My Book Bucket List for 2016

2016 is the year to spark self-love back into my life. And hopefully I can inspire others to do the same. We’re so easily caught up in what we’re missing that we forget about the things we already have. To appreciate what we have, ourselves. When something less than desirable happens, it’s easy to take a backseat on self-love and self-appreciation. What Robert Frost said about taking the road less travelled that made all the difference? The same can be said for those going through difficult times, however big or small that may be.

Mantras help to remind us of the road not taken but books give us a deeper overview of why that road less travelled is the one that makes the difference. I’ve been an avid reader since little and I can remember always having a book on hand for me to escape to. But as of a few years ago, my book list has gotten shorter and my mind has gotten more frantic. So maybe it’s about time to start my book therapy again.

So here’s my book bucket list that I’ve shortlisted from my research as a part of my life inspiration through literary and I hope you will find yours too. If it’s through flipping the fascinating pages of a book, maybe one of these books can be of inspiration to you. What’s your go-to book or bucket book list for the year?

Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie S. Siegel
I’ve just started on this and it’s been such a realistically uplifting account by Dr Siegel. Once a surgeon working tirelessly on his cancer or bed-ridden patients, he soon learned that those who survived didn’t only survived through modern medicine. But through the healing medicine called unconditional love. He dabbles into achieving wellness in all facets of life and he also talks about the importance of doctor-patient relationship through a simple change in attitude, both the patients’ and the doctors’. “Attitude is everything when it comes to survival.” If you or anyone you know is going through a trying time in their lives, this is a powerful book not to be missed. In fact, every doctor, nurse or any caregiver should read this.

The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz
I’ve heard great things about this book and I can’t wait to get started on it. A sequel to The Four Agreements, it is supposed to encourage you to realize and embrace our authentic true self and in doing so, you inspire others to do the same. This would be a great book for anyone really, regardless of any religion. With insightful guides on overcoming the challenges in your relationship with yourself and others, it sounds like a must-read to reach your highest happiest potential.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
A good friend recommended me this book and through her thorough yet concise summary, I was already buying this book in my head. The youngest ever Nobel Prize winner, a teenage girl who was stripped of her educational rights in Pakistan got caught in the crossfire of war and found herself fighting for survival and became the torch of strength and inspiration to young women worldwide. Now an activist in her own rights, she’s standing up for the equal education opportunities for both boys and girls in Pakistan. If that isn’t enough of a summary for you to be inspired, I don’t know what is.

It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell
A story about eating disorder never gets old. And I say that in the kindest way possible because no matter what, there will always be someone going through the same or a similar predicament. People all over the world can go through an eating disorder regardless of age, sex, race, religion etc. There are so many different facets to eating disorders and that’s what many don’t realize or at least take very lightly of. Now a successful writer, recipe developer and blogger, Andie Mitchell’s memoir of how she overcame her eating disorder is supposed to be a touching and eye-opening wake up call about the unhealthy relationship she had with food. And it starts with that. Our relationship with food. We don’t have to have a broken family or an unfortunate life to have an eating disorder. It happens anyhow and it can happen to anyone. Seeing as how my relationship with food has changed over the years, I’m a little nervous to read this supposedly heart-wrenching book. I hope whoever you are, wherever you are, if you’re reading this, I hope this helps. You’re not alone and you can get through it. It is okay to ask for help.

An Uncomplicated Life by Paul Daugherty
Despite it being a ‘father’s memoir’, I’m sure it goes out to any parent or even just anyone who has the least bit of caregiving bone in their bodies. Paul Daugherty’s account of bringing up his daughter, Jillian, with Down Syndrome is supposed to be an uplifting message about people with disabilities. It’s a story close to my heart as I do have a younger brother with Down Syndrome. Not only has his existence made a positive difference but it made all the difference. He’s my family’s beacon of hope and our ray of sunshine who simply loves unconditionally. I’ve always wondered how parents can educate their children about other children with disabilities. Maybe reading a book like this may help? A niece asked me once what Down Syndrome is and I had a hard time explaining. The only thing I could explain was that he is special and that he has difficulties with learning but he’s the happiest person you’ll ever meet. I think it’s great she asked and I hope that her parents can further explain to her if a question like that ever comes up again. So maybe reading a book like this can help other parents have a little taste of what parents of children with intellectual disabilities went through. From there, maybe the awkwardness or fear of the unknown can slowly dissipate.