3 Books In July 2015

I love reading. And do a lot of it. It’s one of the things that I’m so grateful for – that I have the time and means to read a lot.

I love fiction – preferaby romantic fictions. My blog, Corinne Rodrigues has my reviews of fiction. On Everyday Gyaan, I stick to wellness, personal development and inspirational books. I’ve decided to start a new series here – 3 Books In (Name of the month) in which I will suggest three books I’ve read or read about, which I think you would love to consider reading too. Here are my suggestions for July.

 

3 Books In July 2015

The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Matthew Kelly

The Rhythm of Life will help you to bring into focus who you are and why you are here. Through this audiobook Matthew Kelly will help you discover your legitimate needs, deepest desires, and unique talents.
Matthew Kelly exposes the lifestyle challenges and problems that face us in this age obsessed with noise, speed, and perpetual activity. Kelly’s message rings out with a truth that is challenging and unmistakably attractive, “Who you become is infinitely more important than what you do, or what you have”. Are you ready to meet the best version of yourself?

The Rhythm of Life is a brilliant and clear-eyed rejection of the chaotic lifestyle that has captured the world, written with common sense, humor, and extraordinary insight.

“This is what I do know: You are capable of incredible things—things you have not even begun to imagine or believe in. Infinite possibilities are all around you, waiting to be explored, appreciated, grasped, and celebrated. You are using only a fraction of your potential . . . and that is a beautiful and exciting truth.

Every day you make hundreds of decisions. Some of those decisions help you become the-best-version-of-yourself, and others don’t. Life is a choice. Become a great decision maker and you will master the art of living. With each decision, simply ask: What will help me to become the-best-version-of-myself? Make this a constant part of your inner dialogue and you will become a fabulous decision maker—and live a life uncommon.” – Matthew Kelly

Buy The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Connect with Matthew Kelly

The Happiness Hypothesis
Jonathan Haidt

In his widely praised book, award-winning psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the world’s philosophical wisdom through the lens of psychological science, showing how a deeper understanding of enduring maxims-like Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, or What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger-can enrich and even transform our lives.

“Where does happiness come from? There are several different “happiness hypotheses.” One is that happiness comes from getting what you want, but we all know (and research confirms) that such happiness is short-lived. A more promising hypothesis is that happiness comes from within and cannot be obtained by making the world conform to your desires. This idea was widespread in the ancient world: Buddha in India and the Stoic philosophers in ancient Greece and Rome all counseled people to break their emotional attachments to people and events, which are always unpredictable and uncontrollable, and to cultivate instead an attitude of acceptance. This ancient idea deserves respect, and it is certainly true that changing your mind is usually a more effective response to frustration than is changing the world. However, I will present evidence that this second version of the happiness hypothesis is wrong. Recent research shows that there are some things worth striving for; there are some external conditions of life that can make you lastingly happier. One of these conditions is relatedness—the bonds we form, and need to form, with others. I’ll present research showing where love comes from, why passionate love always cools, and what kind of love is “true” love. I’ll suggest that the happiness hypothesis offered by Buddha and the Stoics should be amended: Happiness comes from within, and happiness comes from without. We need the guidance of both ancient wisdom and modern science to get the balance right.”- Jonathan Haidt

Buy The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom
Connect with Jonathan Haidt

I’m saving my favourite for last!

A Daily Dose of Sanity
Alan Cohen

In times of challenge as well as ease, we all need a helping hand to stay on top of our game, make successful decisions, and find peace of mind in the midst of people and events that might distract us. This collection of inspiring, poignant, and humorous real-life stories, coupled with uplifting insights, will show you how to keep your head on straight and your heart open no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
In his uniquely warm and down-to-earth way, Alan Cohen teaches you through meaningful examples that you’re in the perfect position to use your talents and assets to turn your life into all you want it to be. Each day-of-the-year entry contains a theme, an elegant quotation, a true-to-life anecdote, a short lesson, a question for self-study, and an empowering affirmation. In the tradition of Alan’s highly popular award-winning book A Deep Breath of Life, you can use this book on a daily basis for a potent uplift and gain valuable tools to feel better, create career and financial success, deepen the quality of all of your relationships, and find personal fulfillment that lifts you far beyond what you’ve known in the past.

“Acts of genius are less a matter of doing, and more a matter of allowing. Less trying, more flowing. Less forcing, more being. You quit being the doer and you become the vessel.” – Alan Cohen

Buy A Daily Dose of Sanity: A Five-Minute Soul Recharge for Every Day of the Year
Connect with Alan Cohen

Have you read any of these books? What books do you recommend for July reading?