Forward Story

A given book is not always valuable to every person. A book that changes my life may bore you or not apply at all. This is why there is a marketplace for all types of writing.

With that disclaimer, I will list books that have made an impact on me and that may well be of help to you as well. This list will grow over the years, so please check back periodically. Also, please share the books that have meant a lot to you. Once I review your recommendation and agree that it is a fit, I will add it to this list.

Character Development

For Adults

 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential by John C. Maxwell

A Touch of Wonder by Arthur Gordon

For Children

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A Symphony of Whales by Steve Schuch

Call It Courage by Armstrong Perry

For Teens

The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens by Sean Covey

Personal Finance

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey

Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money by Rabbi Daniel Lapin

Health & Nutrition

Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health by William Davis, M.D.

Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers by David Perlmutter, M.D.

Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It by Gary Taubes

Relentless Nutrition Action Plan: Break the Diet Cycle, Smash Your Scale, and Take Pride in Your Health by Roger Dickerman

The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet: Activate Your Body’s Natural Ability to Burn Fat and Lose Weight Fast by Mark Hyman, M.D.

Treat Your Own Back 9th Ed (802-9) by Robin A McKenzie

Entrepreneurship & Business

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself by John Jantsch

Maverick: The Success Story Behind the World’s Most Unusual Workplace by Ricardo Semler

The New Power Base Selling: Master The Politics, Create Unexpected Value and Higher Margins, and Outsmart the Competition by Jim Holden

Writing & Art

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Stephen Pressfield

Turning Pro: Tap Your Inner Power and Create Your Life’s Work by Stephen Pressfield

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition by Christopher Vogler

Links to be added later:

• • Story by Robert McKee
  • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
  • The Nutshell Technique by Jill Chamberlain
  • bird by bird by Anne Lamont

Family & Relationships

The Road Less Traveled, Timeless Edition: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting (now with Bébé Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting) by Pamela Druckerman

Teaching Your Children Values by Linda and Richard Eyre

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life (Christian Emphasis) by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Story / Narrative

The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell) by Joseph Campbell

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell

Hope and Despair: How Perceptions of the Future Shape Human Behavior by Anthony Reading

Productivity

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Alen

Personal Kanban: Mapping Work | Navigating Life by Tonianne DeMaria Barry and Jim Benson

Career

There are many excellent books that can help individuals in choosing the best career fit. Here are some highly regarded titles (links to be added later):

• What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles: This classic career guide provides practical advice on job search strategies, self-assessment exercises, and tips for finding meaningful work. It has been regularly updated to reflect the changing job market.
• Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: This book applies design thinking principles to career exploration. It offers a framework for creating a fulfilling career and life by experimenting with different possibilities and building on what works.
• The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success by Nicholas Lore: The author offers a step-by-step approach to finding the right career path. It includes self-assessment exercises, exploration techniques, and advice on overcoming obstacles.
• Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger: This book links personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) with suitable career choices. It provides insights into how different personality traits relate to work preferences.
• StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath: This book focuses on identifying and leveraging one’s strengths in the pursuit of a fulfilling career. It includes an access code to an online assessment to discover personal strengths from the CliftonStrengths assessment.
• The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss: While not explicitly about choosing a career, this book challenges conventional notions of work and offers strategies for creating a lifestyle that aligns with personal goals and values.
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink: This book explores the science of motivation and how it relates to finding career satisfaction. It offers insights into intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and purpose in the workplace.

These books can provide valuable insights and practical guidance in choosing a career that aligns with your interests, values, and strengths. Remember to approach career exploration as a process of self-discovery and continuous learning, and use these resources as tools to support your journey.