Hello bookworms, I had a magnificent friend who passed away. He was always focused on self-improvement, bettering himself, and overall just being a better human. This made him such a gift to be around and to talk to. He was someone who left every interaction positive. He really made me a better person and taught me countless things. I miss him every day, and I mostly miss the impact he would have had.

I’m writing this list for him, myself, and all of you. I had always wanted to send him a reading list, but not being the best multitasker, it always slipped my mind. He was less of an avid reader than I am, but I know he would have picked all of these up for certain. I see amazing people, authors, and unique lessons in these books. Yet, it is all up to the individual in how they perceive the knowledge presented and how they choose to implement it if they do so. Ryan’s spirit involved resilience and consistency. A drive to better himself for no one but himself. And that’s why his spirit will always go on; when such an authentic, beautiful soul exists, it can never lapse.

I hope that I can be more like him and carry his spirit throughout my life. Reading these books reminds me of him, and I like to think that he’s reading them with me.

A nonfic!! A memoir!! I had to sneak a few in here. This book is one I have yet to read, but I cannot wait to read it. I’m sure it will drag out a few tears, which is why I have put it off (these days, they don’t need books to come out…).

Another passing thought is that this book seems so worn out. Even in its new jacket, I feel that I would have found it between couch cushions at a well-read grandmother’s house, which I love. 

Having personally experienced the profound impact of this man’s writing, I can attest to the immense praise for his prose and storytelling.

With comparisons drawn to one of my…all-time…favourites (When Breath Becomes Air), I expected nothing short of perfection. This is a vulnerable and heavy book to reread in the coming years.

This was a recent recommendation of mine. I have yet to read it, but July seems like a zen month, so maybe this is the month I will tackle this giant.

The main themes I’ve heard are that Brown emphasizes authenticity, acceptance, and the need for courage. I think we could all use reminders of these.

I am jumping!! I am jumping up and down for lovely Almond, my sweet baby boy. This book is everything. I want to hold it, to hug it, to keep it from the cold. How can something holding words that cut so deep be so purple and cute? This is my primary question when glancing at the cover.

In recommending this, I typically say it speaks to my soul. That is enough.

How can I be successful? Why is anyone successful? I’ve read glorious reviews about this novel, which tackles these questions from a perspective you would not expect. It’s not about the answers to these but why you have even asked them.

I often ponder the nature of successful individuals and find that they are indeed different. However, the concept of ‘different’ is not a negative one. It has many connotations, and using it as a tool rather than a weapon or a way to self-victimize can lead us to greater heights.

Wow, erin, good one! A list mainly centred around self-growth, is anyone shocked this book appeared? ALLOW ME…a moment to clarify. THIS BOOK IS TRULY AMAZING. I do not place these books without significant thought behind it (pretty cover…kidding)…

When I delved into ‘Atomic Habits’ last year, I did it t—ugh therecommendedk – and I highly recommend it! I find these books more accessible, and reading them digest in this format rather than sitting down with a hefty textbook.

This book may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you adore analogies (ME ME ME!!) and content meant to ingrain into your mind, this is for you. Sometimes, readers want a self-help book to ease them into the change. If you are looking for a book that screams at you, yells at you to change, to implement these, forget your old ways. You know what to do…

David Sedaris is funny. It isn’t easy to remain humorous in every book you write, and this man has done it. I know that Ryan would have read this one and updated me with the quotes he also found funny. Nothing can be more of a love language than recommending a book and having the person read and cherish it.

This would only be a post by me if I didn’t include myself as a little present. A little treat, if you will. Not that my dear friend would not have loved this, but we all must suffer for each other, so sometimes I pick books a little selfishly…

Meditations is a beautiful novel. To me, it’s both about everything and nothing at once, and who doesn’t love that?

I wanted to make this post for us all and myself. If Ryan could have read these, he absolutely would have. I would give anything to read these alongside him, ensuring my recommendations are up to par!! I cannot have my reputation slipping. And so, if there’s a book from this list that you have yet to hear of, I would encourage you to pick that one up. There’s immense knowledge to be found in books, and even more in those we never think twice about, the ones we deem “outside our favourite genre.” Although Ryan and I differed in the books we would gravitate towards, I am looking forward to reading the ones I have yet to and knowing that, as long as you are here and want to learn and grow, you are doing the right thing.

These books weren’t written to increase comparison; if anything, they are a gift. In other genres, I find ways to connect the content to myself. To draw similarities, whether this is more subjective, more obvious with the character itself, or even just a sentiment from a particular page. Books revolving around growth and teaching are even more direct in their approach. This can be a great thing. Enter these novels aggressively and passionately. Go in, wanting something out of it. Wanting to change is a good thing. Accepting that you cannot change is the worst thing you can do for yourself. And if a book can inspire and motivate, pleaase take all these books my dear friend would have loved to heart.

Thanks for reading!