This summer was a gift. A chance to slow down, breathe differently, and read not for work or knowledge—but for joy. These three books were completely different, yet each one nudged me closer to the life I want to live. Thoughtful. Present. Honest.
The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber
I finally read The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber—and it quietly reshaped the way I think about parenting and money. This book isn’t just about allowances or saving strategies; it’s about values. Lieber makes a compelling case that talking to our kids about money isn’t taboo—it’s essential. Money becomes a tool for teaching patience, generosity, modesty, and even resilience. It helped me realise that every question about money is actually an opportunity to share what we stand for as a family.
What I loved most is that the goal isn’t to raise frugal children—it’s to raise grounded, thoughtful, curious ones. Kids who understand choices. Who know that their worth isn’t tied to what they own. That being “the opposite of spoiled” means being kind, confident, and aware. If you’re a parent, educator, or just someone who wants to raise better humans—this book is a gem- practical and empowering. It explained how teaching kids about money isn’t about turning them into little bankers. It’s about helping them build self-control, patience, and gratitude.
Some takeaways I loved:
- Give kids real experiences with money—pocket money, choices, consequences.
- Talk openly about value and effort. Not all “no’s” are bad.
- Help them make mistakes early, when the stakes are low.
It reminded me that boundaries are a form of love—and that raising grounded children means giving them tools, not just gifts.
Before we say goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
If you’ve ever read Before the Coffee Gets Cold, you’ll know the quiet, deeply human world Kawaguchi builds. In Before We Say Goodbye, we return to the same magical Tokyo café where time travel is possible—but only under strict rules.
Here, visitors go back not to change things, but to understand. A daughter meets the father she never knew. A friend says what should have been said. A lover finds the courage to apologise.
What moved me most was this: Kindness isn’t always loud or obvious. It’s a moment. A choice. Something you give before it’s gone.
Reading this was like stepping into a tender dream. It reminded me to:
- pause before reacting
- listen before judging
- hold space for others, even when I don’t understand them fully.
Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico
This book made me ask a hard question: What are we chasing when we chase perfection?
Is it peace? Acceptance? Control?
The author peels back the layers of our need to be flawless—especially in a world of curated lives and constant comparison. Whether as a mother, doctor, or friend, I too often equate success with perfection.
But what if we gave ourselves permission to be… enough?
Imperfect, but whole. Striving, but human.
This book was a reminder that perfection is brittle. But real life?
Real life is messy, colourful, and alive.
These books were more than stories. They were reflections. Invitations.
They helped me return to what matters most:
- honest conversations
- quiet kindness
- embracing imperfection
- and giving our children tools, not pressure.
I’ll carry these lessons with me into autumn—and beyond…
#JackAndDrBetty #drexecutivecoach #resilience #ParentingWithPresence #RealLifeResilience #NoPerfectOnlyPresent
Click here to buy online and download the book “Dare to Dream Big”Ioanna Nixon, Consultant Oncologist, executive Coach, and author.
Dr Ioanna Nixon is a senior oncologist in Glasgow, UK. She specialises in uro-oncology, namely prostate, bladder and kidney cancer. Her research focuses on novel cancer therapies, quality of life and clinical innovations. She has held a number of national and international leadership roles, as Clinical Director Oncology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, led the Scottish Sarcoma Network since 2015 till early 2022, and is the Cancer Innovation Lead for the West of Scotland. She is an honorary clinical senior lecturer at Glasgow University and an academic at Strathclyde Business School, researching on health policy and leadership. She is also an executive coach, specialising on resilience, leadership, and wellness. She is the founder of the Empower Clinic The Empower Clinic – Dr Ioanna Nixon and the co-host of the podcast “Open Doors with Drs Ioanna and Vilma”, focusing on professional wellbeing.
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