10 Books that inspire growth and soothe women

heartfelt picks for  inspiration & calming down in everyday life

There is indeed an almost mystical quality inherent in a book which somehow seems to be a voice, if not the very soul, of your own, to remember the satisfaction most vivid. You grab to glance through just one chapter, and all of a sudden, the next thing you realize is that it has been hours, the tea you made for yourself is far from hot and lines you didn't even know you are hungry for are already being underlined.

Women are quite a shift case most of the time as among the various multiple personality roles of mom, daughter, spouse, professional, friend, and occasionally unglamorous of "master of everyones schedule.,"  

but WHO IS IN CHARGE OF OUR HEARTS? 

The truth is none are available to satisfy our needs for peace, rest, and personal growth. Gosh, this is a curveball out of the blue. Dodged that one!

My books have always acted as my lifeline. They are like signals that remind the blinkers to breathe when life becomes too much, and like little nudges that tell us to grow when we feel stuck. I am excited to share with you these ten reading pieces which sparked my spiritual growth and eventually turned my life to be more tranquil just like the ones you are about to read.

1. Untamed by Glennon Doyle

If I were to compare the experience of reading Untamed to a real-life human interaction then it would be the talk with that feisty friend who is always there and who never lets you get away with dimming your light. Doyle challenges women to end the pretending that they are the "good girls" society wants them to be and instead be more alive, more wildly, and more truly.

 My number one favorite thing about this book is the way it empathizes with the idea of you being your true self. One chapter is just like a short honesty burst that you can't help but stop and think about your own life. It is not about dictating the way, but it comes down to reminding the reader that too, in the depths of their hearts, they know it.

Once I feel like I'm "shrinking" just to make others comfortable at that moment, I decide to regain my strength with this book.

👉🏻You can get this book from here.

2. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

While The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown might be the last book to completely change your view on perfectionism (and let's be really honest, who hasn't had it with it), she pretty much says how it is, that in fact letting go of perfectionism and living one's life being simply and only vulnerable, authentic, and imperfect is the shortest way to the most\"feet of\" life.

Anyway, what was my main message the book communicated? Not that you need to pretend to be better if you don't feel like it.

Reading the book was like being coached by a friend once - a mixture of a warm hug and a gentle challenge all at once, an offering to stop veiling and to start showing your true self.

👉🏻You can get this book from here 

3. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book is for every woman who has ever spoken very quietly with herself, "Maybe I am not creative enough."

One of the ways Elizabeth Gilbert undermines the myth of creativity as a talent only for the few is by showing how we all can be more curious and playful, thus more creative. She does this through her personal experience, showing great creativity and breaking her readers box mentality in just one line of the book.

Since then, I have been turning to mundane daily activities, e.g., cooking, journaling, or even reorganizing my shelves, as creative expressions that, instead of being a source of anguish, bring me a sense of calm and joy.

👉🏻You can get this book from here 

4. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach 

Tara Brach's book is like a meditation session that you can have whenever you want.

Compass and mindfulness are the two main ingredients in Tara's message which is at once both stabilizing and transforming.

The key words of this book were, according to her, the way to life is not in a way we do with other people, but in a deep acceptance of our own selves, weaknesses included. When you are being very hard on yourself, she is there to calm you down with her soothing voice and warmth of presence.

This book really helps you find peace if your mind is often a battlefield which makes you feel exhausted.

👉🏻You can get this book from here 

5. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab

One of the books I didn’t realize I needed until I actually read it.

In such simple and personal language, Tawwab explains that boundaries are not only the basis of the relationships which are good for us but also for our mental health which is in a healthy state.

I have to admit that I found the book very interesting when I caught myself nodding to the point when I realized how I had stretched myself too thin so I wouldn't have to say no. What is really terrific about this book is that it takes the form of an instruction manual rather than just telling you "you should set your boundaries".

And the serenity that ensues? Nothing short of a total life transformation.

👉🏻You can get this book from here 

6. The Self-Love Experiment by Shannon Kaiser

The Self-Love Experiment is a book that feels like having a friend next to you, who talks to you in a soft voice, and slowly leads you to the understanding that you are to be treated with the same kindness that you have always given to others. Shannon relates her journey and encourages you to establish your personal “self-love experiment,” consisting of easy, everyday practices.

The turning point was the moment when I came to the realization that self-love is not selfish—it is the necessary fuel for growth. I tried just a few of her exercises, and I can say that a little while after that I felt that I had more energy for other things and that I also had more patience.

👉🏻You can get this book from here 

7. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

This book is nothing but delight and empowerment. Shonda Rhimes, the creative spirit behind Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, tells how purposely doing “yes” to things that frightened her completely changed her life.

The book is funny, sincere, and very inspiring at the same time. To me, it was most amazing to see how one tiny, courageous step can create a ripple that eventually leads to a major transformation of the whole life.

Whenever I find myself going through the boring cycle over and over, I recollect her tale and then ask myself, “What is one thing that I could say yes to today?”

👉🏻You can get this book from here.

8. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

First of all I have to say—the title pretty much sums up the whole book. This book is like a pep talk you didn’t realize was necessary. Jen Sincero’s style is humorous, sharp, and with a lot of straight talk, which makes you get up and work.

She combines her life myths with practical advice about the money, your relationship, and living a life that really makes you happy. It’s not light—it’s entertaining, captivating, and deeply inspiring.

By the time I finished, I would have felt like I could jump in and deal with the challenges I have been avoiding for years.

👉🏻You can get this book from here.

9. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

This book made me take my time—in a positive way. The essence of Tolle’s message is straightforward yet profound: tranquility is to be found right now, at the present moment, not at the times when the past is revisited or future is feared.

In the beginning, I presumed this might be too “philosophic” in nature, however, this book is quite understandable even for a total newbie to mindfulness.

Most of the times, when I feel the “what ifs” tower over me, I turn to the instruction from this book. It’s just like a place where you drop the anchor when the wind of anxiety is too strong.

👉🏻You can get this book from here.

10. Atomic Habits by James Clear

James Clear’s point is that we can’t always get our desired growth or keep calm by making drastic changes, but rather through small consistent shifts. That’s the genius of Atomic Habits.

James Clear shows people how minute habits can bring about huge change over a period of time if done daily. The way he makes the habit-building process accessible to everyone with easy and practical steps blew me away and made me feel like changing was really possible not dreadful at all.

Ever since I read it, I have been following his practices with almost everything from drinking more water to writing more regularly, and that little bit of progress brings a kind of quiet serenity.

👉🏻You can get this book from here.

Final thoughts 

Exploring into these books, one indeed wonders why such books may matter to women.

While all these books discuss entirely different topics they still have one thing in common – quite a lot in common what is meant by not being "perfect". Among the things these books deal with are such things as living the deepest truth of our self, being the gentlest with ourself, and making tiny changes that add up over time.

I didn’t read all of them at a time ( life never gonna make it easy ). Simultaneously, I got them in different seasons. And now, looking at them, I can even tell how each one prepared the ground for a new me.

Therefore, when you next find yourself in need of inspiration, peace, or just a comforting note that you are not the only one, why not take a look at one of these books. Feel it with you. Allow it to slowly but surely pull you to that life that is meant for you.

After all, books are not just meant for stories. Sometimes, they become our tools in rewriting our own.

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