Books are like a best friend, there for you when you need them. Easy to pick up where you left off, and able to make you both laugh and cry in the same sentence.

I am a chronic book hoarder. There is a pile at my bedside table, another in the living room, a stack on my desk and more than one bookshelf full of all the ones I have read and can’t let go of. The following are a few of my favourites. Each in its own way has helped guide me toward a better version of myself.

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear – There is a reason this book is on everyone’s list of must-reads. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s likely on your bedside table, recommended by a friend or a gift from your mother. Try reading just one page a day (I bet you’ll want to keep reading) which fits James Clear’s strategy of building manageable self-improvement strategies. I am the worst for setting goals that have me spinning at 400%. Following James’ Clear’s “1%” growth strategy means I’m actually showing up and moving the needle.
2. Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett, Dave Evans – This one was recommended to me by leadership coach Catherine Ducharme (Founder at Fluency Leadership). At the time, I was trying to make a shift in my life and feeling blocked. This book was a huge help. When she recommended it, she shared a short explainer. It’s worth watching for a quick overview as you answer that gnawing question of what you’re going to do with “your one wild and precious life”

3. Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey – I bought this book as a Christmas gift a few years ago, and quickly had to go out and re-buy it after binge reading it and realizing I needed to keep a copy for myself. What I really needed to hear at that moment was that happiness was not some elusive thing off in the distance when life got easier. With quippy, quotable lines, like “when you can’t change the world, change how you experience it instead,” this book implored me to find reasons to make the world better for others and to laugh more: “Life has sadness, tragedy, and frustration in abundance. Find the funny parts of it and everyone will be a lot better off.”

4. Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace – I loved this insight into Ed Catmull’s work and what it took behind the scenes to build a culture of creativity at Pixar. Whether your an artist, or an entrepreneur, or working for an innovative organization and looking for ways to think outside the box this is a book you’ll end up reading twice. Lots of wisdom and inspiration.

5. Beyond Disruption by W Chan Kim, Renée A Mauborgne – I loved the concept of this book, the idea that you don’t need to be disruptive to be innovative. There’s a great story in here about the invention of the Square, creating a way for entrepreneurs such as vendors at farm and craft markets that previously couldn’t accept credit cards to expand their small businesses without disrupting mainstream markets.

6. Essentialism by Greg McKeown – I have a pesky habit of stretching myself too thin. I get excited about a hundred things at a time, and I want to jump in and do all of it. Not a good leadership strategy. This book, with its disciplined pursuit of less, helped me to see the importance of being more strategic about what I say yes to and more intentional about blocking off time for the things that really matter.

7. Think you’ll be Happy by Nicole Avant – Reading this book while processing grief helped to shift my perspective outward to the importance of choosing gratitude, public service, and community. Because if you Think You’ll Be Happy, you can be. The title is a reflection on the last words Avant’s mother left her, words that became a beacon for resilience and hope. I read this book myself and then bought it again for a friend.

8. The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier – Have I got some advice for you… er, I mean, “What’s on your mind? And what else?”. This book was a quick one to read with a message that sat with me much longer. I am an innately curious person so it surprises me how quick I am to jump to advice giver instead of question asker. The ability to not only ask good questions but to stop long enough for the answer(s) is a superpower.

9. Mindset by Carol S. Dweck – I can’t say enough about the importance of cultivating a growth mindset. I realize this concept has been around for a while, but if you haven’t read the book, I recommend you do.

10. Who we are by Murray Sinclair – I bought this book in hardcover and I’m so glad I did because it is a mainstay on my bookshelf. I wish I had the opportunity to meet the Honourable Murray Sinclair when he was alive. I am so thankful for this book and his wisdom. The book is framed around four simple but powerful questions “Where do I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here, and Who I am?“ and concludes with a summary of the final report of the TRC, which is vital reading for anyone committed to the ongoing work of reconciliation.These are just a few of the books I turn to when I am looking for a push in the right direction. Happy reading!

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Jennifer Cox, founder of COCO Strategies is a communications professional and leadership coach based in Western Canada. The best part of my work: helping others find their story and bringing that vision to life.