May 2026 Reading Round-Up: Self-Worth, Courage, and Becoming More of Yourself
There is always a little bit of magic when several books you reserved months ago suddenly become available at the same time. Especially those that were newly released!
That is exactly what happened to me in May.
As the holds I had placed long ago started showing up in the Libby and Hoopla apps, I noticed an unexpected theme emerging.
Several of the books were written by social media creators-turned-authors (you know I love a good career growth move), celebrities, and public figures. On the surface, they seemed completely unrelated. As I listened, I was surprised. I kept hearing the same message repeated in different ways.
Trust yourself.
Know your worth.
Have the courage to become who you are meant to be.
In The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook, Melani Sanders writes:
“I didn’t need permission, what I needed was courage. I found it in myself and we are finding it in each other.”
In Saving Five, Amanda Nguyen writes:
“Everyone seems delusional until they win, then suddenly they are geniuses. I hope this book serves as a mirror to the genius already inside of you, the person you were before you were hurt. The child in you that still dreams.”
And in Give Yourself a Raise, Erin Haag reminds us:
“Decide you are worth it and make the investment in yourself.”
Three different authors.
Three different life experiences.
One powerful idea.
The people who seem most grounded are not necessarily the people who have everything figured out. They are the people who trust themselves enough to take the next step before they have all the answers.
As I moved through this month's reading list, I started thinking about how often we wait for permission.
Permission to change careers.
Permission to charge more.
Permission to speak up.
Permission to take ourselves seriously.
Yet the books that stayed with me most were all pointing in the same direction.
The courage you are looking for is rarely given to you by someone else.
The confidence you are looking for is often built by keeping promises to yourself.
And the value you bring to the world exists whether or not someone else recognizes it first.
As someone who works with women building careers, leading teams, caring for others, and figuring out what comes next, I found this theme especially timely.
The rest of this month's reading explored those ideas through stories of leadership, trust, personal growth, work, AI, resilience, and what it means to continue becoming more of yourself.
Shop This Month's Reading List
If you'd like to explore any of these books, you can find them all in one place, on my May 2026 Amazon Storefront Reading List.
Books I Read in May 2026
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About by Isabel Klee
“That’s the magic of dogs, the simple, unrelenting magic is that they don’t even have to try. They heal just by existing, reminding us to live every moment to the fullest.”
The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook by Melani Sanders
“I didn’t need permission, what I needed was courage. I found it in myself and we are finding it in each other.”
The Seven Rules of Trust by Jimmy Wales
“Give trust and most people will want to trust you in return.”
ChatGPT to Double Your Business in 90 Days by Ethan King
“AI agent orchestration will be a core competency for business operators, team leaders, and entrepreneurs.”
“AI is no longer a tool. It’s your team.”
Interviewology by Anna Papalia
“What if there isn’t just one way to be in an interview?”
Saving Five by Amanda Nguyen
“Everyone seems delusional until they win, then suddenly they are geniuses. I hope this book serves as a mirror to the genius already inside of you, the person you were before you were hurt. The child in you that still dreams.”
Likable Badass by Amanda Fragale, PhD
“It’s hard to solve your power problem without solving your status problem first.”
Get It in Writing by Ryan Stygar
“We will take a practical, informed approach to the question of whether you are being paid what you have earned, and whether it accurately reflects your worth. You work for money. There is no honor in sacrificing your well-being for a company.”
Famesick: A Memoir by Lena Dunham
“It’s wild how far you can drift from yourself in the process of trying to get what you want.”
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
“You either conquer it, or you let it destroy you.”
Energy Leadership by Bruce D. Schneider
“Hire the people to play the appropriate roles and participate anyway we like is the mark of high consciousness and pure genius.”
Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg
“This is why my mother told me to always try to be forgiving of what people don’t know, and help them understand, instead of walking away angry.”
Give Yourself a Raise by Erin B. Haag
“Decide you are worth it and make the investment in yourself.”
Closing Thoughts
One of the things I love most about reading and audiobooks is discovering connections I never expected.
This month, books came from different authors, different industries, different generations, and very different life experiences.
Yet they kept circling back to many of the same themes.
Trust yourself.
Invest in yourself.
Have the courage to take the next step before you feel completely ready.
And perhaps most importantly, don't wait for someone else to tell you who you are capable of becoming.
I'm always curious what ideas are shaping your thinking.
If you've read something recently that challenged you, encouraged you, or changed the way you see the world, I'd love to hear about it. Comment below to share your beloved finds.
Explore This Month's Reading List
Want to explore more in depth, any of the books from this month's round-up? Browse my May 2026 Amazon Storefront Reading List.
Continue the Work
If you are building habits that strengthen your thinking, confidence, and professional development, you might also enjoy my book:
Own Your Career: Take Control + Accelerate Your Professional Growth
Explore Previous 2026 Reading Round-Ups
February Reading Round-Up: Reinvention, Courage, and a Cleveland Author Event
March Reading Round-Up: Leadership, Family, and Growing to the Next Level
April Reading Round-Up: Identity, Perception, and Defining Your Value
Full Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualified purchases made through my storefront.
