Good Reads & Views

Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World by Gretchen Rubin 
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: Have you ever driven home and realized you can’t remember anything about the drive? This engaging book will inspire you to awaken your senses so you see the bright-colored tulips, hear the honking geese, and smell the budding trees. In a lively, conversational tone, Rubin describes her own awakening, which involved experiences such as a sound bath, tasting parties, and the luxury of visiting a museum repeatedly.  

Why you might like it: While some self-improvement books ask a lot of the reader, this book invites you to take small steps to enrich your life through sensory experiences. In other words, it’s easy to do these things. For example, you can really, really pay attention to eating an amazing food, or pause for one minute to pay attention to all the textures around you.

You might also like: Check out Rubin’s The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, which have a similar structure. Also, Melody Warnick’s This Is Where You Belong invites readers to truly appreciate the place where they live.   

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I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) by Brené Brown
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In her book, Brené looks at the difference between shame and guilt, searches for the triggers to these feelings, and how to identify and triumph over these strong emotions. She delves deep to get to the core of what activates fear and shame and answers why we feel certain occurrences more strongly than others.

Is it for you? I really appreciated the layout and the structure of this book. It felt thoroughly researched offering many examples, cited sources, and other recommended reading. I highly recommend reading this book.

You might also like: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

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Today Matters by John C. Maxwell
Nonfiction

What it’s about: John Maxwells’ Today Matters is a power packed book on why today matters and how to live better today so that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. This book has plenty of reading potential to pick it up again and again.

Is it for you? Any person who is looking to grow in any area of life will be challenged, inspired, and stirred up to make some “today changes”.

You might also like: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

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The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown 

What it’s about: This book contains so much insight about understanding various behaviors and thought patterns that hold us back in life. While it is clear, as with all books by this author, that she is an experienced and highly skilled researcher, her gift for story telling radiates through even stronger. She authentically connects with the reader by disclosing her own “imperfections” and life experiences.

Why you might like it: If you have ever struggled with "should-ing" yourself, this book can be a spiritual awakening that will help you get past whatever you “should” yourself for.

You might also like: Rising Strong by Brene Brown. 

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Daring Greatly by Brene Brown 
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This book unearths our deepest feelings and motives. As social beings, it is deeply rooted for us to seek acceptance. As a result, our fear of rejection impels us to behave in ways we’re not always proud of, creating a cycle of shame and self-doubt. This book explains all of that and how to break that cycle.

Why you might like it: The agonizing nature of feeling vulnerable and exposed is something everyone struggles with. Brené does a superb job of including stories from her life, her research, and then bringing it all together with results you can clearly understand, relate to, and implement into your life.  

You might also like: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. 

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Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In this intimate and compelling memoir, therapist Lori Gottlieb shares stories from behind the scenes in therapy—from both sides of the couch. Over the course of the book, you’ll feel like you’ve gotten to know her and her patients… and her therapist.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy great storytelling and narratives about work life, this book offers both. For fiction readers who rarely delve into nonfiction, this book is a great choice because of the way it delves into the inner lives of the characters. Who would’ve ever thought a therapist’s introspective memoir could also be a page-turner?

What sets it apart: Gottlieb’s warm humanity and unflinching self-scrutiny make her a delightful guide on this journey into the messy parts of life.

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The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

Who it’s for: If you ever host gatherings at your home, plan events for your organization, or hold business meetings, this thought-provoking book provides intriguing and helpful guidance on how to make those gatherings more meaningful and effective. Learn some counter-intuitive tips, such as why your guests will be more comfortable if you’re a somewhat bossy host.

What sets it apart: The author’s conversational tone and evocative examples (including a “cage match” at an architecture firm’s meeting to decide their mission) make this book both enjoyable and fascinating. Also: you’ll hear stories here that you’ll want to tell others.

You might also like: Daniel Pink’s When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing is another delightfully readable business / self-improvement book that gives insight into the way we humans work best.

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Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
Nonfiction

What is it? The book's theme is "true belonging", which the author defines as: "...the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are." This might sound a bit unfamiliar, but the book develops this idea in wonderful ways that will appeal to every reader.

Is it for you? If you are seeking true connection and the feeling that you belong because of who you matchlessly are, read this book. "If I get to be me, I belong. If I have to be like you, I fit in."

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About Grief: Insights, Setbacks, Grace Notes, Taboos by Ron Marasco
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This is a book about grief for everyone. It has down-to-earth, easy to understand explanations of what grief feels like, how it can manifest itself and suggestions of how to walk through the grief. There is also a description of gender differences and how the grieving process is acknowledging and free of judgment.

Key insight: The authors have accomplished going beyond the details of social etiquette to the core of our shared human experience and emotions after the death of a loved one. I found the book all-inclusive, pulling from multiple sources of information, clearly written, well organized, and very warm hearted.>

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Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
Nonfiction

What it’s about: The concept of pruning branches as an analogy in order to produce more fruit is something we readily accept. But, when it comes to ending things in our personal or business lives that no longer bear fruit, we readily find reasons to tolerate rather than end something. Dr. Cloud gives undeniable arguments that encourage the reader to end such things as well as practical and beneficial insights to know when something can be restored to value.

Key insight: This is a compelling book, well organized and simple to understand and apply. This book has changed the way I see endings. I wasn't aware, until reading this book, how much I have put off both professional and personal necessary endings in my life.

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