I love reading.  I do.  I’ll be first to admit that I’m not into fiction when I read.  Perhaps it is because that need is quelled by the quantum of movies available to us at the click of a button.  Instead it’s the books that challenge my beliefs and my way of thinking that I love. Those books that teach me something that I didn’t know; or put what I know it such beautifully simple words.

I’ve read and listened to more books this year than I’ve ever done before.  I listen to audiobooks in the car on my daily commute, and I’ll be honest: I can’t wait to carry on listening. Sometimes I wish that my journey would go on a bit, so that I can continue listening.  (Who wishes to be stuck in traffic?)  I read books every evening.  Yes, actual books.  I love the feeling of a book in my hands.  On weekends I’ll sneak in some afternoon reading time too.  I read and listen to two books at a time, and I don’t find it confusing at all.  I have a few books that I’ve listened to which I have gone out and bought so that I can reference specific sections with ease.

I thought I’d share a few of my favourites with you, and I’ll tell you why they are my favourites, I’ll share my key insights and thoughts about them, what I agreed with and what I disagreed with.   Not to discourage you from reading the book yourself.  No.  There is no substitute for the full experience of reading a book.  However, perhaps my insights will nudge you toward reading some of these books – or others.

I hope that this will be of value to you.

London, summer 2015, picture taken by Alison.