1. The Little Prince by St Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This is the first book I ever read. It was in elementary school literature class. This book is about a discussion between a stranded pilot and a child “Little Prince”. The pilot and the child discuss several topics where perception and adult behaviors, “Grown Ups” is portrayed in a novel that will leave you thinking… What are really grown ups about. Is not just a children’s book, but a adult book that makes one think deeply of how a child and a grown up sees, wants and perceives the word. This book made me think a lot, examine myself and open my appetite for reading books and self improvement. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Great book on entrepreneurship and start-ups. This book changed my life by changing my perception on many things, specially about financial stability, source of active and passive incomes and self development. Although this book doesn’t show you the type of businesses to start, how to invest or how to develop a personal strategy, it opens one’s mind for development and exploration. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
3. Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller. This book contains very useful information on 3 specific types of relationship attachments. This book reinforced something I already knew, what type of person I am, what types of attachments are out there, and how to better understand people’s way of attachment in a relationship. The authors do an excellent work explaining how individuals behave, manage, react or attach physically and emotionally on different types of relationships. I agree with the findings of the authors that, one individual usually possess one type of attachment trait, but may change to a different type or have a combination of two with time, or after a negative or positive experience. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
4. Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman. This is a must read book to understand how people see, show, need and interpret love. Very useful knowledge to support and grow in any type of relationship. I see a great use in reading this book. One must practice, read the book again if needed, share the information with a partner or sibling for better communication and understanding. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
5. The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*** by Mark Mason. A must read book to understand that high priorities go before anything, then life is just fine. I think that an individual gets strong, stoic, successful, confident, self motivating and self sufficient, by prioritizing high and basic needs, wants and caring for them. Also by learning to develop a self sustaining emotional and stress relief system, that allows one to cope with any situation without the need of drugs, people or anything else. These self taught personal mechanisms promote a strong mentality, that stops the lack of self esteem, anger production, feeling lost and hopeless, and blocks bad emotions. Things like having pity of oneself or others, having addicting cyclic, crab or negative mentalities are no longer needed or wanted. One become more stable, conscious of oneself surroundings, more understanding and empathetic, a better listener, and to think with purpose. This hard work on self development builds a character that is the base for a healthy adult and a positive mentality lifestyle. This books to me is a reflection of the hard work I have made on myself, for a better me. I feel the author read my thoughts and feelings. A great book to break free of worry and overwhelming wrong conceptual associations. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Although the book is somewhat repetitive, the information there is of great value. It helps one understand how people perceive the world in their ways not ours. The book teaches good skills on how to listen and connect with others for a common happy and efficient goal. I’ll give it a 8 and I recommend it for reading.
7. Geography of Though by Richard E. Nisbett. This books breaks down the difference between Asian and Western thinking, their differences, bases of thought and how each perceives the world. It is an extraordinary book to read if you like psychology and self development. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
8. Dataclysm by Christian Rudder. This is better explained as the author describes it, ” Who brings us together, what pulls us apart, and what makes who we are”. This is a very informative book that explains how collected information, (people’s digital data), is used, and how we fit in society in different ways in our life time. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
9. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. This is a great book that shows the different upbringing methods between Asians and Western parents and how they raise their children. Among strong factors that take place raising children, it seems that race, culture background and psychological traits are the most influencing to children in a home environment. Each group shows different upbringing styes, one may seem more relaxed: enabling, entitling and spoiling, versus the other style, very tough, demanding and instructional. Choosing a particular upbringing or best style is an ongoing task for parents. Is the parent or parents responsibility to decide how to raise their children, they brought them to this world not anyone else. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
10. Mating in Captivity by Ester Perel. This book elaborates on how many couples live, suffer, learn to cope with situations, deal with, feel incarcerated, used by, slaved by and struggle within. The book is an inside replica of traditional, quiet or turbulent marriage stories. This is a great awareness and tool book for couples to be more considerate and caring to each other, or to learn to let go. I’ll give it a 9 and I recommend it for reading.
11. The State of Affairs by Esther Perel. This is controversial book, yet very informative and open minded. Through the author’s research work and patient’s life experiences, “marriage and betrayal is reconsidered”. The author shows possible solutions that can be taken for a better life learning experience and less suffering. You may or may not benefit from this book, it is your choice. I think that, the goal in understanding and fixing a particular situation, is not about criticizing other people’s way of thinking, feelings, doing things or unique behavior, but in deciding how we see things, what we want, and what we do about them when situations present. I’ll give it a 8 and I recommend it for reading.
12. More coming up.