Books I’ve Read Lately #3

By the time I have gotten around to writing this post, I could almost give you another 4 books that I’ve read even more recently. Let’s just say that you will also have to tune in to the next edition of this series to find out. 

BUT these 4 books I read lately were amazing and I needed to tell you all about them. We have a couple of mindset altering self help books (some of the best I have ever read), an autobiography and Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest best seller. Let’s get into it shall we…



The Untethered Soul - Michael A. Singer (4/5)
This book discusses the way the mind works and how we process situations we are in, explaining how often our interpretations are to our detriment. It explains that the mind if constantly processing things to fit with experiences of the past and vision of the future. Reality is too real so we temper it with the mind, talking all the time as a defence mechanism. The book says the only way to find peace and contentment is to stop thinking about yourself and become free from that voice. Instead of looking to change the outside, make a habit of looking inside to deal with problems. Letting go of this part of yourself that always has to see a problem is removing yourself from your own melodrama as you cause most of the pain you experience. A very interesting concept indeed and something I need to constantly remind myself of.

The Four Agreements- Don Ruiz (4.5/5)
This was definitely a mind-altering book that helps put things into perspective. The four agreements are as follows; Be impeccable with your word – understand the word and its power of people so use it for truth and love. Don’t take anything personally or to heart because nothing others do is because of you but rather a projection of their own reality. So be immune to the opinions and actions of others. Don’t make assumptions because assumptions are often completely wrong. Instead find courage to ask questions and communicate clearly with others to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. Always do your best to avoid regret, boost your self esteem and know it’s all you can do.

Scrappy Little Nobody - Anna Kendrick (4/5)
Breaking up the self-help books with an autobiography, I went into this book liking Anna and finished it absolutely loving her! She is so down to earth, real with what she says and absolutely HILARIOUS. This was a great book for a bit of a laugh and her sense of humour really aligned with me. She says things in this book that you definitely think but never say out loud and is unashamedly herself. Definitely a good option if you’re in between serious books or looking for a light read.

Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert (3.5/5)
This amazing Elizabeth Gilbert novel was awesome and it inspired me to read Eat Pray Love for the first time very recently (I’ll give you my review in the next edition of this series).
The biggest takeaways I had from this book were;
Live a life driven by curiosity not fear.
Do what makes you happy deep down.
Do whatever you want if it’s creative and fun, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else.
Do what you do out of love and not money.
Find the courage to bring forth creative treasures inside you
You don’t need permission to be creative, creativity is a birthright
People aren’t genius but rather they have a genius. (Elizabeth did a TED Talk on this subject also which was highly interesting).
Creativity is energy so it comes and goes as such.
You are not required to save the world with your creativity – it should be more fun and less serious.
You attract positive outcomes with positive thinking (a concept I’m a huge believer in).
You have to handle rejection well because it’s a numbers game.
You can be creative wrong – it’s all subjective.

Okay so that's a look at a few heavy books I've read lately. I say "heavy" as in they made me think a lot and really challenged the way I think / my mindsets. I already can't wait to share with you some more books I'm finishing up so there will be another instalment of this series very shortly.