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 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!
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!
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 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 am currently reading The Power of Now. How serendipitous to see it at the top of the list. Thank you so much for this list all that are new to me have been added. 💕
Florence, your book has changed my life in the juiciest way possible! It is on my “top recommended book” list and inspired me to CREATE again for the first time in 6+ months. I have created a little video on my Booktube channel talking about your book while showcasing some of my tiny, romanticized moments 🥹 thank you, thank you, thank you!
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 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!
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!
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 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.
Haha I love that a book made you break out in spots 🤣🤣🤣
it really did, the STRESS!!! hahaha
Anthony De Mello is so good!
I am currently reading The Power of Now. How serendipitous to see it at the top of the list. Thank you so much for this list all that are new to me have been added. 💕
woooo!!
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!!
Just reserved all of these I could find from the library 📚!
Florence, your book has changed my life in the juiciest way possible! It is on my “top recommended book” list and inspired me to CREATE again for the first time in 6+ months. I have created a little video on my Booktube channel talking about your book while showcasing some of my tiny, romanticized moments 🥹 thank you, thank you, thank you!
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)
Thank you for sharing an amazing list I have added most of these to my Amazon wishlist 😀 😊 ✨️