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Hello, 2018! The new year is here. Many people use this week to set plans for the new year. I am a member of several Facebook Groups where people are building their 2018 Bullet Journals, choosing their focus word for the year, creating business [and personal] goals, and making lists of books to read for the upcoming months. I attended a Facebook Live session with Chalene Johnson last week about goal-setting. She laid out a system to identify a “current focus,” set your goals and how to break the goals down by quarter/month/week. It was a very informative session.
Looking back on the content I created in 2017, my proudest moments were centered around the Talk Thursday interview series. I chose to restart the series and focus on social media tips and advice from business owners and online professionals. Each guest shared their story and provided tips for social media success. The most popular section of the interview posts was the book recommendations. You guys loved it! I received comments, emails and more raving about this part of the posts. In this post, I’m recapping the book (and podcast) recommendations from the Talk Thursday interview guests. I love to read. Books are windows to other worlds, other thoughts, and other ideas.
Below is a round-up of the books recommended this year. Take a look and click through to get your copy of the ones that spark your interest. Bonus: there are five podcast suggestions as well. Check out these books to read for 2018.
Books to Read
1…Zig Ziglar’s Secrets of Closing the Sale: For Anyone Who Must Get Others to Say Yes!
Recommended by: Tavana Darris
2…The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do by Charles Duhigg
Recommended by: Tavana Darris
3…You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
Recommended by: Tavana Darris
4…”What to Do When It’s Your Turn (and it always your turn)” by Seth Godin
Recommended by: Tiffany Hathorn and Gina K.
“Reading these will save you time, money and energy, as well as show you how to maximize each of your three resources.” ~Nadalie Bardo
5…$100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
Recommended by Nadalie Bardo
6…Launch by Jeff Walker
Recommended by: Nadalie Bardo and Laneshia Lamb
7…Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Recommended by Nadalie Bardo
8…”How To Write Copy That Sells” by Ray Edwards
Recommended by Amanda Cross
It’s a great book that breaks down all the things you need to know about writing effective copy so that everything from your blogs to sales pages draws people in and keeps people in. It’s a really amazing book!
~ Amanda Cross
9…Emotional Branding: The New Paradigm for Connecting Brands to People by Marc Gobe
Recommended by Brittany Reese
10…The Power of Social Media Magic: How Social Media Can Enhance Your Brand
Recommended by Britany Reese
11…The Message Bible
Recommended by Vonda Tharpe
12…I Know How She Does It by Laura Vanderkam
Recommended by Vonda Tharpe
13…Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office 101 by Lois P. Frankel, PhD
Recommended by Vonda Tharpe
14…The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick
Recommended by Gina K. and Talya Boerner
15…Think and Grow Rich
Recommended by Dionne Thomas
16…Rich Dad Poor Dad
Recommended by: Dionne Thomas and Laneshia Lamb
17…Crush It!
Recommended by: Dionne Thomas
18…Steal Like an Artist by Austen Kleon
Recommended by: J’Aaron Merchant
19…Show Your Work! by Austen Kleon
Recommended by: J’Aaron Merchant
20…Manage Your Day – To – Day By Jocelyn K. Glei
Recommended by: J’Aaron Merchant
21…Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Recommended by Talya Boerner
22…From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction by Robert Olen Butler
Recommended by Talya Boerner
23…Soar!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes
Recommended by Laneshia Lamb
Bonus Podcasts
Below are five podcasts that were recommended during the interview series. Have you listened to any of these shows? What do you think?
Recommended by Jeanetta Darley
Recommended by Jeanetta Darley
Recommended by Jeanetta Darley
Recommended by: Jacqueline Presley
Recommended by: Jacqueline Presley
No matter what you have planned for 2018, I’m sure the books and resources above will be beneficial to your business or your personal life. You should definitely add a few of these books to read to list for the year.
What do you think of the books to read? How many have you read? Let me know in the comments below.

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Ramona
I'm a female who enjoys french fries and everything associated with them. I am a foodie, a carb lover and someone on a mission to lose the extra pounds. At the core of things, I am a storyteller. Professionally, I’m a marketer. I write about food, exercise, traveling and events. I am a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Welcome to my life…one post at a time.
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Comments 32
I am always looking for a new book to read, and why not read something that’s going to help me propel my business in blogging and makeup artistry, right? Thank you for the suggestions.
Author
Thanks for the comment, Kim. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
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I really need to start reading:) I just gotta find a book that gets my interest maybe this list will help
Author
Thanks for the comment, Angela. Yes, I’m sure any of these books will be a great start for you. Let me know which book you choose.
I have 3 of the books you listed already. I’d love to build my library to add some of the others you mentioned as well. It is my goal to read at least 3 books a month.
Author
Elle, thanks for the comment. I am trying to read more this year as well. Let me know which books you add to your library.
These sound amazing! I’m going to check if any are on audible.
Thanks for the suggestions, I’m always looking for inspiration. Pinning for later as well!
Author
Thanks for the comment, Torey! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Let me know which books you read.
I have seen Rich Dad poor Dad as a recommended book and I still have yet to read! I love TD Jakes so that looks like a great read and #3. I would be interested-its always easy for self doubt to increase when your in the blogging world.
Author
Thanks for the comment, Tiffany. I agree that the TD Jakes book looks like a great read.
This post came right on time. I just finished reading You are a Badass At Making Money and looking for my next book to read.
Author
Yay, Terri! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Let me know which book you choose to read next.
So many great books on this list. This year, I would love to do more reading of business books, because they always inspire me to do better, and I ALWAYS need inspiration. A funny story that Guy Kawasaki told is being mistaken for Robert Kiyosaki and being asked to sign his books.
Author
Thanks for the comment, Natasha! I’m glad you enjoyed the list.
What a wonderful list. I’d like to read more books in 2018.
Last year I read a few women’s biographies, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
This year I’m vowing to read more biographies by Black women in TV like Tiffany Haddish, Gabrielle Union and Jenifer Lewis.
Author
Joyce, that’s a good theme. I definitely have those three books on my list as well.
I met Guy Kawasaki a few years back, I totally need to read his book. I purchase You Are a Badass and didn’t finish it. I need to get that done in the first quarter of the year.
Author
Thanks for the comment, Mimi. I’m sure you’ll enjoy both books.
What a great list! I was just thinking I wanted to read a bit more this year and this is a great place to get started!
Author
Thanks for the comment, Tiffany. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Happy reading!
Good list. Some of these are total classics and I have read quite a few of them. Especially at the beginning of a new year I am a big believer of reading your way to inspiration.
These are great choices! Soar!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes is on my list as well as Rich Dad Poor Dad!
Author
Thanks for the comment, Carissa. Let me know how you enjoy the books.
I have the $100 Start-up, and have been looking at Bad-a** for a while (maybe I should start & finish $100 Startup before going on to the next…). I should look into the the time management book because I’m so bad at it.
Great list, btw!
Author
Thanks for the comment, Monique. I’m glad you enjoyed the list.
Thanks for included me in your 2017 interview series! I’ve heard good things about Steal Like an Artist and You Are a Badass. Putting those on my list! Happy New Year Ramona!
Author
Happy New Tear to you too, Talya! I’ve been looking for Steal Like an Artist at the bookstore. I may have to order it from Amazon.
Thanks for this list! One of my goals for the year is to read at least one book a month so I’m book marking this for when I need recommendations.
Author
Thanks, Tanay! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
A few of these are on my list to read and I plan to get to them this year. I’ll definitely be adding a few others from your list. Thank you for sharing.
Author
You’re welcome, Crystal. Let me know which ones you add to your list.