12 Books of Christmas: Give The Gift of Reading
I imagine that someday in the not-too-distant future, traditional books will have met their demise. Already, there’s Kindle and Nook and a host of lesser-known options. Sure, it’s nice to be able to carry dozens of books in something the size of a note pad. But isn’t there something just irreplaceably delicious about curling up with a real, live book? Why not consider the gift of reading this year?
As Editor and one of the writers for Ms Career Girl, there are a lot of books that cross my desk for potential review. I’ve gathered together a list of 12 that I think would make great gift ideas to all readers. One book, or two . . . or hey, a book a month for the next year! I’ve linked them all to Amazon for your convenience, but you can get them in lots of places. And whether you’re like me and like the physical copy or prefer the digital version, there’s plenty of time to get your hands on them or have them delivered in time for the upcoming holiday. For all kinds of literary tastes, here are my
Twelve Favorite Books of 2016
The Assertiveness Guide for Women by Julie De Azevedo Hanks
After defining “assertive” as a reflection of confidence, good communication skills, and the willingness to take action, Julie then skillfully breaks down what it takes to be assertive. But it’s not about embracing what we normally would consider masculine. It’s about owning all of who you are as a woman deserving of your place in relationships, work, and life.
Build Your Dream Network by J. Kelly Hoey
Yes, it’s even more true now than it ever was. Who you know is critical to your future in almost every way. Have you been one of those who at first detested “networking” as just using other people for your own benefit? And if you got past that, does the how-to of networking in the connected digital age just seem to elude your best efforts? Kelly will take you by the hand and open your eyes to the power of ethical, honest networking.
Earning It – Hard Won Lessons From Trailblazing Women at The Top by Joann S. Lublin
Imagine if you had the chance to get inside the mind of 50 of the most successful business women in the world. Imagine the insights, the inspiration you’d come away with to help create and achieve your own career path. Imagine no more, Joann shares all that and more from her own journey with the Wall Street Journal and that of 50+ other women who have soared right through that glass ceiling we all know about.
Fulfilled! Critical Choices: Work, Home, Life by William A. Schiemann
Happiness. Inner peace. It’s those feelings you get when you reach the end of the day, or year, or your life, and joyfully reflect on what you’ve done and been blessed with. In what I’d call a practical guide to the age-old questions about the purpose of life, William helps you examine your own passions, dreams, and desires and fashion them into a practical plan that leads to personal fulfillment.
Habit Changers – 81 Game-Changing Mantras To Mindfully Realize Your Goals by M. J. Ryan
Most of us have used affirmations at some time or another in our lives. Here’s an updated application of the techniques typically used in affirmations, but with fresh perspective. Chanting “So-and-so is going to stop being a jerk” will probably have no real effect. But how about taking care of what you’re really able to, namely. your reactions to his being a jerk? Here’s help in tackling 81 of life’s most common annoyances, habits, and trip-ups.
The Language of Sisters by Cathy Lamb
While I’ve never been the romance novel kind of girl, I cannot resist the story that feels so familiar and comfortable that I might as well be in it myself. These are the books I usually cannot put down and end up getting one or more nights of very little sleep because, you know, “I’m just going to read a couple more pages . . .” Since I lost my sister a few years ago, it was easy to engage this comfy story of the love, life, and laughter of sisters, and of family.
The Leader’s Mindset: How to Win In the Age of Disruption by Terence Mauri
I’ve always called it “thinking outside the box.” If you’re familiar with that term, then let’s up the ante. How about thinking way outside the box. Maybe even where no woman has dared go before. THAT is the place where today’s leaders take us. To see the making of their dreams into our realities. Disruption is about scratching across the expected answer and going beyond. Terence takes a look at that process, and challenges you to engage in a new way.
Life, Incorporated – A Practical Guide To Wholehearted Living by Haley Bock
Remember the time you drove from one place to another, and when you arrived you couldn’t remember the time in between departure and arrival? It’s almost spooky. But in our crazy, too-busy world, that’s what we’re doing every day. Rush, rush, rush . . . and another year is gone. The achievements are hollow, the accolades are but shadows of an unfulfilled life. If you’re ready to reconnect with life, yourself, and those you love, Halley will show you how.
(R)evolution: One Man’s Leadership Journey by Anna Conrad
We’ve all seen or worked for the person who was a real jerk. Or worse. Given that many of us will spend at least part of our lives in some kind of managerial, supervisor, or business owner position, that’s not the role model we want to use. Anna’s book may be relatively short, but it gives a sometimes poignant look at what a good leader is like, and will have you examining yourself to measure up to the boss you wish you had.
Touched – The Caress of Fate by Ellisa S Amore
“It was a dark and stormy night . . .” Okay, now you know why I don’t write fiction. But Ellisa is writer extraordinaire. This gripping romantic fantasy will take you on a journey that has been described “as seductive as Meet Joe Black, as mysterious as City of Angels, and as powerful as Twilight.” If that’s not enough to entice you, then savor the possibility – can love conquer death? Get your glass of wine and favorite blanket, and curl up by the fire.
Unsubscribe: How To Kill Email Anxiety, Avoid Distractions, and Get Real Work Done by Jocelyn K. Glei
I really hate it when my day starts with a shriek from my own mouth. “Are you kidding me!?” Or other things definitely NOT G-rated when I open my email and there’s a million items in the inbox. Having started my career before email really took hold (stop doing the math!), I was bound with a pager that I was required to answer. Jocelyn has put together what I’d call the 12-step program for email-a-holics. Read it, and take the pledge!
You Negotiate Like A Girl by Amy Trask
Alphabetically, this one is here at the bottom. But while all of this list are favorites, this one was captivating. Amy didn’t just break into any old boys club. She broke into THE boys club, the NFL. Nothing but pure satisfaction danced in my head as she recounted a lifetime of working with the Raiders. Sometimes referred to as the Princess of Darkness by her boss Al Davis, she gained not only the respect of the guys but became a league-wide legend.
Image credits.
