Girlboss – Tanisha Rhenae Consulting

Welcome to Down the TBR Hole #201-220! What is Down the TBR Hole? It is where I grab 20 books from my incredibly long TBR list on Goodreads and decide if I am keeping or removing the books. Need to catch up? Click here to go to the previous post. As a reminder, here are the rules:

This week has been a recoup and recover week from a stressful week with a family emergency that happened. I usually would turn to books, but I am not sure I read anything outside of some poems this week. But I also didn’t add many books to the list, so I am starting this week with 4,663 books. Let’s get started.

1. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

I’ve heard so many great things about this book, and although it is about the military strategy, it is supposed to be great to use in business. It’s one of those books that is probably considered a classic. But I decided last year that just because a book is a classic doesn’t mean that I have to read it. So while I am sure this is a great book, it isn’t something that I want to read at this time. I am removing it from my list.

2. The Art of War for Women: Sun Tzu’s Ancient Strategies and Wisdom for Winning Work by Chin-Ning Chu

The author uses Sun Tzu’s strategies and gears it towards women. But like the book above, it just isn’t something I want to read in this season. I am removing it from my list.

3. Simply Clean: The Proven Method for Keeping Your Home Organized, Clean, and Beautiful in Just 10 Minutes A Day by Becky Rapinchuk

When I quit my job, I had this dream of being the best damn housewife out there. So I wanted to learn all these additional things to make my house the best home for my husband and myself. So I wanted to read all the books to do just that. As much as I love cleaning and organizing, I feel like I can always learn a better way. With that being said, I am keeping this one.

4. The Organically Clean Home: 150 Everyday Organic Cleaning Products You Can Make Yourself – The Natural, Chemical-Free Way by Becky Rapinchuk

Apart of me wanting to do better with cleaning and organizing was also to do so naturally. I wanted to replace all of the things that weren’t good for us and our home. So finding a book that can help me make my own cleaning products, was right up my alley. So I am keeping this one.

5. The Power That Changes the World: Creating Eternal Impact in the Here and Now by Bill Johnson

I think this message has been given and packaged in many books, and there isn’t anything calling out to me about this book. Because of that, I am going to remove it.

6. Big girls DO Cry: Letting God Heal Your Hurts From The Inside Out by Lisa K. Spivey

I think every Christian should know how to handle any type of loss before it happens spiritually. I’ve seen so many people lose their faith after a tragic event, and it is heartbreaking. Since this book talks about the way to turn to God during those times, it is a book I want to keep on my list.

7. God is With You Everyday by Max Lucado

Another devotional. And as much as I love Max Lucado, I need to be honest with myself about if I’m going to read all of these devotionals. And I am not. So I am going to remove this one.

8. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

Another book that I have heard great things about. And being more appreciative of the everyday things and moments is something that I need to do. I complain a lot and am hoping that in 2020 I can change that. I am keeping this one.

9. Closer Than Your Skin: Unwrapping the Mystery of Intimacy with God by Susan D. Hill

Intimacy is something that I struggle with in my relationship with God. I can honestly say that because He isn’t someone I can see or tangibly feel all the time, it’s easy for me to not really “feel” like He is here. I know that isn’t the correct way, but it’s just my truth. I am keeping this one to help with that, hopefully.

10. Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon

Someone promoting being yourself and using our own creativity instead of being like everyone else? Yup, I’m for it. This seems like it will be a quick, motivational book. I am keeping it.

11. Be You & Live Civil: Tools for Unlocking Your Potential & Living Your Purpose by Karen Civil

Karen Civil is one of those badass women who I sit back and watch and be amazed at all that she is and has accomplished. So I will be happy to read all that she produces. I am keeping this book.

12. But Are You Making Any Money?: Stop Being Busy and Start Creating Cash by Marley Majcher

I think this would be an excellent book for a different season. I realized that I have shifted into one of those people that can sometimes get caught up in the creating and planning and struggle at times with the actual doing. I am removing this one.

13. Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur by Cara Alwill Leyba

Another book I’ve heard a lot about specifically in the female entrepreneurship world. It’s been on almost every recommended book list I’ve seen for business women. I do want to read it. I am keeping this one.

14. The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

Success, productivity, and purpose. Three things that I am interested in. I am keeping this one.

15. Money, Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn

Money is a hot topic in Christianity. We think we should be blessed enough to have money but turn our nose up when those in ministry have money or ask for it. I have my own opinion based on what I have read in the Bible, but I am always interested in hearing others’ views. So I am keeping this one.

16. The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danco

This is a book that has been on my personal list for a while now, even though it is a top-rated book. I am keeping this one.

17. The Rules of Wealth: A Personal Code for Prosperity by Richard Templar

This doesn’t seem all that interesting, so I am removing it.

18. The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money by Carl Richards

My love for all things budgeting and finances made me interested in this book. I am keeping it.

19. Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich: 75 Avoidable Mistakes Women Make with Money by Lois Frankel

What money mistakes am I making that is specific to being a woman? Is there such a thing? Those are questions that led me to add this book to the list. I am keeping it there.

