Fall is the time of year where many of us are turning inward, getting a bit reflective, and taking inventory of our lives. It’s also the time where we’re thinking of ways to end the year strong and begin thinking about the year ahead. It’s a reason this time of year is considered one of harvest and growth.
If you’re looking for ways to jumpstart your motivation to finish your goals or are looking for inspiration to start something new a good book is the perfect place to start. From memoirs to humor, reflections and fiction, here are five titles that should make it on your Fall reading list and why:
- The Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes
What do you think you could accomplish if you committed to saying “yes” for a year? While we may not all be award winning TV producers, something we can all can relate to is getting a little too comfortable with saying no. And we don’t mean the good kind of no. We’re talking about saying no to yourself, saying no to your dreams, and saying no to those things that have the ability to stretch you. In this captivating read, Shonda Rhimes, the amazing writer behind Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder, takes us inside her year long journey to say “yes”. Learn about the life changing power of saying yes, what happened when Rhimes faced her fears head on, and how her life and career soared after committing to simply saying YES.
- What I Know for Sure – Oprah Winfrey
No list of inspirational books would be complete without Oprah’s What I Know for Sure. This sure to be legendary title takes us through the most important experiences Oprah encountered throughout her life and the knowledge gained from them. Filled from cover to cover with life lessons (and mistakes) and wisdom that can only be found after living fully, if you’re ever in need of some real life inspiration, any chapter in this book is sure to give you the fuel you need.
- Around the Way Girl – Taraji P. Henson
We know her for her work on both the big screen and small but with Around the Way Girl, Taraji P. Henson shares an intimate look into her real life rise to fame. And we do mean intimate. In this memoir, we learn about Henson’s humble beginnings in the projects of DC, single motherhood, and the struggles of being a black woman in Hollywood. A truly inspirational read that showcases the power of determined black women.
- Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
Never underestimate the power of a good story. As the only fiction title on the list, Americanah is a read that all women across the diaspora can relate to. This book follows the journey of a Nigerian woman’s experience in American and digs into all of the experiences that accompany it. From love to identity, this book is an engaging read that covers it all.
- I’m Judging You – Luvvie Ajayi
Both the success and the content of this book are reasons this title made it onto our inspirational list. And we have to warn you, this one is much different (and all the way real) than the others we’ve discussed) than the others we’ve discussed. While hilariously funny at times, Ajayi’s collections of essays touches or real issues that hit home. This read forces us to turn inward, take a look at ourselves, the world around us, and the part we play. With a healthy dose of humor.
Whether you’re a physical copy kind of woman, prefer your books on a digital reader, or don’t have time for either and prefer to download and listen, make sure you take some time to check these out this season.
