Books That Shifted My Perspective Forever
I've always been a reader, and it seems that the right books have found me at exactly the right time. I don’t think that’s coincidence. Some books hit like a thunderclap—loud, undeniable, impossible to ignore. Others work their way in like roots, shifting things beneath the surface long before you realize they've taken hold.
Each of the following books sparked a shift in how I showed up in the world, who I became after reading them, and where my life went next. Books can do that. And to me, that’s magic.
If you’re looking for something to shake your perspective, pull you into something deeper, or simply remind you that you’re not alone, maybe one of these will be the right book at the right time for you, too.
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1. Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop
This one is complicated. I worked for the marketing firm that helped Gary independently publish this book—except the firm had no one who actually knew how to do that. That meant I had to learn to build that plane in the air.
And I did. I figured out every backend trick, helped get this book into thousands, then millions of hands… all while longing to publish my own words.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. I could do it for Gary, but not for myself. Until this book challenged me to get out of my own way—not just in publishing, but in life.
Eventually, I put in my notice, left the firm, and stepped into a world of my own making. I never looked back.
If you need a firm but kind, no-BS wake-up call, this is the book that will shove you into action.
2. The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
This book shook everything I ever believed like a snow globe.
When the pieces fell, they never went back the same. How could they?
The Four Agreements are so simple, yet so profound, that they feel almost ancient—like truths we forgot but somehow always knew. If you let them in, they’ll change how you navigate life with an uncanny sense of honor, integrity, and clarity.
I read this book as a freshman in college for a communications class (shoutout to that professor—I owe you one). Since then, I’ve bought and gifted more than 20 copies. I wrap them up with tea and chocolate, hand them to people who need them, and say, “Pass it on when you’re done.”
If you read one book from this list, make it this one.
3. Bird by Bird – Anne Lamott
This book made me pick up a pen at a time when I felt like an imposter.
Writing always called to me, but self-doubt was louder. Who was I to write? Who would care? Anne Lamott made me believe I could do it anyway.
Bird by Bird isn’t just about writing. It’s about showing up—for the work, for yourself, for the stories inside you that need to be told. It’s messy and raw and irreverent, and it changed the way I saw creativity forever.
If you need a book that will push you past the fear and into the work, this one’s for you.
4. Good Days Start with Gratitude (Journal)
I bought this simple little gratitude journal at a time when my world felt dark and heavy. And I hated it at first.
It felt too simple, too… forceful. It asked me to choose gratitude daily—to find three things, even on the worst days, that were good. Some days, all I could write was “hot coffee” or “the fact that today is over.”
But I kept going. And somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling forced and started feeling like a lifeline.
This journal pulled me into simplicity when I needed it most. If you need a low-effort but powerful way to rewire your perspective, this little book might be exactly what you need.
5. This is Dirt – Amber Jensen
This book is mine. And it taught me more than I ever expected.
Writing This is Dirt dragged me through everything I had ever experienced. It forced me to show up fully, strip away the filter, and tell the truth.
It also taught me that authenticity feels raw, but when you’re not hiding anything, there’s nothing to fear.
I poured my heart into this book, and I hope that when you read it, you feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more like yourself.
Where Do You Go from Here?
These books shaped who I am today—a person who now gets to help others shift their own lives through gratitude, self-discovery, and the magic of transformation.
If you’re on a journey of your own, here’s what I have for you:
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And if you pick up one of these books, I’d love to hear how it lands for you. Let me know which one shifts something in you. 💛
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