I was buzzing with excitement when you said you were going to share a reading list! Books have been SO pivotal in my growth, and I love hearing about what changed other people. I’ve only read two books on this list but all but one of the rest have been on my radar for ages, and I’m going to use this as motivation to get to the rest. “The Way of Integrity” is one of my books I recommend to everyone too, And I’m always recommending “Big Magic” to creative folks. So so good. I’m currently reading Martha Beck’s new book “Beyond Anxiety” and I think that’s going to be a game changer too. Some books that deeply affected my thinking: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, When You’re Ready this is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest, Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Work Won’t Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe, Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee, How to do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Aaaah! So many good books. Like you, I could go on for ages. Thanks for bringing some bookish delight to my day <3
omg I can't believe you just said 'work wont love you back' I had no idea it's a book, that's the draft title of an essay I have on my Substack! Adding this one to my list immediately.
"How to do nothing" was a game changer for me too and I can't wait to read Martha's new book, I've listened to her chat about it on Glennon Doyle's podcast!
Like you several of the books on the list were a reminder to borrow them from the library/purchase them. The list you shared was yet another reminder, thanks!
I’m so excited to read these! Thank you so much for sharing! Ironically, I just picked Big Magic back up yesterday after getting sidetracked from it about a year and a half ago and I’m so glad I did. I needed to read what I’m reading now, not a year and a half ago. I was so glued to it that I read half the book just yesterday! I love the feeling of being called to a book and knowing when it’s time to read it. I do that with books - put them on the shelf and admire them until it’s their moment to shine. I can feel it. And how magical it is when the book truly comes at the right time! The Power of Now has lived on my shelves for years now and I’m excited for its moment. I know it’ll be a good one.
I just finished ‘The Art of Frugal Hedonism’ right after Women Living Deliciously! Coincidence? I feel it ties in so well. I’ve been launched into a world of slowing down living with intentionality. I will be reading these indefinitely.
I LOVE seeing what people read (or don’t). It’s a peek into who they actually are. The act of choosing a book, pouring time into reading it and sticking to it is so intentional. You don’t do that unless it speaks to you, and seeing what speaks to people is so revealing.
Adding these books to my list along with other recommended in the comments, cheekily purchased one yesterday and am looking forward to a book-centered 2025. Thanks for sharing, you’re a gem!
Would you ever consider starting a loosely structured book club here on Substack? I just finished reading Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker and I loooovedddd it & wish I had a group of like-minded women to talk to about it
I would add Women Who Run With The Wolves to this list BUT I have to say let it come to you when you are ‘ready’ and also - you don’t have to read it in order. Little bits, keep with it.
Also just to say- I have never enjoyed listening to audiobooks in the past until I started listening to your podcasts and essays- you make it interesting and you have inspired me to utilise my time better, again, thank you!
Thank you for these recommendations! For me the first book that actually changed my life was Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer and specifically this line: "My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances." .. I read it some time after I broke up with my ex, the experience I had in that relationship was the last straw for me and after being depressed and self-destructive I decided to fucking stop. My whole life up to this point I was feeling depressed and anxious (and living my life to please others first and foremost) and because of that I felt lonely and missed out on a lot of experiences and this quote made me realise that I can live my life for myself, I can experience it myself, I can be happy myself, and following that I've been working on myself ever since. This was a few months before COVID and it was the best months of my life! I mean I've had a lot of happy months since then (almost non stop haha) but the experience at the time was so new and so powerful it holds a very special place in my heart! 💜
Have you read “Permission to Speak” by Samara Bay? It’s such a deep, fun book all about our voices and all the baggage that comes with existing in our patriarchal society. There’s even vocal exercises in each chapter and stories about badass people using the power of words and speech to make the world a better place! 💖
Thanks so much for this list! Looking forward to reading these :) I love that a book can bring out such powerful reactions! You mentioned how The Beauty Myth had you journalling a lot about it and it never occurred to me to do that so I'm going to try journalling more when I read. Some books move me so much but it never feels enough to just let the thoughts and ideas they trigger only live inside my head. 😊
I was buzzing with excitement when you said you were going to share a reading list! Books have been SO pivotal in my growth, and I love hearing about what changed other people. I’ve only read two books on this list but all but one of the rest have been on my radar for ages, and I’m going to use this as motivation to get to the rest. “The Way of Integrity” is one of my books I recommend to everyone too, And I’m always recommending “Big Magic” to creative folks. So so good. I’m currently reading Martha Beck’s new book “Beyond Anxiety” and I think that’s going to be a game changer too. Some books that deeply affected my thinking: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, When You’re Ready this is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest, Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Work Won’t Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe, Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee, How to do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Aaaah! So many good books. Like you, I could go on for ages. Thanks for bringing some bookish delight to my day <3
omg I can't believe you just said 'work wont love you back' I had no idea it's a book, that's the draft title of an essay I have on my Substack! Adding this one to my list immediately.
