“Books and all forms of writing are a terror to those who wish to suppress the truth.” Wole Soyinka

Motivation Mondays: A Passion For Books
If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book. Marcel Proust
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance. Confucius
Happy World Book Day! Happy Belated Earth Day! Have books played a big role in your life? They have in mine. I’ve shared this simple fact on this blog, over the years, that because I was a painfully shy child, I found a rich, inner world in books. Through books, I was able to live out fantasies, personalities and claim my version of a superwoman status… all from the comfort of my armchair in my Dad’s study. I am still drawn to the world of books because I simply love the feel of a book; hard or soft cover; with or without a jacket. Audible or visual. To loose oneself in a good book is to feel time stop and watch all our fears and worries slip away; albeit temporarily.
Reading is to the mind what water is to the body; it refreshes and rejuvenates. I remember the first time I read one of my most favorite books; Things Fall Apart, I had to put it down several times as the painful scenes were quite overwhelming. When the protagonist, Okonkwo, participated in the murder of a key character, Ikemefuna, I wept. I have reacted in a similar way to other characters in books I’ve read. Books with well developed, believable, three dimensional characters can leave a deep impression on our psyche, remind us of our frailties, and even embolden us to stand up for a great cause. The power of the pen demands that those who enjoy her favor must use it wisely… to whom such a gift is given, much is expected. I have been moved by many books and continue to discover new works and voices from all genres and walks of life. Instead of rehashing a laundry list of books I’ve read, I’ve added several of my older posts on books below. I encourage you to read any of the books mentioned and share your favorite books list in the comments.
READ: Books: Over 100 Must Read Memoirs To Whet Your Appetite…
Bedtime Stories: What Do You Remember?
Inspiration: Books That Brought Us To Tears…
Dr Seuss: Books For Obsolete Children…
“Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Motivation Mondays: A Passion For Books
A room without books is like a body without a soul. Marcus Tullius Cicero
To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark. Victor Hugo
Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life. Dr. Christiane Northrup
What books are you reading lately? When I pick up a book to read, everything falls away, and I am completely immersed in the world of the characters in the book. Book lovers tend to lose themselves in a good book, make connections with characters they like, and empathize with them. This makes for an emotionally charged reading experience. I read widely but, I do love non-fiction and some autobiographies have such harrowing stories that make you feel compelled to put the book down, pause and bawl. Of course, not everything I read is weepy; the last three books I read were We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union, The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey, and Happiness Is a Choice You Make by John Leland. I am currently reading Lost and Found: Finding Hope in the Detours of Life by Sarah Jakes (TD Jakes daughter). I’ve read quite a wide range of books in the last 6 months, from Black Privilege by Charlamagne Tha God, to Far From The Tree by Andrew Solomon, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, to Rabbit by Jeannine Amber and more.
Frankly, reading is sexy. Learning is sexy… We no longer should make excuses for why we can’t read. While time is still a factor in all of our lives, we choose what we make time for. Get off social media for an hour and read. The best part is that there are some many options available to us now. We can try Audible for audio books, Kindle and its equivalent for a visual read or we can pick up a hard copy or download a book and keep our minds facile and fresh. When we read, we set an example for our kids to read too and no matter what path they decide to follow in life, reading can serve an important role. The creative arts offers so much to the reader including the fact that we are able to find and incorporate new ideas into our work. So, go ahead and Read a book!
READ: 100 Top Inspirational & Motivational Books by Women
Twelve Books to Uplift You & Blast the Blues…
Influential Musings: Twelve Books That Have Shaped My Worldview
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for MAR 2018/APR 2018 are:
MARCH
03/04 – Women’s History Month, National Nutrition Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, American Red Cross Month, 08 International Women’s Day, World Kidney Day, 04 Academy Awards
03/11 – 11 Daylight Savings, 14 Pi Day, 15 World Consumer Rights Day, 17 St Patrick’s Day
03/18 – 19 St Joseph, 20 International Day of Happiness, 21 World poetry Day, 22 World Water day, 24 Earth Hour
03/25 – Palm Sunday, 29 Holy Thursday, 30 Good Friday, 31 Passover
APRIL
04/01 – 01, April Fool’s Day, 02, Autism Awareness, 06, International Day Sport Development Peace, 07, World Health Day,
04/08 – 10, National Siblings Day, 10, Equal Pay Day, 12, Holocaust Remembrance Day
04/15 – 17 Tax Day, NationalVolunteerWeek
04/22 – 22, Earth Day, 23, World Book Day, 27, Arbor Day
01/29 – 29, International Jazz Day
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2018?

– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.

— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab
MORE BELOW!
“A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.” Henry David Thoreau

Motivation Mondays: A Passion For BOOKS

Motivation Mondays: A Passion For Books
If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all. Oscar Wilde
You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children. Madeleine L’Engle
Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart and his friends can only read the title. Virginia Woolf
Why do YOU read motivational, Selfhelp books? I’ve thought about this question for a while and I read them for inspiration and motivation. That said, we still have to get out of bed and LIVE. Do we need more Dr. Feel-betters’ telling us to “Seize the Moment Now,” “Change Forever!” and “Go for It”? Maybe/Maybe not. If it’s not your cup of tea, move on and enrich your mind with books that interest you. What makes this world such a beautiful place is the diversity around us. It was Murakami who, to paraphrase, said that if we all read the same books, original thinking would be stymied. So follow your path. If a good motivational book helps us get off the couch to make one simple change in our lives, then the book has served as a powerful catalyst for positive change.
Sooner or later, we must move our feet and take concrete action to test all those wonderful seminars, workshops, and readings we’ve attended. It would be a shame to read a book and then let that brainpower go to waste while we search for the next elixir of youth or next great marketing, money making, and motivational scheme – all fodder for the delusional. We need to just read more books, and read widely because books offer us powerful stories that leave us with much to contemplate, and even more to be grateful for in life. I will do a post on sharing our books in the coming weeks. What about you and your reading preferences? What books have brought you to tears or emboldened you? Do you know why? Would you recommend them?
READ: Top Motivational and Mirthful Books to Help Welcome the New Decade
Motivation Mondays: Earth Day for Environmental & Climate Literacy
20 Must Read Books to Inspire You this Spring
Have a happy, peaceful and productive week ahead!
Any Zen Antics stories via

Positive Motivation Tip: Reading and learning are sexy. Expand your mind and read a book!
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
Related Posts
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos, BOOKS, via Pixabay, AND/OR via Wikipedia…
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Like this:
Like Loading...
I especially like reading Christian historical romance. I feel like I’m in a time machine.
Reading is so fundamental and it is important to read for our own good.
Reading books are an important habit we need to start nurture young children. By reading, the children then can use their imagination more compare to just watch from tv. Most children would perform better if they started reading at an early stage.
From one book worm to another, I absolutely resonated with all the quotes and the memories your shared of your first book. Isn’t it amazing how a collection of words can conjure up so many intense emotions and take us to another space. Give me a good book over a movie anytime
Such a great post, reminding everyone to read a book and by simply doing that we are able nourish are mind. Reading also helps us to refresh and rejuvenates ourselves. Happy World Book Day everyone!
I need to find some self help for reducing stress and anxiety, I struggle so much with this. But I always find if I can take the time to calm down and read it helps.
Books were my best friend as a child, and they still are to this very day. 🙂 I’m currently rereading Kafka on the Shore, my most favorite Murakami novel.
“reading is to the mind what water is to the body” you hit the nail on the head!! Books open so many doors!
I love reading books. I am currently not reading any at the moment but i need to. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to expand your mind.
I was the exact same way as a kid. ..painfully shy. in fact when I first went to school, the teacher thought I was deaf/mute. I got good grades but refused to speak so they called my parents in haha. But I also immersed myself in writing, drawing,and yes, reading! I too would get lost in the book I was reading so I relate to your post.
I LOVE to read, its such a simple but such rewarding hobby. I only got back into reading at the start of this year, I don’t have a lot of time for it but I pick my book up when I can. I am currently reading ‘Made for love’ which is certainly interesting so far!
I use to read books all the time it was such a way of escaping the world. I need to get back in them because it was enjoyable and fun to clear the mind and be at peace!
I read motivational self help books because i sometimes lose the control over helping myself and feel helpless. Hearing a perspective different from our’s once in a while helps change our methods. Great post and lots of useful information.
I think I’ve already confessed to trying and failing with Things Fall Apart, one day I’ll get there.
