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Books That Made Me Think Differently
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items For curiosity, personal growth, and lifelong learners. A roundup of nonfiction favorites — from memoir to personal development to big-idea books that spark conversation and shift perspectives. Be sure to check out my other lists: benable.com/jillmari...
The Pale-Faced Lie is a raw, jaw-dropping memoir where David Crow unpacks a childhood shaped by survivalist isolation, abuse, and the suffocating grip of his father’s lies. What makes this one hit hard (in a good way) is Crow’s unflinching honesty an...
➡️Newly Added: The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story
Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst is a compassionate, deeply relatable guide for anyone stuck replaying old hurts and wondering how to truly move forward. Blending personal stories, faith-based insight, and practical tools, TerKeurst ...
➡️Newly Added: Forgiving What You Can't Forget: Move On & Heal
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a timeless collection of personal reflections written by a Roman emperor trying to be a decent human in a very imperfect world. Rooted in Stoic philosophy, it offers practical wisdom on self-discipline, resilience, p...
➡️Newly Added: Meditations
With a long commute and a never-ending TBR, audiobooks have become my daily magic trick. While I still cherish my physical books and always have one of those in progress, too, I’d never get to enjoy even half the stories I love without them. Seriousl...
Audible
52 Ways to Walk: The Science of Walking for Joy by Kimi Raikkonen offers an exploration of the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of walking. The book blends scientific insights with practical tips, encouraging readers to embrace walking as a t...
52 Ways to Walk: Science of Walking for Joy
All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols is a beautifully written collection of poetry and prose centered around themes of self-acceptance, growth, and finding peace amidst life's challenges. The book offers gentle, encouraging reflection...
All Along You Were Blooming: Poetry
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown explores the complex emotions and experiences that define human connection, offering a map to help readers understand and navigate their feelings. Drawing on research and personal stories, Brown examines 87 emotions ...
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Connection
Atomic Habits is James Clear’s super approachable guide to making tiny changes that add up to big life improvements—basically the “small but mighty” philosophy in book form. He mixes psychology, practical tips, and real-world examples to show how hab...
Atomic Habits: Easy Way to Build & Break Habits
Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s powerful letter to his teenage son, blending personal history, cultural commentary, and raw honesty about race and identity in America. Coates’s writing is lyrical and gut-punchingly vivid, inviting read...
Between the World and Me
In Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown explores what it truly means to belong—not just to a group, but to yourself. Blending her signature mix of research, storytelling, and vulnerability, she challenges the idea that fitting in is the same as belong...
Braving the Wilderness
Bright Poems for Dark Days is exactly the warm, hopeful little lantern it promises to be—a collection of uplifting verse paired with Carolyn Gavin’s vibrant, joyful illustrations. Julie Sutherland curates poems that feel like a gentle hand on your sh...
Bright Poems for Dark Days: An anthology for hope
Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds is a delightful collection of clever, unexpected maps that show the world in ways you’ve probably never imagined—from quirky cultural trends to surprising geographic facts. Ian Wright brings a playful, “did-you-know?”...
Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds: 100 Ways
Clean(ish) by Gin Stephens explores the concept of intermittent fasting and its benefits for both physical and mental health. Stephens encourages readers to embrace a flexible, non-restrictive approach to clean eating, emphasizing sustainable habits ...
Clean(ish): Eat Clean, Live Clean, Self-Clean
Cultures of Growth by Mary C. Murphy, with a foreword by Carol Dweck, dives into the fascinating science of mindset—not just for individuals, but for entire teams and organizations. Building on Dweck’s original work on growth mindset, Murphy shows ho...
Cultures of Growth: New Science of Mindset
The Four Agreements is a short but powerful guide to personal freedom, built on ancient Toltec wisdom and delivered in Don Miguel Ruiz’s warm, no-nonsense style. The book lays out four simple principles—be impeccable with your word, don’t take things...
