14 Uplifting and Motivational Books to Read for 2019

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Curling up with a good book that you could read for hours is one of the best feelings. #whohastimeforthat #andimnoteventhatbigofareader

Reading a book that inspires you to live better, go after your dreams, feel good about yourself, or makes life exciting is even better!

My favorite books used to be fiction young adult literature. #ihavethereadinglevelofan8yearold

But now, one of my genre of books are the ones that inspire me! Some of them fiction, and some not.

People who have lived through hardship and come out on top, others who have made something from nothing, and people teaching others how to live their best life! #mydreamlife

There have been several good books in my life that have motivated, inspired, or uplifted me! I refer back to them, and have several notes from them for hard times.

If they can do it, I can do it!

I have compiled a list of some of the most uplifting books that you should read in 2019!

14 Books to Read in 2019

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help

What an inspiring novel. It’ll make you cry and laugh, and inspire you to stand up for yourself, be yourself and be kind to others.

It’s set in 1962, so back in a time when women were expected to only get married and raise a family, and black women could only find jobs as maids for very low pay. The main character is a white girl who is writing a book about two black women who work as maids for white families. They do everything: cook, clean, raise the babies, but they are treated horribly.

You will feel for these amazing women who have lived hard lives, but they bring such beauty into the world. It’s fantastically written!

2. What I Know For Sure by Oprah

What I Know for Sure

This book is basically Oprah’s thoughts rolled into one simple package.

She is a wise woman with several years of experience behind her. She shares her simple wisdom’s about life in this book. I have written several of them down and read them often.

This book will get you thinking about life and the true meaning of it. You’ve probably heard several of the wisdom’s before, but it’s a good reminder.

3. Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Girl, Wash Your Face

This book sits on my nightstand. It’s a very inspiring book. Rachel shares some of the biggest lies we tell ourselves and how we can overcome them.

It’s about how to take charge of your life and be the best you you can be!

She shares several heartfelt and hilarious stories that overall make it a well-rounded book.

4. Hoda by Hoda Kotb

Hoda

Hoda Kotb is just an inspiring women. A women that was told NO so many times, but refused to give up on her dreams. She survived divorce, heartbreak, and cancer.

She tells it all in this book, and shares how she still remains positive through it all. She is a great role model and has a ginormous heart.

(An update on her life from after this book was published: she has now adopted a sweet baby girl and is now a mom! Which has been one of your life goals and dreams).

5. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

When Breath Becomes Air

This is a memoir by a young neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. He writes about his thoughts as a dying man. A lot of it is contemplating life and the meaning of things and people.

Do not read this book when you’re feeling depressed. It’s a very thought provoking book. It will change the way you think of life. It’s sad, but happy at the same time. It’s a great read if you want to learn more about death and the meaning of life. It inspired me to remember what really matters in life.

6. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

The Magnolia Story

Who doesn’t love Chip and Joanna Gaines? They write about their lives together and how they reached their goals and dreams. It tells their story of how they became The Fixer Upper. I felt inspired to start using more of my time to accomplish my goals and prioritize my life.

7. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

I Am Malala

Talk about standing up for what is right!

Malala, only a 15 year old girl, stood up for women’s right to education in Swat Valley in Pakistan. She was shot in the head by the Taliban for her efforts and survived to tell her story. She is an amazing young lady who changed the lives of several women! Very inspiring!

8. Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson

Believing Christ

One of my all-time favorite books.

If you believe in Christ, do you believe what Christ can do for you?

This book does an amazing job of putting the hope of Christ and his promises into perspective. Are we living our life believing what Christ can do for us? Do we believe that he can do what he says he can! If you’re looking for a book to help you grow closer to Christ, this one is it!

9. If Life Were Easy, it Wouldn’t be Hard by Sheri Dew

If Life were Easy it Wouldn’t be Hard

Sheri Dew an amazing women that I personally look up to.

She is hilarious, outgoing, inspiring, and loving.

She writes about how life is hard, but that’s okay. How we can make it through the hard times, especially if we rely on Christ.

10. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken

Another amazing true story of overcoming hardships and become resilient.

Louis Zamperini came from a hard home life, ran in the Berlin Olympics, went to war in WWII, survived on a raft in the middle of the ocean for 47 days! 47! THEN he became a prisoner of war where he was severely beaten almost to death DAILY. His will power and controlling his thoughts and mind saved him!

He truly is a hero and an inspiration. This book will make you want to take on any challenge life throws at you and count your blessings.

11. My Story by Elizabeth Smart

My Story

Most people know the Elizabeth Smart story.

How she was kidnapped for 9 months and severely mentally and sexually assaulted. She is now an advocate and role model for young ladies everywhere who have been sexually assaulted.

She writes about what she experienced from her point of view and how she overcame those struggles. She is very inspiring.

12. The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

The Energy Bus

This book changed my life. It is written for business men and women, but when I read it, I was not in the corporate world, yet, it changed my life. Jon talks about 10 rules to get the best out of life!

13. Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson

Chase the Lion

This is a book I couldn’t put down. It motivates you to look fear in the face and not be afraid of failure. It’s a “pep talk” book, but with a different twist. It changed the way I viewed fear and failure.

If your dreams down scare you, you aren’t dreaming big enough.

Mark does a great job of having you visualize his concepts. It’s a great book if you’re looking for motivation to live a great life and go after your dreams!

14. Cleaning House: A Mom’s Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma

Cleaning House

This is an inspiring book for mom’s. As the name says, Kay does a 12th month experiment to rid her house of entitled kids.

It was very educational for me as a mom. I think it’s so easy to think you aren’t raising entitled kids. Like, “that won’t be my kid”. But it might be easier than you think. It was very eye opening.

I wrote down some of the takeaways from the book for the future when my kids are little older. Great Read.