Dealing with Chicago’s bitter cold winters tends to quickly make me embrace a hermit lifestyle. During that time, I catch up on my Netflix favs and some much needed R&RR (Rest & Relaxing Reading).
As I reflect on my teen years, I remember how much enjoyment I got out of reading. I always loved inhaling the smell of a fresh book while tantalizing my imagination with each word. I took reading to new levels when I joined a book club that allowed me to get an abundance of books for a bargain (say that five times).
Once I reached adulthood, I allowed my commitment to reading diminish. Life’s challenges got in the way of creatively challenging my mind. Although I fell off, I’ve quickly picked up my book worm tendencies. Lately I’ve been bulking up my Kindle with motivational and inspiring reads for the winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder increases my frustrations ; so I choose books that can serve as my visual medicine.
I wanted to share with you my winter reading list. I have some titles to recommend to you that I have read and love, and then I have other titles on the list that I am really excited to read next.
Let me know if you guys have read any of the books on my list, or if you have other recommendations for me! I would love to know!
Xo,
Nekia
-BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ & LOVE-
Hollywood Commandments: A Spiritual Guide To Secular Success by Devon Franklin
I received this e-book, from my friend Devon E, as a gift and couldn’t put it down. This book spoke to me on so many levels. It gave me the spark I needed to keep pushing forward in my career and made me explore other talents within.
DeVon Franklin, New York Times bestselling author of The Wait and prominent Hollywood producer, reveals that secular and spiritual success are not opposites. To have one, you need the other. (Source: Amazon)
This is definietly a 5 star read! I highly recommend this book if you need to boost your motivation.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is a book that can be read all year round. I purchased and read it a few years ago but I love re-reading it frequently to get a different perspective.
Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago’s journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams. (Source: Amazon)
The Bigamist by Mary Turner Thompson
I discovered this wonderful book in the most unconventional way. I was watching an episode of NBC’s Dateline. The episode uncovered how a man conned several women out of everything. One of his victims decided to write a tell all book about it.
The Bigamist is the shocking true story of how one man manipulated an intelligent, independent woman, conning her out of £200,000 and leaving her to bring up the children he claimed he could never have.
It’s a story we all think could never happen to us, but this shameless con man has been doing the same thing to various other women for at least 27 years, spinning a tangled web of lies and deceit to cover his tracks. (Source: Amazon)
-WHAT’S NEXT ON MY READING LIST-
SOAR!: Build Your Vision From The Ground Up by T.D. Jakes
In SOAR! T.D. Jakes reveals how to build the uniquely personal vision within each of us into our special contribution to the world. Blending the practical business acumen of a successful, global CEO with the dynamic inspiration of a life coach, SOAR! provides the tools needed to ignite our imaginations into action and challenges us to embrace our God-given purpose as we align our character and creativity with our careers. (Source: Amazon)
Every Little Step: My Story by Bobby Brown
Every Little Step is the story of a man who has been on the top of the mountain and in the depths of the valley and who is now finally ready to talk about his career and family life, from the passion and the excess to his creative inspirations and massive musical success. (Source: Amazon)
Julia was a guest speaker at the iCan Collective Conference I went to last year sometime. Her presentation blew me away. I was so impressed, I ended up purchasing a copy of her book before she was even done speaking. Although I haven’t started it yet, it’s definietly on the “to do” list.
“The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sleaze-Free Selling” introduces Julia Kline’s 3-step Sleaze-Free Sales formula. This formula is a step-by-step blueprint to develop an effective, yet heart-centered, sales and marketing strategy for small business.
By reading this book, readers make a profound shift in the way they approach their customers. And by making this shift, they also begin to sell a lot more of products and services. (Source: Amazon)
