I love to read. I love just about anything having to do with books, and so if you’ve been a client of mind (or, for that matter, anyone who has had a conversation with me) you’ll know that I am always popping off book recommendations. And recently, I was asked to put together a list of my favorites that I could share. So while I haven’t had time to curate a huge list yet, here are some of my all-time favorites, the ones that I frequently re-read or repeatedly recommend to others.

For anyone contemplating career change or just wondering “What the heck do I want to do with my life”:

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer–a lovely read about finding your calling. While he doesn’t offer quick solutions, Mr. Palmer shares his own journey in a way that offers hope and insight into the process.

The Pathfinder by Nicolas Lore–A great workbook to help you identify potential career paths. Combines nuts-and-bolts exercises with values, vision, and soul-searching.

Steering by Starlight by Martha Beck. Basically, I love anything Martha Beck writes, and this is one of my favorites. Falls into the slightly-more-woo-woo category, which suits me just fine.

For better communication:

Fierce Conversations, by Susan Scott. If I could get everyone on the planet to read (and use the info in) just one book, this is it. All about how to have conversations that matter.

Difficult Conversations, by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen. A classic book that explains the anatomy of how a conversation goes off the rails, with tips and strategies for getting through them more successfully on both sides.

You Just Don’t Understand! Women and Men in Conversation, by Deborah Tannen. A great view on typical (or maybe stereotypical, depending on your perspective) ways that each gender thinks and communicates. Not bashing–just a way to understand and hopefully bridge the gap.

For banishing Inner Critics and Naysayers:

Taming Your Gremlin, by Rick Carson. Another classic–playful, light, yet has some simple (not easy) suggestions for how to turn down the volume on that nasty voice inside your head.

Embracing Your Inner Critic, by Hal and Sidra Stone.  How to turn the nasty voice from critic into a valuable asset.

For women and career stuff:

Women Don’t Ask, by Sara Laschever and Linda Babcock.  As far as I can tell from my very unofficial research, one of the biggest ways that women get in their own way is that they don’t speak up for what they want. This book takes a look at the impact of not asking, and offers ideas on how to develop your asking ability.

What’s Holding You Back–Eight Critical Choices for Womens Success, by Linda Austin.  The glass ceiling, as it turns out, is not external–it’s internal. This book shows you how you might be keeping yourself from the success that you want.

Women and money:

Overcoming Underearning by Barbara Stanny and Prince Charming Isn’t Coming by Barbara Stanny.  Both of these books look at your relationship with money, not necessarily how to structure your finances. But I think it’s important stuff, especially since money (or lack of) is such a big topic with so many of us, myself included.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg…I’ll put more up  as I think of them.

And I’d also love to hear your recommendations–what book has been valuable to you? Please share your favorites in the comments below–I’d love to build my library up and find some new favorites! Thanks.