I hope you do too. 🙂
I love reading books too. It’s complete my day everytime I hold and read books. I have a ton of books in my small library. and yes reading books can expand our knowledge.
For a short time my mother read stories to me and my siblings from an old encyclopedia, then as a youth I remember reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I read to my children though not enough until my youngest. I read to him until he was 14. I didn’t really read again until a sweet blogger that does book reviews started me on the path last year and I haven’t stopped. I am now waiting for The American Palace #2 to go down in price as it is now over $20. used.
This is such a good post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. A few highlights for me include
1. Reading is to the mind what water is to the body; it refreshes and rejuvenates
2. Reading is sexy
Girl, yessss! Reading should be a natural part of our day like drinking water is or should be.
There is nothing sexier than developing yourself! *high five* I’m with you. Great read.
I agree that reading and learning are sexy! I’ve always been told that I started reading at 4. I don’t read as often as I’d like (though I do read articles daily). I recently started reading “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” again after putting it down for a few months.
I agree, books are the best source of rejuvenation and among other strengthening attributes to one’s mind and even physical state. I have to say, some people quickly dismiss science fiction books as linear with no morals but the genre has evolved so much that it’s more than just an outlandish imagination of an author.
Reading is a huge part of my life which is why I love sharing it with my kids as well. It’s one of the things that I turn to as well whenever I needed an escape or some time to myself. There’s nothing quite like reading books!
Happy World Book day, as for my favorites the author of “Dear John”, Harry Potter, of course Nicholas Sparks, JK Rowling and another author that I love is Marc Levy. I would love to write my own book in the future that’s pretty interesting too. Happy Monday!
I had no idea it was book day! thank you for the reminder. Books have been a very important thing in my life. I was a reading kid, everyone playing outside, and I was reading inside. When my mom asked me to go take fresh air outside, I would read on a park bench, lol. Nowadays I am much more in the action, and the books have taken a temporary retreat. But they probably return when my children grow older.
Happy World Book Day! Books are indelibly part of who I am. Among modern and motivating books my favorite are always the classics: Hemingway, Tolstoy, Shakespeare. Books enable me to learn, grow, and deepen my understanding. 📚
I love books and whenever I felt down as a kid, I would turn to reading my favorite books as an escape from everything else that’s bothering me. That’s also why I try as much as I can to encourage my kids to read more and thankfully they have also developed a loved for books and reading!
Yes! It’s so great to get enthralled by a good book. I’m tired of making excuses for myself not to have the time to read.
I think reading is much better than a movie. It allows you to see things your way and just helps you to really get lost in what the book is all about too. Great food for thoughts here!
You can say that again! Books are treasures and I am always happy to open them and read. Nowadays there are tons of ebooks and I frankly read the e-books more often than real ones however it is a mere substitute to real joy.
Reading is so importat. This is so important. This could help our development.
I love reading. I love books. I get by at least two weeks per week. Without books my world would be incomplete. I like all genres. I try and pick new genres to expand my world. Books – One of the greatest human creations.
The last book I read was WONDER. I read it with my 10 year-old daughter and then we saw the movie. My favorite books to read are actually biographies or autobiographies.
I love books! And yes, the definitely expand the mind. There really is no excuse NOT to read as there are genres for everyone out there!
I never knew World Book Day existed but it’s so important! I am currently reading two books at once (whoops!): “The Year of Magical Thinking” and “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.”
What a beautiful post, the title of the post just made me so happy. I love books, not just for reading but in general also, I have something for books even if I am not reading them much these days due to my work and home life schedule. All the quotes sound so good. Books are such a nice companion, they widen the horizons of your thinking and your imagination, takes you to the places you have never been.
I love reading and trying all sorts of new books! Since I don’t read as much now a days I read more for pleasure! But I agree that reading is so important for a healthy spirit body and mind 🙂
Great quotes in this post, and thank you for the reading recommendations! I just read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and would highly recommend it. Born a Crime is high on my list, too. I look forward to reading it!
I’m more of a audio book listener, I love to listen to motivation speakers. I see you’ve talked about things fall apart. This was one of our literature books in high school,alot to take and narrow down to be able to understand it.
I have been reading more lately, and loving it. I’m also more drawn to fiction – mysteries to be more precise.
I have to tell my bookworm of a husband that it’s world book day! I had no idea. It’s so true, I find excuse after excuse not to read, and really there is no excuse, especially since I make time for social media. Great reminder!
