I love books. I’ll drop it like it is hot for a good book.

Seriously.

Despite all of the things that pull my attention on any given day, I make it my business to DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) at least two times a day. I get my reading fix in during my hour commute to work and my hour and fifteen commute from work.

What I learned about myself is that I books are a major part of my self-care ritual and a fundamental way of how I relate to the world. It is also how I show my love, care, and concern for my fellow sistergirl. If you speak to me, you will always leave with at least two book recommendations.

So here are thirteen of my twenty  favorite picks. (I’ll get the last seven to you in another post.) Buy them as gifts for yourself, the bibliophiles in your life, and your circle of sistergirls.

Money, Career, & Entrepreneurship:

Glinda Bridgforth. Girl, Get Your Money Straight. I had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Bridgforth this year when I was Detroit. I acted the same way that a Beyonce Stan would have when I saw her. I wasn’t ashamed of being a grown-ass woman groupie. She was gracious in person. (I love it when an artist and their art align.)

This book and her other books, Girl, Make Your Money Grow!, and Girl, Get Your Credit Straight fundamentally changed how I saw money and how I viewed wealth. Period. I am always writing and talking about this woman like I’m her publicist. (They are that good. Even the video that I have on the site where I was interviewed by The Root, I mention her.)

This book started me on a financial self-awareness journey in my late twenties. I eliminated all $65K worth of student loan and credit card debt, started The Frugal Feminista, and made wealth a priority for my family and me.

Tiffany “Budgetnista”Aliche. The One-Week Budget. Tiffany is like my sister from antoher mother. If you are a baby to budgeting, then this book is for you. Tiffany assumes nothing about your financial acumen, which is a great thing if you need the fundamentals of budgeting laid out for you. The tone of the book is super conversational, so you feel like Tiffany is sitting right next you at the kitchen table. Plus, it’s a #1 Amazon best-seller. Yum! There’s a reason for that.

Marilyn French Hubbard. Sisters Are Cashing In: How Every Woman Can Make Her Financial Dreams Come True. This book isn’t about worksheets or ratios to make you rich. Marilyn really explores the concept of wealth in a holistic way. This book delves deeply into tapping into your potential. She gives strategies on how to break away from negative thinking, negative beliefs, and negative influences to get you closer to the life that you want.

Carol Mackey. Sistergirl Devotions: Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job. I met Carol earlier this month at an Association of African-American Women in Higher Education event. As the former editor-in-chief of Black Expressions Book Club, she shared her knowledge about the shifts in the publishing industry of black authors. In addition to all of the nuggets that she shared, I bought her book at the event. Carol is a devout Christian and the intended audience is African-American Christian women. I think, however, that the 90 devotions can help any sistergirl along any spiritual journey make the most out of the concrete jungle that often is the workplace. One of my favorite quotes is, “It is my belief that people who like to make others’ lives miserable are spiritually bankrupt. Their lives are so joyless and unfulfilled that they use their jobs as a substitute to satisfy the emptiness.” Is that truth or no?

Nancy Roberts. Interaction to Transaction: How to Get Comfortable When Asking for the Sale. I came across this same gem in March of this year at the Get Radical Conference. This was when I started thinking about venturing into coaching but was having some serious blocks about asking for the sale from my Frugal Feminista community.

In a one-on-one session with Nancy, I realized that my inability to promote my services was because I had major problems with receiving money and asking for money s opposed to saving money, making money, or giving money. This book is part money, part entrepreneurship, and all mindset targeting women with a problem asking for what they want and placing value on what they deserve.

Self-Love, Self-Esteem, Self-Care:

Abiola Abrams: The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self Love. This book is everything. From the first pages where she shares what caused the demise of her two-year marriage, the self-doubt and damage that it caused her self-esteem to all of the probing questions, emotional exercises that she forces readers to do to become their own damn bombshells in 11 areas of their lives, this book guides in into uncovering your best self.

Debrena Jackson Gandy: Sacred Pampering Principles: An African-American Woman’s Guide to Self-care and Inner Renewal. I first read this book over 10 years ago because I was at the beginning of my quarter-life crisis and trying to figure this whole grown ass woman thing out. This book was soooo important for me as a black woman trying to let go of the need to be strong. Earlier this month, I noticed the symptoms of dis-ease and put my nose back in that book to renew

A. Breeze Harper. Sistah Vegan: Black Female Vegans Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society. If have you been thinking about the role that diet plays on your well-being as woman of color in this society, this book will BLOW.YOUR.MIND. This book had me reeling and ever so conscious about my eating habits and thoughtful about my relationship with food, but meat in particular. Even if you never decide to be a full-blown vegan, this book will make you think more deeply about your food habits, the environment, and the role that institutional racism plays in your food choices. Extremely powerful.

 Kelly Cutrone. If You Have to Cry, Go Outside and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You. I read her book before her stint as a judge on America’s Next Top Model. This book is a must-read if you are still looking for your passion and purpose or if you need a gentle reminder. She also drops some serious science about being a WITCH (Woman In Total Control of Herself) at the workplace and in love.

Even though she isn’t a sistergirl, her experience of overcoming internal and external obstacles is extremely relatable. After reading her advice, “We all have a tribe. Don’t stop looking for yours,” I called my college ex-boyfriend, who I realized that I wanted in my life as a friend and not a lover, and told him that I was happy to have known him and wanted to keep in touch.

 Valorie Burton. How Did I Get So Busy. The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule, and Reconnect with What Matters Most. Isn’t that some title? When I saw this book, I was like, “Yes, ma’am. I’ll take two.” What I love about this book (and all of her other books) is that Valorie she gives you quizzes, opportunities to journal throughout the book, and shares best practices for living a balanced life. If you recovering SBW (Strong Black Woman), then you need this book in your life…forever.

Frugal Feministas—What other books should be on this reading list? Leave me your must-read and I will add it to the next list!! 🙂

Disclaimer: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[info_box type=”alert_box”]Caring for yourself including takes care of your finances.  I encourage all ladies who are serious about self-care to go on The Happy Finances Challenge. In 42 days you can learn to make money decisions that will lead to long-term financial happiness. [/info_box]