5 Books I Read This Past Year That Gave Me Drive, Success, & Peace

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has hit each and every one of us hard, leaving us drained, hurt, and ready to move past this and not look back for a while.

However, even with that being said, I have found some great sources of insight, learning, perspective, and peace amongst a draining, difficult year. I have found this through the power of reading!

I found myself gaining new-found drive when all I wanted to do was slump in my PJs and give up. I was given specific keys to success in my business, relationships, and self-care. I was also given peace and an internal embrace to see me through my dark times well.

In this article, I’ll be going over 5 of the books I read this past year and how they each helped give me the drive, success, and peace to help me through the craziness that was 2020. 

1) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Now from first glance, whether you’ve read this or not, your initial thought may be, “really? With a year like 2020, you’re seriously going to start us off with a book on happiness? What kind of sick joke is this?”

But hear me out. I have read this book maybe once but I did so half-heartedly and honestly didn’t remember a whole lot about it when I was scanning my bookshelves for a solid read to start the year.

So when my favorite shade of sky blue popped out at me on the binding, I couldn’t help but feel a pull towards this book, and boy am I glad I heeded the call.

Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project” became a book I not only leaned on to strive to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and person but was that bold, sincere voice telling me that even if I didn’t measure up to my own set expectations, I then had the choice to dust myself off and try again tomorrow or be defeated. To be made bitter or better. That happiness wasn’t meant to be achieved and then life ever after was a pleasant, Disney-esque journey, but was a continual process that I had the choice and the power to make and shape, mold, and remold into my own that I could find infinite joy from. Even in finding meaning and drive from the messy bits and catastrophes along the way.

Gretchen Rubin’s willingness to be real about her journey along the road to greater happiness and appreciation for what life had to offer was also refreshing. She was open about her doubts, her mishaps, her weaknesses and failures as a wife, mother, and career-woman, but didn’t allow those flaws and obstacles to get in the way of her progression.

All in all, the book showcases how you don’t have to make huge, grand changes to your life to find and gain happiness, but that it is through the everyday choices and changes that allow you to better embrace happiness. 

2) The E Myth by Michael E. Gerber

Delving into the world of running my own online business from scratch with no business background/training whatsoever was a tad bit overwhelming.

I felt alone and like no matter what I did that I was falling behind even though I knew what I had to offer, that I was dedicated, and that my services and work ethic would be consistent, but I needed a helping hand to make sure that I didn’t just allow my creative side and drive to lead me in the wrong direction.

After some great networking connections and the advice of my wonderful Dad, I was led to “The E Myth” by Michael E. Gerber.

Whether you have owned and ran your own business for years or are starting out with a small business of your own, this book is a must-read over, and over, and over again to give you the reality check, kick and the butt, and pointer in the right direction you need to see you through well.

This book helps overcome any myths or struggles you have with running a business, as well as giving sharp insight into incredible and professional expertise in running a successful business that you can take pride in. 

3) Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

With this year, one of the hardest things I have been faced with is the toll it has taken on my mental health, especially with having to be away more than usual from loved ones since home for me is Canada.

Therefore, I knew that after the toll this year took on my mental health and working hard on being the Mama my little boy needed and running my business, this summer I knew I needed a break from the self-help and business, and needed a book from my childhood that would give me peace of mind and comfort for my weary heart.

I find such solace in and like being embraced by a lifelong friend when I delve into books such as Anne of Green Gables, Jane Austen classics, Phantom of the Opera, Little Women, the world of Beatrix Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, etc. that I knew that I needed to turn to a friend that I may unintentionally overlook that would teach me some much-needed lessons while also consoling me.

I most certainly found this in “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt, a read that brought me to terms with my younger self and allowing that part of me to take my current self by the hand to remind me to breathe and to really take a look around at the life I was missing and needed to live with more intention, mindfulness, and gratitude.

As Angus Tuck teaches Winnie Foster, I was reminded that we are all apart of the wheel of life and we can’t pick and choose what parts we do or don’t participate in, but we can choose how we live.

