This past year I read some pretty awesome books and I’ve got it down to my top 5. All of these books have helped me grow, have a different persepctive, challenge me and encourage me this past year. I’ve benefited greatly from them and I will have them on my bookshelf for a long long time.
I believe that if you get these books and read them, you’ll be so glad you did. Prepare to be inspired, challenged and grown! I know you’ll enjoy these, in no particular order, here’s my top 5!
- Developing The Leader Within You 2.0 by John Maxwell
This is one of the best leadership books I’ve ever read. John’s knowledge about leading is just incredible to me. He uses real life stories pulling from his own experiences from decades of leadership.
My favorite part of this book is his chapter on “creating positive change” because change is super hard. Honestly, no one even likes that word change because it means the word uncomfortable will happen. John goes through some steps to help you implement change by using an acronym called “P.L.A.N.A.H.E.A.,D” and it’s so good!
2. Beginner’s Pluck by Liz Bohannon
This book can be summed up by one word and that’s adventure! I mentioned the word uncomfortable above and boy does Liz dive into the umcomfortable in this book. I love how she tells the story of how she founded her company and used it to help countless women across the globe.
Liz had a bold dream and she didn’t just wander about it; she did something about it. Through risk-taking and emailing random people, and going across the globe, Liz discovered what she calls “build your purpose.”
If you read this book, you’ll be inspired to take a risk on something because you never know what you’ll discover on the other side.
3. Find Your People by Jennie Allen
This book is all about relationships! Jennie shares real-life stories about how she’s made friends and lost friends at the same time. She’s super honest, and that’s what helped me connect with her all throughout this book.
Jennie probably uses the word “awkward” over 100 times in this book to describe making friends. She tells how awkward it will be because eventually you will say the wrong thing and mess it up. She tells how she’s done that over and over again, but how finding deep friendships is so worth embracing the awkwardness.
She challenges you to go first and start connecting with others in simple ways. She ties this all back to how God designed us to live connected to others, not in isolation.
4. The Hidden Peace by Joel Muddamalle
This is one of those books you’ll need a good warm drink and a pen by your side. It’s so rich in scripture and bible teaching that you’ll grow in your faith, I promise you.
Joel goes through scripture and teaches that security is not found in gaining accolades, appreciation, approval, and finances. Humility is where security is found. It’s that inner peace that you have deep down that no matter what happens externally, you know it’ll be ok because Jesus is with you. That’s inner strength that only comes through humility that Jesus cultivates in us.
This book helped me grow in the inner peace that everyone wants. Humility is that puzzle piece that’ll give us peace. It has for me, and I know it will for you as well.
5. Stay In The Game by Joel Osteen
Every time I read a book by Joel I just can’t stop smiling, that’s just the kind of author Joel is. He is so uplifting and inspiring that you can’t help but see a different perspective.
In this book Joel will help you see that the greatest challenge that’s right in front of you is actually the adversity God will use to grow you. You’ll see that God will stretch your faith and grow your inner peace through adversity.
Bonus Book! The Way Of The Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman
There’s no way I could write this blog and not include this book. I wasn’t even planning on reading this book at the time I read it. It just sort of fell in my lap, and I felt like it was for me.
If you are in a leadership role of any kind, big or small, church or business, leading 2 people or 150 people, you NEED to read this book. It will challenge you to grow in so many ways, and it’s one that you’ll have on your bookshelf for the rest of your leadership journey. Dr. Kevin uses a Shepherd, someone who takes care of sheep, to illustrate leadership.
Bryant Westbrook 