Bookstore | Pattern + Purpose

top of page

Chapters With Purpose

Coaching is conversation — and sometimes, the best ones begin with a book.

Over the years, I’ve underlined sentences that felt like truth, scribbled “THIS!” in the margins, and paused mid-paragraph to reevaluate how I was showing up in life and leadership. The books listed below aren’t just good reads. They’ve shaped how I coach, how I think, and how I move through the world.

Some brought clarity. Others brought a gentle (or not-so-gentle) push. All of them made an impact — and might just spark something for you too.

Whether you're recalibrating your purpose, reworking your patterns, or just need a solid next read, this list is here to meet you where you are.

Let it challenge you. Let it affirm you. Let it remind you that growth doesn’t always look like hustle — sometimes it looks like flipping a page.

Some links on this page are Amazon Affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Pattern + Purpose™ LLC!

General Coaching Concepts

51xZX6COfaL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

You are a Badass - Jen Sincero

Sincero offers an entire coaching package in a book. For those who are really successful at holding themselves accountable, asking themselves the hard questions, and actually implementing change, this is a great tool to have on your shelf. Her no nonsense approach is slightly more forward than my own style, but no less compassionate or motivated by helping people step up a commit to their objectives.

51mN3bY0JjL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson

Manson takes “toxic positivity” off its feet, and walks readers through his perspective which is rooted in objective, (and sometimes) brutal honesty with the aim of them silencing outside noise that limits them. If you’re in need of some tough, but hilariously delivered, love - you’ll get a lot out of this one.

517zdS06N1L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

How to Get the Most Out of Coaching - Karen Davis, Alex Mill

This is a must read for all of my clients, especially those new to coaching. It’s a co-creative process that is only effective when both parties understand and show up “full out”. Davis and Mill provide clear steps and strategies to help clients fully commit and invest in the coaching relationship to successful ends.

81xEZF+xVLL._SY466_.jpg

Create a Life You Love - Stephanie May Wilson

“Create a Life…” felt like an elementary introduction to self-coaching. Speaking from her own experience, Wilson guides readers through questions and concepts to help them connect more clearly with who they are and what they really want out of life.

Inspiration & Motivation

51pA2tkxLAL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

Fly Girls - Keith O’Brien

If you feel like there’s a script to follow in life - think again. “Fly Girls” tells the very true stories of a group of women that took the script, and threw it out the window at about 10,000 ft. Their stories are not only about the challenges they faced, but how their “Mastery Orientation” led them to changing not just their own lives by reaching for their goals, but the lives of every woman who followed in their footsteps.

41b34ulazEL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

High, Wide & Frightened - Louise Thaden

Thaden’s memoir paints a picture of “being scared and doing it anyway”. I found it to be a really honest autobiography where she shares her actual thoughts in moments leading up to historic events for women in aviation. Accomplishment can seem like something only the certain attain, but through her experiences Thaden shows that uncertainty isn’t a set-back.

61aPPAPRiwL._SY425_.jpg

The One Thing: - Gary Keller

“The One Thing” offers a specific method around developing skills, though consistent, focused work. If your goal is to implement an effective strategy to simplify life, Keller offers just that.

Finances, Career & Leadership Perspectives

415RTxc4EwL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory - David Graeber

I read this book after I had just moved into my new home and set-up my office, just to be laid off on my first day back. It provided a really unique perspective on employment overall and helped me determine what kind of work was most in alignment with my personal values and objectives.

41v2JZcjenL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

The Coaching Habit - Michael Bungay Stainier

If you are in a leadership or managerial position of any kind, I cannot recommend this book enough. Stainier literally teaches you how to have effective conversations that help you obtain the information you need in order to lead effectively.

41fYKX1P32L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

When I Start My Business, I’ll be Happy - Sam Vander Wielen

If you’re looking to start a business and don’t know the first thing about doing it, this book is for you. Not only does Vander Wielen lay out the legal aspects, but she offers relevant strategies on how to connect with your ideal client base.

41Dz+GT+b-L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: - Jessica Brody

Thinking about writing a book, but not sure how to even start. Check out “Save the Cat”! Brody lays out the general structure of plot, and peppers in plenty of genre examples to help you find the format that will let your story come through.

51yRZmErU0L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

I Will Teach You to Be Rich - Ramit Sethi

Ramit does not rehash your parents’ style of budgeting, where you constrain yourself in ways that don’t line up with your “Rich Life”. He provides pragmatic tips and strategies to help you be effective with your financial goals, while also addressing inner blocks around money and your relationship with it.

Health & Wellness & Lifestyle

41FEJKNKr8L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondō

The KonMari Method is both simple and thorough, if you’re looking for a way to approach decluttering your spaces. Kondo offers easy steps to follow, along with mindset strategies to help make change, and sustain it.

51ElOarQq2L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

Period Repair Manual: - Lara Briden, ND

This book fills in a great many knowledge gaps about women’s health that I didn’t even realize I had. I learned so much about the mechanisms of my body, what they do and how to interpret them in a way that improved how I strategies my health overall.

413DuyIa-EL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

Metabolism Repair for Women - Lara Briden, ND

The health industry is one of the loudest at telling you what you should do to lose weight and be fit. Dr. Briden takes a compassionate, and practical approach that understands how every female body varies, and then provides the tools to help women learn about and make changes for themselves.

Philosophies on Life

31SdghgHxBL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

https___target.scene7.com_is_image_Target_GUEST_2dc23eae-36fe-4a48-b532-fbaaf3b8075a_wid=1

The Te of Piglet - Benjamin Hoff

Being new to the Taoist concept of Te, and a lover of analogy, I found “The Te of Piglet” the perfect read. I was particularly fond of how the simple, the small, or the underestimated ways of doing and seeing things have great power. Greater even than the loud and grandiose.

71xJdnydklL._AC_UY218_.jpg

71xJdnydklL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

The Art of War - Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu repeatedly lays out the power of detached observation as a means to broaden perspective, obtain the full image and information, in order to make effective tactical decisions. Whether creating change on a personal level or from a leadership role, “The Art of War” teaches a wide range of skills that invite readers to set aside what they think they know, to find out what is.

717Y82GZwWL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

717Y82GZwWL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

Knowing that a powerful and influential leader like Marcus Aurelius took time to ponder on simple philosophies as a means to stay rooted in his values brings a relatable level to philosophy that an academic environment could not, in my experience. Not only do his thoughts have universal appeal, but his practice of daily reflection and self accountability are worthwhile attributes to consider when reflecting on values, routines, and goals.

41fGVwxIJ5L._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg

Trust Your Vibes - Sonia Choquette

Anxiety can easily be confused as intuition. “Trust Your Vibes” is gentle read that helps you learn how to identify your intuition, affirms that everyone indeed has it, and the best ways to learn to listen for it.

Journaling & Reflection

Burn After Writing - Sharon Jones

“Burn After Writing” was a really helpful tool for me as someone new to the practice of daily journaling. With easy to follow prompts that are both introspective and simple, I enjoyed the process and time to myself that it creates.

F*ck That: An Honest Meditation - Jason Headley

Spirituality and meditation can sometimes take itself too seriously. “F*ck That” brings some familiar phrases and mantras levity in this fun coffee table read.

bottom of page