Books
Books that have shaped my thinking, challenged my assumptions, and earned a permanent place on my shelf. These aren't aspirational recommendations—they're books I've read, wrestled with, and returned to. At the bottom of the page is my yearly media list, if you want to take a peek.
Here's my librarian wisdom: take what works for you, leave what doesn't. Not every book will resonate with you, and that's fine. If something annoys you, stop reading it—life's too short to spend time with authors who piss you off. Look for the nuggets of brilliance you can actually use. Read for insights, not dogma. These books gave me something valuable. See what they offer you.
These are my basic suggestions. For more, please see my Pinterest page.
All books have been linked to Amazon for your convenience.
The Inner Stuff
Books about changing how you think, not just what you do. Inner work isn't one-size-fits-all—what lights me up might leave you cold, and vice versa. These books helped me examine my beliefs, shift my perspective, and become a better version of myself. Pick one that speaks to you and see what happens.
Everything Is Figureoutable
Marie Forleo
Is Abraham real? Complete hooey? Who cares—the tools in this book work. Twenty-two processes for getting into a receiving mode and experiencing more joy, right now. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't. The emotional navigation is practical even if the framing isn't for everyone.
This is a great approach to life. Marie shifts your brain from "oh shit!" to "how can I fix this?"—taking away the paralysis that keeps you stuck. She talks about resilience and the value of surrounding yourself with people who share a solution-oriented mindset. Her energy is big and optimistic, and she backs it up with practical steps.
Infinite Possibilities
Mike Dooley
This book is for expanding your mind about what's actually possible. Mike walks you through limiting beliefs and shows you the realms of possibility you didn't think were available to you. Our thoughts create our reality—by choosing positive, empowering thoughts, we can attract what we want. He writes with genuine warmth and offers real tools, not just platitudes.
Lucky Bitch
Denise Duffield-Thomas
Great for manifestation! Denise makes it practical and accessible to everyone. She tackles money mindset for women with humor and zero shame. The title is playful, the content is solid. If you're working through beliefs about deserving money or charging what you're worth, this helps.
You Are a Badass
Jen Sincero
Jen is direct, uses profanity, and doesn't apologize for taking up space. If that energy resonates with you, this book will light you up. She cuts through the BS and gives you permission to stop shrinking. Fair warning: she's not for everyone, and that's the point.
You Can Heal Your Life
Louise Hay
This is where I learned that affirmations actually matter. Louise connects beliefs and thoughts to physical and emotional health—her approach is gentle and practical. If you're ready to examine the stories you tell yourself and how they show up in your body, this book gives you the tools to start.
The Money Stuff
Books that helped me untangle money from worth, scarcity from reality, and shame from numbers. Each one offers a different perspective and approach. Take what fits your situation and goals, and build your own money philosophy from the pieces that actually work.
Marissa Greco-Reale
This book gave me relief. Marissa supports you in your financial journey without judgment or shame. Her approach feels grounded and realistic—you're building wealth from where you actually are, not where some expert thinks you should be. If you need financial guidance that doesn't make you feel bad about yourself, start here.
Dave Ramsey
Dave's debt payoff system is the clearest one I've found. The Baby Steps give you a straightforward roadmap for getting out of debt and knowing exactly what to do next.
Morgana Rae
I buy this book every single year and work through it weekly—that should tell you something. Morgana talks about defeating your Money Monster and bringing in your Money Honey, which completely shifts your energy around money. This isn't about spreadsheets. It's about healing your relationship with money before you try to manage it. I met people through her Facebook group, and we still meet weekly years later to work through it together.
The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
Suze Orman
Suze understands that financial literacy and emotional work both matter. She walks you through both in practical terms, without talking down to you. Her approach combines the numbers with the feelings, which is what makes it stick.
Ramit Sethi
I've been following Ramit since before this book came out in 2009. This one isn't woo—it's practical, specific systems for managing money without shame. He breaks down investing, automation, and long-term thinking in ways that actually make sense. If you want concrete steps instead of manifestation, this is the book.
You Are a Badass At Making Money
Jen Sincero
I love this book. Same direct, no-apologies energy as the first book, now applied to earning and money mindset. Jen pushes you to examine what you believe about money and whether those beliefs are serving you. Not subtle, very effective, totally awesome.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
T. Harv Eker
Harv breaks down the mental frameworks that keep people stuck financially. The "money blueprint" concept is powerful—understanding how your early experiences with money shape your current relationship with it. Focus on the concepts, and they'll shift how you think.
The Justice Stuff
Books that made me reckon with what I didn't know I didn't know. This work is uncomfortable, ongoing, and necessary. These books will challenge you. They'll make you squirm. They'll knock down walls you didn't even know you'd built. They're hard to read because they're supposed to be—they're asking you to examine beliefs you've held your entire life. These aren't books you read once and check off a list. They're books you sit with, return to, and let crack you open. The discomfort is the point. Start anywhere, but start.
Sharon Malone, MD
Dr. Malone talks about women's health, aging, and navigating a medical system that wasn't built for women. Her voice is clear, experienced, and fed up with the nonsense. This book explains how race and gender intersect in healthcare, written by someone who's lived it and fought through it professionally. It inspired me to make all those medical and dental appointments I'd been putting off, and I hope it does that for you, as well.
Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Accessible history that doesn't simplify or soften. Written for those who want to understand the history of racist ideas in America. It's readable but not easy. This is the history we should have learned in school.
Ibram X. Kendi
Clear framework for understanding that antiracism is active work, not a destination. Ibram breaks down what it means to move from passive non-racism to active antiracism. This book shows you that it's not about being a good person—it's about what you actually do. Absolutely essential reading.
Robin DiAngelo
Uncomfortable and necessary. Robin names the defensiveness that shows up when white people are confronted with racism. This isn't a one-time read—it's ongoing work. If you're white and think you're "one of the good ones," this book will challenge that comfort.
Yearly Media
A living record of what I'm reading, watching, and listening to. These lists aren't curated or filtered—they're just what I actually consumed that year. Some of it's great, some of it's forgettable, all of it's honest. If you're looking for patterns in what catches my attention, this is where you'll find them.