Good book recommendations are always welcomed by book lovers but this book recommendation will intrigue even those who find it hard to finish a book.
There’s nothing better than a good book that absorbs me into its world. Allowing me to escape the mundanity of everyday life and discover something that would otherwise be difficult to understand or simply out of reach.
For example, a worthy fiction is a story that adds wisdom to my life. The wisdom that I would not have gained given my life’s circumstances.
For me, to read another’s story is to walk in their shoes, to empathize, and take benefit from their life lessons.
As it’s known, it’s from intelligence to learn from the mistakes of others, meaning I save myself the trouble of committing the same mistakes to learn similar lessons.
I’ve enjoyed my share of novels/ fiction and as I mentioned, a good story can bring many benefits. But right now I find myself more enthralled by non-fiction. I cannot get enough of all the mind-blowing information, interesting facts/research on human behavior, society, relationship…etc
What took me from one book to another, is the powerful impact it has on my personality and thought process. And overall understanding of myself and the world around me.
The changes it brings to me are astonishing. Such that I am motivated to continue reading and become better than I was before I read a book.
Anyway, I can go on about my love of books, so here are 5 powerful book recommendations to increase one’s self-awareness. They have changed me and my approach to living for the better.
Thankfully, I can confidently say I am a better person than I was before reading these books.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I hope you will enjoy reading these books as much as I have, and that it will benefit you more than it has benefitted me.
An easy must-read comprehensive guide to nutrition, how the body works, supported with up-to-date science.
This was important for me as I find myself bombarded with different/ contradicting information on health on a daily basis from people/media and of course who can ignore the internet.
I enjoyed how it is very informative and instructive. I gained control over my health after learning what my body needs for optimal health.
The best part being that it was all doable at home by myself and cost-free.
It also includes good insight into the world of supplements, which ones we may really need today, and which ones we can do away with and still be healthy in today’s world.
Overall the book is full of great actionable information, advice, and insights for a healthier you, all in one place.
As it’s a big book, my advice would be, if you can’t read it all, read what is relative to you right now, or what you find interesting.
Honestly, I did that too, to begin with, but soon enough I had read it all without struggle.
A very informative book, on the topic of hormones, women’s biology and how that plays a large but unappreciated role in women’s brains, bodies and emotions throughout life.
Lots of science to back up their points, but what makes this book highly valuable and effective is the recommended NURSE program.
Which stands for (Nutrition, Understanding, Rest & Relaxation, Spirituality, and Exercise). I love their suggestions/self-care advice because this is where the control is and our efforts are not pointless.
Rather it’s here that we make the difference regardless of our biology; meaning we are not limited or restricted by how our hormones make us feel or how our menstrual cycle affects our bodies.
Thankfully this gives us back some control when we feel our most vulnerable.
A great source of information for all women, in my opinion.
And not just women who are troubled with mental health issues, etc because I truly believe every man and women, mother and father need to know about the powerful role that hormones/ biology plays on women’s physical and mental health.
We should all know this much about half of the members of our society.
My favorite take away from the book is that I realized am not crazy, am not abnormal and it’s not always my fault or under my control when I feel something and I don’t understand why, or when I want to cry and I don’t know why! It’s all the hormones and my monthly cycles and then pregnancy and then someday, it will be my menopause.
It can be a little too sciency at times but that’s easily ignorable if it’s not your cup of tea.
Overall a valuable book to understand our bodies better. And how we can use the self-care NURSE program to regulate our moods and symptoms through different stages of life.
3- The Temperament God Gave You by Art & Laraine Bennett
This is one of the best books out there on the overlooked, very important topic of temperaments/ personality. Many may even suggest that temperaments are not a valid source of information to understand human behavior/personality traits etc. This could not be further from the truth.
Yes, I agree that it’s not the only source for understanding human personality.
But there’s no denying that we are all born differently even before we have been influenced by any social or religious factors.
Temperaments simply get to a much deeper understanding of human nature than the very popular Myers-Briggs personality test and the four basic personality types it provides.
Easy read, well written, and structured, with detailed descriptions on the four temperaments; choleric (Type A), melancholic (picky), sanguine (salesman), and phlegmatic (couch potato).
The best part yet is the very detailed questionnaire at the end of the book to find what two temperaments you primarily fall into and understand yourself better. Trust me, you’ll find yourself relieved that it all makes sense when you discover your temperaments.
Another reason I enjoyed the book is that it is fully packed with tips/advice on how to balance your temperament. Because all temperaments have strengths and weaknesses.
For example, someone who is sanguine is very positive and happy go lucky.
This sounds great but a common weakness is that they can’t focus for too long and get distracted easily by something more interesting.
So it’s very important to know both sides to balance the temperaments and become more wholesome.
Lastly, the book has great advice on managing our relationships with parents, spouses, and friends, who all have different temperaments to our own.
DISCLAIMER- The book is written by two passionate Catholics, and they refer back to their faith and seek refuge in their beliefs in some parts of the book.
Personally for me, being from a different faith altogether, I still benefited a lot from their research on the topic that is unrelated to their faith and took their advice/ tips generally as it was intended. Regardless of their reference to their sacred texts, etc.
The whole book in theory and practice is beneficial and actionable for people of all faith backgrounds.
4- Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman
An amazing easy read on how emotional intelligence is more important than IQ.
An eye-opener on the topic of EQ (emotional intelligence); for too long now, our views on human intelligence and success have been skewed.
I always knew that success is not limited to being rich.
I didn’t have to look too far to see that people had plenty in their banks but not much in their hearts, or their homes. They have broken relationships, terrible marriages, children who were disconnected from them…and their money couldn’t help them bring hearts together or fill the void in their homes.
It is our emotional intelligence that plays a big role in our thinking, decision-making, how we handle relationships, and success. And this is the book that proves that!
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy, and social deftness: all are qualities that mark people who excel, whose relationships flourish, who can navigate difficult conversations, who become stars in the workplace.
Daniel Goleman
Highly recommended for all, interesting throughout, a quick way to boost your EQ; understand yourself and others and why someone may be the way they are a bit better.
When we understand ourselves more and how humans work and reflect their emotions, it makes it easier to be empathetic.
And allows us room to be human, make mistakes, have blemishes.
And learn to help ourselves and others make those mistakes our strengths instead of weaknesses.
With plenty of science to back up his idea, this book is a must-read whether you are interested in brain science or not, you’ll benefit either way.
5- Reclaim Your Heart: Personal Insights on breaking free from life’s shackles by Yasmin Mogahed
Brilliantly written, easy(short) to read book packed with insights and timeless wisdom on love, loss, happiness, and pain.
Rightfully named, the book gives you inspiration and perspective to take back what’s completely yours and only you should command it; your heart.
This book took me on a journey (as the author intended).
It unraveled the contents of my heart to me.
Allowed me to dig deeper into my thoughts and feelings. To accept the good and the ugly, and happily move forward with it all.
This was truly when I found self-acceptance and love.
I learned that respect is the highest form of love I owe myself.
Only when I respect who I am/ how I look, and what my circumstances are in life can I become whole and happy.
It is a great book to read regardless of your faith; the author is a passionate Muslim and refers back to her faith throughout the book.
But I really believe that this book contains timeless wisdom and spiritual insights for readers of all faiths. Who are hoping to bring acceptance, kindness, and renewal to their hearts.
HOLISTIC MUSLIMAH
