Motivation Books

This is the kind of book that feels like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend who genuinely wants to help you feel better – someone who happens to have done a lot of homework on both scripture and wellness. Terri Ward weaves together 117 Bible verses with practical health guidance in a way that feels integrated rather than forced, and I appreciated that she doesn't just tell you what to do but explains the why behind it. The tone is encouraging without being preachy, and the steps are genuinely actionable – this isn't one of those books that leaves you inspired but confused about where to start. Ward covers how our physical, mental, and spiritual health are all connected, which might feel obvious but she lays it out in a way that made me think differently about some of my own habits. If you're looking for a purely secular health book, this won't be the right fit – faith is woven throughout, and that's very much the point. But if you're someone who wants your wellness journey to align with your spiritual life, and you appreciate having scripture as a foundation rather than an afterthought, this could be exactly what you've been looking for. It's practical, grounded, and written with real warmth.

If you've ever found yourself lying awake replaying a conversation, wondering why someone didn't text back, or stewing over a coworker's passive-aggressive comment, this book is basically a permission slip to stop doing that to yourself. Mel Robbins takes a deceptively simple concept—just let people be who they're going to be—and unpacks it in a way that actually sticks. The writing is conversational and moves quickly, which makes it easy to get through in a weekend. Robbins shares plenty of her own messy moments, which keeps things grounded rather than preachy. She's also brought in research and expert perspectives to back up what could otherwise feel like just another catchy phrase. The "Let Them" approach gets applied to friendships, work, family, dating—pretty much anywhere you've been exhausting yourself trying to manage other people's behavior. I will say, if you're already well-versed in boundaries and stoic philosophy, some of this might feel familiar. But for anyone who tends to over-function in relationships or struggles to let go of what others think, there's something genuinely freeing here. It's the kind of book you might find yourself recommending to a friend who's stuck in a frustrating situation—not because it solves everything, but because it reframes where your energy actually belongs.

Reading "Disrupting the Game" by Nintendo great Reggie Fils-Aimé was something I was very looking forward to doing as a longtime gamer who got his start on the NES and still gets a rush from booting up my Switch. This book was just what I needed, and I could not be more pleased with it. It is motivating and entertaining to watch Reggie's rise from the Bronx to the top of the gaming business. From his humble beginnings delivering pizza to his legendary appearances at E3, his storytelling technique immerses you in his every move. Anyone interested in gaming or business will find this behind-the-scenes look at Nintendo's successes (Wii!) and failures (Wii U) quite fascinating. The ability of Reggie to draw practical lessons from his experiences as a leader is what truly distinguishes this book. In my work and gaming life, I could really relate to his stresses on resilience, disruptive thinking, and the value of good communication. Pages were dog-eared and portions were highlighted that I will definitely refer back to for future inspiration. The fact that Reggie clearly cared about his fellow Nintendo employees, especially the late Satoru Iwata, was one of my favorite parts. The leadership and collaboration that they displayed in their partnership is indicative of the type that enabled Nintendo to innovate and succeed. "Disrupting the Game" does a fantastic job of balancing personal stories, corporate insights, and game history, while devoted Nintendo fans might want even more intimate details. For anyone who has ever considered making a living doing what they love, this is a must read.