The 12 Days of Christmas Reading List for 2019

In honor of the 12 Days of Christmas, I cultivated a reading list with my top 12 favorite books from 2019. They’re not listed in any particular order as they’re very different in content. I enjoyed them all immensely for very different reasons. Enjoy!

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear

I listened to the audio book – good listen, full of great ideas on how to form better habits. My favorite – focus on the process, not the end goal!

2. Mindset by Carol Dweck

One of my favorite books on how to cultivate a growth mindset at any age, in any situation. If you’ve been seeking a way to get unstuck in your beliefs, start with this book

3. The Me I Want To Be by John Ortberg

An all time favorite of mine, this book can be read over and over again. It’s inspirational in it’s message that we can truly be who we were meant to be.

4. Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

Another all-time favorite; I believe I read this one twice this year. The practice of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation has gained a lot of popularity of late, but the discipline is thousands of years old. Learning to calm our minds can help us respond instead of react; and reminds us that we always have choices.

5. Retire Inspired by Chris Hogan

I was just introduced to Chris Hogan’s work this year and this book is great! It’s the perfect primer for anyone just starting to learn about retirement (no matter what your age is). He writes in a clear, easy to understand manner that de-mystifies the financials that turn many people away from saving for their future.

6. Learning How to Learn: A Guide for Kids and Teens by Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski

I first learned of Barbara’s work through the Coursera course, Learning How to Learn. That course is designed for adults, as is the accompanying course text, A Mind for Numbers. I loved the concepts of how we can rewire our brains to learn those things hardest for us to learn, so when I discovered she’d also written about her research in terms kids and teens could use I was thrilled!

7. Presence by Amy Cuddy

Amy’s work helps us learn how to be present in those high-pressure moments that matter greatly, such as a presentation or a job interview. Moments when, if we’re not present, we could be sabotaging ourselves by being consumed by fear and worry rather than bringing forth the best of ourselves (skills, experience, knowledge, etc) in a manner that responds to what is truly going on rather than what we think is going on.

8. Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle

In the midst of the digital age we’ve lost our ability to sit face-to-face and converse with fellow human beings in a civil and prodctive way. Children today have less empathy because they don’t have the same amount of experience reading other’s non-verbal cues; we hide behind our ability to post whatever we want on social media and in doing so are more willing to be hurtful; as a society have we lost our appreciation for privacy of thought? The relationship between technology and human relationships is explored in detail – well worth the read.

9. Loaded: Money, Psychology, and How to Get Ahead without Leaving Your Values Behind by Sarah Newcomb

This has become a go-to resource for me as I help clients navigate their personal finance landscape. If you suspect you have beliefs about money that are not helpful to you, check out this book and rewrite your narrative! Your future self will thank you.

10. Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney

Ahhh, the lost art of self-control. A timely review on willpower, a strength that many would call a virtue, this book helps us consider how to harness and cultivate self-control in pursuit of any goal.

11. Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality by Dr. Henry Cloud

Dr. Cloud is a psychologist, leadership coach and consultant who works closely with many business leaders. This book focuses on how character helps leaders succeed and that anyone can develop the skills of integrity that allow them to connect with others, stay grounded in reality, and recognize the interconnectedness of people and systems.

12. Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud

While Integrity has a heavy focus on business, Boundaries is more about life in general. It’s applicable to ourselves, family, friends and work relationships. Unhealthy boundaries create unhealthy relationships. Boundaries are all about learning how and when to say yes as well as no.