Jacey Verdicchio - A Children's Author

This year I’ve read some great books so I thought it would be fun to share my top ten list, though not in a particular order.  Also, input = output and what I write on my blog is inevitably affected by what I'm reading and hearing.  If some of what I've shared over the past year has resonated with you, then these books likely will also.

1. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - I actually wrote a blog post about this book while I      was reading it.  It tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic track athlete who joined the Air Force during World War II.  After his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean, he miraculously survived on a raft and endured years in Japanese prisoner of war camps.  Hillenbrand writes as a true artist and master of her craft.
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - This book is truly a classic that can help anyone regardless of age, career path, or personality.  With groundbreaking suggestions such as, “Smile,” and “Use a person’s name as often as possible, because to them, it is the most important word they can hear,” this book assures us that getting along with people boils down to some very easy fundamental actions.  On the other hand, I will come back to this book over and over because of its depth of insight.
3. Midwives by Chris Bohjalian - A fascinating novel about a court case involving a midwife who did an emergency cesarean section on a woman she believed to be dead, but may not have been.  The story is told from the perspective of her 14 year old daughter.
4. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy - This book explains the benefits of consistent action over time and gives practical ways to implement actions that will lead to your goals.  Unlike some books in this field, this one is inspiring and entertaining, using stories to illustrate the principles so you can remember and apply them.
5. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - This heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking novel takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960’s.  Stockett focuses on the perspectives of the black women who work in households cooking, cleaning, and raising children.  I enjoyed the book more than movie, mostly because the book takes longer so I got to enjoy it longer.  The movie is definitely worth seeing.
6. South of Broad by Pat Conroy - When we moved to Charleston, I decided to read a book that takes place here.  Also, Pat Conroy is a Citadel alumni, and Mike teaches at the Citadel.  This novel is darker than most that I like, but I enjoyed the descriptions of places in Charleston I’ve been to.  Conroy is a master storyteller.
7. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey - This book gives a step by step plan, starting with getting out of debt, for financial success.  Some have criticized Ramsey for being too simplistic, but a simple plan for money that I can understand in line with principles I agree with makes sense to me.  If you have ever felt overwhelmed by debt or just know you need a plan for your finances but aren’t sure where to start, this book is a great place!  (It's on sale for $10 until Christmas if you click the link above.)
8. Uncommon by Tony Dungy - I’m still in progress with this one, and it is actually written for men on becoming an uncommon husband, father, and son.  Dungy was the head coach who took the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory (if you’re like me and didn’t know that) and he attributes his success to understanding biblical principles and his relationship with God.  Part of his definition of what’s “uncommon” is doing the right thing even if it’s unpopular.  I also just heard an interview with him on the Entreleadership Podcast, Episode 9.
9. Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell - A must read for the perfectionists out there.  This book is full of stories about many people you have heard of because they have been massively successful, but these stories are about their struggles on the way to success.  There is no such thing as failure if you learn something and keep going.
10. Open My Eyes That I May See by Reverend Christopher C. Geer - A tremendously helpful resource in understanding the Bible.  It helped me appreciate some biblical insights I haven’t thought about before.