Have you ever read a book that literally changed your life? Made you think about something in an entirely different way? Opened and expanded your mind? Showed you a new life path? Helped you understand something essential about who you are?

If you haven’t, help yourself to one of mine. It’s an incredible experience.

I have read more than three books that changed my life, of course, but these three are the ones I’ve been thinking about the most recently. The first, because it’s helping me organize my time; the second, because it’s changed the way I meet my goals and resolutions; and the third, because I’m actually in the middle of reading it right now. I haven’t even finished it, but I need to include it on the list, because it’s affecting my thinking, writing and even my relationships that much.

And now for a SPOILER ALERT. 

You may get the opportunity to own one of these books FOR FREE. 

See the end of the post for details!

1. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam

If you’re a regular Words From The Sowul reader, you already know that I’m a big fan of Laura’s. This was the book that started it all for me. (Click the title link for my previous review.)

Why it changed my life: This book showed me that it’s possible to make time for everything that’s important to me by implementing some simple organization and time management tactics. Whenever I think about how I’m going to accomplish something in a given day or week, I think, “How much of my 24 or 168 hours is this really going to take?” and then, “Where do I fit it in most effectively?” Answering those two questions helped me figure out how to write several drafts of a novel and hundreds of blog posts in the limited time that I have while my son is napping. It’s true that we don’t have unlimited time to do unlimited things, but that’s also the point of Vanderkam’s opus- it’s important for us to prioritize and organize so that we can live a fulfilled life right now, not at some point in the future.

2. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. 

I like dreaming big and making goals, but I never thought much about how my daily habits could predict whether or not I succeeded. After reading this book, I was able to make firm connections between big goals and small steps, and I believe that’s what helped me meet and even exceed my resolutions in 2013. (Click the title link for my previous review.)

Why it changed my life: Three words: “Cue-routine-reward.” To create or change a habit, simply examine how you’re handling each of these steps, and change one or more to make the habit as strong as possible. For example, last January, I wanted to encourage my family to eat more vegetables. I decided that my “Cue” would be scheduling a recurring reminder every Sunday to chop salad vegetables for the week. “Routine” became opening the fridge at lunchtime and seeing the already-prepared lettuce, cucumbers, onion and peppers; it became easier to throw together a salad than to make a sandwich. “Reward” was a quick and easy lunch and a healthier diet. I’ve been doing this for a year, and I can’t imagine stopping. I took a simple goal and made it into a “sticky” habit, all thanks to this book.

3. Quiet by Susan Cain.

This is the book I haven’t yet finished, so there’s no previous review (though I’ll probably end up writing a more detailed one when I am done). Quiet is about being an introvert in a society and time period where extroversion is the cultural ideal. Cain describes introversion and extroversion as categories as important and self-identifying as gender or race.

Why it changed my life: I always knew I was an introvert (I didn’t need Myers-Briggs to tell me that) but hadn’t thought much about how it affected my personality. Cain’s research explains many aspects of my personality and helps me understand why I behave the way I do in certain situations. For example, when I’m in my peer-group meetings at work, I feel like an integral part of the discussion, but when I’m in a full faculty meeting, I’m very uncomfortable; I sit shy and tongue-tied. People have accused me of being snobbish or closed-off, when I’m simply very nervous in a large group. Introversion also explains why I like going out with a friend or two to a restaurant, but I dread going to parties if there will be people I don’t know. It even explains why I’m a blogger; the internet is where introverts are capable of making connections that they’d never feel comfortable doing face-to-face. I can’t wait to read the rest of this book. I feel like it’s validating my sense of self.

Want to experience a life-change of your own?

I’m giving away one of these books to a blog reader. The contest starts on Wednesday, 1/15/14, and it’s going to be ridiculously easy to enter. Make sure you don’t miss Wednesday’s post, because a free, life-changing book could be coming your way!