read – Success Strategies

Top 12 Places to Donate Your Books

With so many books to choose from, you’ll have the hard part of deciding which one to donate.

On Instagram I shared the hard task of purging my books. I have a million with little or no storage space. But what happened was…. During my purge, I ended up reading and re-claiming books.

I decided to share my work (purge in process), and an interested person asked, “where can you donate books?” I responded briefly but decided to post more here on the blog.

Popular and Unique Places to Donate Books

Local Donation Options

Public Libraries
- Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or book sales.
- Call ahead—they often have specific donation days or guidelines.
Schools & Colleges
- Especially helpful for children’s books, young adult novels, and textbooks.
- Contact local principals, librarians, or teachers to ask if they need donations.
Community Centers / YMCA / Local Clubs
- Often accept books for literacy programs, tutoring, or community libraries.
Hospitals & Nursing Homes
- They may accept clean, gently used books for waiting rooms or patient use.
Churches / Faith-Based Organizations
- Great place to donate devotionals, spiritual books, or children’s materials.

Charitable Organizations

Goodwill or Salvation Army
- Accepts a wide range of books. Proceeds support their employment programs.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
- Some locations take books to sell in support of housing projects.
Books for Africa / Books Through Bars / Better World Books
- Organizations that distribute books to under-served communities locally or globally.
Little Free Library
- Find a nearby box via littlefreelibrary.org and drop books off for community sharing.

Online / Specialized Options

Freecycle.org / Buy Nothing Groups (Facebook)
- Offer books locally for free and connect with those who want them.
Local Prison Programs
- Many prisons accept paperback books only. Check with local chaplains or nonprofits.
Book Drives / Literacy Nonprofits
- Check with local literacy organizations or Rotary Clubs—they may be running book drives.

Readers’ Favorite Summertime Reading Spots

Reading Space

Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.
Lemony Snicket

Reading, reading, reading. It grows the mind, expands thinking, develops insights and helps us think differently. Goodreads asked The question “what’s your favorite summertime reading spot?” Readers chimed in excitedly. Here I share:

Of Books, Places and Reading

Sea front
Patio
On the beach
In a tent while it rains
Outdoors while listening to the birds
Under the big oak tree
At the summerhouse
Coffee house
RV while camping across provinces
On a balcony
Sneak away for an hour in my car
On a boat on a lake
On a chair by the pond
While driving – audiobooks
Airplane
Hammock
Pool
Beach
Picnic blanket
Bed
Nook

Wow, what a list! Yet there’s more. Where is your favorite place? Do share. We would love to hear.

Happy Reading!

Top 10 Books For Personal Development…

One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.
Abraham Maslow

Personal development is a broad field, and the “top” books can vary based on individual preferences and needs. However, here are 10 highly recommended books that cover a range of personal development topics.

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey This classic book focuses on principles for personal and interpersonal effectiveness, helping readers transform their lives through a holistic approach.
“Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins Tony Robbins offers strategies for taking control of your emotions, finances, relationships, and life in general, enabling you to achieve your goals and dreams.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear James Clear presents a practical guide to creating and maintaining positive habits, breaking bad ones, and ultimately mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
“Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown Brené Brown explores vulnerability, shame, and the importance of embracing imperfections as a means of fostering courage, connection, and authenticity.
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck Carol Dweck introduces the concept of “fixed” vs. “growth” mindsets and how adopting a growth mindset can lead to personal and professional success.
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill Napoleon Hill outlines the principles and mindset necessary for achieving financial success and personal fulfillment through positive thinking and strategic planning.
“Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth Angela Duckworth explores the importance of passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals and personal success.
Ditch It Switch It by Dr Shelly Cameron is for those who are miserable, stuck, dissatisfied, afraid, stressed, longing for personal growth or those who have a passion for entrepreneurship. It will help readers prepare to take the plunge to get out of your comfort zone.
“The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle Eckhart Tolle offers insights into the power of living in the present moment and escaping the tyranny of your thoughts, leading to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
“Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” by Daniel Goleman Daniel Goleman discusses the significance of emotional intelligence in personal and professional success, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing emotions.
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson Mark Manson challenges conventional self-help advice and encourages readers to embrace life’s challenges and uncertainties, focusing on what truly matters.

Remember that personal development is an ongoing journey, and these books can serve as valuable resources to help you gain new insights, develop healthy habits, and cultivate a positive mindset. It’s also a good idea to explore various books and authors to find those that resonate most with your unique goals and aspirations.

Happy reading! Happy growing!

40+ Books To Read In 2023

So Many Books. So Little Time
Frank Zappa

Goodreads asked the question in a public forum “what books should everyone read this year?” As authors and readers chimed in, here’s a list of 41 extracted. They include classics to recently released books in different genres.

