Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life

by Ashly Perez

From former BuzzFeed personality Ashly Perez comes a funny, honest, and unabashedly feminist book of inspiration and wisdom to help you plant some roots, live in the process, and accept you for you.

Take a break from mindless phone scrolling and empower yourself to live intentionally and find meaning all around you every single day. Read This for Inspiration, filled with short bursts of encouragement and enlightenment, is your staring place. Look inward and also way beyond your arm's length--these entries are inspiring not only for the wisdom they impart but also for the way they lift you up.

Virtual BuzzFeed start turned television writer Ashley Perez has compiled all of the inspirations that have enriched her own life--influenced by history, literature, music, and her mom--to help you discover what motivates you. We all have to start somewhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Personal Development, Adult, Mental Health

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ashley Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give it 10 stars, I would. This will sit on my shelf forever and I will go back to it always.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love rainbow colors, so this book grabbed me when I saw the title: "Read This for Inspiration" was in different colors on the spine. All the illustrations are just so happy and fabulous. From the very beginning, the author sets the rules on how readers can read this book: all at once or pick it up anytime. I also love how the author weaves in personal stories. Read this book for the inspiration you need.

If you would like to hear my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/ash...

[Kay ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of 2021 completed and it did not disappoint. I want to make an effort in reading more books about positivity and how to better yourself. I hope Ashly writes another book like this. It inspired me to make a little journal of every thing inspirational I’ve come across in books, television, magazines etc.

I recommend!

[Francesca Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the concept of a collection of quotes and inspiring stories! The colourful illustrations really complimented the text. A great read and a book I will be carrying around for a while.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best nonfiction I have read so far in 2025! It’s unapologetically beautiful and inspirational!

[Madison Perian · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf @ 39%
This is the equivalent of an Instagram feed in book form. The graphic design/illustrations were well done, but the content is unnecessary.

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

English Review Below.

كتاب بهدف التشجيع بالكثير من الألوان البراقة والمقاطع القصيرة والجمل "الملهمة". الكتاب من تأليف إحدى كاتبات موقع "بازفيد" المشهور، ولذا يبدو واضحا عليه الرغبة في الإلهام وجذب الانتباه، ولكنه للأسف لا يعلق في الذهن بمجرد الانتهاء من الكتاب. ولقلة الكلام فيه، فلا أجدني أنصح أحد بشرائه، طالما بوسعه قراءته بوسيلة أخرى سواء باستعارته أو بشرائه مخفضا. لا أنكر أن بعض المقاطع كانت مشجعة وقت القراءة، ولكن بعد مرور يوم من قراءته، لا أجدني أتذكر شيئا مما كُتب فيه.

This is a self motivation book with a lot of bright colors and very little texts and some quotes that are meant to inspire. Being written by a former Buzzfeed writer, they are catchy, but most of them aren't that memorable, and it being so bite-sized, I wouldn't recommend buying the book if you could read through a library or on discount. It's nice and uplifting at the moment, but it doesn't leave any long-lasting effects.

I thank Netgaley for the digital ARC.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh, this tiny book is a gem! I love love love itttt. I picked it up repeatedly over a few months and never wanted it to end! The stories in conjunction with the vibrant art is pure PERFECTION! Ashly is a clever storyteller and a wildly talented writer to boot! Each page was better than the next! I loved all the fun designs and colors! This book continually inspired me and just made me happier!

I adored this book so much that I gifted a copy to my teenage niece. Her and her friend loved it (and you know how hard teens are to impress). ;)

Great for all ages and stages in life!

Please write another one soon!!! You’re magic, girl!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An email subscription I get recommended this book and it sounded right up my alley. A book of inspirational snippets that Perez has learned and adopted along the way. The book covers an array of topics all presented in bright colors, and beautiful design. I read this one cold and dreary Sunday morning with my coffee and when I finished, this book brought the warmth and sunshine. I highly recommend this one as a graduation gift or as a gift to anyone who is in a period of transition.

[stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I would like to thank my best friend for gifting me this.

As you can see, it did take me some months to finish this book entirely.

