Top 12 Must-Read Books to Activate Your Core Values This Summer
Did you know that one of the most empowering ways to activate your values is through the books you choose to read? You have the power to shape your summer reading list to align with your values.
Looking for some recommendations?
Check out my curated summer reading list.
In no particular order, these are some of my favorites on my summer reading list, including which values they activated for me:
- The Emotion Code – Gives you the tools to identify and release the trapped emotions in your life, eliminating your āemotional baggageā and opening your heart and body to the positive energies of the world.Jamesā Take: This book taught me a simple method for releasing emotions that get trapped inside the body. Now, when I get triggered, instead of falling into one of my bad habits, I instantly release that emotion with this simple method.Values Activated – Learning ? , Growth ? , Health ā£ļø , Spirituality āØ , Self-Care ā¤ļøā?
- Super Joints – Shows you exactly how to quickly achieve and maintain peak joint health and then use it to improve every aspect of your physical performance.Jamesā Take: I just turned 40 and I have learned as I age how important it is to take care of my body temple. This book gives simple practices to free up your joints that MaryBeth and I do each night.Values Activated – Learning?, Healthā£ļø, Self-Care ā¤ļøā?, Knowledge? , Inner Harmony ?
- The Food Lab – Focuses on the science behind beloved American dishes, delving into the interactions between heat, energy, and molecules that create great food. It shows that conventional methods often donāt work that well, and home cooks can achieve far better results using newābut simpleātechniques.Jamesā Take: This is it if you want to learn how to cook delicious food. It teaches you simple, tested techniques to learn the basics of cooking and turned me into an at-home chef.Values Activated – Learning ?, Creativity?, Innovation?, Knowledge?, Curiosity ?
- The Lion Trackerās Guide to Life – You know your gift, purpose, and mission somewhere deep inside. This book reveals how the wisdom of the ancient art of tracking can teach you how to recognize these essential ingredients in a meaningful life.Jamesā Take: One of my favorite quotes is, āI donāt know where I am going, but I know exactly how I am going to get there.ā This book will help you find your purpose by taking it one step at a time.Values Activated: Purpose?, Unity with Nature?, Growth?, Authenticityāļø , Wisdom?
- The Richest Man in Babylon – Through a series of enlightening parables set in the heart of ancient Babylon, it provided his readers with economic tips and tools for financial success.Jamesā Take: This was one of the first books I read as a kid. It taught me so much about personal finance that I still use today.Values Activated – Wealth? , Knowledge?, Wisdom ?, Learning?, Family Security ?
- The River of Doubt – At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Rooseveltās harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.Jamesā Take: This is an amazing story of adventure and exploration into a part of the world unknown to Westerners at the time by a former President. It would be like President Obama or Bush going to explore Mars.Values Activated – Adventure?ļø, Unity with Nature?, Exciting Life?, Daring?, Connection?
- The Tiger – Itās December 1997, and a man-eating tiger prowls outside a remote village in Russiaās Far East. This absolutely gripping tale of man and nature leads inexorably to a final showdown.Jamesā Take: One of my favorite books of all time. This true story will have you on the edge of your seat and really think about the intersection between humans and nature.Values Activated – Empathy?, Compassion?, Unity with Nature?, Adventure?ļø, Connection?
- The Will of The Many – At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets.Jamesā Take: Another one at the top of my favorite books ever. Even though it is fantasy, it has so many parallels to the world we live in today.Values Activated – Imagination?, Curiosity?, Empathy? , Adventure?ļø, Freedom?
- Project Hail Mary – Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance missionāand if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.Jamesā Take: A journey through space and self to save humanity. There is a reason this book has gotten a lot of accolades. It will keep you wondering what will happen next.Values Activated – Connection?, Imagination?, Empathy?, Adventure?ļø, Exciting Life?
- 1984 – A masterpiece of rebellion and imprisonment where war is peace, freedom is slavery and Big Brother is watching.Jamesā Take – I have never hated an ending more of a book. Which, in turn, made me love it even more.Values Activated – Independence?, Freedom?, Authenticityāļø, Sense of Belonging?ļø, Social Justiceāļø
- The Alchemist – tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure.Jamesā Take – This book will teach you how to tap into your heartās wisdom so that you can follow your dreams.Values Activated – Adventure?ļø, SpiritualityāØ, Authenticityāļø, Imagination?, Purpose?
- Hatchet – A story of survival and transformation, this riveting book has sparked many readers’ interest in venturing into the wild.Jamesā Take: One of my favorite books from my childhood that I still reread as an adult. It sparks your imagination of what life would be like having to survive in the woods.Values Activated – Unity with Nature?, Adventure?ļø, Creativity?, Imagination?, Responsibility ā
Enjoy investing this summer into reading books that activate your values!
And Iād love to know what you are reading or have read that isnāt on this summer reading list and what values it activates for you.
Ready to start living a more values-aligned life this summer? Check out MaryBeth’s Special Mustang Coaching Offer.
MaryBeth will guide you this summer to own your power so you can step into the fall with a conscious, clear direction for your ultimate life vision.
