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Hippie by Paulo Coelho
Growing up, I bought almost all of Coelho’s books but I never really understood them. I didn’t even finish reading them and they ended up as gifts to my friends when they celebrated birthdays.
Though I grew up in a remote Philippine village, I also had the chance to rub elbows with the typical spoiled kids when my parents sent me to one of the most expensive private schools. I am from a country where education is already considered a luxury.
When depression hit me, I left everything that makes my life comfortable.
I chose what would later on break my heart.
In the process, I met Coelho again.
This time, I understood almost everything but I never knew what led Coelho to write the way he does.
This book talks about his life journey and experiences.
This book and all his other books helped me gave words to the wisdom and profound lessons I have bumped into while I was in the darkest days of my journey to finding what is it that makes my existence worth it.
Limitless by Laura Gasner Olting
Advanced Reading Copy received from NetGalley
Publication Date: 2 April 2019
This book is enough to motivate me to continue designing the life that I want to live.
It gave me enough motivation to ignore the naysayers. It opened my eyes to more possibilities.
It taught me to think without limits.
I am my own limit.
100 Steps Closer
La Ivana did a good job in meticulously piecing and mindfully crafting motivational quotes, affirmations, journal prompts and action plans together to an ebook.
This ebook made me feel like I have an e-bestfriend cheering for me.
You can read my full review of 100 Steps closer here.
Roots by James Evangelista
Nothing made me prouder than reading a book written by a fellow Filipino writer.
James Evangelista, a blogger and now a published author, did a good job in this book.
I am so happy I joined his giveaway contest. I was able to read the book for free after winning it.
I must say that first, we Filipinos scoff at the idea of motivation, personal development, depression and our country isn’t a place for intellectuals.
We bully them like they don’t have a place in our society which is very ironic given how much we value education.
No wonder why we remain in the same economic status.
No wonder every Filipino wants a way out of the country.
We blame our leaders if something goes wrong but we don’t hesitate electing clueless celebrities to run our government.
We fail to see that the change we want to see in our country must start within ourselves.
If I will be part of our Department of Education, I will include books like this in the textbooks that our students are required to study then maybe, change is easier to see.
Kids are easier to train and the “youth is the hope of our nation” as what Jose Rizal, our national hero, said.
It’s all about the roots. It’s all about the foundation.
How about you? What did you do to start the change you want to see in your life this 2019? I’d love to see them in the comment below.
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This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission. This is at no cost to you but helps me to provide awesome content regularly. Thanks for your support!
Epic list! It looks so inspiring. I’ve been feeling the winter doldrums too, so I will definitely check these out. I’m trying to remind myself to make more time to read, so I’m really impressed you started with so many books! I definitely want to check out Hippie, I feel like that is the uplifting read I’d want right now.
I totally feel you with the winter blues. With a blog to and social media to learn, it is really challenging to read these days but I can not give that one thing that calms me down up. I know you will find more time to read. And Hippie didn’t disappoint. Paulo Coelho doesn’t disappoint. If you are enar me, I will lend you my copy. =)
Very impressive you have already read 4 books. I’m not much of a book reader anymore, I read a lot when I was younger. But the books that do attract me these days are the more inspiring ones. Limitless sounds interesting to me. I will put it on my list to read. Thanks Dani!
I would say that I am also not as huge fan of fiction books as I was younger. Now I prefer non fiction and inspiring ones too. Thank you so much for reading. =)
Excellent to see that you’ve already read 4 books this year. You’re ahead of me by 3. I actually have a book of my own that I hope to complete soon.
Good luck finishing your book. I’d love to read it when you it’s done. It’s not as easy finishing writing a book as we wanted. My book is also few chapters away from being done. Cheers to having our books published soon. =)
Thanks for listing these. I need to read more this year, at the moment I’m relying on audio books whilst I run but it’s not the same as sitting down with a book before bed. Always on the lookout for inspiring reads!
I have tried audiobook and I loved it. Maybe because Mark Manson used his own voice for his The Subtle Art of not Giving a Fuck book that’s why it made more sense. Curling up with a book is one of the things I love doing every single day. Cheers to reading more books this year! Thank you for reading. =)
This list is wonderful and each book sounds so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. My ‘to-read’ list just got bigger ;).
And thank you for reading. =)
Thank you for sharing your books and more importantly, your heart. The wisdom found in books can help us in so many ways and I love to check-out recommendations from others. One of the greatest books I keep is my own daily journal. I believe deep in our hearts there is wisdom we can draw upon. I look forward to your next update.
Thank you so much Karletta. =)
I loved reading your list and how these books have personally influenced you. I also enjoyed hearing your perspective on Filipinos and personal development. Although where I live in the United States, there are many people who are interested in personal growth and indeed the whole premise of the “American Dream” is the “self-made man” (like Benjamin Franklin), there’s also a large segment of the population who makes fun of self-help and, as you said, would rather blame all their problems on politicians. They’re addicted to useless debates about political issues because it gives them the illusion that they’re actually creating change.
Thank you so much Kate. Yes. Quite disturbing if we will think about it.
Thank you so much for mentioning my eBook! I’ll have to check out Coelho’s Hippie, I just read his Veronika Decided to Die and loved it. Such a good writer 🙂
You are welcome. I really enjoyed reading your ebook. I loved Veronika Decided to Die too. And yes, Hippie is another of his powerful book. =) Thank you for reading.
Just added all of these to my amazon cart! I need some new plane reads, and I’m sharing a lot more self-care content and this is PERFECT! Looking forward to reading more!
Oh! Adding this to my list of books to read. I love this. And I also haven’t read anything other than the Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. Definitely putting this on my list <3
I am inspired. May I say I love your story! And as another person from a third world country. I can totally relate. The status quo of the countries economy. Only, education is expensive, but all who can and even those who can’t seek it, aspire for it, hope for it. But when they are done there are no jobs because those in power have not done a thing to help but only pocket the country’s wealth. But about this list, it is epic and will be checking these books out. Happy reading. And yes, reading about being held back by ones own limiting beliefs is inspiring me in 2019 to go more boldly, doubts and all into discovering again, and e=uearthing my buried dreams. Thank you so much. You are epic!
Thank you for this list of books to read, they all look like great choices. I haven’t been making enough time to read but I find it very relaxing and therapeutic when I do. These books sound right up my alley and I look forward to checking them out! Take care 🙂
Thank you so much and I am glad you liked it. I will agree that it is one of the most therapeutic things to do. I know you will find time to read soon. =)