the same books. Most of which I have read, and some that are on my “next up” list. And I’ll keep adding to this resource blog post as I continue my morning routine – only sharing the reads that I have loved the most. Happy reading, or audio listening. 

Entrepreneurial Insights Books: Business Motivation

1. Happy Money by Ken Honda: Embrace financial tranquility with Ken Honda, Japan’s top personal-development guru. Heal your money relationship and uncover genuine happiness. The Zen Millionaire advises against quick riches and guides you to find peace with money. Transform your money mindset, enhance your Money EQ, and experience the joy of giving and receiving. Just as Marie Kondo transformed living spaces, Honda’s Happy Money will revolutionize your feelings about your wallet.
2. Give and Take by Adam Grant: Explores how people’s reciprocity styles—giving, taking, and matching—affect their success in professional settings. Grant delves into why being a “giver” without expecting immediate returns often leads to unexpected success.
3. Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction by Derek Thompson: Investigates why certain ideas, products, or cultural phenomena become hits. Thompson analyzes psychological, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to their success, offering insights into public resonance and popularity.
4. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinok – Explores the concept of leadership and the role of leaders in fostering a positive and successful organizational culture. The title is derived from a military tradition where leaders prioritize the well-being of their team members before themselves, symbolized by the idea that leaders eat last. Sinek delves into the biological and psychological aspects of leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within a team or organization. 
5. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: Nike co-founder Phil Knight shares the journey of building Nike from a startup in his car to a global brand. The book offers a candid look at the challenges, risks, and triumphs in entrepreneurship, emphasizing perseverance and vision in creating a successful company.
6. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek – Discusses the significance of having a clear purpose and a ‘why’ in business, illustrating how inspirational leaders motivate teams and customers.
7. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries – Explores the concept of lean startup methodology, emphasizing the importance of testing ideas quickly, learning from feedback, and iterating for success.
8. Thinking, Fast and Slow: by Daniel Kahneman – Explores the two systems that drive the way people think and make decisions, offering insights into cognitive biases and how they influence decision-making in business and life.
9. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future: by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters – Explores the principles behind successful startups, focusing on the importance of creating something new and valuable rather than just competing in existing markets.
10. Essentialism, The Disciplined Pursuit for Less by Greg McKowen – Essentialism is a guide to designing and taking control of your life. By focusing your energy on the right things and rejecting the rest, you can achieve impactful results where it matters most.

Self Empowerment Books: Nourishing Mind, Body, and Soul

1. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown – Explores the transformative power of vulnerability, emphasizing courage in embracing our imperfections and living wholeheartedly.
2. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – Guides readers to embrace the present moment, offering insights and practices for achieving mindfulness and inner peace.
3. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson – Provides unconventional advice on prioritizing what truly matters in life and navigating adversity with a pragmatic and humorous approach.
4. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear – Explores the power of tiny changes and how small habits compound over time, offering practical strategies to improve productivity and achieve success.
5. The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life – Achieving all your desires in life isn’t about increasing your activities; it’s about transforming yourself. The Miracle Morning has guided countless individuals in becoming the person necessary to craft the life they’ve longed for. The opportunity is now yours.
6. 5 AM Club by Rhonda Sharma: Robin Sharma’s The 5am Club, born over two decades ago, introduces a revolutionary morning routine for peak productivity and well-being. In this transformative guide, Sharma explores the power of early rising through an engaging story, revealing the habits of geniuses and offering practical methods for enhanced focus, creativity, and a life beautifully lived. This work promises a lasting transformation in your approach to life and productivity.
7. Light is the New Black: “Light Is the New Black” by Rebecca Campbell is a guidebook for modern-day women who are described as “lightworkers,” destined to illuminate the world with their unique presence. Campbell shares her personal journey of awakening and rediscovery, offering practical tools and channelled messages from the Universe to help readers reconnect with their authentic selves. The book emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression, guiding individuals to embrace their innate gifts and shine brightly in a world that often values conformity. Through self-exploration and soul alignment, readers are empowered to fulfill their spiritual mission and offer their unique essence to the world, contributing positively to the collective consciousness.

Sobriety Books: Recovery or Sober Curious

1. We are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, Laura McKowen
2. Quit Like a Woman, Holly Whiteaker – A exploration of alcohol and the societal expectations surrounding women and drinking. Whitaker challenges the conventional narratives and provides a refreshing perspective on sobriety, intertwining her personal journey with well-researched insights. Through a blend of memoir and advocacy, the book inspires readers to reconsider their relationship with alcohol, offering a path towards liberation and self-discovery. I would say she has a very liberal approach, and at times got a bit too political for me. But overall good insights.
3. This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life” by Annie Grace – Offers a fresh take on quitting drinking by challenging perceptions about alcohol and empowering individuals to break free from its grip.
4. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober” by Catherine Gray – A candid and inspiring book discussing the joy and benefits of sobriety, based on the author’s personal experiences and research.
5. Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget” by Sarah Hepola – A powerful memoir detailing the author’s struggles with alcohol addiction and her path towards recovery, addressing societal perceptions of alcoholism.
6. Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol” by Ruby Warrington – Explores the concept of being “sober curious,” questioning society’s relationship with alcohol and encouraging readers to reevaluate their drinking habits.

Christian Empowerment Books: Living Your Best Life Through Faith

1. Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst – Offers guidance on establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries while navigating life transitions gracefully.
2. You’re Going to Make It by Lysa Terkeurst: 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today.
3. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker: This book offers a down-to-earth take on life, humorously highlighting how Jesus’ grace helps us navigate the challenges of human connections. From personal struggles to relationships with family and friends, Hatmaker shares insights into the ups and downs of dealing with people. She emphasizes the impact of life’s pressures, urging readers to embrace grace and kindness as they navigate the complexities of relationships. A concise and relatable read for anyone seeking wisdom on the messy aspects of life.
4. The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands Lysa Terkeurst – I loved it! Lysa Terkeurst’s book is a heartfelt guide on finding and playing the role that God intends for us, steering clear of pressures and embracing the ‘best yes’—the choice that shapes all other choices. With transparency, Scripture insights, and humor, Terkeurst offers practical strategies for wise decision-making, urging readers to embrace their own best yes in the journey of life.