Betty Vasquez: 7 Books for Making Real Change This Year

As a former librarian, when I’m looking at my goals for the year and making changes to my life, a book is the first place I go.

It’s so helpful to have an in-depth look at the topic I’m focusing on and a spot to refer back to when you’re having trouble sticking to your goals or when you need some expert advice about how to make those changes.

These seven books are some of my very favorites, whether you’re trying to establish new habits, save money, lose weight, or be a better parent.

Whether you read them all or just one or two, you’re guaranteed to be ready to make 2017 the year you really see improvement in your life.

Better Than Before

by Gretchen Rubin

I am possibly the biggest Gretchen Rubin fan on the planet, and I think this is by FAR her best book (and I say that having loved all of them).

This is so helpful to understand how habits form the basis of your life and how you can work with your own natural inclinations to make your life run smoothly and make goals and habits that work for you, instead of the person you wish you were.

Unplug Every Day Journal: 365 Ways to Log Off and Live Better

How many of us struggle to keep our connectedness under control? With the television in our bedrooms and living rooms, a smart phone constantly in our pocket or purse, and computers on all day long, it can be ridiculously difficult to unplug and get grounded.

This is part workbook/part journal and is the perfect way to help you focus daily on logging off and having the life you want.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

by Cal Newport

Do you have that constant feeling of being too busy but never getting anything really done? Me too.

This book was one of the best things I read in 2015 which helped me really identify what I wanted to achieve with my time (whether that was in work, parenting, marriage, or community) and how to set priorities and get the things done I really wanted to. It’s a complete game-changer, plus a really readable book.

UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World

by Michele Borba

A list on MPMK wouldn’t be complete without a parenting book, and this one has been wildly popular since it was released last summer.

Michele Borba outlines a 9-step program designed to cultivate empathy in children from the beginning. You’ll love the immediately applicable suggestions backed up by research and you’ll probably learn something about empathy of your own too.

168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think

by Laura Vanderkam

A few months ago, I told my husband, “I’m going to be dealing with time management for the rest of my life.” It’s always a struggle to use our time well, fit in the things that matter to us, and say no to things that waste our lives.

There is no shortage of books telling us how to improve our time management skills, but I particularly love Laura Vanderkam because she does such a phenomenal job helping reframe the entire issue – it’s not about being more efficient, or cutting out all non-essentials, but instead deciding for yourself what you most want out of your life and then figuring out new ways to make it work.

The Case Against Sugar

by Gary Taubes

We all know that sugar isn’t great for us, but Gary Taubes is going deeper than that. After the runaway success of his earlier book, Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It, this book focuses specifically on sugar and why exactly it’s so toxic. And, more importantly, what we should be doing about it. Your health, your scale, and your wallet will thank you for reading this book.

How to Think About Money

by Jonathan Clements

So many money books are focused on a single part of the financial equation – whether it’s saving money, paying off debt or investing. I love that this book, written by the personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal, offers a more streamlined way to think about money overall and help you make better financial decisions and get your money to deliver more happiness to you.

His five steps are practical and sound, and you’ll be on your way to a much healthier financial life after reading this book.

What books have helped you make and reach your goals? Share your favorites with us on facebook or instagram!

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