Hey guys, Happy Friday!

I’ve decided to introduce a new feature on the blog, which will be weekly posts where I share some of my favorite things with you guys. This idea came randomly to me one day, and I’ve just been sitting on the idea (more like doubting myself) for a while. I’ve realized the importance of consistency as well as just DOING IT; in the words of my best friend Gerena, “consistency gets results!” This is also an effort for me to be more transparent with you all and to get a conversation going. As you can tell by the title, I’ve decided to call this feature Friday Favorites where I’ll be sharing some of my favorite things, I’ve been making a conscious effort to pour into myself in the form of self-care, and for me, self-care has many components. So every Friday, I’ll be sharing recommendations and all the things I currently love.
It’s been one of my goals to get back into reading, so I started this summer. The goal was to read at least one book a month, but let me be honest; it hasn’t gone as planned because life happens. However, this fall, I’ve done a much better job reading more books. I’m currently reading the Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates, which I am absolutely loving so far.
The books currently on my reading list, I bought over the summer, and the others were created personally for me by Amber the creator of Oh She Went Global. Amber has a business called The Lit Lady, where she curates reading lists for multifaceted women. I first came across her twitter page one day when I was searching for public health professionals. She is an Epidemiologist by day and has become a light for me on my Public Health journey. For her to curate a reading list for you, she has a free consultation call where she gets to know a little about your personality and what you like, also where or what you want to do in the future. She then takes that to curate a list for you. The reading lists introduces new ideas and bring clarity on how to get to the next level of your own unique life. There’s no one-size-fits-all for that. That’s the magic of it. If you’re worried about cost, there’s no need to because it is super cost-effective. Her list also comes with a description of each book and why.

Here’s my reading list from the Lit Lady curated for me based on our consultation call. It is my dream to start my non-profit as well as to travel the world to help those in need.

1. Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits by Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant

Starting a nonprofit is an excellent, feasible goal to implement that can potentially change many lives for the better. As you think of what type of nonprofit to start, and what type of impact you’d like to have, Crutchfield and Grant, explain six distinct practices that set apart the most extraordinary, highly impactful nonprofits from the rest. These six practices are examined within the world’s most well-known nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, Teach for America, and the like. To start and grow a sustainable nonprofit that improves the lives of many, this book is a must-read.

2. Fast Facts for the Travel Nurse: Travel Nursing in a Nutshell (Volume 1) by Michele Angell Landrum, ADN RN CCRN

You mentioned traveling the world and helping to make it a better place. Travel nursing is a field that allows you to do both of these, and if nothing else, it’s a possible nonprofit idea. This book is a one-stop-shop for potential or aspiring travel nurses, as you figure out if this is something you would be interested in. It includes tips on how to enter the field of travel nursing, negotiate assignment contracts, increase pay, improve benefits, enhance travel assignments, and more.

3. The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates

This is the very first book from renowned humanitarian and philanthropist Melinda Gates; it also happens to be an international bestseller and has received public praise from Barack Obama. The entire book is based on one claim: when we lift up women, we lift up humanity. Melinda shares stories from her many international travels introduce us to some of the most inspiring, impactful women the world has to offer and discusses how their empowerment helped improved their families and communities. The book will make you adamant about empowering yourself and women around you to create a better world.

4. Fall in Love Again by Christina C. Jones

Christina C. Jones is a popular black romance author who offers a breadth of series focused on black love. This particular book is in her Serendipitous Love series, and the serendipitous part does not disappoint. The story centers around Charlie, who does exactly what we aren’t supposed to do: marry the rebound guy. With the marriage to Mr. Rebound kinda-sorta dissolved, Charlie moves back to her old neighborhood and encounters a longtime lover who may give her a shot at love again. He owns up to his part in their breakup, but will she decide to forgive! Christina Jones writes about black love without the foolishness the media often portrays for us; her series is a must-read!

As a bonus, I’m sharing two other books I bought over the summer but haven’t gotten the chance to read as yet.

Influencer by Brittany Hennessy
“If you’ve ever scrolled through your Instagram feed and thought, I wear clothes, eat avocado toast, and like sunsets, why can’t someone pay me to live my best life? this book is for you . .” I’ve heard great reviews about this book, so I can’t wait to read it!

Year of Yes By Shonda Rhimes

“In this poignant, hilarious and deeply intimate call to arms, Hollywood’s most powerful woman, the mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder and Catch, reveals how saying YES changed her life – and how it can change yours too,” I remember when this book came out, it was a big deal. It has always been on my list, so I’m finally getting around to reading it.

P.S be sure to hit up Amber on Instagram , or her blog oh she went global if you want your personal curated reading list.

Have you read any of these books? What are you currently reading?