The Top 5 books we are recommending are as follows:

1 – The Greatest Salesman in the World – OG Mandino

So much more than a book for sales, this classic tale published half a century ago in 1968 smoothly retains its relevance to this day. As it was then, so it seems now that the world remains an impersonal and money-driven place where one may be led to question what success truly is. This book is nothing short of inspiring as you read along. You will undoubtedly be challenged to strive for a higher place within yourself and achieve the self-actualisation that propels you to live a life of purpose.

I believe this is what we as women search for. OG Mandino presents us with an opportunity to be guided on a life-changing journey, if one does as instructed and truly absorbs the lessons contained. In fact if followed, the ten scrolls will surely get you to a place where you will not only live but love better. It is not a book for sales but so much more.

2 –I know why The Caged Birds Sing – Maya Angelou

At the tender age of eight years old, Maya is brutally attacked by a man many times her age. She is forced to live with the repercussions of this horrible experience for many years before relief dawns. During that time, Maya learns that love for herself and others and the strength of her own spirit would bring healing and allow her to break free from the dark, immobilising prison of fear.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is one of Maya Angelou’s most critically acclaimed writings. Chronicling the period in her life that helped her to understand racism, sexuality, self-identity and education, Maya’s words move our focus away from the immediate, suffocating challenges of deeply personal social circumstances that would cause us to feel inferior or hopeless, and fixes our focus towards relying on hope and the certain knowledge that we can rise above crippling circumstances and achieve greatness. A must read for women coming of age and beyond.

3 -Life, The Truth and Being Free – Steve Maraboli

A must-read for the “Down and Out” and the “Up and About” this book is brimming over with earthy wisdom that can be applied to all areas of our lives. Once you start reading you will experience for yourself the goose-bumps of the “aha” moments that I did which prevented me from putting this one down. I call it my “Happy Book”.

Here’s a review that aptly describes Marboli’s contribution: “Radio star, Steve Maraboli’s book, Life, the Truth, and Being Free, is a masterpiece of wisdom. Filled with pearls of insight on all areas of life, it speaks directly to the primary issue of our day: How to save this world without losing ourselves. Courageously, Steve maps out the only plan that works – Engage life, stay aligned with the truth, and find the freedom to create something better for those we touch every day.” James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophecy.

You know what? When you read this one, email me at Info@thebeyondwoman.com and tell me all about those goose bumps!

4 – A Return to Love – Marianne Williamson

The movie Coach Carter was what first drew my attention to Marianne Williamson, and subsequently to her book, “A Return to Love”. When that student recited “Our Deepest Fear” in the movie, I had to know more about this powerful quote. My curiosity was rewarded with this literary treasure.

A Return to Love epitomizes what the author believes is the one thing that will allow us to live better lives. To love God and allow His love to shine through us so that others can benefit and also begin to live better lives themselves. If we approach all aspects of our life and experience life from a place of love, a lot of the broken places within us will be mended. Hmmm…definitely something to gain for many of us women. We all struggle with different things and this book will certainly help to clarify and correct the way in which we struggle.

5 – Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead – Brene’ Brown

This book makes our must read list because its premise, centered on the need to become vulnerable, will always be the elephant in the room until its usefulness is morphed into something productive. Let’s be real: vulnerability is one of the emotions that cause us women to resist sharing with others to the point of us living a superficial life. This book completes this edition of our top 5 “must read” book list.

Hope this list brings some amount of value to your life as it did ours. Write to us with some book suggestions of your own and we will include them in our list of recommendations going forward.

Reposted from TheBeyondWoman Magazine’s 3rd Issue.