If you are ready to leave mediocrity behind you and maximize your potential, read this book. Drawing on practices developed over centuries of human consciousness development, The Miracle Morning condenses the most effective, ‘best of the best’ practices all into a daily morning ritual that is guaranteed to change your life. I read this book in April of 2020 at the beginning of global lockdown. I had been waking up at 11:00 in the morning and going to bed at 3 am, feeling as though my entire days were being wasted. I was very over it. I purchased this book and embarked on a 31 day journey to optimize my mornings and ultimately my life. For everyone who asks me “how do you get up so early?” or “how do you have the discipline to go to bed so early?” - my answer is because of this book.

Eckhart Tolle is one of the most influential spiritual figures in the 21st century. After I read this book, I asked my friend’s mother who is a yoga teacher and a spiritual leader in my life if she had ever read it. She laughed and said “yes, a long time ago.” I never really understood her reaction until someone recommended the book to me, and I almost laughed telling them that I had already read it. The thing with The Power of Now is that once you read it, you feel like you’ve joined a club of sorts. What I mean by this is that the readers of the book just “get it”. Whatever “it” is. The book’s teachings become a way of life. My words cannot fully express the power that this book holds. If you read any book on this list, let it be The Power of Now.

Rachel Hollis is a badass, and she’s so real. A bunch of these authors are very spiritual, and see the word through a lens that isn’t always relatable to the un-enlightened reader. Rachel Hollis does not fall into that category. She’s raw, authentic, direct, and knows how she feels. She’s willing to be vulnerable in so many aspects of her life, from talking about motherhood to binge-eating, all the way to talking about death of a loved one, she puts her heart in her writing. It is refreshing. Girl Wash Your Face shows readers how to live with passion and hustle — and how to give yourself grace without giving up. It is really an awesome, and easy read. If you enjoy it, I recommend reading Girl, Stop Apologizing next.

That fact that I’m currently 65 pages into this book and it is on this list should speak volumes about its contents. There’s a good deal of resonance between this book and The Power of Now, although I think that Michael Singer’s explanation of some very profound concepts are more digestible than that of Eckhart Tolle. These books are confronting human consciousness and they invite spiritual awakening with each chapter, so to have an author who is able to be so direct in their explanations of these things is very valuable. This is one of Oprah Winfrey’s favorites, and it is certainly one of mine (possibly even my favorite of all time). There is so much wisdom on every page. I feel like I spend more time highlighting and thinking than reading, and that’s a rare thing.

I absolutely adore Byron Katie’s life philosophy. It makes so much sense to me. That being said, it doesn’t make “so much sense” to everyone. Katie’s principles are very simple; very direct. She is so present in reality, it’s almost unbelievable. I heard her on a podcast with Oprah this past June, and learning her philosophy was a turning point in my spiritual journey. In Loving What Is, Byron Katie teaches readers that suffering comes when we deny reality, or what is. As part of a process that she calls “The Work”, Byron Katie teaches us the four questions that we must ask ourselves when we are inviting suffering into our lives. Whether our significant other is frustrating us, or we’re worried about our own mortality, there is immense value to be gained in employing “The Work”, and this book teaches you exactly how to do that.

If you know anyone who is into spirituality or self-development, chances are they’ve probably read The Four Agreements. Described as a practical guide to personal freedom, this 160 page book teaches four principles to living your life. These principles include: be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. While this book is probably the least literary piece on this list, its contents are invaluable. Not to mention, it’s an easy read and Ruiz’ points are extremely straight forward. If you’re just getting into self-development, this is a great starter book.

May Cause Miracles is especially unique among the rest of these books because it is a 40-day guidebook rather than a conventional chapter by chapter read. I am on the last week of the 40-day journey, and this book has been incredible. The cover describes the book as a “guidebook of subtle shifts for radical change and unlimited happiness.” In my experience, the once subtle seeming shifts have proved entirely radical. The book provides readings, affirmations, meditations, and journal prompts for both the morning and evening of each day. May Cause Miracles is all about choosing love over fear, learning how to channel and listen to our inner guides, and welcoming miracles in our everyday life.

Last but most certainly not least is Richard Powers’ The Overstory. This is the only fictional book on this list, but it is no less powerful than any of the nonfiction reads that came before it. This book is exceptional. Truthfully, I’m not sure I would’ve picked it up had it not been for a class I took this past semester called Environmental Humanities, but I am eternally grateful that this book found its way into my life. Richard Powers is an incredibly beautiful writer. When I read fiction, I use a pink highlighter and a yellow highlighter - the pink highlighter for when I want to embody a writer’s writing voice, and the yellow highlighter to keep up with plot analyses. Let me tell you, this book was covered in pink highlighter. In terms of writing voice, Richard Powers is my greatest inspiration. If you’re a writer, I highly recommend reading this book. Writing aside, the true value of this book comes from its messages. This book (aided by the course I took) evolved my perception and appreciation of nature 10-fold. It is a beautiful, tragic, enlightening story about life, and love, and most importantly, about trees that I think everyone should read.