1. Lisa Curry – Total Health and Fitness

I read this book ages ago. My dearest friend and fitness freak, Heather, gave me this book when my two girls were small. My husband worked long hours and away a lot. So the balance of exercise and parenting was non-existent. This book highlighted ways to be motivated to make the most of those times when your kids are at sports training or swimming lessons. Use these times to take a walk with other mums on the sideline, instead of just sitting and chatting, walk and chat! Lisa had three small children, many sporting and personal demands, and she showed me that the balance is possible, all those 19 years ago.

2. Arianna Huffington - Thrive

My current read is Thrive by the founder of Huffington Post. Arianna has changed her life, introducing more than what is seen as success by many as just power and money, adding wellbeing, wonder, and wisdom. She’s giving in to the balance, which she calls the third metric.

3. Business Chicks - Latte magazine

I love the day this publication arrived in my mailbox every three months! It’s far from just about business, with lots of great reads from many ordinary inspirational women, travel tips and current women’s issues. Check out Business Chicks.

4. Krystal Barter - The Lucky One

Krystal the founder of Pink Hope Charity, had the decision of her life, literally. At 22 discovered she had the BRACA gene which is the breast cancer gene, which had attacked her Mum, her Nan and great Grandma. Krystal decided to stop the possibility of cancer in its tracks and have the double mastectomy.

The book traces her life as a teenager, her mum’s battle and her decision to act on the rogue gene. From her bedside she sets up Pink Hope Charity which has been catapulted by Angelina Jollies decision to have the same surgery. Krystal’s drive is to create awareness of each individual’s risk of the gene and to have the opportunity to change their destiny.

The book shares personal struggles of people who have come across Krystals’s path through Pink Hope, also her unrelenting dedication to the charity and her affect on her own family.

Pink Hope is GG chosen charity and I have met with Krystal in the last few years supporting the charity.

This is one of true inspiration.

5. Deborah Rodriguez - The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

Chick lit meets the Taliban in this book, which is a warm-hearted read with a serious message about the treatment of women in modern-day Afghanistan. Five women forge a friendship, from America, UK and Afghanistan, in a little coffee shop in the centre of Kabul. Deborah Rodriguez went to Kabul as part of disaster relief efforts following the fall of the Taliban in 2002. While she was there, she established a beauty school to provide employment and business opportunities for local women, ran a small coffee shop like the one in this book and married an Afghan. She’s an inspiring woman who is doing good things for other women.

We’re collecting moments, not things.

Jen x