Books to Inspire Your Personal Growth Journey

I’ve always been an avid reader, known for bedtime sleep-sabotage by staying up far too late reading “just one more chapter.” So it’s not a big surprise that I turned to books when I’m looking for answers to questions, to satisfy curiosities or for escaping into another world for a little bit.

To inspire your own journey, below is a list of books and resources that have proven to be influential in mine.

Non-Fiction Books for Rabbit Holes and Inspiration

Several years ago, when I was starting to notice just how lost I was feeling, my reading became much more purposeful. Since I knew that I loved reading, books were my go-to place to start. I wanted to better understand why I felt stuck, what areas I felt stuck the most and get some direction on how to take aligned action from there.

In this free download, learn which 5 books where the most helpful and exactly why they helped me navigate through that phase of life.

Fiction Books to Transform Your Life

There are some who discount women's fiction as just romance novels, dismissing its inherent powerful storytelling. Exploring stories from another point of view, different circumstances, can actually give us some real insights into our own lives. Parallels and fresh perspectives connect with our own lives and help us see a way to navigate through the journey and help free us from that stuck feeling or reliving stories that no longer serve us.

To tap into the power of story, I’ve created a list of questions that you can use with your favorite novel as journal prompts or add to the book club discussion.

Some stories really speak to the places where you feel stuck. In order to tap into the power of these journeys through story, I've pulled quotes from some of my favorite books and crafted self-reflection questions that will spark some lively book club discussion or open up your thoughts in your own journal practice.

Let them help you look at your own life a little more deeply and take small steps forward, toward living a life that lights you up. See all the titles here.

What I’ve Been Reading (and loved) Lately

I always have a book (or 3) going at a time. Usually a fiction book and one or two non-fiction, following whatever rabbit hole I’ve stumbled down this week.

To see what I’ve read and loved lately, plus everything else on my list, check out my lists at Bookshop.org. They support local booksellers with each purchase, and you can even select your favorite indie bookseller! This is an affiliate link (so I receive a small compensation for your purchase, at no cost to you) but the recommendations are purely from my own reading journey.

Fan Fiction

My total nerd-alert is sharing that I am an avid fan of Gilmore Girls fan fiction. I had heard of it a long time ago from a friend who was way into theater, TV and fandoms, but I didn’t quite understand it. Then when Gilmore Girls came to Netflix, my love for the show was renewed and I started following some fan accounts on Instagram. And somehow in there, I remembered fan fiction and QUICKLY went down a rabbit hole of devouring stories.

I love how it shows the power of storytelling and imagination to expand and re-write stories with some of my favorite characters. I’ve also connected with some of the amazing writers and found other people who have a deep love for the show as well. Connecting with people with common interests is a great way to find your community of people. I shared about it in this article. My Gilmore Girls fan friends are some of my favorite people and have turned into IRL friends as well.

If you are even a little bit fan-curious, check out my most favorite stories by Caro1414, QueenOfTheSloths, LoveRocket, Milady of Amethyst and the crazy talented JamieCorrs. Or search the archives and see what floats your boat. Happy nerding out!

Personal Stories

Learning from the adventures and journeys of other people can be the most powerful. Hearing what someone went through and the nuggets they gleaned from the experience can be just the thing you need for an aha moment for yours. In my journal entries, I share stories about my journey, stories from everyday life and how to reframe them so you can see your own life from a new perspective. Check out some of these entries for some inspiration and motivation to take the next aligned step in your journey.

Beyond the Bookshelf

I’ve got to know, what are you reading lately? My TBR pile is always accepting suggestions! What book should I dive into for my next set of journal prompts and book club questions? Send me a message on Instagram @FireflyScout and let me know.

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