Woman Wrapping Christmas Gifts. Image from apartmenttherapy.com

Top Ten Books To Gift Yourself This Holiday Season

The New Year is here, which means it’s resolution season! It is customary for us to sit down and create a long list of resolutions for the upcoming year. Were you able to accomplish your goal? If not, don’t worry! 2023 is just around the corner! This year, in particular, I committed myself to read more, and I have done pretty well. Throughout the process, I’ve picked up a few books I think will be worth reading. Looking for an excellent book to read? I’ve got you covered. Here are my top ten books to gift yourself this holiday season. 

Finding Me by Viola Davis

This year’s most rewarding book I’ve read was Viola Davis’s New York Times Best Seller Finding Me. If you’re looking for a book to inspire you, this is the one. I must admit I wasn’t prepared for Viola Davis’s story. Therefore, you might want to get your tissues ready because you may cry as she takes you on a journey of her childhood and her quest to find the true essence that transformed her into the woman she is today. Taking you through the journey of a true “hero,” Viola Davis’ Memoir will show her humble beginnings in Rhode Island to the present day.  Viola Davis's book entitled Finding me. Image via

 

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Would you like to break some bad habits and build some new ones? I highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear. Rated #1 by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Audible. This book is not only a fascinating read, but it is also a practical guide to help you form healthy habits. There’s this ideology of getting 1% better every day that I believe is genius. It is common to focus on turning our lives around quickly. We want results fast, but the results never come. We crash, lose motivation, and develop bad habits. If we focus on improving by 1% each day, eventually, we will see the results we were always looking for. 

James Clear's book entitled Atomic Habits. Image via jamesclear.com

 

 

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

As our forever First Lady, Michelle Obama’s new book The Light We Carry deserves to be added to this list. The New York Times and USA Today’s best-selling book emphasizes the importance of building honest relationships with the ability to ask honest questions. The book also emphasizes finding your own light, feeling empowered, and following your passions and needs. Some have described her book as a self-help guide and a road map to overcoming self-doubt. In addition to a few more appearances, Michelle Obama will continue her tour for her newly released book in the coming months if you’d like to catch her live in action.

Michelle Obama's book entitled The Light We Carry. Image via penguinrandomhouse.com

 

The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban

We are in strange times, and it is essential to make sure we focus on our mental health. Melissa Urban’s book entitled The Book of Boundaries: Set The Limits That Will Set You Free will offer a guide to a healthy mental state. Melissa Urban’s book contains more than 130 scripts that will inspire you to set idealistic boundaries. Overall, the objective is to improve your productivity and energy to produce healthier relationships. This is the perfect book to set your year off right, establishing much-needed boundaries between family and friends.

The Book of boundaries by Melisa Urban. Image via booktopia.com

 

She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson

Quinta’s rise to fame was undoubtedly not an overnight success. Quinta Brunson’s hit shows Abbott Elementary has a star-studded cast and a spectacular storyline that will have you hooked. Including her book, She Memes Well, on our favorites list is only fitting. The book presents a collection of essays that discuss how difficult it can be to survive while broke. The book addresses Qunita’s struggle with overcoming self-doubt and depression but manages to illustrate these difficult topics humorously. This Philly native has definitely come a long way, and I am inspired by her journey. 

Quinta Brunson's book, She Memes Well via buzzfeed.com

 

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck is a bold, daring, and, need I say, confident approach to doing the things that drive you regardless of what others say. Mark Manson authored this book from his humble beginnings of blogging, which has become the #1 best-selling book in the New York Times. An adventurous approach to life. Despite the unconventional nature of Manson’s approach to life, it has proven to be rewarding. Based on the American standard of courtesy, the book emphasizes the diluted rhetoric of life and the over-gratification of being liked or not coming off rude. Through experience and academic research, he has concluded the realism of being flawed and advises you to be aware of what hinders you.

Mark Mansons The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Image via applebooks.com

 

You Made A Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

For my Romance Novel Enthusiasts, please don’t think I forgot about yall! Akwaeke Emezi’s body of work alone has landed her as one of the New York Times best-selling authors and a National Book Award finalist. Her new romantic novel You Made A Fool of Death with Your Beauty tells the story of a young woman who finds joy while learning to heal from sudden loss. Feyi Adekola’s life takes a turn after the loss of her lover. Fast forward five years and she eases back into the dating scene with the help of her best friend, Joy. As she explores a new version of herself filled with romantic relationships and new adventures, Feyi is searching for her true self. 

You Made Fool of Death with your beauty by Akwaeki Emezi via Akwaek Emezi's instagram account

 

Feeding The Soul by Tabetha Brown

Tabetha Brown swept the hearts of many during the spike of Covid-19 when we were all locked away for what would seem to be forever. During one of the darkest times in America’s history, Tabitha brought hope by sharing her delicious vegan recipes with a hint of wisdom. In the book, Tabetha shares details of her journey, expounding on the importance of practicing self-kindness for themselves and others. Tabitha emphasizes her love for her family and her struggle with an autoimmune disease that she believed would prevent her from living a full life. Her story is inspiring, and her spirit is beyond description.

Tabatha Brown's book entitled Feeding The Soul. Image via Tabitha Browns Instagram account

 

 

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Image via goodbooks.io

If you’re like me, your face was glued to the television when Jennette McCurdy explained her relationship with her mother and the tragedies of her career. The more I learned about her life behind Nickelodeon, the more captivated I became.  Not for the stories but to know how she overcame her situation. McCurdy’s New York Times Bestseller is a memoir based on her one-woman show detailing her life as a child actress in the spotlight, detailing her addictions and her challenging relationship with her mother. Though her story may be sad, McCurdy does a great job of keeping the story alive with a hint of dark humor. A story of her kind can leave anyone speechless. 

 

Think Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Have you ever wondered how others think and operate in their daily lives? Daniel Kahneman concludes in his book Think Fast and Slow that there are two systems that determine how a person thinks. The first is fast, intuitive, and emotional; the second is slower, deliberate, and logical. Kahneman describes our behavioral rhythms when experiencing loss or triumph within these two systems. He explains how your thoughts affect your home and your interaction with others. While most people can’t tell the difference between the two, understanding both systems allows you to work well with others. Additionally, he teaches us to be cautious when we trust our intuition. When you think slowly, your outcomes are significantly different. 

Daniel Kahneman's book, Think Fast and Slow. Image via sciencefiction.agency

As I strive to gain a deeper understanding of life, love, and other topics, I must read a lot. This Christmas season is breaking the bank, so I hope one of these books can help me get a better handle on spending my money. Nevertheless, who says you can’t enjoy a treat for yourself? In this case, you’re investing, and I’m here to support you! 

 

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