Labor Day is a celebrated holiday in the US, Canada, and many other nations around the world. It honors the workers who have made significant contributions to the development and growth of the nation. Apart from the parades and barbecues, this holiday represents the resilience and hard work of the working-class population. To help you celebrate your hard work and achievements, what better way than to indulge in some good books? In this post, we will be discussing a hand-picked selection of books that not only represent the working-class but also showcase the evolving nature of people and resilience. How they are inspiring others with their works.

Mark T. Mahaffey, a living legend in Saint Petersburg, Florida, shares the story of his life-long journey as The Pathfinder. More than the name behind the iconic Mahaffey Theater, Mark Mahaffey is the patriarch of one of the largest, family-owned, real estate companies in Florida. Reflecting on the road that brought him to where he is today, he recognizes the defining moments that were the tailwinds to his success. Finding the right path is never easy, but with the support of his family, friends, and some key mentors along the way, Mark confidently navigated through some of life’s most challenging obstacles. The Pathfinder is a loving tribute to all those people who helped pave the way of the Mahaffey legacy and the friendships that have blossomed along the way. From growing up in Indiana and attending the University of Notre Dame, to serving in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, to growing the Mahaffey Apartment Company, to exploring the world with his closest kin and kith, Mark Mahaffey hopes to inspire his readers to live life to the fullest.

It is normal for students to experience BIG feelings that are sometimes hard to manage at school. Riley’s story is designed to validate and inspire young students to be open and honest with their trusted adults about big feelings. This educational resource helps cultivate emotional intelligence, develop empathy, and enhance resiliency in our youngest scholars. Join Riley on her journey of self-discovery and her excitement to share what she has learned with the other pupils.

Legend has it that there is a quote that hangs in the halls of NASA that reads, “Aerodynamically a bumble bee’s body is not made to fly because the breadth of it’s wings is too small to keep it’s huge body in flight. The good thing is, the bee doesn’t know that and flies anyway.” This is the story of a little bumble bee who dreams of flying but from the start is told all the reasons why she can’t. Determined, she sets off on a journey that takes her from the beach, to the mountains, to the jungle and lots of places in between. Along the way she learns through friendship and perseverance to believe in herself and fly anyway.
Everyone is dealt a ‘deck of cards’ at birth. That deck can represent people’s personalities as much as disparate situations. Each card/person has a role to play in the game of life. Interdependence is key to our individual and collective survival, whether it’s finding one’s professional niche, handling difficult customers, or developing creative ideas to stop climate change. Everything and everybody affects each other. Building from the principle that we often exist in solitary ‘silos,’ Ullven provides 180 Silo Secrets which readers can immediately apply in their daily lives. She helps readers identify their “superpowers” and use those to impact their personal lives, professional lives, and local communities. Perhaps most importantly, she emphasizes that no one person can do it all, nor should anyone attempt to do so. We’re all part of a greater whole and the tools she’s provided, ranging from personality assessments to top ten lists of tips, aim to help people feel empowered, rather than overwhelmed.
An inspirational memoir of a man who escaped war torn Liberia to eventually find asylum in America. However, it was not an easy road to travel. As a child, it took Pitman and his family almost two months to walk on foot from their country into Sierra Leone. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, they had to hide from rebels who were on a rampage amputating and murdering anyone who they thought were connected to the government. In his debut book, Kennedy takes you along his journey of being a refugee from a 3rd world country to becoming a successful businessman in the states.
Books are an excellent way to celebrate Labor Day, honor the working class, and gain an understanding of the current socio-economic issues. Labor Day is a time for people to celebrate their hard work and dedication to their respective jobs. While some use the holiday as an opportunity to relax and unwind, others spend the day reflecting on how they can improve their work. Whether you are an employee, an employer, or a student, you can benefit from reading books.