However, I don't think it matters how long it takes to finish this book because it's not meant to be read as a novel. The book has taken me to new insights of life, and all that through simple language. The graphics are more than lovely, which has given me inspiration as well.

Ashly has moved me nearly to tears, yes, such an inspiration. The concept of many things put together into this book were great. It was an easy read, and enough to spark inspiration that was there all along.

Finally, I've marked this book as read. Although, I'm sure to come back to it as much as whenever the time comes.

Highly recommend this!

[Cristina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love. i don't always like reading books set up in little snippets like rigid but i really enjoyed it and i learned a lottttt also very cute and pretty and pleasing to look at

[Pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could definitely see myself going through this one year, after year, after year.

[Samantha Piroli · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 25%

[Virve Fredman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tämä oli mukavaa lueskeltavaa!

Kirja koostui lyhyistä kappaleista, jotka oli kirjoitettu inspiroimaan ja lueskeltaviksi sen sijaan, että tarttuisi puhelimeen ja selaisi sosiaalista mediaa aikansa kuluksi. Kappaleissa oli mukavia ajatuksia pohdittavaksi sekä ihan mielenkiintoisia oppeja. Tämä on juuri sellainen helppo selailukirja, johon voi tarttua matalalla kynnyksellä.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of daily inspiration! I enjoyed reading it each day and wish there was another volume. . Not sure what I'm going to read next that's like it.

[Mark Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books to hang on to. Ms. Perez shares her ideas and wisdom in lovely little doses - that should be readministered from time to time.

[AquaMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the perfect book comes along at the perfect time. I'd been picking away at this one, reading a page here, a page there, savoring it... but tonight I straight-up binged the whole lot, even revisiting pages I'd already read. And I'm SO glad I did. I've been going through a pretty major life crisis lately. The sort where I can't eat or sleep and feel a gnawing in my gut almost constantly. Aand have been feeling beyond awful. Ashley Perez's helpful, hopeful words on life and love and struggle and heartbreak and everything in between were exactly what I needed tonight. This book wasn't a miracle cure by any means, but it was a soothing balm for a broken heart. Thank you, Ashley. Thank you.

[Isobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all need to "fill our bucket" occasionally, and keeping in mind poignant and memorable moments can often help us figure out critical junctures in our life, inspiration to continue striving for creative impetus, and for some of us, some of the time, reminders that you want to live another day (I have suffered from depression since like 11, so... it happens). Ashly Perez has put together a thoughtful, colorful book, with each anecdote or idea generally taking up only 1 - 2 pages. This book can be read from start-to-finish, as I did, since I was kindly provided a copy by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Or it can be pulled off of your bookshelf at moments when you are feeling uninspired, and you can idly flip through pages and look for one or a few pieces of inspiration based on the colors that catch your eye that day, or the page number that corresponds to your lucky number, or whatever method floats your boat. The only fault with this book isn't really a fault with the book, at all - it is that, a book full of inspirational aphorisms feels like something that should be individualized. Ashly is vulnerable and has put together what I think is an inspirational collection where at least parts will likely strike a cord within most readers. Yet, overall, putting together a collection of pictures, memories, sayings, observed celebrity interactions that cause you to think, "I need to start working on my novel again" seems like an idea that you should attack/create for yourself. If you abhor crafting/scrapbooking/journaling, and simply put, will not create your own book of inspiration but want to be inspired, this book was well done, and can certainly help you fill your bucket.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life by Ashly Perez
Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press
Genre: Self-Help
Release Date: December 1, 2020

Read This for Inspiration by Ashly Perez is filled with inspiration for your life.

The book is designed to meet you where you are. Each entry is labeled with tags so you will know what topics are touched by that section. Some of the topics are: body image, adventure, science, motivation, relations, work, money, gratitude, and relaxation.

I loved how each section had many short tidbits that worked together to build on the point. The illustrations are great and include great messages! The section about shopping hit home with me. (Ouch! Looks like it is time to take a pause before mindlessly shopping.)

I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone looking for no pressure inspiration.

