May 2025: Our Book Recommendations
5 Book recommendations to check out this month!
We know you’re always looking for your next good read, so we have some great recommendations.
Every month, you’ll receive team CGF’s top picks of books to help you improve your finances, advance your career, practice self-care, or get lost in a fantasy world.
Here is our list of May book recommendations.
If you’ve read any of these books before? Let us know in the comments!
Note: This book list contains affiliate links from Amazon. Clever Girl Finance is an Amazon Associate which means we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. These commissions help us grow!
Mindset & motivation pick: Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals
Even though we’re nearly halfway through the year, it’s not too late to achieve your goals. Perhaps you set goals at the beginning of this year, to start a business, increase your income, or have more time for yourself. Yet work, driving your kids to soccer practice, and taking your dog to the groomers, have caused you to push pursuing your dreams further down your to-do list.
As of now, those ambitions you thought of at the beginning of the year feel like a distant memory. Your goals have become the can of tuna that gets pushed into the back of the pantry, only to be found three years after it expires.
Don’t worry, all hope isn’t lost.
In Michael Hyatt's book, Your Best Year Ever, he shares a powerful research-driven system for setting and achieving your goals. He breaks down what’s holding you back, and how to set goals so you don’t give up on them. He also shows you how to create habits and what to do when you feel your motivation is like a car stuck in rush hour traffic, not going anywhere.
Whether you have big or small goals, overthink, or are often hard on yourself, you have what it takes to achieve your goals. This book will show you how.
Self-help pick: XYZ: The Art Of Saying NO: How To Stand Your Ground, Reclaim Your Time And Energy, And Refuse To Be Taken For Granted (Without Feeling Guilty!)
Would you rather stick your hand in scolding hot water than have to tell someone no?
If physical pain seems more bearable than saying no, then you may be a chronic people pleaser.
You're like most people and you want to make others happy. However, when you constantly put everyone else's needs before your own, you start to create a problem.
Before you know it, you’re feeling unhappy with your life, and the reason is probably connected to people pleasing.
But don’t blame yourself. It’s human nature to want to be accepted and liked by everyone. However, it is okay to say no and set boundaries. You won’t get chased out of town with pitchforks if you decline an invitation.
While No is a two-letter word that is easy to pronounce, it’s not always easy to say. If you’re struggling with confidently saying no, then, The Art of Saying No is for you.
Amazon bestselling author, Damon Zahariades walks you through how to set boundaries, maintain assertiveness, and best of all learn to say no in every awkward situation.
And if you feel bad about saying no, the book covers that too and why you’re not a bad person if you don’t say yes all the time.
Personal Development: Emotional Detox: 7 Steps to Release Toxicity and Energize Joy
We’ve all heard of doing a detox. Some people do water detox, or a tea detox, all in an effort to rid the body of toxins. If you’ve ever tried a physical detox and felt lighter and healthier then wait until you try an emotional detox.
If you’ve been feeling like your negative emotions have been bubbling up inside of you, then the book, Emotional Detox will help you cleanse your mind of non-beneficial thoughts.
Using the C.L.E.A.N.S.E, wellness expert Sherianna Boyle helps you to get rid of your doubt, anger, worry, and fear in 7 steps. This book will give you the tools and insights you need to live and happier and healthier life.
Fiction Pick: Before I Let Go
A New York Times bestseller and a favorite on BookTok, Before I Let Go is a romance novel that will draw you in and not let go until the very last page. The story revolves around a couple Yasmen and Josiah who thought they’d be together forever. Yet an unexpected life event tears their marriage apart.
Fortunately, they can move on and find a peaceful way to co-parent. But keeping things casual and mature doesn’t last for long. When the couple finds themselves locking lips again they start to wonder, were they truly meant to be apart.
The book tackles the question, can love be rekindled, or does returning to the past taste sweet at first but eventually leave a bitter taste of pain and betrayal?
If you’re a romantic at heart, this book will make your heart flutter.
Business pick: She Minds Her Own Business: Design A Life And Business You Love
Think of the most successful businesswoman you know. You’re probably picturing an extremely confident woman. Someone who is unbothered by the opinions of others. She crushes her goals but still has time to enjoy her life.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be that woman, you can stop daydreaming. In the book, She Minds Her Own Business, author Krystel Stacey will show you how to become the successful woman you’ve always dreamed of becoming.
Jumpstart your summer reading!
With the weather warming up, now is a great time to grab a book and head to the beach.
Which book are you considering? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget you can stay motivated and learn other financial tips and tricks from our completely free financial courses.
Happy reading!