#8 The Importance of Reading and the Books I've read over the last few months

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I was doing research on the importance and benefits of reading and I found a really great article https://www.lifehack.org/

So instead of rambling on about it, I suggest that you head over and read the article because it’s so important to know how great reading is for you. The way we exercise our bodies by working out, we exercise our minds by reading. The greatest gift you can award your future (older) self is to have a healthy and “fit” mind. You protect yourself from many diseases like Alzheimer’s, and the article will explain in more detail.

Let’s move on to the type of reading to do. Essentially I love reading about fiction, it’s not on the highest list of suggested books but it inspires me to read more and keeps my mind creative. If you’re not too keen on reading yet, I reckon it is beneficial to read whatever you enjoy because by the time it becomes a habit, you’ll read pretty much anything.

HIDDEN PIECES: RETURN TO AVANI ~ Brigitte Mileson

I re-read this book written by a friend I met years ago when I was interviewing her about the incredible book. Had a lovely time at her Book Launch and I remember reading it then. I started my new reading habits again this year and this is the first book I read.

“I know who you are, and I know I am not the only person who has been looking for you . . . ” Ever wondered how a few small words spoken just the right time can change your life forever? Guided by a mysterious and uncontrollable power, Tierra’s life suddenly becomes chaos as she races against time and the unknown to unravel the tangled web of the mystery and magic surrounding new worlds, ancient languages, symbols and gifts. Although determined to find out the truth of her past and what her future holds Tierra eventually has to go through her own journey of self discovery along a winding path fraught with excitement, deception, love and the smallest believe that she is not completely losing her mind. But . . . With time running out and the unknown hunting her, will she make it or will she pay the ultimate price.
Book is available on Amazon HERE

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF ~ Rick Riordan

The next book I read, I stuck to the mystical, fantasy vibes and I read this one a little too quickly. It must have been spread over a few hours across three days! The book was just so interesting and I physically could not put it down. I love the detail and the dialogue and just the easy read. My imagination runs wild with the imagery and I simply love the magical aspects of the book, who doesn’t love a little adventure?

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school…again. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to stay out of trouble. But can he really be expected to stand by and watch while a bully picks on his scrawny best friend? Or not defend himself against his pre-algebra teacher when she turns into a monster and tries to kill him? Of course, no one believes Percy about the monster incident; he’s not even sure he believes himself. Until the Minotaur chases him to summer camp.Suddenly, mythical creatures seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy’s Greek mythology textbook and into his life. The gods of Mount Olympus, he’s coming to realize, are very much alive in the 21st-century. And worse, he’s angered a few of them: Zeus’s master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.
Book available on Audible too HERE

CONFESSIONS OF A DAD ~ Azhar Laher

Finally I’m onto a book that is about financial freedom and learning valuable knowledge about real life scenarios. This is the kind of books that are valuable to your future and your thought processes and are recommended to read, as opposed to reading about not realistic book themes.

This book took me a little longer to read as there were so many lessons I was absorbing and taking actual notes and applying the lessons I’ve learned from this book into my day-to-day. I’ve actually started looking at my budget a lot better, spending my money smarter, and taking investments more seriously. A really great read as it is in a dad-voice so it’s kind of like learning from a relative.

This book has nothing to do with accumulating wealth, but everything to do with helping children understand the value of money and developing healthy habits about money. Good parents teach their children the importance of eating well. They stress personal hygiene and insist on regular flossing. The majority of moms and dads also emphasize academic achievements and a good work ethic to guarantee a brighter future for their kids. Unfortunately, most well meaning parents have missed a vital ingredient necessary to help their kids become financially astute adults. This book will help parents (and young adults) with the confidence to talk about money and learn to be financially free. It is our job as parents to give our children the wings to thrive in the real world.
Book is available on Amazon HERE

PERCY JACKSON AND THE SEA OF MONSTERS- Rick Riordan

Okay, we all know how it goes with a really good book, we have to know what the next part is about and surprisingly enough this part of the story was so good, I read this book for a few hours over two days and then I was thinking if I should read the book again just because I enjoyed the story. But instead I done some googling and found the movies for this book is out too. I didn’t think I would be one of those people that prefer the books to fun, action movies but hey, some things really are better in our imaginations (reading) than they are on the big screen (TV).

After a summer spent trying to prevent a catastrophic war among the Greek gods, Percy Jackson finds his seventh-grade school year unnervingly quiet. His biggest problem is dealing with his new friend, Tyson―a six-foot-three, mentally challenged homeless kid who follows Percy everywhere, making it hard for Percy to have any “normal” friends.But things don’t stay quiet for long. Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: the magical borders that protect Half-Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters.
To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner by the Cyclops Polyphemus on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters, the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millennia―only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name…the Bermuda Triangle.
The second part of the amazing story of Percy Jackson is available on Amazon HERE

THE VICTOR WITHIN – Victor Vermeulen and Jonathan Ancer

Reading the biography of real-life people is quite possibly the most incredible reading I do. I love the idea of relating and also just putting my feet in somebody else’s shoes. I am an empath at heart and reading Victors’ story (knowing that I met him many, many years ago when I was just a teenager is so rewarding now knowing more about what an incredible journey he has had). How Victor remained so positive and so kind and motivating to everyone around him is honestly magic I only wish to obtain. I’ve cried so much reading this book but I didn’t want to put the book down. I wish I could tell him now, just how much he inspires me to truly live the life I was given. To never take for granted my abilities and my life.

My mom has also spent a lot of time with Vic at The Wanderers over her years being there and once held a glass up to his mouth to drink, my tears are almost free-flowing thinking about his mom and thinking about him, being stripped from the greatness that awaited him physically, but he fulfilled a far greater, rewarding life than I’m sure he ever thought he would with his…physical inabilities. I’m speechless and in complete awe with the story of this legend!

I will live each day in courage and gratitude, showing a deep sense of appreciation to people like my mom, who has encouraged my progress and development and supported my efforts to be the very best I can be.
Available on Amazon HERE.

I have been increasing my reading and also want to look at books that will not only increase my knowledge but also allow me to make better decisions in life to be the best I can be. I came across a list of books all millionaires have read before they turned 30 and I thought it would be an interesting thing to share:

I have read the Alchemist and I will say it was a life changing read. I became more comfortable with my deep thinking and just opened a whole new world of thoughts. I would like to re-read this book because I think the time I read the book, I didn’t take all the benefits that I feel would be far greater now that I am older.

Let’s start a book club? Let’s share books and stories and allow others the experience of holding the physical book in their hands without spending a cent!