Check Out Our Favorite Books

By Adrienne Ross, CFP®, ChFC®, AFC®, MQFP® & Becky Meats, CPA/PFS™

A book invites you into a world to explore or dig deeper into a subject you know well. Or it inspires you. Or it just lets you escape. Whatever you read—fiction, nonfiction, business, fantasy, self-help—it likely provides some insight into your perspective on the world.

Have you ever wondered what books sit on the shelves (or inside the computers) of a financial advisor? Here’s your chance to find out.

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite books that might reveal a bit about our personalities, interests, or worldviews. A few of these might become your favorites too, taking you on a journey, reshaping a perspective, or illuminating something you’ve always pondered.

At Clear Insight Wealth Management, we dive deep into your lives to help you build financial freedom. We hope our list of favorite books helps you learn a little about us.

Among my favorites, you’ll find good reads that fit in personal finance, fantasy fiction, and memoirs. I hope you enjoy these like I have.

Authors: Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

Your Money or Your Life, by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, is a groundbreaking personal finance book that challenges readers to rethink their relationship with money. The core message is that money is ultimately a reflection of your life energy, and aligning spending with personal values leads to greater fulfillment and financial independence. Through a step-by-step program, it teaches readers how to track expenses, calculate their true hourly wage, and assess whether each purchase is "worth it" in terms of time and meaning.

Since its first publication in the 1990s, the book has helped hundreds of thousands of people gain control over their finances, reduce consumerism, and embrace simpler, more intentional living. It laid the foundation for the Financial Independence (FI) movement and remains a seminal text in the world of values-based financial planning.

Author: Nick Murray

This is another classic, but it feels more relevant than ever. Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth by Nick Murray is a foundational book on long-term investing, written specifically to empower individuals and the advisors who guide them. Murray’s core message is clear and consistent: equities are the only proven path to long-term wealth, and success comes from maintaining emotional discipline and avoiding short-term market distractions. The book emphasizes the importance of goals-based planning, staying invested through market cycles, and working with a trusted advisor to focus on what truly matters—achieving lifetime financial independence.

This book has had a profound influence on financial advisors and serious long-term investors, reinforcing the power of simplicity, patience, and perspective. Its timeless philosophy continues to shape how advisors communicate the value of planning and how clients commit to a wealth-building mindset rooted in optimism and discipline.

Author: Bob Goff

Love Does by Bob Goff is a heartwarming and whimsical collection of real-life stories that illustrate how love, when put into action, can transform lives. Through humorous, inspiring, and often surprising anecdotes, Goff shares how he’s learned to live a life of purpose, joy, and whimsy by saying “yes” to opportunities to love others boldly and without reservation. His central message is that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s something you do.

The book has had a profound impact on readers across the world, encouraging readers to step out of fear, embrace spontaneity, and live generously. Its blend of faith, storytelling, and personal vulnerability has made it a favorite among people seeking deeper meaning, authentic relationships, and a more courageous approach to everyday life.Through this collection of life stories, Goff demonstrates his belief in the power of love and action, inspiring the reader to live a fully engaged life.

Author: Terry Pratchett

Our family spent hours during our kids’ middle through high school years enjoying the adventures in Pratchett’s fantastical Discworld series. The favorite among our children is this story of the young witch-to-be, Tiffany Aching, defending her home against monsters in Fairyland.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett is a witty and imaginative fantasy novel that introduces young witch-in-training Tiffany Aching as she discovers her magical heritage and battles the forces of the Faerie world to rescue her kidnapped brother. With the help of the Nac Mac Feegle—rowdy, pint-sized blue-skinned warriors with a Scottish flair—Tiffany learns that true witchcraft is less about spells and more about courage, responsibility, and seeing clearly.

Part of Pratchett’s beloved Discworld series, the book has become a favorite for both young adult and adult readers. It’s widely praised for its clever humor, empowering themes, and strong, complex female lead. The Wee Free Men has inspired a new generation of readers to explore fantasy with heart and thoughtfulness, and it remains a standout entry in modern fantasy literature.

My favorite books cover business (entrepreneurship), living deliberately, and nonfiction gardening.

Author: James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear is a practical guide to behavior change, emphasizing that small, consistent improvements compound into remarkable results over time. Clear introduces the concept of identity-based habits—building habits by focusing on who you want to become, not just what you want to achieve. The book outlines a four-step framework for habit formation: Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward, and provides actionable strategies to make good habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying—while making bad habits the opposite. It’s a science-backed, accessible system for transforming your life by mastering the small decisions you make every day.

In Atomic Habits , you can find habits that can help you build wealth and live life deliberately.

Author: Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber is a transformative business book that debunks the myth that most small businesses are started by natural-born entrepreneurs. Gerber reveals that most are launched by technicians—people skilled at a particular trade—who mistakenly believe that technical expertise alone is enough to run a successful business. The book introduces the powerful idea that to thrive, business owners must work on their business, not just in it, by developing systems that allow it to function independently of their constant involvement.

Through a mix of storytelling, practical frameworks, and mindset shifts, The E-Myth Revisited has become a cornerstone for small business owners worldwide, helping millions re-imagine their roles—from doers to designers of businesses that are scalable, sustainable, and ultimately liberating. It continues to influence entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants who aim to build businesses that serve both their customers and their lives.

Author: Will Guidara

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara is a compelling exploration of how extraordinary service can transform any business into a deeply human experience. Drawing from his time as co-owner of the world-renowned restaurant Eleven Madison Park, Guidara shares how going above and beyond—far beyond what’s expected—creates powerful emotional connections with customers. At its heart, the book is about leading with generosity, intentionality, and creativity, whether you're serving food, managing a team, or building a brand.

More than a hospitality manual, it’s a philosophy of leadership and service that has inspired professionals across industries—from finance to tech to education—to re-imagine what it means to put people first. With memorable stories and actionable insights, Unreasonable Hospitality has become a favorite among those seeking to create cultures of excellence, surprise, and care in every interaction.

Author: Louise Riotte

Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte is a classic guide to companion planting, the time-honored gardening practice of growing certain plants together for mutual benefit. With practical wisdom rooted in traditional knowledge and organic principles, the book explains how pairing specific vegetables, herbs, and flowers can naturally enhance growth, deter pests, and improve yield—without the use of chemicals. Rich with charts, planting tips, and folklore, it offers a holistic and intuitive approach to home gardening.

First published in the 1970s, Carrots Love Tomatoes has become a cult favorite among organic gardeners, homesteaders, and anyone seeking a more harmonious relationship with the land. It has influenced generations of growers to embrace ecological methods, and remains a foundational text for those looking to cultivate thriving, sustainable gardens the natural way.

If you want to be inspired or learn something new, consider picking up one of my favorite books.

We hope you gleaned some more insight into our team from our reading list. If you want to share your story with us, we at Clear Insight Wealth Management have a collaborative process to help you build financial freedom.

To schedule a get-acquainted meeting, call (509) 847-4079 or email adrienne@myciwm.com , call (360) 970-4383  or email becky@myciwm.com

Clear Insight Wealth Management is a wealth management firm for military families, government employees, and small business owners looking for a clear path to living their best lives. The firm’s team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and a Certified Public Accountant is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of today’s financial landscape by providing realistic advice, a distinct plan of action, and helping them progress toward their goals. With an emphasis on relationships and services including financial planning, investment management, and tax planning & preparation, Clear Insight Wealth management helps clients build—not just maintain—wealth in Spokane, Washington, Vancouver, Washington and across the United States.