Books are the best of friends – they keep you company, teach you and clear your doubts! love them. thanks for devoting a post to books.
I am who i am because of the books I read. I feel like this can’t be over stated, literally history and knowledge lives in pages of books. All the knowledge of generations past, are safely stored in the pages of books. Where would the world be without books? Would humans even have survived as a species? A belated, Happy world book day to you too
I love books! Nothing better than browsing a bookshop and finding something you’ve not heard of before! I love settling down with a good book and loosing myself in another world!
It’s definitely nice to just pick up a book and read for a whole day. It’s relaxing!
Xo, Sondra
This was a great read. I’ve been purposely setting 20 mins out each night to get some reading done. And it has made the world of a difference!
Thank you for sharing these recommended books. Will check them. I actually make a monthly read list. Very timely for the month of May.
I don’t seem to allow myself as much time as I would like to pick up a good book but when I do, it’s definitely is one of my favourite ways to enjoy some ‘me time’.
I’ve read more books in the past year than I have in my entire life and I can feel my world expanding and my brain just working better. Books are amazing !
I used to read a lot. And then I dunno why I got so busy or had so many distractions that it now came to a point that I consider myself lucky to have read at least one book a year.
Well if this doesn’t truel call out to me. My love for books one epicly strong.There is no excuse not to read. Even with my youngest 3, she says “but mom I don’t know how to read.” I always tell her “The first step to learning how to read is to follow the pictures and create the story.” Lovely post.
Give me a good book and you have given me life! I love reading!
Those who want a totalitarian regime, always suppressed the intelligent people, made them leave the countries, sent them to exiles. A beautiful mind cannot be ruled!
I’m a big fan of books and reading. The pictures are beautiful and the post is excellent. 🙂
I love books too and I can say that most of the books I have read over the years have shaped me into who I am today. I read things fall apart by chinua Achebe a few years ago and I cannot forget how much I enjoyed reading it. Cheers to all book lovers all over the world.
I can’t say enough about book and what joy they bring to my life. I am an avid book reader, author and book reviewer They are also my escape and my alone time when needed. Everyone should be reading books as much as they can. I am currently reading “While you were out” by Christina Hamlett, a book I will be reviewing.
We enjoy reading all kinds of different books. Will have to check out some of these to read
Wonderful read. A mind without books is like a body with no soul was my favorite qoute from this blog. Thanks for sharing.
I’m with you on this one! I LOVE books. My mom taught me to ‘see it like a movie playing in your head’ from a young age and I’ve always done that! I’ve always struggled to put down a good book because it’s like food for my soul. Since I’ve had a baby I haven’t had reading as a priority. Finding books I like and then time to read them is just a struggle! I am trying to pass my love of reading on to my son though! So far so good!
I’m one of those crazy people that reads multiple books at one time. I’m reading Warmth of Other Suns, another book about women’s rights, another one about leadership, and one on social justice. Too much going on right now. LOL!
I actually don’t read self-help books at all. I read historical fiction almost exclusively.
I haven’t read a good book lately and I am embarrassed to say. I feel like I really want to dive in something juicy but I can never stay committed to it. I actually love self help books especially ones that offer quizzes or tasks to do. It makes me more interested and worth reading.
While these photos are really neat. I love when you can do with books.
Nailil
Not much into books but I really got to appreciate people who read and take time to read books. Definitely so much to learn in books
Your article is everything that I feel. You have wrote everything so perfectly. Seriously books are life and if every person start reading this world would be a much better place <3
XOXO
fionadiaries.com
I love books and it is now changing to e-books for convenience. I rarely read self-help books unless I’m looking at a particular topic~
I love to read. It’s my favorite thing to do when i’m alone…unfortunately the kids don’t allow that too often.
I love the quote about those trying to suppress people won’t want people reading books. So much knowledge comes by way of reading. Up until the internet it was the most available way of learning anything. They are still very important.
I have been really getting into reading lately I totally agree reading is very attractive and I think it helps to keep the mind young.
I love reading books! My mom influenced me to read books. When I am reading, my worries and problems are washed away. Reading can take you to many places.
I am a reader as well. Till date it’s my escape from real world. You are right reading is sexy. For me it helps me to relax.