I'm so grateful to Ashly Perez, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Bree Zily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one whenever i felt low. Really did an impact on me, i started viewing life a little differently. It helped me become more positive. It taught me to not be afraid to be different. I started to avoid procrastinating and start doing what i had to do immediately. I was struggling through depression and anxiety and saw this in the bookstore and thought to give it a read. Best decision of my life, the 21 dollars was worth it. It certainly didnt make my anxiety and depression go away but it did help me overcome them. Really thankful to the author for writing this book. The author also had different nationalities and i was happy cause i felt like an outcast for having 4 nationalities and it made me less insecure about myself. Love this book a bunch.

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 1/17, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. Virtual BuzzFeed start turned television writer Ashley Perez has compiled all of the inspirations that have enriched her own life—influenced by history, literature, music, and her mom—to help you discover what motivates you

Find more Business Books of the week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more recommended books on my Amazon Influencer page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevo4747 or by searching for me on Google.

[sinag · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book has a lot of inspirational messages that everyone can find really helpful in their lives. I loved the colors and illustrations accompanying the messages. The messages are too long for my taste, but that's just a preference of mine and I acknowledge that it might be endearing to other readers. A nice book to remind ourselves of the little things in life and be inspired again.

[Erica Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully illustrated and the short entries are perfect for reading a few each morning while enjoying your morning coffee to set your day off right vs. staring at your phone. While the wisdom is nothing new, it’s delivered in a great way that I thoroughly enjoyed. Now that I finished it, I’m a bit sad it won’t be here to greet me each morning with a little cheer and advice. If you are a fan of graphic design or illustration or know someone who is, this book would make a great gift as well.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former BuzzFeed author shares her favorite inspirational posts she’s written, in an attempt to get us to put down our phones, and look for inspiration elsewhere! With the current state of social media making more and more people depressed, I think this book is timely and I loved the snippets! The art is great too! (My only complaint is that the cover art, or lack thereof, doesn’t fit with all of the art inside.)

If you’re looking for a light inspirational read, check this out. Short 1-2 page stories make this book easy to pick up and put down when necessary!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of vignettes about different moments of inspiration, and the author’s musings on each one. I loved this book, and I loved the creativity of it overall. It’s colorful, visually interesting and inviting, and it’s full of ♡. I’m on my sabbatical, and reading this was really fun and inspiring. Mission Accomplished! It’s bringing me inspiration for my project… I liked it so much that I also got her two other books. One is called “Write for inspiration.” I’ll keep y’all posted on these companion books!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Ashly is honest and witty, funny I'm blunt. I believe that you always find the book that you need at the moment you need it. I have at least seven people that I want to buy a copy of this book for and I want to sit down and make them read it, read every damn page. This might be my go to book for graduation gifts this year. What a great piece of work! Beautiful, colorful, and full of very very good thoughts.

[deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up. The key word in the title is “simple”- this collection of encouragements is veryyy much so, at times almost feeling like more like a collection of Hallmark card inscriptions or quotes from a page-a-day calendar. None of it’s bad, but rather just barely touches on a topic before moving on. It’s rather unsatisfying for me personally, although if someone just wanted a bunch of quippy bits of “hashtag inspo” this would fit the bill just fine.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a joy to read. With bright colors and comforting words of wisdom, it's kind of like the book equivalent of a weighted blanket. It would make a great gift for a graduate, someone starting a new job, or facing one of life's challenges. Yes, you could probably read similar stories or memes on Facebook or Bored Panda, but as the author said in the forward, there is something comforting about reading a book and holding the printed page in your hands.

[bookishlyfina · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s cute, pretty, delightful and inspiring all at once. I am definitely loving the illustrations in the book along with every bit of wholesome personal stories/reflections that author learnt from and sharing them with the readers. Some clicked with me and letting it sit with me throughout, this may not be a one time read cause we could always go back in any pages for the moment we want to be motivated or inspired.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little book to pick up here and there when you just want a little something different to think about. It is fun and different and thought provoking. I think some of the anecdotes got a bit repetitive and were a bit of a stretch toward the end- it just could’ve been a bit shorter I think- but overall an uplifting and nice book that i would recommend! It looks very cute as a display piece too once you’re done reading.