Powering your joy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. As we often say, joy is individual, so what powers my joy may not power your joy, but there are lots of simple ways that could help you create a little joy in your day. It could be something like lighting a candle, journaling, sending a note to a friend, or putting on a cute pair of earrings.

As a lifelong bookworm, reading has always been something that can help me slow down and de-stress. Just being in a room with books can boost my happiness a little bit – I’ve been known to wander around the nearest bookstore if I’m having a bad day! Here are some of the ways that reading might power your joy, too.

Learning New Things

Learning something new can help you understand more about the world and the other people living in it. Even when you disagree with someone, it makes it harder to stay angry when you have some understanding of where they’re coming from. Reading can help you build that knowledge base.

And if you’re anything like me (CliftonStrengths Learner, DiSC high C, Enneagram 5), the act of gaining knowledge itself can give you energy and a put you in a better mood.

Taking Your Mind Off Stressors

Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, immersing yourself in someone else’s story for a while is a great way to take your mind off the things that are stressing you out in your own life. Taking that break and turning off that part of your brain for a while can help you avoid burnout and come back to those problems refreshed and ready to tackle them.

Slowing Down

We hear it everywhere these days – rest and self care are crucial. Getting sucked into a good book can help you slow down and take a moment for yourself so you have the energy for the hectic day-to-day tasks.

Becoming a Better Leader

Being an effective leader helps you create a JoyPowered® workspace. There are a plethora of books out there that share the advice and information you might need to improve your leadership skills, making work more joyful for you and those around you.

Seeing Things from Someone Else’s Perspective

As I mentioned above, understanding where others are coming from can help you avoid feeling anger toward them. The truth is we all have different backgrounds, life experiences, and opportunities. Reading books by and about people who are different from you helps broaden your horizons and may even change your mind about things. As General George S. Patton once said, “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” So make sure you’re listening to (or reading about) those who think differently than you!

If you’re looking for a great book to add to your list, check out our list below – of course, we have to recommend our own books, but we’ve also included lots of other books we like. And we want to hear your recommendations, too! Share your favorites in the comments.

JoyPowered® Reading List

1. JoyPowered®: Intentionally Creating an Inspired Workspace by JoDee Curtis
2. The JoyPowered® Family by JoDee Curtis and Denise McGonigal
3. The JoyPowered® Team by Erin Brothers, JoDee Curtis, Peggy Hogan, Denise McGonigal, Laura North, Susan Tinder White, and Liz Zirkelbach
4. The JoyPowered® Organization by JoDee Curtis, Megan Nail, and Jeremy York
5. First, Break all the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
6. Flight to Creativity: How to Dramatically Improve Your Creative Performance by Dr. Min Basadur
7. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
8. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
9. The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams
10. Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
11. The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
12. Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear by Richard Sheridan
13. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Drives Us by Daniel H. Pink