The Most Overrated Book of 2023

At 56 total, I read more books in 2023 than any other year since I started tracking.

I read almost as many personal development books as books just for fun (21 vs. 25), another 5 books for general learning, 3 poetry books, & 2 memoirs. 

The most overrated books I read?

#1: Be Here Now by Ram Dass. I'd had it for ages & thought for sure I'd love it, but it really didn't resonate w/me. Like, at all. Cue all the self-righteous yoga teachers & "spiritual" hypists coming at me.

A close 2nd biggest letdown was Atomic Habits by James Clear. There were 1 or 2 good quotes, but other than that, there wasn't anything in there I hadn't heard before. 

So, what do I recommend?

If you're looking to seriously uplevel your life in 2024:

• The Art of Extreme Self-Care by Cheryl Richardson--My first column of 2024 for the Estes Park News is all on the transformative power of extreme self-care. As in not manis & pedis & days at the spa. To access the virtual edition, click here and "flip" to page 24, or pick up a hard copy for yourself.

• The Power of Receiving by Amanda Owen--If you want to make your goals happen by tapping into your feminine ability to attract what you desire rather than force things using your masculine energy (AKA "manifesting," though I think this word has an icky association, so I don't use it anymore).

• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero--I read this one every year to pump me up & remind me I didn't come here for a mediocre life.

(These first 3 are all required reading if you're looking to Radically Reset in 2024.)

• Spark by John J. Ratey, MD--if you wanna fully understand the power of movement & exercise for TOTAL brain health.

• 17 Lies that Are Holding You Back & the Truth that Will Set You Free--required reading in another one of my group coaching programs, this book will call you on your own bull💩

• Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey--Honestly, I don't know if it's better to read this book so you can highlight, underline, & take notes or to listen to the audio version...because who doesn't love listening to McConaughey's sexy southern drawl?

• By far my favorite new book overall (as in one I hadn't read before) was The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. Seriously, this book should be required reading for anyone looking to thrive in the 21st century (not just survive).

If you're looking for entertainment in your reading:

• My favorite new "chewing gum for the brain"? Liliana Hart's Addison Holmes series. If you like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels, this is a pretty blatant ripoff, but it's a formula that works, so I'm not at all mad about it.

• My other favorite fiction piece was Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale. An incredible historical novel on the "underground railroad" for downed Allied pilots in WW2, it had me sucked in from the very first line: "If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are." Way to crush it with a truth bomb at the start of a war piece.

Which books are you adding to your reading list? Email me & let me know.

And if you're already planning to buy several, I recommend using ThriftBooks.com.

As someone who's been Amazon sober for almost 4 years, it's my go-to resource for buying new or preloved books at a discount. Use my referral link, spend $30 in your first purchase, & you'll get a FREE book credit.

With Fierce Love,

Chazz

P.S.

For the month of January, I'm offering a FREE weight-release hypnosis session + 1 week of follow-up to all new clients (a $250 value). Just email me to say you're interested & we'll set up a session to ensure you're a good candidate.