This post is part of our Guest Picks series, featuring members of our library community sharing their favorite books and movies.
Bob Thomas represents the 28th district in Virginia's House of Delegates, which includes Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg. After an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 2003, Bob and a fellow Marine started their own local company, Capriccio Software. He and his wife, Christi, have eight children and spend some of their free time traveling the country in their motorhome.
He has served on numerous boards and committees at the state and local level, including Central Rappahannock Regional Library's board from 2012 to 2017. We asked Bob to share some of his favorite titles, and he gave us three favorites full of encouragement that are available to check out from the library:
“These are probably the most recent influential books I have enjoyed reading. Brendon is one of my favorite authors and motivational personalities.”
The Motivation Manifesto: 9 Declarations to Claim Your Personal Power by Brendon Burchard
"This was the first book I read from Brendon Burchard, and it really helps you focus on making sure you are leading a life of purpose and meaning. Our own doubts and fears often hold us back, and Brendon tackles this and other many other barriers."
The Charge: Activating the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive by Brendon Burchard
“'Did I live? Did I love? Did I matter?' When our time on this Earth has come to an end, and we ask ourselves these three questions, what will the answers be? It isn’t too late to start working on the answers to these questions now. When people ask me why I like politics and why I serve, if it wasn’t so corny, I would tell them, “So I can say, I lived, I loved, and I mattered.” Of course, that would only make sense to those who read the book!"
Life's Golden Ticket: A Story about Second Chances by Brendon Burchard
"This is Brendon’s parable that really makes you think twice about your life. I personally was handed a “Golden Ticket” when I was saved on the operating table during my time in the Marine Corps. I have tried to live with greater purpose ever since."