Lessons from reading non-fiction

Windsor Park

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/04/2025 (406 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I have always been an avid reader, and for the last several years I started gravitating towards non-fiction books. I would like to share a few of my favourites here, chosen not because they received a lot of hype or because Oprah interviewed the author, but because they are easy to read and digest with simple and memorable lessons and messages.

I am most assuredly not a morning person, but I loved reading (and rereading) The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. Even if you only have six minutes to spare in the morning, following Elrod’s “S.A.V.E.R.S.” method can put you in the right frame of mind to start your day on a positive note and keep it going throughout the day. I always feel uplifted after reading it.

Among my favourite go-to books when I’m feeling stressed and anxious or just need a mood boost is The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F***, by Mark Manson and the aptly titled The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F***: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Do’’t Want to Do, by Sarah Knight. With their generous doses of humour mixed in with witty splashes of profanity, you will feel better after reading these. Trust me.

Finally, I really enjoyed Atomic Habits by James Clear. Every time I reread this, I learn something new and interesting. If you are ready to make serious permanent changes in your life such as exercising regularly or learning a new skill, this book is a must read.

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I love taking notes while reading a motivational book or listening to an educational podcast. The best way for me to do this, and to keep all my notes and ideas in one place, is to put everything in a handmade ‘junk’ journal, made mostly of recycled, repurposed and thrifted items. Making your own journal is not only a fun and creative activity, but you can personalize it however you want, to serve whatever purpose you want, whether it be a day planner, diary, sketchbook, scrapbook, or all of the above. I am interested in hosting a beginner-friendly workshop on making journals sometime this spring, so if you think this might be a fun activity to try please feel free to send me an email for more information at htiede@gmail.com