Seeing people share their book lists for 2021 on social media inspired me to start keeping track of my own reading – just not as a „want to read“ but as a „did read“ list.
The History
When I was a young mom, I had my own book club with the, admittedly, not so creative name „Sue’s Book Club“. To be part of a book group was the thing-to-do in the 2000s and since I’d always been an avid reader, it was a no brainer to just start one myself. I really enjoyed hosting these monthly meetings with a bunch of friends, debating the book at hand and discussing many other topics that moved us at the time. I even kept a list of the novels we read, mostly female American authors. When I went back to a full time job, the book club faded away, and so did my list keeping of the books I’d read. Almost two decades later, the kids grown up, I am reviving not the book club but my list keeping.
The Highlights
The first book I read in 2020 was also one of my favorite’s, Marie Forleo’s Everything is Figureoutable, a fast paced, entertaining self-help book on how to „create a business and life you love“. Full of practical advice, motivating stories and Forleo’s own experience creating her multi-million business, it was the perfect kickstart for my first year as a self-employed business coach.
Another favorite has to be Michelle Obama’s memoire Becoming, a very well written insight into her life presented in three part: her early years growing up on Chicago’s South Side, her journey by Barak ’s side on his way to the White House and, finally, her years as First Lady. I was touched by her honest account of what it means to be the wife of an aspiring politician following his calling; the hardship of giving up on her own career as a lawyer and community activist, raising two children with an often absent father, the confinements of life in the White House and the scrutiny of the constant and ruthless public eye.
Fierce Medicine by Yoga-Guru Ana Forrest makes the highlights because it is raw, ruthless and kicks your butt. Ana’s story resembles the myth of the phoenix rising from the ashes, when against all odds she pulls herself out of a miserable childhood, drug abuse and depression and becomes an inspiring and successful yoga teacher, spirit guide and business owner. Loaded with heartbreaking stories, yoga sequences and spiritual wisdom, it is certainly a book not just for yogis.
The Complete List
Everything is Figureoutable – Marie Forleo
Becoming – Michelle Obama
Fierce Medicine – Ana T. Forrest
Reinventing Organizations – Frederic Laloux
The Coaching Habit. Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever – Michael Bungyier Stanier
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elisabeth Gilbert
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles – Steven Pressfield
The Fearless Money Mindset: Broke Doesn’t Scare Me – Arian Simone
Expressive Writing: Words That Heal – James W. Pennebaker and John Evens
Mindful Leader. Wie wir die Führung für unser Leben in die Hand nehmen und uns Gelassenheit zum Erfolg führt – Esther und Johannes Narbeshuber
New Work Needs Inner Work. Ein Handbuch für Unternehmen auf dem Weg zur Selbstorganisation – Joana Breidenbach und Bettina Rollow
Haltung entscheidet: Führung & Unternehmenskultur zukunftsfähig gestalten – Martin Permantier
Das große JA zum Leben!: Tantra als Weg zu innerer Freiheit – Diana Sans
Nur wer sichtbar ist, findet auch statt: Werde deine eigene Marke und hol dir den Erfolg, den du verdienst – Tijen Onaran
Schreiben zur Selbsthilfe. Worte finden, Glück erleben, gesund sein – Birgit Schreiber
Ikigai – Das 12-Wochen-Programm für Glück und Gesundheit – Caroline de Surany
Ongoing – this 2000+ pages classic will take me a WHILE: War and Peace – Leo Tolstoyowner
