Man's Seach for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

From the paperback:
   Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward. At the heart of his theory, known as logotherapy, is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. Man's Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books in America; it continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living.

"Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you."

    I found this book on Instagram while browsing through quotes and I was grabbed by the quote along with the title. I've read The Diary of Anne Frank in school, and on my own I've read a bit of Holocaust fiction. Since I also have an interest in books of spiritual nature, I knew I had to read this book.
      In the first part Frankl tells us about his experiences in Nazi camps. He does so in a detached sort of way. While the experiences are heart wrenching the manner in which he tells them is simply matter of fact. It's difficult to explain, but I was not terribly emotionally stressed reading them (which surprised me.)
   The second half was a basic description of Frankl's theory called logotherapy. It was a little technical at first but after the first few sections it started making more sense.  This is a branch of phychology that I haven't heard much about, but since reading this I want to find out more.
   I know it seems obvious, but I recommend this to people who may be looking for meaning in their life. The title sells itself. It's more than meaning in life though. There are valuable lessons about controlling what you can and trying to accept those things you cannot.

I Am That Girl: How to speak your truth, discover your purpose and #bethatgirl by Alexis Jones

From the back of the book: 

"Does your mind go blank when someone asks you, 'What do you really want in life?' Alexis Jones has built a career listening to and inspiring girls (ages 8 to 80 years old) all around the world to figure out those questions in order to help them create the most awesome life imaginable. For the first time, Jones has compiled what she's learned into one complete guide to being That Girl, the best version of you."

"I witness a sea of daily distractions that hold us down like shackles to our feet when we should be flying. Our narrow definition of beauty requires girls to pluck, dye, brush, shave, cut, bleach, wax, diet, shop, and endlessly compare; all of which leave very little time for us to really shine. What we haven't noticed is that we are forced into a lifelong beauty contest that we will never win, and didn't ask to enter in the first place."

I don't read much self-help and I admit I was skeptical. Sophia Bush wrote the foreward, which is how I first discovered this book. Then I saw it pop up on my Goodreads feed. I decided to check it out for myself. What an empowering book! Every girl should read this.
   Alexis walks us through the steps needed to become the best version of ourselves. She tells us in nearly every chapter that we're perfect the way we are, redefining the word "perfection." She invites us to discover our passion and helps us find out exactly what that might be, then encourages us to pursue it in whatever way possible. Many women share their personal experiences with us throughout the book, helping to reinforce the concept of  'never give up,' life throws you curve balls for a reason. It's a "call to arms" for girls everywhere, challenging us to change the perception of beauty, to get out of this race we never signed up for, to be that girl.