Books to Read in 2018

I’m one of those girls who keeps a book close by to pull out of my purse in a waiting room or in a coffee shop. My nightstand has them stacked high and I have drawers full of books. I’m such an advocate for reading because it changed the dynamic of my life. Reading is something that will expand the way you think, take you places your feet never would’ve and teach you things you would’ve otherwise gone without knowing. Books aided me in my own self discovery, they mended my broken heart, and gave me the courage to go after the life I wanted for myself. There’s so much to be discovered between the pages of a good book, so in 2018 I’m challenging myself and you guys if you’d like to join, to one book a month.

Here are the books I’ve picked up and are planning to read, or reread because they’re that good.

Self Made

I read this book in one sitting on a plane ride headed to visit Christina in LA – that’s how good it was. I even got emotional at one point in the book because I related to her passion so closely. Nely Galan is a Cuban immigrant who went from being the minority, to being the boss. What I enjoyed most about her book was that she gave real step-by-step instructions on what we should be doing, how hard we should be working and how much we should be saving. This book definitely lit a fire under me to do more and get going on the ideas I had in my head.

Leave Your Mark

An oldie but a goodie. A Communications Executive, Aliza Licht, dishes on how to land your dream job, kill it in your career and rock social media. My career’s really important to me, and so is the brand I’ve built for myself so this is a gem I can continually revisit for advice and ideas on how I want to move forward with both. It’s an easy read and definitely worth your time.

Ego is The Enemy

Nate picked this book up recently and after sharing a few excerpts with me I decided to read it myself. Without us even realizing it, our ego holds us back from so much. It stands between us and who we really are, our success, and who we have the potential to become. This was an eye opening read that revealed some of my flaws that I had not yet recognized. If you’re looking to shed layers you no longer need, this book is for you!

When Breath Becomes Air

This book brought me to tears. At 36 a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi, went diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. He takes you through his journey of going from treating the dying, to fighting to live. A book that will truly change the way you think and open up your eyes to the blessings in everyday.

The Last Black Unicorn

I fell in love with Tiffany Haddish after watching Girls Trip and tuned into everything she appeared on after that. But her story is so much deeper than her being talented. Tiffany grew up in foster care in South Central Los Angeles and would make people laugh as a route of survival. Her recount of how she came from nothing and nowhere to achieve her dreams by owning, sharing, and using her pain to heal others isn’t just entertaining, it’s incredibly inspiring.

Rich20Something

I read this book over the span of Hurricane Harvey and couldn’t put it down. This book is about forgetting trying to inch your way up a corporate ladder, finding hacks in business and reaching the top your way, on your own time. He also doesn’t just encourage you, he gives you step-by-step instructions to turn your passion into a full-fledged business. A great read for those wanting to do more than go to a job 5 days a week.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

This book was gifted to me when I was a junior in college by an entrepreneur who also happened to be a good friend. It was one of the best gifts I’d received. It teaches you what makes great leaders and how to become one. The timing of the book was perfect, since I was getting ready to step out into the “real world”. I can truly say that this book helped me be a leader in my environment regardless of my age. Leadership is a characteristic, not something you qualify for. If you learn the laws of leadership, people will follow.

The Sun and Her Flowers

I’m a huge fan of Rupi Kaur and admire her transparency so much. Her first book, Milk and Honey took me on a roller coaster of emotions but also reminded me how strong and powerful I was. I expected nothing less from The Sun and Her Flowers. This book personifies how we grow, wilt and bloom as people and is just as poetic as her first book. A must-read!

You are a Bad Ass with Money

Believe it or not, I keep a mini-version of You Are a Badass in my purse to pull out in times of need. It’s straight to the point, an easy read and hits you right where you need it. I recently listened to a Podcast with the author, Jen Sincero, and I fell even more in love with her candid, no-filter, inspiring attitude. If You Are a Bad Ass with Money is as impactful as You Are a Bad Ass, I’ll be incredibly pleased with the read.

Which books do you guys have on your list? Share below which books are worth an additional read!

2018 Book Choices