"How to do nothing" was a game changer for me too and I can't wait to read Martha's new book, I've listened to her chat about it on Glennon Doyle's podcast!
Like you several of the books on the list were a reminder to borrow them from the library/purchase them. The list you shared was yet another reminder, thanks!
I’ll have my nose buried in books all year!
I’m so excited to read these! Thank you so much for sharing! Ironically, I just picked Big Magic back up yesterday after getting sidetracked from it about a year and a half ago and I’m so glad I did. I needed to read what I’m reading now, not a year and a half ago. I was so glued to it that I read half the book just yesterday! I love the feeling of being called to a book and knowing when it’s time to read it. I do that with books - put them on the shelf and admire them until it’s their moment to shine. I can feel it. And how magical it is when the book truly comes at the right time! The Power of Now has lived on my shelves for years now and I’m excited for its moment. I know it’ll be a good one.
I just finished ‘The Art of Frugal Hedonism’ right after Women Living Deliciously! Coincidence? I feel it ties in so well. I’ve been launched into a world of slowing down living with intentionality. I will be reading these indefinitely.
ahhhhhh, that makes me SO fucking happy. I love the way the authors write like they're chatting to you. So brilliant.
I LOVE seeing what people read (or don’t). It’s a peek into who they actually are. The act of choosing a book, pouring time into reading it and sticking to it is so intentional. You don’t do that unless it speaks to you, and seeing what speaks to people is so revealing.
Adding these books to my list along with other recommended in the comments, cheekily purchased one yesterday and am looking forward to a book-centered 2025. Thanks for sharing, you’re a gem!
PS I had no idea that Spotify did audio books! I have just created a list x
Yes! For free if you have Spotify premium in the UK too!
Would you ever consider starting a loosely structured book club here on Substack? I just finished reading Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker and I loooovedddd it & wish I had a group of like-minded women to talk to about it
I love that I've read two of these already! A few others I think would go perfectly with this list if you haven't read them yet:
- Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness
by Ingrid Fetell Lee (my joy bible right next to your new book–get the version with the confetti on the cover)
- Rediscovery of Awe: Splendor, Mystery and the Fluid Center of Life Paperback by Kirk Schneider (I read this right after Dacher Keltners book)
- The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker (for spending more meaningful and intentional time with others)
- Communion: the Female Search for Love by Bell Hooks (bc we love our alone time but we also have other needs)
- The Art of Travel: Alain de Botton (an essential during my time solo traveling)
I would add Women Who Run With The Wolves to this list BUT I have to say let it come to you when you are ‘ready’ and also - you don’t have to read it in order. Little bits, keep with it.
Also just to say- I have never enjoyed listening to audiobooks in the past until I started listening to your podcasts and essays- you make it interesting and you have inspired me to utilise my time better, again, thank you!
Thank you for these recommendations! For me the first book that actually changed my life was Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer and specifically this line: "My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances." .. I read it some time after I broke up with my ex, the experience I had in that relationship was the last straw for me and after being depressed and self-destructive I decided to fucking stop. My whole life up to this point I was feeling depressed and anxious (and living my life to please others first and foremost) and because of that I felt lonely and missed out on a lot of experiences and this quote made me realise that I can live my life for myself, I can experience it myself, I can be happy myself, and following that I've been working on myself ever since. This was a few months before COVID and it was the best months of my life! I mean I've had a lot of happy months since then (almost non stop haha) but the experience at the time was so new and so powerful it holds a very special place in my heart! 💜
Have you read “Permission to Speak” by Samara Bay? It’s such a deep, fun book all about our voices and all the baggage that comes with existing in our patriarchal society. There’s even vocal exercises in each chapter and stories about badass people using the power of words and speech to make the world a better place! 💖
Thanks so much for this list! Looking forward to reading these :) I love that a book can bring out such powerful reactions! You mentioned how The Beauty Myth had you journalling a lot about it and it never occurred to me to do that so I'm going to try journalling more when I read. Some books move me so much but it never feels enough to just let the thoughts and ideas they trigger only live inside my head. 😊
I loved The Art of Frugal Hedonism! So glad it was on your list too. Gonna borrow the Eckhart books from my mum asap now
THANK YOU FLOSS! The Power of Now changed my life too and I’ll never look back. Excited to read some of these x Appreciative of the sharing lovely!!
Haha I love that a book made you break out in spots 🤣🤣🤣
it really did, the STRESS!!! hahaha
Anthony De Mello is so good!