This week’s Monday Contest celebrates books to make you better—better at breaking (or making) habits; better at being healthy; better at being happy in the face of uncertainty.
The three books are funny, interesting and inspiring. They’d make perfect gifts for graduates, or great reads for anyone who needs a little pep talk:
A.J. Jacobs is the best-selling author of The Year of Living Biblically and The Know-It-All. In his latest book, Drop Dead Healthy, he goes on a quest for “bodily perfection.” His hilarious journey will make you crack up and maybe even change the way you live. Read a funny hand-written Q&A with Jacobs here.
Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit pulls back the curtain on some of our most mystifying behaviors—and reveals how we can change them. Read more in a Q&A with the author.
10½ Things No Commencement Speaker Has Ever Said by Charles Wheelan contains some of the best, most straight-forward commencement advice I’ve ever heard. The book is taken from Wheelan’s 2011 speech at Dartmouth College and is filled with humor and genuinely helpful suggestions.
Want these books? Here’s how you can enter to win . . .
TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the title of a book that has helped you improve your life.
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, May 25. The winner will receive the three books listed above. Prize must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
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ETA: Congratulations to Marcia, who enjoyed How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer.
Thanks to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
When bad things happen to good people.
The Last Lecture.
Blessings by Laura Story
actually-I just got done reading “A Natural Woman” by Carole King. Her memoirs have inspired me to take a look at my own life-and I was pondering how my own memoirs would look if I were to write them….
Around the Year with Emmet Fox
I have read many, but THIS is the book that is stating how we all should be living our lives–in no uncertain terms.
Debt Free Forever by Gail Vaz-Oxlade…changed the way I think about and deal with debt.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer. Fascinating information about our brains.
The Bible
The Power of a Positive Mom
honestly I can only think of the Bible when asked to pick just one book..but there was an eye opening book by Jonathan Kozol about the inequality of US education which really impacted me..
The Bible
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.
This is How by Augusten Burroughs. Fantastic “self-help” book. Puts any other book on life to shame.
The book My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock made me think about conquering fears. I also was happy to learn so much about the amazing woman that Elanor Roosevelt was.
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Simple Abundance and Peace and Plenty by Sarah ban Breathnach.
How to Make Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way
The Handmaid’s Tale pushed me head first into feminism, which changed how I see and interact with the world.
Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox
All of the books I have ready have touched or inspiried me in some way!
Eugene Peterson’s The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language
The Last Lecture
Can’t think of one. I obviously could use some inspiration. I know that many books have inspired me but at the moment my mind is blank!
the last lecture helped me thru a tough patch
The City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre
Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Albom. Wonderful and emotional.
If I hadn’t already posted a title, my second choice was Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith, which I found very moving and inspirational!
The Book of Mormon
The Whole Earth Catalogue, from a very long time ago, back when I was a hippie and I learned I could make good things to eat that didn’t come from a package (or an animal!), that I could make good things to wear, that I could make a good life and take the time to enjoy the journey. And I have.
Cool!
“Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds” by Cynthia Gabriel.
Because I’m having a baby!
It’s a very informative, empowering read.
“The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale.
BOUNDARIES, Dr. Henry Cloud It sure helped show me when to tell someone no and not feel guilty and how to keep people from running over you. It’s okay to stand your ground!
Fear the Fear and Do It Anyway! by Susan Jeffers.
The Last Lecture
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Thanks.
The Bible – it changed my life forever.
Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach
A terrific trio! As a young boy I read Profiles In Courage. If I had a nickel for everytime I thought of that book……….anybody got a math book! anybody?
The Last Lecture
The Bible
I would say the Bible, the Happiness Porject and Captivating. I would like to win Aj Jacobs book!
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott has helped me out the most. I always tell myself, “Bird by bird.”
Drew Bree’s book, Coming Back Stronger, made a strong impact on me. The effort involved in his rehabilitation with absolutely no guarantee of ever being able to play again was a lesson in giving 100% of oneself in everything one does.
Have a little faith by Mitch Albom
Definitely THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN! I read this after loosing my son and it made me think about where he was and that he wasn’t alone. The impact of the book still affects me daily.
Tuesdays with Morrie
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Eat,pray,love
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
The Bible, that’s the book for me! I also liked The Last Lecture!