As Christmas is coming up we thought it would be nice to share a list of our favorite books of the year. If you lack ideas for Christmas gifts, one of these books can be a really good choice for someone you care about, but be aware, they might have a life changing impact… 🙂

One of Raison d’Etre’s core values is to GROW PEOPLE, and we try hard to walk the way we talk. So every month we read a book on the theme; Personal growth and Personal development. During our monthly meetings we dedicate some time to discuss the book we have read, and talk about what we can learn from the book and how we can implement it to our lives.

Here is a selection of books that we have read during the year and that we highly recommend if you wish to improve the quality of your life:

Patrick’s favorite book:

Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson

“I really like this book since Mark presents a straightforward and really basic system based on science and evolutionary/paleo principles in a very non-dogmatic way. If followed, the Primal Blueprint will increase a person’s health and fitness level more than any other system, philosophy or training schedule I have come across so far, and I have read it all ;-). The Primal Blueprint incorporates diet, exercise as well as lifestyle factors. Also it is really for everyone: the super athlete as well as the ordinary couch potato. Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint is a pragmatic and result oriented system than a person can follow for his/her entire life, not some crazy low calorie or low fat diet that will result in a crash and burn/adrenal fatigue after a couple of months. This book does not explore into depth the very complex biochemical pathways in the body nor does it go very deep into the nutritional science (even though it is science based). But let’s be frank, most people do not need that, understand that or even want that. Most people need and want an easy system or way to live a better, fitter, leaner and healthier life full of energy. This book is a must for anyone wanting to become exactly this, working with health or just wanting to have some basic knowledge about the major health contributing factors. Furthermore, Mark Sisson is someone really walking his talk! Good luck!” //Patrick Wahlberg

Anna’s and Michael’s favorite book:

168 hours -You have more time than you think by Laura Wanderkam

There are 168 hours in a week—this is a new approach to getting the most out of them It’s an unquestioned truth of modern life: we are all starved for time. With the rise of two-income families, extreme jobs, and the ability to log on to the world 24/7, life is so frenzied we can barely breathe. But what if we actually have plenty of time? What if we could sleep eight hours a night, exercise five days a week, and learn how to play the piano without sacrificing work, family time, or any other activity that is important to us? According to Laura Vanderkam, we can. If we re-examine our weekly allotment of 168 hours, we’ll find that, with a little reorganization and prioritizing, we can dedicate more time to the things we want to do without having to make sacrifices

“It is one of my favorite books, not because the writing style, but the message, it really made me re-evaluate how I look upon time and realize that I have massive of time. Almost life changing…” says Anna.

“For those with families this would be an INVALUABLE BOOK. For me it came down a lot to prioritising and focusing on what is important to me and MY LIFETIME GOAL – BALANCE!!  Working on that Work and Life balance” says Michael.

Anna and Maria also have another favourite, among the books we have read during the year:

Many life many masters by Brian L Weiss
“We really enjoyed reading this book because it is spiritual in a scientific way, it heightens that we are always supported and guided in life”.

The book is the true story of a prominent psychiatrist, his young patient, and the past-life therapy that changed both their lives. As a traditional psychotherapist, Dr. Brian Weiss was astonished and skeptical when one of his patients began recalling past-life traumas that seemed to hold the key to her recurring nightmares and anxiety attacks. His skepticism was eroded, however, when she began to channel messages from the “space between lives,” which contained remarkable revelations about Dr. Weiss’ family and his dead son. Using past-life therapy, he was able to cure the patient and embark on a new, more meaningful phase of his own career.

“Reading this beautiful book gave me lot’s of thoughts; There is always a reason why we act and react in the ways we do, but maybe the reason for this can’t always be found in this lifetime. I’m sure we carry on experiences from another life times, and challenges we have in life is to be seen as learning opportunities. This book is a beautiful story for those who wish to know more about things that are not always visible for the eye…” //Maria