20. Rich Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan for Getting Your Financial Life Together…Finally by Nicole Lapin

It seems like Nicole Lapin’s approach to getting rich is different from others. Because I love learning more about money and different ways to keep it, I am keeping this one on the list.

Final Count: Removing 6; Keeping 14

TBR Down to 4,657

This week’s list had quite a few books about money and finances, which go in line with January’s Year of Healthy theme. Have you read any of these books? Did I make a mistake with removing or keeping one?

Welcome to Down the TBR Hole #61-80! What is Down the TBR Hole? It is where I grab 20 books from my ridiculously long TBR list on GoodReads and decide if I am keeping or removing the books. Want to catch up? Click here to go to the last post. As a reminder, here are the rules:

I am starting with 4,667 books this week on my To Read shelf on Goodreads. Let’s get started.

1. Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam M. Grant

For the longest, I wasn’t a fan of networking and didn’t believe in it. I didn’t agree with the phrase “It’s about who you know” because I am a firm believer that hard work will get you everywhere. But in Corporate America (and in entrepreneurship) that isn’t true anymore. That is why this book was added to my list. At this time, this isn’t my focus, and I am not sure when it will be again, so I am removing this one.

2. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

I’ve heard great things about this book, and it has made its way on everyone’s recommendation list the past few years. Sophia has a unique story, and I always like learning about people who didn’t take the traditional path to be successful. I am keeping this one.

3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

I think this book is considered a classic in the Self Improvement/Business world of books. It’s one where I feel like I should have already read it but just never got around to it. At least I don’t believe I have. My father may have owned this one or the version for African Americans, and I am pretty sure I read it in high school, but I don’t remember it at all. But just because a book is a classic doesn’t mean YOU have to read it. At this time, I don’t have any interest in the book, so I am removing it.

4. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

If you know me, you know I struggle with being a people person. I feel awkward talking to people, and I would much rather be on my own. But you kind of need people and community in this world. Which is why an old coworker and friend recommended this book to me (says a lot, right?). I never got around to reading it and while building community is a priority for me, I want to do it more from a biblical standpoint. I am removing this one.

5. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel

I’m honestly not sure how this book ended up on my list, but it’s not anything I am focused on at the moment (starting a business), so I am removing this one.

6. Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi

Another book added to my list when I was trying to be a better people person. I’m just not in the stage of life where I want to build relationships for business reasons. I want to develop more of a community with support. For that reason, I am removing this one.

7. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

This book appealed to me for two reasons. I liked that it states HOW hard it is to run a business. Everyone glamourizes entrepreneurship, but not many people tell you how hard it actually is. The other reason was using hip hop lyrics to give his advice. It’s a gimmick that makes me want to read it, so I am keeping it.

8. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

I am currently making my way through Tim Ferriss’ Tools of Titans book and man oh man; it has been amazing. I did have this book first but heard so many great things about Tools of Titans that I purchased and started that one. With that said, I am becoming a massive fan of Tim Ferriss and can’t wait to read this book. I am keeping it.

9. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

I’ve always had an interest in psychology and probably, in the last five years, have questioned why people think the way they think more times than I can count. I am still very much interested in reading the book but now more from the standpoint of how MY mindset will be impacted. I am keeping it.

10. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

This book has quietly crept up (see what I did there?) on book list in the last few years, and as an introvert that has been trying to cut out so much noise from the world lately, it was bound to end up on my list. I am keeping it.

11. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely

Why do I make the decisions that I make? That is what I was hoping this book answered for me. Although still a substantial question, I am not sure I’m going to find the answer within these pages. I am removing it.

12. Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis

I think I thought this book was about something different than Wall Street. Or maybe I added it after watching a movie. I’m not sure but either way, I am removing it.

13. How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen

Clayton’s story alone made this a book I was interested in, but his connection to high achievers and unhappiness is what planted it on my list to read. I am keeping it.

14. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

When venturing into the finance world and potentially looking into financial planning, I knew I needed to learn more about investing. That career path has sailed, and while this is still probably a great book on a topic, I should know a little about, other things are my priority at the moment. I am removing it.

15. Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity by David Whyte

While reading the synopsis of this book, I was actually torn about if I wanted to keep it or not. I love the idea of personal growth at work and would like to know more about why burnout is a good thing, but the poetry part is throwing me off a bit. For now, I will say I am keeping it.

16. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Not only am I a huge Apple fan but the man behind the company has always been fascinating to me. I’ve read bits and pieces about his life story and knew I wanted to read this book. I am keeping it.

17. Choose Yourself: Be Happy, Make Millions, Live the Dream by James Altucher

I’ve had the opportunity to buy this book a few times, but it has never grabbed me enough to pull the trigger. I do agree with the concept that we have to choose ourselves, especially when moving forward in today’s world. But I am removing this one.

18. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull

I’ll be honest and say this book probably grabbed my attention by having Buzz Lightyear on the cover. Granted, it is a business book from the creators of Pixar, so it does hold my interest beyond that. But not enough. I am removing it.

19. Act Like A Leader, Think Like A Leader by Herminia Ibarra

This was a book that was added to my list when I was toying with the idea of moving into a management position at my previous company. I think leadership is essential in all areas of life, but it isn’t a focus for me this year, so I am removing this one.