The Four Agreements: Guide to Freedom
Germany: Memories of a Nation by Neil MacGregor brings German history to life through objects, art, and personal stories rather than dry timelines. Based on the acclaimed BBC series, it explores how everyday items—from a Gutenberg Bible to a VW Beetl...
Germany: Memories of a Nation
In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown explores the power of embracing vulnerability, authenticity, and self-compassion to lead a more fulfilling life. Through personal stories and research, she encourages readers to let go of perfectionism and cu...
The Gifts of Imperfection: 10th Anniv. Ed.
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Grit digs into why talent alone doesn’t take us as far as we think—and why passion paired with perseverance is the real game-changer. Angela Duckworth blends research, stories, and her own experiences to show how “sticking with it” can shape success ...
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Here We Are is Aarti Shahani’s moving memoir about growing up between two worlds—her family’s immigrant story and her own journey through elite American institutions. She writes with heart and sharp insight about identity, belonging, and the messy re...
Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam M. Grant explores how individuals can unlock their full potential through a combination of science, psychology, and self-improvement strategies. Grant, a renowned organizational psycho...
Hidden Potential: Science of Achieving More
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life explores the concept of "ikigai," a Japanese term meaning "a reason for being" that blends passion, mission, vocation, and profession to promote a fulfilling life. Authors Héctor García and Frances...
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Happy Life
The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking—yes, the guy behind The Little Book of Hygge—dives into the global pursuit of happiness by exploring what makes people around the world feel fulfilled, connected, and content. Backed by insights from the Happin...
The Little Book of Lykke: Secrets of Happiness
Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi offers a practical guide to harnessing the power of manifestation through seven transformative steps. Nafousi blends personal anecdotes with actionable advice to help readers align their tho...
Manifest (International Edition)
Meditations is a collection of personal reflections written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius as a kind of private journal—never meant for publication, yet still wildly relevant nearly 2,000 years later. It’s a calm, no-nonsense guide to handling stre...
Meditations
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod presents a transformative morning routine designed to elevate every area of life, focusing on six key practices: silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and scribing (journaling). Elrod, a survivor of...
The Miracle Morning: Transform Your Life
The New Rules of Aging Well by Dr. Frank Lipman is a refreshingly straightforward guide to staying strong, energized, and healthy as we age. Blending the latest science with practical, everyday advice, Lipman challenges outdated ideas about getting o...
The New Rules of Aging Well: Immune & Vitality
Our History Is the Future is Nick Estes’s gripping look at the Dakota Access Pipeline protests—showing that Standing Rock wasn’t an isolated moment, but part of a long, proud lineage of Indigenous resistance. Estes blends history, activism, and perso...
Our History Is the Future: Standing Rock & Indigenous Resistance
The Pedagogy of Kindness (Teaching, Engaging, and Thriving in Higher Ed) by Catherine Denial reimagines what it means to teach, lead, and learn in higher education through the lens of intentional kindness. Drawing from her experience as a history pro...
A Pedagogy of Kindness in Higher Ed
Pedagogy of the Oppressed is Paulo Freire’s groundbreaking call to rethink education as a tool for liberation rather than control, and it still hits just as hard 50 years later. Freire challenges traditional “banking” models of teaching and instead c...
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
This one had me reminiscing about my too few days in Paris back in May 2025. I bought this little book in the gift shop after exploring the Catacombs of Paris. Poems of Paris is a charming little anthology that strolls you through the city’s soul wit...
Poems of Paris
The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well by Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins offers a guide to living a balanced, fulfilling life through the lens of Indigenous wisdom. Drawing on their own Anishinaabe and Navajo heritage, the authors e...
The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings
Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done by Charlie Gilkey provides practical strategies for overcoming procrastination and turning ideas into completed projects. Gilkey, a productivity expert, offers a step-by-step guide to help readers break do...
Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man is Emmanuel Acho’s honest, approachable guide to tackling tough questions about race—especially the ones people are often too nervous to ask out loud. He mixes personal stories, history, and straight-talk ...
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man