Summer Reading Recommendations

I get asked for book recommendations a lot, which delights me because I love to read and I love to share what I’ve read! I’m forever pressing a book into someone’s hands and telling them they just have to read it.

Of course, I love a good summer beach read as much as the next girl, but today, I thought I’d share a few of my non-fiction favorites to see if I can get you to tackle something a little heartier this summer.

This is actually a great season to focus on personal growth. With the slightly slower pace of summer you can create space to dig in and learn a thing or two that will serve you throughout the year!

To that end…

Here are four books that deserve a place on your nightstand: 

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

– Brene Brown

If you  know me at all then you know what a fan I am of Brene’s work. Her ideas have reshaped my views on so many things, and this book is the ideal introduction to her work. Follow it up with Daring Greatly and Rising Strong to complete the Brene trifecta. If you feel like you’ve heard her name but aren’t sure where, it was probably from her famous TED talk which now has more than 25 million views!

Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead

– Tara Mohr

I fell in love with Tara’s work when her NY Times op ed on Learning to Love Criticism was published. I red the article, promptly pre-ordered her book, devoured it when it came, and then was delighted earlier this year to be able to interview her for my SHINE membership site. After spending an hour talking to Tara, I’m convinced we may have been separated at birth.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

– Steven Pressfield

This book’s title is a play on “The Art of War” and it gets to the heart of that incredibly strong force that tries to stop us from doing the work we were born to do. Pressfield battles his own demons as a writer and he urges us to do the same. This book is the kick you need if you’re stuck at the starting line of any creative project or life pursuit. I’ve read it at least three times. It’s genius.

The Alchemist

– Paolo Coehlo

This classic fable is a story about following our dreams and finding our purpose in life. It’s also one of the best-selling books in history. Captivating and timeless, if you haven’t crossed paths with it yet, consider this your sign that it’s time. It’s one of those books that you’ll be reflecting upon for years to come.

Do you have book recommendations for me? I’d love it if you’d share them in comments!