1. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey – Yes, the man can get a little crazy, but it’s because he is so passionate about what he does. This one is on it’s way.

2. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen – I’m a planner and organizer, but somehow with being new to all this business stuff… I don’t have a great workflow. Mostly because I don’t have a good system in place, everyone I’ve talked to swears by this book and I’m ready for some tips. Bring it!

3. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell – Am I the only one walking around with information overload? Love that his books will help me weed out only the info I need to keep. How to process the info I am taking in. Comes at a good time.

4. Linchpin by Seth Godin – At first it was hard to get into the book, but after the first 2 chapters it started to sink in and really enjoyed it. Plus, you just can’t go wrong with Seth Godin, really.

5. Social Media Marketing for Digital Photographers – Lawrence is briliiant at this stuff, he really hits the nail everytime. I love reading his blog and I always leave learning something that I can apply to my business. Recently attended a seminar of his and truly walked away with a focus I didn’t even know I possesed. And of course with inspiration and a to do list that will help my business.

In the last few months I recently discovered some great business podcasts. And I’m completely addicted. It’s the perfect way to get some learning on while trying to fall asleep (I’m a light sleeper!) or for the nights where I’m too exhausted to read before bed.

Top 3 Right Now

The Accidental Creative

EntreLeadership

Unofficial Linchpin

Recently downloaded, The Tower and enjoyed it. The act of creating and giving concept here really resonated with me. It’s a quick read and although talks about life in general, can really be applied to business principles for those in business doing what they love and helping others along the way.

Will be back with a holiday gift guide and another reading edition.

However, this is recent. In the past I would never even think of trying to read more than one book at a time. I guess I thought it was against the bookworm law or I couldn’t handle it. Either way, I love the current flow. Earlier this year I wasn’t reading much, life got crazy and I wasn’t making time for it. Big mistake, it balances me like yoga and keeping a schedule. Lesson learned.

Amazon has been the best source for some of these books. As much as I love Barnes & Noble, I have found that purchasing used books on Amazon works better for most purchases. Especially for the business books that you can find as low as $5 sometimes. The cookbooks I still buy new through Barnes & Noble since I know they will be on my shelf forever and ever.

The Paris Wife

This one is on it’s way. Can’t wait and I have a feeling Annie and Trude will want to borrow right after. It’s a fiction, but certainly with historical context to Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley. It’s from her perspective and it has gotten lot’s of buzz and everywhere I went I kept seeing/hearing about it and since I needed a new read, it was a good match.

The Kind Diet

Can’t say enough great things about this one. It’s especially great if you are not well informed of how bad our food supply and production is out there, thus the organic movement as well as the vegetarian and vegan movements. There’s a reason it’s big out there and it’s scary that most people just are not informed. Also enjoyed the section of the different grains out there since I wanted to explore more variety in that food group. Plus, the hubby enjoyed the read as well. Have I mentioned we’re health nuts?

Creating Customer Evangelists

Many of my photographer friends have read this and it was recommended by quite a few of them. Reading business books has been a part of my business plan from day one of starting my business. Sometimes the knowledge in them is common sense or stuff I already know. However, what I have realized is that it is training my brain. It is training it to filter my thoughts and how I process the information as well, the more I read. This one is on it’s way too!

Current favorite place to read: my bed and the comfy couch in our living room.

When I read: mostly at night before bed and sometimes in the morning when I wake up at 5:00 AM and can’t go back to bed.

Favorite snack while reading: apples, strawberries, homemade trail mix (cashews, almonds, dried apricots) and some hot tea.

I have some more great books on the list that are on the wish list or will order soon, can’t wait to share the next series of books. What are you reading?

The more I stay at home the more I read and I’ve always got a wish list going, always. A month ago when I did a job I treated myself to a book allowance and purchased used, but in great condition books on Amazon. The result? Pure book heaven. Especially lately, because when I am stressed and can’t stop worrying it’s my biggest escape. I’ve been reading books in a week or less lately, it’s a problem. Especially for my overcrowded bookshelves, but I can’t let go of them, they are a part of me.

I love it when you read a book(s) that are perfect for you at that very moment, the dosage you just needed. These books are just that. So inspiring and they really have touched me; even cried at certain points. They all touched me in different ways and for various reasons, but there is one great theme. All of these women in their stories, memoirs are in their late 20′s, lost and just trying to find their place in life. With the exception of Bitter is The New Black, they all include recipes at the end of each chapter. Really yummy ones at that, can you say hungry?

Eat Pray Love

It’s safe to say that just about every bookworm with estrogen has read it or heard about it, enough said. Who can resist? I loved her story, just amazing and so inspirational. The Italy section was my favorite, surprise. I literally would have dreams about it while I was reading it. My girlfriends and I that read the book are going to go see the movie next month, we’re big Julia Roberts fans. Can’t wait.

Bitter is the New Black

Jen Lancaster has quite a few books out, they are not a series so you can pick up any at any time. I happened to pick this one because I felt it was the story I could most relate to. A woman finding her way after being laid off from a 9-5 corporate job who starts a blog and becomes a writer-nice! I often had to cover my mouth when I read it in bed because she is so funny and I was afraid my outbursts would wake up Kris. She puts the pro in sarcasm, highly recommend.

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti

This one took a bit to grow on me, but loved her humor and could really feel the emotions she went through. Even better her recipes are super easy and her titles are cute humorous.

Lunch in Paris

I love this one! It takes place mostly in Paris and it’s her memoir. A great story of her finding her way through the culture in Paris, learning the foods of Paris (yum) and finding her career all the while falling in love. Her tone is a lot sweeter than most of the authors in these books, but this girl still has a witty sense of humor. For sure a must read!

A Homemade Life

I’ve still got a few chapters on this one and I’m sad to end it. It’s so good I don’t want it to end. She’s a writer who now runs a restaurant in Seattle with her husband and is also the writer of the awesome and famous Orangette blog. This is going on my top ten list of all time. She even has great ideas and questions for a cooking or reading club, fantastic. It is very sweet as she dedicates it to her father who has passed. This one really made me cry a few times. She’s a really brilliant writer, it shows right away. Also very witty and smart. Her background is awesome, the woman has three degrees, still writes and runs a restaurant-SUPER WOW!

So there you have it, I hope you check them out if you’re a reader and they bring as much joy, laughter and meaning as they did for me. True gems sitting on my bookshelf. Of course my best friend, Annie and I mostly read the same books which is great because we have an unofficial book club going. I highly recommend it, it makes for great book swapping and conversation.

On the wish list now:

The School of Essential Ingredients

A Vintage Affair

Happy reading!