A few weeks ago, I talked to a friend about life lessons we should have learned from parents, school, and mentors. We did not learn those lessons for many reasons (not listening, never taught, went over our heads). So, I decided to put a list of books that helped open my eyes to the lessons I needed to incorporate in my life to live a more fulfilling life, or so I can stop making stupid mistakes:
- We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
- The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housley
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Matriarch by Tina Knowles
- Mother of Black Hollywood / Stepping in My Joy by Jennifer Lewis
- How to Build a Fashion Icon by Law Roach
As I created this list, I realized that each of these books’ life lessons would come from a family member. Rachel Rodgers comes off as your big sister who is tired of your struggling with life, and Morgan Housley, your next-door neighbor, wants to help you with your Amazon addiction. Tina Knowles’ life advice is the advice you may have missed from your grandmother and mother. Michelle Obama and Jenifer Lewis are rich aunties who took two different paths in life and ended up happy, healthy, and prosperous. Your favorite cousin, Law Roach, tells you how busted you look and gets you right while fixing your face. Below are the books to upgrade your life.
The number one book I think all overworked, time-crunched people should read is “We Should All Be Millionaires” by Rachel Rodgers. I have been suggesting this book to everyone! To every woman I know, and not because of the money-making aspect. But to find ways to incorporate self-care and rest better into our lives. The concepts and mindset Mrs. Rodgers, Esq., discusses in her book are why we are struggling, staying in a scarcity mindset. She challenges women who read this book to break the broken mindset. It was refreshing and a needed voice to change the mindset among women. In the book, Rachel pushes you to build a million-dollar business, but she also wants to change your mindset from scarcity to abundance. Her tactics are practical and honest. Throughout the book, she uses examples from clients, friends, and personal experiences. The book is structured to address the reader’s mindset and then replace it with a new one. A straightforward trick she gives is instead of saying But, say and that simple shift helps to see that anything is possible. I also appreciate her addressing friendship and squad goals; that was the hardest pill to swallow in her book, but it was much needed and had value, even if you decided to cut some friends out of your life. I enjoyed honesty; she does not shame the reader for prior decisions or guilt readers about wanting to enjoy Starbucks. Rachel’s approach is practical and honors a strategy that most of us can easily implement, and we see significant results when it is done right.
Another Book I would suggest reading for a life lesson you missed is “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel. Hear me out: you cannot save money, you are extremely frugal with money, or you miss financial opportunities relating to money, because you have trauma around cash. That trauma is holding you back. I know millions of people who use Dave Ramsey’s approach and are living comfortably, or Suze Orman got them out of debt, which is excellent. This book helps you understand your mindset with money, trauma, and issues around how you view money. Reading this book will have you sitting down and analyzing parts of your money habits, and you will be willing to change those habits to do better with money. Housel walks you through so many lessons that it may become a book you read at least once a year.
Suppose you need to learn how to navigate family dynamics. In that case, Badass Teenie B aka Tina Knowles’ book “Matriarch” will teach you how to stand up for your family, deflect people’s projections, and always have a plan. Throughout the book, while Mrs. Knowles recounts her life and family life, she drops gems about navigating the world as your authentic self. By the time you get to Act II, if you are a mom, she’s dropping gems on motherhood, dealing with grief, creating an exit strategy (If you know, you know). Along with learning about the indomitable Mrs. Knowles, she will get you right with some good ole-fashioned, considerable mama knowledge. If you feel like you missed lessons from your mom or grandmother, Matriarch will fill the gaps to a certain extent, offering the base of a banging Louisiana gumbo. Caveat: this book is long as hell. You will be reading this book for at least two months.
Staying on the path of finding yourself and Family Life, Michelle Obama, “Becoming.” “Becoming” is a very Capricorn book; you can tell Michelle Obama is a Capricorn. The book is incredibly detailed and thorough. I was committed to completing Mrs. Obama’s book because she addressed nuanced subjects that need some finesse to explain. It is the lessons that all women between the ages of 25 and 40 need to help with life. Mrs. Obama addresses breaking up with partners for no reason other than those who do not fit into your new life as you move to a new phase. Dealing with losing people you love early in life, friends, and family, to diseases. If that is your path, juggling life’s work, romance, and motherhood journey. Overall, I think everyone should read this book and complete the journal that comes with it. You can purchase the journal, get the text from the library or Amazon Kindle, and follow the prompts. It is quite cathartic, and I enjoyed the prompts within the journal, helping to cultivate my thoughts. Reading Michelle Obama’s book, I wanted to talk to your Rich Auntie about navigating corporate life, family life, and everything in between.
“The Mother of Black Hollywood” and Walking in My Joy: In These Streets by Jenifer Lewis. I love her books; she makes the case for taking accountability, getting therapy, and living on your terms. Ms. Lewis’ storytelling draws you in with her charisma, then captivates you with her high energy. As the story builds, she highlights when she was the problem in a relationship (not just romantic but platonic and work), and her learning that she has bipolar disorder. Ms. Lewis is vulnerable, honest, and vibrant with her story while holding her actions and reactions accountable. I loved every moment of this book. I suggested it to everyone with ears and even offered to buy it (and did) for those I believed would find value in her story. This is one of the books that helped me enjoy reading memoirs cause of the path less traveled and the resilience Ms. Lewis highlighted in each battle she endured, whether it was childhood assault, dealing with undiagnosed Bipolar, or just toxic relationships. Her lessons are poignant, simple, and her charisma makes it digestible. If Michelle Obama is your rich Auntie, Ms. Lewis is your Fun Rich Auntie.
Fashion/Confidence Boast
Now that we have organized our money and life lessons, you cannot leave this post looking busted. You will read Law Roach’s book “How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the world’s only Image Architect.” Reading Law Roach’s approach to fashion will help you look at yourself differently. Each Chapter is named after what you need to expect from Law crafting the story, “Assessing Your Foundations” or “Don’t be Afraid to Be Unique.” Each chapter will challenge your sense of style, ask why you are dressing a certain way, and what limiting beliefs you hold on to. All these help you chip away at parts of yourself that are no longer useful. One of the most significant lessons I took away was to know your worth. In chapter 6, “Love Yourself,” Law talks about $75 MUA, a lesson everyone needs when negotiating or asking for their worth.
These are just a few books; you should read them. I could have suggested “Let Them” by Mel Robbins or “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. But this means I can read a second series of books to fill in missed life lessons. If you like this post, give it a thumbs up. In the comments, drop some books you think I should read. I appreciate any of the suggestions.
Until Next Time,
Che Michelle
P.S I forgot to mention that if you want to read my previous blog post, the links are below, and I do not have any affiliate links. Still, if you want, you should grab either Michelle Obama’s Companion Journal book for Becoming or Rachel Rodger’s Companion Journal book for “We Should All be Millionaires.”
Building Confidence Through Fashion: A Review of Law Roach’s Book
Mothers and Memoirs: a fitting mix
Pause, I could have sworn I had more blogs🤔🤔🤔!
Che-Michelle Tales 
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