There are a lot of good books to cuddle up with during your staycation days, use-it-or-lose-it PTO, or otherwise cozy time spent at home during the holidays. But rather than combing through list after list, we’ve wrangled up five of our favorite reads that you can pick up for yourself (or a loved one — hello, early holiday shopping!) to take you through the next few weeks and into 2021. These books below are a mix of some of our favorite topics; a bit of productivity mixed with a whole lot of taking better care of yourself. We hope you enjoy!
Start Finishing
Charlie Gilkey
Our very own Charlie Gilkey's award-winning book Start Finishing is the perfect companion to guide and inspire your dreams into 2021! Too often we look back at the end of the week and are frustrated that we didn’t make progress on our soul-deep dreams and goals that seem to remain eternally out of reach. Start Finishing presents a 9-step method for success — including identifying your genius, building a success pack of supporters, navigating multiple projects, and overcoming the challenges that come with doing the work that matters.
Digital Minimalism
Cal Newport
If you’ve had that creeping feeling that using social media, distracting websites, or being on your phone is flat-lining your best work, maybe it’s time to become a digital minimalist. A digital minimalist isn’t a Luddite, but someone who’s hyper-intentional about how, when, and where they use technology. Check out this book if you are looking to slow down and live a more focused life in this noisy world.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
This book is the new definitive resource for building good habits and breaking bad ones. Charlie says that James's "insight around identity-based habits to be especially catalytic to my thinking, and, though I’ve read a lot of books on habits, I hadn’t seen that (or some other insights) covered in the other books." This book is a must-read if you haven’t dipped your toe into behavior-change literature — or if you have, it's a great reminder.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Stephen King
Recommended by Jess: This unique story by one of the writing world's most prolific authors is the perfect blend of engaging, entertaining, and informative. King takes you through the story of his life, and the trials and tribulations he and his family have been through that got him to where he is today. Mixed in with the memoir are practical writing tips, things that make you go, "ahh, yes!" and that seem so obvious when he says it, but may not have been something you thought of before. Read this book if you want a relatively easy read with a cup of coffee, while also picking up a thing or two along the way.
Daring Greatly
Brené Brown
Recommended by Steve: The core idea of Daring Greatly is about embracing vulnerability in every facet of our lives. If you’re like me, and recognize times when you chose to play small and safe rather than risk judgment or pain or some other aspect of shame, Daring Greatly might help you understand where the feelings underlying those choices come from, how and why to choose vulnerability instead, and how to benefit from the wholehearted connections it creates.
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