Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful moments. Here’s to a 2025 full of adventure, growth, and plenty of fun!
I know it’s been a while since my last post—I’ve missed connecting with you. Life had its own plans for me recently, involving unexpected work travel, my daughter’s knee surgery, and a health scare with excessive bleeding. But I’m back, and I’ll share more details in future posts.
Today, I want to kick off the year by recommending a few of my favorite books. These gems have transformed how I think about money, health, life philosophies, and relationships. Each one left me with a fresh perspective and practical steps to improve my life. I hope they can do the same for you in 2025!
Book 1: Die with Zero
For most of my life, I’ve been frugal, instilling the same values in my kids. It’s part of the traditional mindset of building wealth and financial security. This book completely reshaped that perspective. It taught me that it’s possible to be too frugal, to wait too long to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Since reading this, I’ve started embracing moments of joy:
- I paid $700 to upgrade to business class on a one-way trip to New York—a first for me.
- I convinced my parents to splurge on a nine-night New England cruise, spending twice their original budget.
- My husband and I experienced round-trip business class to Europe for the first time in our lives.
This book isn’t just for those who’ve worked for decades; it’s equally impactful for young adults. I plan to gift it to both my kids when they graduate college.
Book 2: The Psychology of Money
Building on the money theme, this book reaffirmed many of the financial habits I already practice while challenging me to think deeper about how we relate to wealth.
The real-life stories are fascinating—like the “genius” who lost millions to greed versus the janitor who left behind an $8 million legacy. It’s proof that managing money wisely doesn’t require a finance degree; it requires understanding key principles.
One standout lesson? Be optimistic when building wealth but cautious when preserving it. Curious? You’ll have to read it to find out what that means!
Book 3: Fit CEO
I met the author, Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, in my dance class, and she’s since become a friend and inspiration. Her book is a blend of actionable advice and reflection, perfect for anyone looking to improve their physical and mental health.
Each chapter is short and doesn’t need to be read in order, making it easy to dive in wherever you need. Rebecca emphasizes finding ways to prioritize fitness and self-care, even in just ten minutes a day. Her thought-provoking questions have helped me reflect on who I want to be and how I want to live.
Book 4: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***
Are you tired of caring about everything? This book is for you. It’s a refreshingly honest take on self-help, blending humor with practical wisdom.
With five eye-opening principles, it empowers you to focus on what truly matters and let go of what doesn’t. It’s a reminder of the power we have to shape our lives, even when things don’t go as planned.
Book 5: Learning to Love Midlife
I’m only two chapters in, but this book has already shifted my view of midlife from “crisis” to opportunity. Did you know midlife can start in your late 30s and extend well into your 70s?
This must-read book helped me see midlife not as an end but as a new beginning—a time for reinvention and growth. With so much of life still ahead, I’m excited to keep learning from this perspective-changing read.
Book 6: Unfinished Business
This book by Amy Yip holds a special place in my heart. Amy was my career coach four years ago, guiding me out of an unhappy, “successful” career by helping me confront my inner dialogue.
Her book tackles the complexities of relationships with immigrant parents, breaking down eight myths that many of us can relate to. For example:
- My success will never be good enough for my parents.
- My parents must not love me because they never say it.
This isn’t a quick read but a thoughtful guide to healing decades of misunderstandings. I’m tackling one myth at a time, starting with “My parents must not love me because they never say it.” It’s been transformative, and I encourage anyone seeking deeper family connections to give it a try.
As we step into 2025, remember: anything is possible when you give yourself permission to take action. Wishing you a year of discovery, joy, and meaningful connections. Happy New Year!
Your Comments: Do you have other must-read books to recommend? I would love to hear what they are and why you love them. If you have read any of these books above, I would also love to hear your reaction to them.
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Lei