The Book I Read

Warning!! This book will positively impact your life.

How this book was born ...

Sometimes an idea hits you over the head and you "go with it." Other times, you slough it off and move on with your day.

Lynda Sunshine's husband, who is a musician, was watching a YouTube video of a band from the 1970s called The Talking Heads. The song he was listening to is called "The Book I Read." As they watched the goofy video while laughing hysterically, Scott said something that Lynda Sunshine heard loud and clear. He said, "You should do a collaboration book called The Book I Read." They both laughed, then Lynda Sunshine said, "That's a great idea." So here we are today, sharing this book that sparked from a small idea.

We immediately (we are action takers, after all) went to the drawing board and started thinking of ways to make this into a really cool book. We asked each other if there was a particular book that changed our life. Both of us, without hesitation, came up with the number one book that was transformational. It was through this conversation that we realized books have a way of changing people's lives if they are open to seeing the possibilities.

The idea came to us that we could share stories from 50 incredible women and men from all over the world that we've met during our journeys. In The Book I Read, these authors talk about the transformation they have experienced that started with reading one book. Because our authors are from all over the world, you may notice some words spelled (or spelt) differently than you're used to. We kept the spellings from their country to retain the integrity of each author's heritage.

From a math textbook to a child's Dr. Seuss book to the Bible to some of the self-help standards you're expecting, you may be surprised to read how their lives were transformed. No matter the book, the transformations are real.

You have undoubtedly read a book or two (maybe more) at some point in your life. Some of the books you've read have made a big difference and you were impacted to the point of transformation. That's what this book is all about. This is NOT a book report. This is NOT a book review. This is all about transformation.

"Books for me have always been a way to escape. I now consider reading a good book a sacred indulgence, time alone to be anyplace I choose. It is my absolute favorite way to spend time. What I know for sure is that reading opens you up."

~Oprah Winfrey

You're about to embark on a journey. Everyone has a story to tell, a story to share. While you read this book, think about your own journey ... What's your story? What book has transformed your life? Then share that book and this book with a friend.

At Action Takers Publishing, our mission is to empower 5,000,000 women and men to share their stories with the world to make a greater impact on the planet. We do this because we realize the power of sharing your story and how it can transform somebody else's life. We definitely need more positivity in this world and this is our way of doing that.

When you're ready to make a greater impact on the planet, we're here. Just reach out to us at ActionTakersPublishing.com.

With Gratitude,

Lynda Sunshine West and Sally Larkin Green

Ch. 1: Fear-Full to Fear-Less by Lynda Sunshine West

Ch. 2: If My Friends Could See Me Now! by Sally Larkin Green

Ch. 3: Who's in My Room? by Alice Pallum

Ch. 4: Surrendering to the Magic by Annie Rettic

Ch. 5: Finding Freedom by Asma Yousif

Ch. 6: From Frozen to Fierce by Becky Mosbrucker

Ch. 7: The Lamp to My Pathway by Bridgetti Lim Banda

Ch. 8: Timing is Everything: How to Achieve More by Starting Early by Bryan Allen-Smith

Ch. 9: Embrace Courage and Vulnerability by Cathy Derksen

Ch. 10: Perseverance by Christina Sorensen

Ch. 11: Put Down the Bat by Dara Bose

Ch. 12: Libraries and What You Should Know by David Blackford

Ch. 13: Never Poo-Poo the Woo-Woo by Debbie Morton

Ch. 14: Morning Routines Are Essential by Evan Trad

Ch. 15: In Being Vulnerable, I Found My Strength by Farah Ismail

Ch. 16: "Caste-ing" My Life; What Lurks Beyond Race by Greer McVay

Ch. 17: Near and Dear by Jaymie Hale

Ch. 18: Built by Breaking by Jennifer Jerald

Ch. 19: Harriet, My Hero by Julie Brown

Ch. 20: So That's What It Was, I Was NOT a Complete Failure! by Julie Donelson

Ch. 21: Your Answer Is Energy by Dr. Kim Jacobs Martin

Ch. 22: When Your Soul Speaks by Kim Kelley Thompson

Ch. 23: How a Math Textbook Saved My Life by Kohila Sivas

Ch. 24: The Book That Saved My Life by Kristy Boyd Johnson

Ch. 25: Forgiving: Even When it Seems 'Unforgivable' by Krysten Maracle

Ch. 26: What the Bleep Changed My Life - A Journey Into the Unknown by Latara Dragoo

Ch. 27: A Conversation Between Friends by Legend Thurman

Ch. 28: My Soul's Journey by Lorrel Elian

Ch. 29: Perfectly Imperfect, No Apologies Necessary by Lynnette LaRoche

Ch. 30: Reclaiming My Spirit by Maria E De Lira

Ch. 31: Understanding Energy and Self-Care by Mary Jackson

Ch. 32: Pick Another Way to Feel by Melissa Walsh

Ch. 33: Sometimes the Greatest Encouragement Comes in the Simplest Packages by Melodie Donovan

Ch. 34: Outwitting Myself From Limiting Beliefs and Obstacles by Mistie Layne

Ch. 35: Connecting - Finding My Truth on a Bookshelf by Nancy Lockhart

Ch. 36: From Sheep to Shepherd by Paige Davidson

Ch. 37: Open Door Season by Prophetess Nalo Thomas

Ch. 38: The Truth About Happiness by Rebecca Norrington

Ch. 39: The Book That Fueled Me to Meditate Consistently by Rita Farruggia

Ch. 40: I Read the Bible by Romy Faith Ganser

Ch. 41: Master Leadership in Pushing UP People by Sabrina Protic

Ch. 42: Ignite to Win by Sandra Barker-McIntosh

Ch. 43: Discovering Me by Shanna Lee Moore

Ch. 44: Your Story: It's a Journey by Sherri Leopold

Ch. 45: Cheese Opened My Eyes by Sohaila Handelsman

Ch. 46: Questioning What You Believe to be True by Teresa Cundiff

Ch. 47: Visionaries Disregard Paradigms and Reinvent by Terry Shepherd

Ch. 48: A Taste of Healing by Tweet Larkin

Ch. 49: Pride Could Have Crippled My Life by Whitney Hartford

Ch. 50: Jesus, Mary (Well, Esther) and Joseph by Whitnie Wiley