One of my absolute favorite quotes that I strive to live by from the book is, “Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.” What a great reminder for these uncertain times that even when we may feel like our very souls are being drained, that we need to focus on what we do have control over in our lives and make it worth living for. We still hold that power and ability, and what a gift that is.

4) Cheers to Eternity by Al Fox Carraway & Ben Carraway

This is such a fun read on your own or with your significant other whether you’re newly wedded or have been together for a good span of time.

Al and Ben are fun, relatable, and candid in not just what it takes to make a relationship healthy and work well, but how to understand and embrace one another’s differences, struggles, and weaknesses, not simply giving up, throwing your hands up in the air, and saying “you’re not who I thought you were”!

I read part of this book on my own as well as with my husband, and it was interesting not only the conversations that came from this, the hard yet needed ones as well as the fun, bonding ones, but also how it made my view towards my husband evolve.

Reading this gave me new eyes towards the man I married and chose every day to build with, not only in building a life, a home, ourselves, and a family but also to build and create, not destroy and neglect.

Plus I came to see on a more intentional level the incredible man and partner I had by my side; by how he serves those around us and in our home, how he mindfully cares for our son, how he expresses his love and appreciation for me, and the list goes on.

All in all, I came to see more of what he did and was, and less of what he didn’t do and wasn’t. We got married not to have a perfect life and give up when the going got tough, but to learn, grow, and find joy together as one. Reading this book helped me to better see my husband for who he is, made me more grateful for him, and has made our marriage continue to build into a successful, rich, and rewarding one that I’m proud to be apart of.

5) The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

At the beginning of the pandemic taking a full swing with the lockdowns, panic, and uncertainty, I was striving to surround myself and my home, especially for my son, to be a safe haven and positive outlet amidst what was taking place.

During that time, something that gave me great comfort and serenity was the multiple individuals, influencers, and friends alike, who were recording themselves reading children’s books to give hope and peace to kiddos.

One of those readings that I took part in was with Lilly James reading “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse” by Charlie Mackesy. The moment it was over I knew that this book was special and needed to have a place on my home’s bookshelf always and forever. I felt like I had been given a long, deep, reassuring hug that could see me through whatever was ahead, come what may.

No matter your age, this is a must-read! The illustrations are simply beautiful, the characters endearing, and the story filled with eternal truths and kind reminders of who we are and our worth as human beings. Flaws and all, we are worthy and hold great purposes to fulfill, whether those come across as small or grand in the mind’s2`3 eye, what we do and become is and can be significant.

The book is also not just an array of perfect words and fairytale promises but is filled with rich, sincere wisdom that addresses some key issues such as how to care for ourselves through patience, empathy, forgiveness, and kindness. One of my favorite lines is, “What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? asked the boy. ‘Help’, said the horse. ‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse.” And another is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Kind”, said the boy.

Read Well and Often

In every stage of my life, I have found that surrounding myself with good literature is what gives me success and relief to face each struggle and enjoy the journey well. The older I get, the more I appreciate the need to read to not only be educated but to have greater compassion for myself and those I come across, to better care for my mental health, to allow my brain to breathe and problem-solve, and to fill my soul with light and insight.

We often inundate our brains and our time with mindless activities that we often forget to unplug and reconnect with real words, ideas, and even old friends found within pages that we have found relief, purpose, and belonging in.

Let us mindfully take the time to read, to read often, and read well the books that line our shelves or that are at our disposal. We could give ourselves no greater gift than to read, for then we will be truly free and more able to live, forming a bridge from misery to hope.



Now I’d love to hear from you: What was your favorite book from your childhood?
Please comment below and share this post if it has been of value to you or could be to someone else.


**If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out these other great & insightful posts:

🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/the-importance-joy-of-reading-with-your-child-plus-a-list-of-25-of-our-familys-current-favorite-childrens-books/

🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/how-to-help-your-baby-through-hard-changes-like-a-pandemic-and-civil-unrest/

🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/10-books-i-read-in-2021/

🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/7-fun-meaningful-family-traditions-thatll-unify-encourage-teach-both-you-and-your-child/



About the Author 

Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer and blogger for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me on the floor happily playing with my baby boy, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.