My 2022 READING LIST

As I’ve shared in previous blog posts, I like to keep annual lists of all the books I read throughout the year- partly to keep track of so many good reads but also to inspire myself to read more each year. 

Every January Matt and I do an intention setting date night and “how many books do you want to read” is something we attach a goal to. I was a bit ambitious for 2022 based on my stellar 18 book record from 2021 (this was prime quarantine time and I was a reallyyyyy dedicated reader based on our gym being closed so many times lol). My goal for 2022 was 20 books and I came in 50% short with only 10. C’est la vie!

I wasn’t always a book lover, let me tell you (my dad used to remind me of that lol).

Ever since I took my Personal Development + Growth journey more seriously 5 years ago, books have been my preferred tool followed by podcasts and, of course, live events.

It’s amazing what knowledge, tips + tricks you can soak up from a quality read that stretches your mind.
FUN FACT: I also love to highlight (pink is my #1 choice) key learnings + quotes in my books!

I love connecting with so many of you about what I’m currently reading + what’s next on my book shelf.
My girlfriends and I are also thinking it’s time to bring back our book (wine) club.
Anyone else a book club gal?

Well, let’s get to it shall we?

You’ll notice in all the photos… I really love reading by the water…

The Everyday Hero Manifesto: First book of 2022 coming in HOT! I love Robin Sharma, I think he has a lot of powerful and actionable lessons in his different books. This book was a bit of a biggie and not necessarily my favorite of his but it had some great nuggets. I really enjoyed the focus on maximizing your positivity + productivity- very much my vibe. If you’re new to reading Robin Sharma, I would recommend starting with the Greatness Guide 1 + 2- those are some of my favorites of his!

Building a Story Brand: LOVED THIS BOOK! This was a recommendation from my friend + mentor, Lindsey Schwartz. This book is super powerful for business owners, brand builders + story tellers. Let’s just say I used my (pink) highlighter A LOT in this book. I really loved it and can’t recommend it enough for someone who is looking to do big things with their brand and business!
* add to cart *

This Is How You Heal: I’m all about honesty here, and also safe to say vulnerability, especially when it comes to my personal experiences with loss, trauma + grief. This book really jumped out at me and I really enjoyed it. I also think it would be a great recommendation for anyone that has gone through a tough breakup (or perhaps in the midst of) or even a friendship break up. Make no mistake- those are really emotionally challenging. I’ve not yet read Brianna Wiest’s other popular book, 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think, but that will most definitely be on this year’s list!

Where the Crawdads Sing: OMG YOU GUYS. This book was SO good! Matt and I both read this together on our summer trip to Portugal and a) I low key loved that (some of you might think we’re nerds but its fine, lol) and b) this book was next level good! I think I read it in 5 days. This was my only fiction book of 2022… oops! But hey, at least it was 10/10 good!
* spoiler alert: the movie didn’t do the book justice, just fyi *

Embrace Abundance: This was a book that came highly recommended from my friend + mentor, Lori Harder and I take her book recos VERY seriously! Danette May is a good friend of Lori’s and looks like an absolute delight of a human/coach/entrepreneur/motivational speaker. I found it to be a light, easy to read book but with powerful nuggets of wisdom + inspiration. The root of the book is to help inspire more self love, better health, more wealth and deeply fulfilling relationships- yes please!

Girl on Fire: Ok so I really love Cara Alwill aka '“the Champagne Diet” because her books give off some seriously HYPE GIRL vibes! She’s a no BS kind of girl that exudes confidence in her writing. She has some powerful messages and her books aren’t crazy long so I always feel really engaged in what she has to say while reading. I feel like this is a great book for anyone who is ready to dive into chasing their dreams OR is at a coasting point where they are getting ready to LEVEL UPPPPP!

On Purpose: This is another book reco from Lori Harder and another goodie! This book really speaks to the ‘busy girl’ (eye roll at this term, I try to avoid using it) lifestlye and how to live life and your career on your own terms. The author, Tanya, touches on areas and innovative exercises that inspires you to create a map to your ideal future, how to move through life with more confidence, how to turn obstacles into opportunities and how to live a more fulfilling life. These words really jumped out at me… “Joy and happiness deserve to have a seat at the table and it's time to pull up a chair for them. If you're ready to start running your life instead of feeling like your life is running you, it's time to live your life On Purpose".” YES PLEASE!!

Spirit Hacking: So quick disclaimer here, this is a bit of a WOO WOO book. I’m here for all the woo woo but I just want to be transparent with you babes, k? One of my besties gifted this to me after she kept talking about living a “pop rocks kind of life!”- I was intruiged. The author, Shaman Durek, is a sixth generation shaman who shares shamanic tips (insert: woo woo vibes) to living a powerful life. I had some key take aways in terms of my grief journey with the loss of my Dad and previously my brother and a not so positive relationship with my Dad’s other daughter (that’s a longggg story lol). So depending on where you are at in your life, relationships and perhaps any trauma you may have experienced, this book could resonate with you.

Best Self: Well it’s safe to say that the title really jumped out at me for this one as I feel like I’m always on a quest to be my BEST SELF! This book resonated with me so-so, however I did really like his seven SPHERES of life he wrote about: social, personal, health, education, relationships, employment + spiritual development. It’s a great book that can assist in inspiring change, so depending on where you are at in your personal growth efforts, this book could really resonate with you.

What I Know For Sure: Awww Oprah, such a gem. I read this book for the first time a few years and feel like its a great one to keep close and revisit every few years. It’s also a very aesthetically pleasing book that makes a great gift- I’ve loved gifting this to a bestie or to my mom/mother in law. It’s a really lovely, easy to read book that you can pick up whenever you want a dose of some good life lessons from the one and only Oprah. Highly recommend for your collection AND to gift to someone you love.