5 Books You Simply Must Read!

In my last post I told you that this week I would be sharing with you, the top 5 books I read in 2020.

When something is good or you have a good find you want to share it with others, don’t you? So, I want to recommend to you my readers, what I found to be the 5 most impactful books I read in 2020.  Here they are. They are not listed in any particular order, since I found them all to be equally great.

Aspire: Discovering your Purpose Through the Power of Words by Kevin Hall

Kevin Hall explored the deep meaning of eleven words which when properly understood and practiced can help you to become your best self.

He explains the etymology of the word. He includes related words and illustrates how they are related.  Inspiring anecdotes demonstrate the power of each word in the lives of several individuals.

At the end of each chapter there is a journal thought on the specific word and a prompt for the reader to act on. For example, when he teaches about the word inspire which literally means to breathe into; he prompts the reader to identify and honor someone who inspires them by reaching out to the person, teaching them the word and telling them why he or she personifies this word.

This book was just so good; I gobbled it all up in one weekend. I also still return to parts of it from time to time for reference and inspiration.

Don’t Keep Your Day Job: How to Turn your Passion into your Career by Cathy Heller

This book is based on a podcast by the same name. What I loved about it is the real life examples of persons who managed to turn their passions into careers as well as its encouragement to find your true purpose in life and do what you love.

Cathy Heller also offers valuable and practical advice on how to build your side hustle. One of my earliest reads, this book really inspired and encouraged me; especially when I was going through a difficult time at my 9 to 5. While I had thought about starting a blog for a while, Cathy Heller’s book gave me the extra encouragement I needed to do so.

The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success by Lydia Fenet

This is a fantastic book which I totally enjoyed reading. It identifies 13 traits of the most powerful woman in the room, (who is you by the way😊). These traits include; exudes confidence, inspires others and leads by example, is only as good as her word and evolves, innovates and connects.

Establishing herself as a managing director and lead benefit auctioneer for Christie’s Auction House while managing a home and family; Lydia Fenet tells of how she got started in the male dominated career, negotiated for her promotion and a remuneration package based on market standards and equal to that of her male counterparts, pitched the idea and succeeded in getting her company to develop an entirely new department which she heads and how she developed her signature strike method.

My favorite take away is the strike method. Your strike method is basically your signature move. The move which commands the attention of your audience. Lydia’s was striking the podium loudly with her gavel each time she was about to begin an auction. Your specific strike method would depend of course, on your field of business and your target audience.

The end of each chapter features a successful and powerful woman in her chosen field sharing her thoughts on the particular trait being discussed.

Battlefield of the mind by Joyce Myer

This book was gifted to me by my mother in 2017. I never got around to reading it until 2020. Everything happens in the right time. I was most likely not ready to receive the message this book has to offer. In 2017, it was not yet time for me to read this book.

I found so much value and encouragement while reading Battlefield of the mind. Joyce Myer explains that feelings such as worry, doubt, anger, confusion and depression are all attacks on the mind. She discusses the importance of the mind, the conditions of the mind and various wilderness mentalities.

She offers encouragement, suggestions for dealing with this battle and lots of scriptural references. Joyce shares some of her own struggles with the very battle for her mind through various trials and tragedies in her life.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 AMPC.

I believe that battles are fought and won or loss in the mind first. It all begins in the mind. If you are challenged with self-doubt, negative self-talk and fear, you should give this book a read.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Just Mercy chronicles the true story of Walter Macmillan, a young black man who was sentenced to die for the murder of a young white woman. A crime which he did not commit.

Bryan Stevenson fought his case and eventually won. The book also tells of other cases fought by Stevenson through his organization, EJI. Not all of them were successful though.

Equal Justice Initiative, is a nonprofit law office in Montgomery, Alabama. Bryan Stevenson and his team have taken on the tireless battle of defending the poor, the incarcerated, and the wrongly condemned.

Just Mercy was gut wrenching and heartbreaking to read at times; but hope could also be found in the fact that there are persons working hard to defend those who were wrongly incarcerated because of their color and socioeconomic status and who can do nothing to help themselves. God is a God who loves justice and mercy, so I strongly believe that Bryan Stevenson and his team are doing God’s work, by defending the poor and helpless.

My favorite quote from this book is, “each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

Wrapping it up…

So there you have it my friends, the 5 most impactful books I read in 2020. If you have not yet read any of these books why not check them out and let me know what you think. If you have already read any of these, why not tell me in the comments what you loved about them or what was your biggest take away. I would really appreciate hearing from you.

Have you read any good books lately that you would like to recommend to me? Or do you have any books on your reading list for 2021 that you would like us to read together? Why not tell me about it?

Thank you as always for taking the time to visit and read my blog. 😊 Until next time ~ Namaste🙏