Reading is one of the best ways to learn and explore new worlds. It opens your eyes to new opportunities. It challenges your mindset as you are growing and shifting. I will forever have a love for reading. As of today, I have completed my yearly book challenge of 15 books this year. As of May, I have read 23 books so far.
In the past, reading has been one of those challenges that I have done for self-competition and challenge. Now, I am in a place where I am looking for a good book to read and aid me in my goals. I had to refresh my mindset around reading and it has been glorious thus far.
This year, I have decided to read based on themes. It has helped me so much with keeping focused on the topics at hand while learning about the subject in more detail. I can dive into a subject and get my curiosity flowing around it.
For the month of May, I have focused on the reading theme of feminine topics, creativity, and strategy. It is what I call Venus Month. As a person that loves strategy, I have to always add some time of strategy books along the way. If you prefer to watch my review on these books, watch my Youtube video down below!
Creativity
Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style by Jeffrey Banks and Doria de La Chapelle
It is a great photo and detailed book for those who are into the preppy style. I would have to say that much of the content here is for beginners that may not be familiar with preppy style. It has some amazing mentions of brands, schools, and resources like the Official Preppy Handbook.
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use it For Life by Twyla Tharp
A great book for those who are looking to develop their creative practice in whatever field they are in. One of my favorite takeaways was the idea box, which is where you take a physical box or digital folder and collect your ideas and process them while you are creating a project. You can later use these ideas for other projects too.
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. Gelb
One of the best creative books I have read so far in my college career. Why? I have begun to understand why Leonardo da Vinci was sudden a marvel in the art world. However, for those who are interested in developing skills of creation, language, and productivity – this is your book.
Strategy
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Translated by Peter Bondanella and Mark Musa
One of the classics that created the genre “mirror for princes”; it is a great strategy book that I recommend those who are interested read once a year at least. Political and philosophy lovers – this is your book on war strategy.
The Defining Decade: Why your Twenties matter – and how to make the most of them now by Dr. Meg Jay
One of my books from my March Monthly reads that keeps on giving. I enjoy this book and if you are in your 20’s – it is an essential read for you. I would even recommend it to those who are in high school and about to enter college. It gives you a wake-up call with facts, stories, and insights about the power of your 20’s for your future.
The Old Money Book by Byron Tully (2014 version)
If you are interested to develop new core values and financial independence as a young adult, you need to read this book. One of my favorites that I have read twice this year because of how engaging it is on the content and actionable steps to make changes. This book has an amazing quote that I discuss in my youtube video about privacy that influenced me to retreat from social media for a while.
Old Money, New Woman: How to Manage your Money and your Life by Byron Tully
This book I am excited to discuss briefly because I am starting it again for my strategy study book club. It is by Byron Tully as well, the author of the Old Money book. It is a good starter guide for young college-age women or post-college who wants to develop better core values for their future.
Keeping Their Marbles: how the treasures of the past ended up in museums… and why they should stay there
One of the books I have read this past few months for my museum studies course caught my attention enough to mention in this blog post and video this May. This book discusses the arguments of the act of reparation in the museum world with the key example of the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum. I thought it was relevant to what is being discussed today in the art world with returning pieces to their origin areas.
Feminine Topics
Exhibitionism for the Shy by Carol Queen (second edition)
A guide for those who want to love their bodies and learn how beautiful they are. It is a perfect companion to recover from society’s sexual shame. It will challenge you to think outside of the box and learn to trust yourself.
Feminine Lost: Why Most Women are Male by Jennifer Granger
The curiosity I had with the title of this book on how women are losing their femininity caught my attention. I didn’t expect it to be such a page-turner with explanations and breakdowns of different types of women and men in today’s society. Be prepared for insightful conversation from Granger on how corporate has influenced the modern world today.
The Mystical Seductress Handbook by Tannis Blackman
A quick handbook on beauty, home, and lifestyle tips for becoming a beautiful, mysterious seductress. Any woman needs this quick guide to do so. Blackman’s books are hard to find these days for all the good information she shared in them.
Seductress: Women Who Ravished the World and Their Lost Art of Love by Betsy Prioleau
If you are interested in learning about the powerful women who used seduction and love as a weapon of choice, this book is for you. It includes women that you may not have heard of before from goddesses to their inspired subjects.
Women’s Anatomy of Arousal by Sheri Winston
An essential book for any woman or young girl who wants to learn more about her sexual health. It takes the shame out of knowing about your sexual health and explains how powerful women’s bodies are. This book should be required reading!
Each of these May books highlighted amazing things for Venus month. I enjoyed each of them and continue to read some of them over and over again.