Don’t worry if you can’t get through them all. Just keep the list as a yearly reference

To Kill A Mocking Bird
Grapes of Wrath
The Light We Carry
The Gift of Fear
A Heart That Works
Project Hail Mary
Lonesome Dove
The Beartown Series
I Take My Coffee Black
Black Cake
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Fall of Giants
Winter of the World
Edge of Eternity
The Island of Missing Trees
On The Beach
Remarkably Bright Creatures
GreenLight: When God Says Go
The Great Alone
The Alchemist
The Paris Library
Man’s Search For Meaning
My Safe Place
The Bible
The Vanishing Half
The Shadow of the Wind
Gone With the Wind
All Good People Here
The Midnight Library
The Winners
The Last Thing He Told Me
The Lincoln Highway
Of Human Bondage
Velveteen Rabbit
Withering Heights
Who Moved My Cheese
Success Strategies of Leaders
Edge of Eternity
What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
Mad Honey
The Prophets

For sure there’s enough for you to read this year and next year too (smile). Do add your favorite if it’s missing.

Happy Reading!

2022 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again
Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire

Retirement: The Journey and The Destination is a guide to help readers in their twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties learn and appreciate the key considerations that should direct the process of planning for retirement so their preparation will not be fragmented, lopsided and insufficient.

**Guide To Writing Job Winning Resumes Paperback**

Books For The New Entrepreneur

**101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs**

MOMENTS: MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS

Books For The Food Lover

The Sways Of Poetry

Books For The Child Reader

15 Things To Do By Yourself…

Success Strategies

Spending time alone is one of my absolute pleasures. I’m sure I’m not alone. You may also like to do that as well. A few years ago I shared that I had some planning to do and decided on a whim to jump into my car and drive to the beach. A few hours later, I had mapped out plans for my top goals for the rest of the year! yea! I left feeling totally satisfied to get things done! What seemed like an drilling exercise turned out to be quite productive, in a serene atmosphere.

Self-Care

Jo Chunyan shared a list of things do alone. I decided to pull my top 15 to share.

Journal. Write up a list of things you would love to do. Declare your dreams and intentions or simply empty out all your thoughts into your notebook.
Spend a day at a museum or art gallery

View original post 195 more words

Interested In Starting Your Writing Journey? 18 Tips For Beginners…

Write. Just Write

Success Strategies

Read a lot. Write a lot.
And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath

Tips gleaned from experienced authors to those interested in venturing out on their own writing journey.

Write. Keep writing.
Read a lot so you understand how others do what they do
Learn the craft …that is part of writing
Proofread. Rewrite so it makes sense
Learn the craft. Books, classes, YouTube
Be yourself. Tell the story
Brainstorm writing ideas
It takes a lot of sacrifice
Find online sites that accept free submissions. Publish 800-1200 word articles on a subject that interests you. Write and submit articles to many sites. Once accepted try longer pieces
Don’t let “no thanks” deter you.
Read, read, master the language you want to write in. Read…

View original post 177 more words

Can’t Get Your Child To Read? 13 Ways To Spark That Fire…

Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind,
-Toni Morrison

How do you get your child to read? Popular question 21st century parents ask. It can also be extended to adults. Booklovers find themselves lost in books facing curiosity for the reason many defy reading as avidly as a decade ago. Too many distractions most say. Parents have it the hardest especially during the era of virtual games. But as far back as my own family’s history, I can think of my uncle who was a school principal, I received books on birthdays and holidays. Didn’t like it at the time but appreciate it in the years that ensued.

So, parents there’s hope. Here are 13 ways booklovers shared to spark that fire.

Don’t be a nag
Read more yourself. Children live what they learn
Limit screen time from early
Read stories to them
Make bookstore visit a habit
Let them pick books of their choice
Dramatize characters. Make them come alive
Watch movies on books of real life events then let them decide which is better – book or movie
Display books around the house – Easy access.
Make reading a habit
Read books with exciting stories, then visit museums for visual effect
Share amazing stories and when they ask what’s next, let them read the book for themselves
Lead by example

Any points missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

2021 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again
Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire

Do you think of retirement as a dead-end road to the Departure Lounge of life? Think again! Retirement, A New Adventure is full of ideas how to live an active, fun and enriching life in retirement. There are things to do, skills to learn, new technologies to embrace, people to meet, places to explore. What sets this book apart is the stories it provides from real life experiences of the author and others; stories that range from silly to serious, revealing how satisfying life in retirement can be.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

Books For The Food Lover

The Sways Of Poetry

Books For The Child Reader

Read. Write. 27 Things I Like…

Success Strategies

As I look over the circus of things I like, I realize that though I enjoy them and they bring me satisfaction, I find myself not doing them as much and in some cases at all. For over two decades I have been caught up in work, work, work. So this prompt helped me pull away and ponder the things I once enjoyed, or get to enjoy on a rare occasion.

But even as I finalize the list I realize that life’s not promised, so I intend to start doing the things I like and stop leaving them for …one day soon.

Watch The Waves By The Sea

That said, the things I like are:

1. People watch
2. Explore the world
3. Simple things
4. Enjoy a good laugh
5. Acting | Participating in drama presentations
6. Wearing a smile
7. See people mentored achieve their best potential
8. Watch movies
9. Write, ponder, reflect
10. Decorate the house
11. Go…

View original post 121 more words