There is something exciting about having a stack of books waiting to be read. Some challenge me to think differently, some encourage me to grow, and others offer the perfect opportunity to escape into a good story.
If you read my earlier post about my holiday-season reading list, those books are still part of the plan! This next collection is what I'm looking forward to reading beyond the holidays and carrying into the new year.
I've always enjoyed having two books going at once: one for personal and professional development and another simply for pleasure. I like the balance. One helps me learn, reflect, and grow; the other allows me to unwind, get lost in a story, and enjoy reading without feeling like I need to take notes!
As I continue building Life Skills with Love, I'm also making a conscious effort to invest in myself. I want to strengthen my leadership, communication, confidence, strategic thinking, and ability to turn ideas into action. After all, building something meaningful also means continuing to build the person behind it.
So, here's a look at what's currently on my TBR (To Be Read) list. These are books I've already purchased or have waiting for me on my Kindle. Now I just need to make my way through them!
Reading to Grow: Personal & Professional Development
This next group of books is about expanding my knowledge, challenging my thinking, and developing skills I can apply both personally and professionally.
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever — Michael Bungay Stanier
I'm looking forward to exploring how asking better questions, listening more intentionally, and resisting the urge to always have the answers can make me a stronger leader and mentor. There's a lot here that I can apply to my own growth and the way I approach developing others.
Land Your Message: How to Turn What You Know Into a Message People Understand and Act On — Diane Windingland
This one particularly interests me. Having knowledge and experience is one thing; communicating it in a way that people understand, remember, and act upon is another. I see so many ways to apply this to my personal growth and the messages I share through Life Skills with Love.
Start with Why — Simon Sinek
Revisiting: A reminder to look beyond what we do and understand why we do it. As LSWL continues to develop, I want to remain grounded in its purpose and become even better at communicating that purpose to others.
To Sell Is Human — Daniel Pink
I'm interested in learning more about influence, persuasion, and communicating value. Building an organization also means learning how to get people interested in your vision and helping them recognize its value.
Talk Like TED — Carmine Gallo
Storytelling, public speaking, and delivering memorable messages are skills I want to continue developing. Whether I'm recording a YouTube lesson, speaking with a potential community partner, or presenting an idea, I want my communication to be meaningful and engaging.
I recently finished Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams, and I want to keep building on some of the communication skills and ideas I took away from that book.
Reading for Pleasure: A Little Mystery, Suspense & Escape
Now for the fun part!
My pleasure-reading list leans heavily toward mystery, suspense, and psychological thrillers, with a little lighter reading mixed in. I enjoy a book that keeps me guessing, makes me question what I think I know, and occasionally leaves me wondering what on earth just happened!
Here's what's waiting for me:
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The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle — Stuart Turton: An intriguing murder mystery with an unusual premise. This one sounds like it will keep me thinking.
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Dear Debbie — Freida McFadden: I'm ready for another twisty psychological thriller.
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The New Neighbor — Valerie Keogh: A little domestic suspense sounds like a good addition to the lineup.
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Unspeakable Things — Jess Lourey: This one is on my list for when I'm in the mood for something darker and more unsettling.
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The Intruder — Freida McFadden: More suspense and hopefully a few surprises along the way.
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Run for Your Life — Lucinda Berry: Another thriller waiting for its turn.
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The Last Morning — Camden Baird: One I'm looking forward to exploring.
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The Answer Is No — Fredrik Backman: A change of pace with Backman's distinctive storytelling and observations about people.
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The Pumpkin Spice Café — Laurie Gilmore: A little cozy reading to balance out all the suspense. Sometimes a lighter story is exactly what you need!
A New Year, New Perspectives & Plenty of Pages to Turn
One thing I've learned is that personal growth doesn't have to happen all at once. Sometimes it comes from a conversation, an experience, a new perspective, or a book that makes you stop and think.
As I continue working on Life Skills with Love, I want to keep challenging myself to learn, grow, and explore new ideas. I also want to make sure I continue making time for the things I enjoy.
That's what I love about keeping these two reading lists going together. There's room for both growth and enjoyment, and I don't have to choose one over the other.
I'll be sharing thoughts, favorites, and perhaps a few reviews as I make my way through these books. And who knows? Some of the lessons and ideas I discover along the way may even inspire future conversations or content.
Now I'm curious: What's on your TBR list? Are you reading for personal growth, escaping into a mystery, discovering a new author, or doing a little of everything? I'd love to hear what you're reading and what you think I should add to my list!
Happy reading, and here's to a new year filled with good books, fresh perspectives, and continued growth.
Find My Reading List
Many of the books mentioned here are available through my Amazon storefront. I'll be adding my reading picks there so you can browse the titles and find something for your own TBR list.
Visit my Amazon Storefront
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through links in this post, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my reading journey!
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