As someone who loves to-do lists and makes a lists for making lists, in an attempt to control my chaotic life, I decided to read books that would help me doing that as the first books of the year. Yes I read three books already, and yes they were all non fiction. I am surprised too.
All the three books are from Netgalley and I was waiting for the new year to begin with them. Now that is adulting right, right? Anyway let me get this pesky disclaimer done with, so that I can start with my monthly review shots!
Disclaimer
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sharing a copy for review and it no way affected my unbiased and honest opinion.
Hear truths to be who you want to be
Book Name: Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be
Author: Rachel Hollis
Genre: Non Fiction – Self help
No. of Pages: 240
Let me start by saying that I have not heard or read about the author before I picked the book, and I did that only because of the hype it created in the blogosphere.
In Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel talks about how the lies we tell ourselves hold us back and takes us through her own grief and trauma. ‘Someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business’ is a quote we should all remember to tell ourselves. #GirlWashYourFace
I liked Rachel’s simple and no nonsense approach to the subject and her enthusiastic writing. And I never felt I was reading a memoir or a self book, the whole book gave a feeling like I was reading a blog and getting to know the blogger slowly and personally.
'Someone else's opinion of you is none of your business' is a quote we should all remember to tell ourselves. #GirlWashYourFace Share on XThe author doesn’t offer great advices or groundbreaking insights, yet I am glad this was my first book of the year. Yes it was inspirational as it was supposed to be, but this is more of a ‘things that worked for me’ kinda list so take it with a grain of salt.
Final thought: Cheerful and motivational. Take it with a grain of salt.
Recommended to: Twenty something women entrepreneurs especially in a non traditional job.
Warning: May come off as spiritual and religious tone.
Plan your goals and keep at it
Book Name: You Goal, Girl: A Goal-Setting Workbook (The Totally Approachable, Not-Scary Guides)
Author: Elise Williams, Meleah Bowles
Genre: Non Fiction – Self help
No. of Pages: 188
You might have read my struggles with being organized and how hard I have been working to make this year and myself better organized. I am glad that Netgalley granted my request to read You Goal, Girl.
The book is marketed as a workbook, and is rightly so. The writing is definitely motivating and the book itself is very colorful. I finished reading the book itself in less than an hour, but it is the worksheets that will need more than a cursory reading.
Work-life balance is a myth, not everyone is good at multitasking: it's perfectly fine to focus on making improvements in just one (or two) of these categories at a time! #YouGoalGirl Share on XThe principles are fairly well known and pretty basic, and the book puts them in a clear perspective, thus makes working on them easier.
If you have a goal setting spreadsheet or a planner, incorporating these ideas into them will be easy. Or you can use these sheets for working them directly, if you have a physical print.
Final thought: Basic goal planner that works if you want it to
Recommended to: Those who are beginners to goal setting and planning
Knowing why we do what we do
Book Name: Mastering Adulthood: Go Beyond Adulting to Become an Emotional Grown-Up
Author: Lara E. Fielding
Genre: Non Fiction – Self help
No. of Pages: 224
While most of the books in the self help category tell what to do, Mastering Adulthood talks about why and how we do the things we do. It talks about identifying patterns in our behavior, emotions and reactions.
Mastering Adulthood comes with exercises and QR links to videos which are interesting and will be helpful in the long run. The writing is cheerful yet a bit long winded at places. Some may feel it be patronizing.
Final thought: Do not let the title fool you. It goes well beyond the adulting that we rant about.
Recommended to: Anyone who is into mindfulness, yoga and CBT
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Let us talk
Do you read non fiction? Have you read any of these books? What was your first book of the year? Let us talk.
I’m meaning to read Girl Wash Your Face this month so your opinions on it is exciting me! I hope I can find some good things to take away from that one. Adding the other two to my TBR because I think I’ll really like them 😀
Let me know how that goes.
[…] Review shots: Adulting the right way! […]
Plan Your Goal, Girl sounds like a good one! I saw a bit about it on Andreea’s blog Cheeky Lines as well. I am glad it is so helpful for being a bit more organised! I do love yoga but I don’t think I’ll enjoy the patronising tone of Mastering Adulthood. Wash Your Face sounds really good! What a title as well 😀
yay I’m still immerse in my beginning of the year goals setting and all that so I’m happy for this post! I’m adding these to my TBR – Self-help shelf! And I don;t read much nonfiction either but you make them sound good! 🙂 I love that you add “Take it with a grain of salt.” That’s something always to keep in mind with self-help books!
Yes not all self help books are made for everyone.
Great post, I was interested in Girl Wash your Face when I saw it on Netgalley, but I have become disenchanted with self-help books recently and from what you said this is the same fluff as most so I am glad I didn’t bother.
I totally understand your choice. I am very choosy when it comes to self help books too.
[…] Review shots: Adulting the right way! […]
So glad I’m not the only one who has a to-do list for my to-do lists 🙂 Great post, as always!
Finally I found someone who understands the NEED!!
Great list! I will have to check these out!
Please do.
I was going to read the first book but the reviews on Amazon turned me away. I found a book at Barnes and Noble called “52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life” and I love it! I usually don’t read self-help books but I’m trying something new this year.
I will check that one out right away!
Looks like a good set of books. Girl Wash Your Face was a cute one. 🙂
Yes it definitely was.
Girl wash your face is on my TBR!
Let me know how you like it.
Self help isn’t something I read but I’m intrigued by the goal setting one.
Gemma @ http://www.gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com
It is worth a try!
At 41 and mother of one twenty something and two teens I hope to have mastered this adulting lark. What I can tell you as I’ve gotten older is that I don’t care about peoples opinions of me – I’m me, you ever take me as I am or keep on going.
I’m not a lover of self-help books as I like to do things my way (I’m stubborn as hell), although my sister tells me it’s because I think I’m prefect and that I don’t need any help – she is so wrong, I just don’t want to do thing the way others tell me I should. I like to be different.
You definitely are perfect as you are. I love your confidence.
Adulting is hard, I would like to be a kid sometimes.
Don’t we all? I want a recess almost every day..
I adore you!
Thank you!
so which one would you recommend first, Gayathri? Since I am tempted to get started on all of them (the first one I have seen many times on many lists already)..:)
It depends on what you want to read about. If you want to be motivated – read Girl, wash your face. Want help with goal setting? Then You goal, girl. Or if it is understanding who they work read Mastering Adulthood. I read in that order (1, 2 and then 3) as well.
thank you G!