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Life is a journey that consists of a series of moments where we have to choose our own adventure. Just when you think you have seen it all, life surprises you with something new. That’s why I believe in the importance of continuous education. One of the best ways to ensure ongoing growth is to read books on personal development and health. As the season changes and Spring is here, it’s time for me to create a new list of books to read or listen to. Here is my Spring books’ must-read list for personal growth.
Before I share my list, I want to give a bit of context about where I am mentally in this season of life. This year, I am officially entering midlife! Wow, it hurts a little to put this in writing. Mostly because I don’t feel “midlife”. I feel young and I want to continue to feel this way. I want my body to be as healthy as possible as well as my mind. It is important to me not to settle in my ways. I want to be and appear sharp to those around me.
Therefore, I decided to break by Spring books’ recommendations into two categories: health and self-improvement.
Come back around July 2024 to read my reviews of these Spring books which I will link here.
Spring books recommendation
Health books
Clean(ish) by Gin Stephens
Gin Stephens, the best-selling author well known for her books about intermittent fasting, published Clean(ish) in January of 2022. The main idea of the book appears to be learning how to eat mostly clean and live mainly clean to allow your body to perform optimally. She emphasizes the importance of not aiming for perfection. She provides suggestions on how to start with small changes that can lead the way to big improvements. In this world of confusing and conflicting health information, learn the facts for yourself and discover how to live clean(ish).
Outlive by Peter Attia
This #1 New York Times bestseller book is about understanding the science and art of longevity. Dr Peter Attia is a reputable Doctor with a degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. In this book, recently published in March of 2023, he tells you what to do and teaches you how to think about your long-term health to create the best plan for yourself.
Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspe
In this book, author Jessie Inchauspe attempts to translate cutting-edge science into easy tips to help people improve their lives and health outcomes. She is a French biochemist with real credentials that make her a well-respected author on the topic. Too much glucose can have major impacts on your health and well-being from poor sleep, cravings, low energy, and weight management issues. Because 90% of adults suffer from too much glucose in our system, this book can be an incredible tool to help you reach better health outcomes.
Self-Improvement books
100 Ways to Change Your Life by Liz Moody
In October of 2023, Liz Moody published this book which is filled with 100 profound insights and 100 powerful actions to take your life to the next level. This book is the result of thousands of hours of interviews with fifty world-class experts. It touches on a variety of topics including health, finances, relationships, and more. You have the option to read the entire book at once or take it in bite-size pieces learning a new tip each day.
The power of self-discipline by Peter Hollens
I am really curious to read this book which focuses on giving you tools to make willpower automatic and second nature. Author Peter Hollins who is a human psychology researcher, helps you gain self-awareness and teaches you practical methods to gain better self-control. In this 2021 book, he speaks of the 5-step cycle of laziness and more importantly, how to break it.
The Power Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
These two best-selling authors are back with a brilliant new book and a mission to reclaim power for women. They interviewed dozens of women to offer a different perspective of what modern power for women looks like. They redefine power not only in terms of hierarchy but in terms of purpose. The book shows you how to use your unique powers and uncover hidden powers to create less ego, and more joy, and maximize your impact on the world around you.
Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima
Worthy teaches you how to believe you are enough and transform your life. Author Jamie Kern Lima explains that in life, you don’t rise to what you believe is possible but rather fall to what you believe you are worthy of. In this book, she explains how to transform your beliefs by understanding what holds you back, unlearning lies about yourself, overcoming limiting beliefs, and much much more. If you choose to add this book to your Spring books list, you will need to wait for its anticipated release in February 2024.
Rise of the Reader by Nick Hutchison
This recently published (November 2023) book offers strategies for mastering what you are reading and applying what you learn. What a fantastic concept. How many times have you read a great self-improvement book only to finish it and realize that you changed nothing in your life? Author Nick Hutchison is the founder of the popular book review site BookThinkers. He’s read hundreds of books but realized that implementing their learning was much harder. As a result, he developed an easy-to-follow framework to help you retain the knowledge and provides 100 habits to implement what you are learning.
Think faster, talk smarter by Matt Abrahams
So many of us have public speaking or spontaneous speaking anxiety. I know that I do. In this book, author Matt Abrahams provides tangible and actionable skills to help even the most anxious speakers. His approach is science-based and includes teaching you how to read and respond to the mood in the room, making your statements concise, relevant, and compelling. If this is an area of improvement for you, I recommend grabbing this 2023 book from Stanford lecturer and communication expert Matt Abrahams.
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
It is a fact. Our ability to pay attention is collapsing fast. The attention span of a teenager is only sixty-five seconds while most adult workers average 3 minutes. What a scary thought. In this book, author Johann Hari shares the findings of many discussions he’s had to uncover the root cause and help us reclaim our focus.
In conclusion
I have found that one of the best ways to ensure we focus on self-improvement is to create a seasonal list of books to read about topics that are interesting to me. I hope that seeing my 2024 Spring books list gave you good ideas of books to add to your list.
Please come back around July of 2024 to read my reviews of these 10 promising health and self-improvement books.
Cat xx