We are so excited to dedicate this week’s Inspired By to Lisa Consiglio Ryan, author of Go Clean, Sexy You. Here, Lisa shares the five books that have inspired her most.

Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

This book broke my  heart in million pieces and opened my eyes to the hardships of what my sisters all across the world have to endure just to survive. Reading the stories of young women who were rapped, beaten, tortured, and saw their families killed in front of them, sparked my commitment to support my fellow sisters via fundraisers, donations, and hopefully volunteering in the lands where women don’t have the freedom I take for granted every day. Very humbling and raw. 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Most favorite book of all… currently reading to my kids at bedtime. The story of the young man, searching for his treasure, his Personal Legend (which we all know ours when we are born) and how we are put on this earth for a specific purpose (our true destiny)and how we have the power to make our dreams come true. My favorite quote:  “When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

I just LOVE anything Brené writes, does, says. She is the ultimate truth-teller. Being vulnerable is something I had to learn quickly when I started my business. I used to play the perfection card as much as possible growing up, into my twenties, but realized that all I want is to belong… all I want is to be true to myself… all I want is love. As humans, we want these same things so Brené’s book started my journey to be my truest self, without apology, without shame. 

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPort

Danielle LaPort was a writer I followed when I started my business and never stopped. She is raw, real and bad ass. Her book, which I go back to often, talks about how you really want to feel at the end of the day… what is the feeling you want? Instead of goals, what do you desire most? Love, passion, support, freedom, ease… She is just plain awesome and The Desire Map gets you to really think, dig way deep, on what you really want.

Thrive by Arianna Huffington

 Arianna’s book addresses many basic needs like sleep, mediation, being connected, taking care of yourself in the midst of a society is that is always go-go-go. I am all about the wellness and how food especially can be a tool for helping one focus.

Bonus: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

I read Elizabeth’s new book in two days. I devoured it. As a writer and creator, I loved reading about her own journey with the creative process and how to use curiosity instead of fear to fuel the creative fire from within.