I have loved reading books for a long time now and when you say that they have played a big part in your life, then they have done the same for me. Reading more and more books rejuvenates the mind, sparks imaginations and creativity too.
I love reading. They make me feel good. Thank you so much for sharing this great post..
Last weekend, I had a pretty tough time. I went to pick up a book called Mom’s Night Out. Then I went out to grab a beer with that book. Felt so much better afterwards.
I love books and you’re right there’s no excuse nowadays not to read. My neighbors even leave old books at the entrance of the building for book swap!
I love reading, but unfortunately have been so busy I haven’t had much time to read for pleasure lately. You’ve inspired me to get a good book for fun in the next couple weeks.
I like your perspective on motivatinal books. Nobody is forcing anybody so if they are not for you find something else.
what I really like on your blog are the catchy captions! They always invite me to read everything. 🙂
you’ve written this so beautifully! I love reading too, I always try and make sure I have a good book to read on my break at work 😊
I desperately need to get back into reading! I say this so much but I am officially bored of binge watching tv series now aha
since last time I visited your blog I tried to get a hang of these motivation Monday and I have to say it does work miracles
Wow! I wish I have more time in reading books. Being so busy in life with work it’s like I don’t even have time for myself. Makes me sad but I need to work hard to pay bills. Thanks for sharing
I have to agree that motivational books have the power to bring simple positive changes in our lives. I usually pick up a book if I am feeling a little low, it is one of the best ways to relax and divert my mind towards something positive.
very nice blog…really intresting what you have write here…your every word is so precious..
Books are our best friends and they give us a complete new view to everything present in this universe and it is a necessity for a healthy mind
We used to read books ever so often as a kid. Have been craving for a good read and considering getting a kindle
I love the way this article is written! I barely find myself reading books anymore. I spend most of my time reading blog articles.
I love reading. It’s how I learn about myself and how I learn about the world.
So many great, motivating and inspiring quotes to read. Reading is so important because you learn a lot from it. Like what Confucius said we must find time to read a book no matter how busy we are.
Agree with you. Reading or listening to audio books both are good. We learn lot many which are unknown.
I love reading. I really enjoy reading motivational books that inspire me to be a better person daily. There are so many books. It is quite unfortunate that so many people are glued to their computers and or phones that they forget the power of book!
Reading is to the mind what water is to the body. That makes me depressed. I need more water and need to read more apparently, LOL.
I agree that books and reading a so important. I love doing book reviews and having my kids read books because it helps them learn so much.
Happy World Book Day! Reading book is one of my favorite hobby and reading books make s you feel inspire, calm and gives you learning every time.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been reading as many books as possible. I’m so grateful that my parents nurtured that love of reading in me, as it led me to grow up and end up writing for a living.
Nice blog, I love how you described your love for reading books. It’s so relatable.
Unfortunately I don’t have the same passion for books. Thank God for the bible which is the only book I am still reading right now.
I am obsessed with books 🙂 Have been since my grandma first gave me a harry potter book to read. What was the first book you remember being obsessed with?
Books are my best partner. reading is one of my favorite things to do and with the help of books it changes my lifes perspective. I am so happy learning new thing while reading,
I love books and reading is one of my favorite things. New book for me is like a new friend x
Laura
I have always loved reading books. There is nothing to beat a good book in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other and a comfy chair in a quite corner.
I have been passionate about reading right since my school days. It has definitely been a big part of what I am today. Unfortunately kids are so far away from reading today.
Just testing the functionality of this comment box on books.
This reignite my lost passion to reading books. I can’t remember the last time I read though I still remember the author. It’s time to go back reading on my free time, it seems Oprah’s book is interesting will take a look of it.
This is a really nice post. I’ve started passion for books in my warly 20s and I always feel like I’ve wasted so much time.
So with regards to your question, “Why do you read self help or motivational books?” my answer is honestly to find answers rather than energy. Let me explain. I am pretty self motivated so the idea of a rah rah, lets find your inner something, dig deeper into your pain type book never interests me. Not that I mind it but as you said above, Sooner or later, we must move our feet and take concrete action. So I think I prefer more motivational books with details on how to tackle a problem.
True and I think a lot of us want that too. 🙂
Your blog beautifully captures the essence of motivational self-help books. It’s not just about reading; it’s about embarking on a journey of self-discovery and personal development.