Strength Training for the Mind

So everyone always asks me why I like to read...I don't quite understand why, but they do.  Apparently reading isn't "in" anymore, but I don't really care.  I've always been a bookworm and I feel terrible when I don't get to read for long stretches of time.

Now, I don't feel terrible morally or anything--it's not like I feel it's anything I "should" be doing; no law is telling me I HAVE to read on any given day.  I just feel awful mentally.  I've always been an academically-oriented person...never had trouble in school, liked to learn; I enjoy being challenged.

Lately, I've taken on a new challenge involving my reading life--personal development.  I've never been one to laugh in the face of personal development books, but I've also never been one who thought she would ever take a liking to them or see a need for them.  I really do enjoy them now, but it's also but a new spin on reading for me.  Obviously you can tell I'm a health and fitness nut.  When I wasn't able to read as often as I like, I felt like my brain was turning to mush.  Reading "nothing" books is always a fun escape, but I see personal development reading as strength training for the brain and mind.  It constantly challenges you to think outside the box, or look inside yourself and see what you're doing or how you can improve certain parts of your life.  It's got a solid purpose, and that's really what everyone needs.

When I find a really great personal development book, I'll post a review of it here.  I've got a few already that I know I'm going to have to write about, but that can wait for another day.  In the meantime, do you have any favorites?  I'd love to hear about them!