Inspiring books to read right now
I’ve updated a previous reading list, omitting some books which perhaps aren’t so relevant and adding a few more titles that I hope will help keep you positive, inspired and curious!
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
From the author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari explores the most important topics on what it means to be human today. In 21 short-form lessons, Harari poses questions from the abstract (“What can we say about the meaning of life to day”) to practical (“What should we teach our children”) and everywhere in between. He meditates on an overarching idea of how we can live in the technological world we have created.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Best-selling author, Brené Brown is back with her new book, which details how we can cultivate effective leadership. Brown states that there are 4 main skill sets to becoming a quality leader: being able to rumble with vulnerability (can you give and take feedback; she states to “stop avoiding the tough conversations”), living your values, learning how to rise (“being able to get back up”) and braving trust (“Can you be trustworthy?” asks Brown).
Atomic Habits by James Clear
“Small habits and little choices are transforming us everyday,” says author, entrepreneur and photographer James Clear. His new book on bettering the self, begins with the little things, as in getting 1% better everyday. How do we do this? Clear gives a very concrete and practical approach to help us improve our lives in a sustainable way such as making time for new habits, overcoming a lack of motivation, and designing your environment to make achieving your goals much more accessible.
Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fu*k by Mark Manson
It’s true that the less you care about something, the less power it has to stress you out, make you feel sad or angry. If you’re ever having a rough time, are frustrated about work or going through a painful break-up, I urge you to read this book - better yet listen to it on audio. It’s nothing hugely new (more common sense) - besides some interesting anecdotes about people who didn’t give a fuck and succeeded precisely because they didn’t care too much about the outcome - but it does provide a lot of takeaways that will make you look at the world a little differently and a little more nonchalantly, which believe me is better for your mental health.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
The former first-lady explains that to become something is very finite, when as humans, we are always evolving. In her memoir, a member of the acclaimed Oprah’s Book Club, Obama walks through her life of trials and triumphs with rectitude. Her inspiring journey follows her youth in an impoverished Chicago neighbourhood to finding her place in America’s most famous address. Obama’s intelligence and strength shine through with her candid stories and words.
Make it Scream, Make it Burn by Leslie Jamison
A collection of essays with an interesting exploration into the studies of human conditions. Broken up into 3 sections, “longing,” “looking,” and “dwelling,” Jamison dives deep into the real-life stories of seemingly banal things such as a whale (with it’s own Facebook page), a museum that collects the mementos of past relationships, and a family that believes their child is the reincarnation of a lost pilot. Her writing reveals a certain peek into understanding other people's lives while questioning our own truths.
The Most of Nora Ephron by Nora Ephron
Originally released in 2013 posthumously, the writings of Nora Ephron reached a resurgence from the recommendation of Lena Dunham who states “I am only one of the millions of women who will miss Nora’s voice.” In this collection of stories, personal essays and excerpts from her hit screenplays, Ephron writes about food, feminism, growing older, and so much more with her trademark wit.
Great Goddesses by Nikita Gill
In her book of poetry and prose, Nikita Gill, reimagines the myths and stories surrounding famous goddesses and monsters, lending these enigmatic creatures a voice. In the perspective of the mythological figures, she highlights the strength of the females of ancient Greece and encourages empathy and admiration for this formerly antiquated cast of characters. Gill states that these poems are about “finding the divine inside yourself and finding the hero in you.”
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
A hilarious and truthful tale, Alderton recounts the rocky tube-ride that was her twenties including (but certainly not limited to) parties, dating, work, the inescapable shitty apartment, and most of all female friendships. Her candor is at times heart-wrenching and her humor is outrageously relatable. It’s the kind of book you’ll force your friends to read (just so you can laugh about it).
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
In this collection of essays, New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino ruminates on all aspects of pop culture (including yoga, instagram, and the internet) in a wider culture that revolves around the self. Her vignettes muse over her short reality TV stint to drugs, feminism and modern life. Tolentino’s writing is not just a self-reflection but a unique view on overarching personal truths and the duality of how we see ourselves and our societal identities.
How to Fail by Elizabeth Day
Author and critically acclaimed podcast host of How to Fail, Elizabeth Day writes a part memoir, part manifesto under the same name. Both told in personal tales and through interviews with celebrities, authors, and entrepreneurs, Day trails through her history of defeats and missteps to teach that failure is a lesson which can propel you to achievement if you learn how to do so gracefully.
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
Over the course of 8 years, journalist Lisa Taddeo traversed to each corner of America to document the real-life stories of women all over the country. This nonfiction book separated into the lives of three very different women, shows great emotional depth into the idea of female desire. Follow along with a suburban housewife whose marriage has lost passion, a high school student enraptured in a physical relationship with her English teacher whom she later takes to court, and a successful restaurant owner whose husband’s desire for welcoming others into sexual acts with them overshadow her own.
Radical Candour: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
After working in management at Google and Apple, Kim Scott delivers her practices for enabling bosses to fulfil their three core responsibilities, which she identifies as creating a culture of “Compassionate Candour,” building a cohesive team, and achieving results collaboratively. She hinders advice applicable to managing just one person or an entire team. Scott’s words will help you to lead and inspire others while also standing tall in your role.
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates
Since watching Inside Bill’s Brain on Netflix, I became a little fanatical about the power couple that is Bill and Melinda Gates. And after listening to Melinda being interviewed on Oprah’s Supersoul Conversations about her new book, I knew I had to read it. Incredibly harrowing at times - you’ll need a strong stomach to read some of the stories she divulges, but it’s an incredibly important book highlighting female inequality and poverty in the areas of hygiene and child birth, and what we can do to empower women in the developing world.
Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferriss
After it sitting on my bookshelf for the past few years, collecting dust, I finally read The 4 Hour Work Week last summer. It’s a must-read for anyone who isn’t satisfied either in their current line of work, wants to work smarter, not longer hours, or who wants to turn their hobby into a business. In his most recent book Tribe of Mentors, Ferris shares interviews with some of the world’s most successful businessmen and women, power players, athletes and leaders, as well as their key habits for success, morning routines and tips and tricks, such as: How to meditate and be more mindful and How to truly achieve work-life balance, which although we’re all at home right now, there’s no harm in planning your next big move or business. Who knows what the future holds.
Educated by Tara Westover
One of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. Westover grows up in a fanatically religious family in Utah, whose head - her father - doesn’t believe in schools or doctors and rules over her mother and siblings like a dictator. Against the odds, she wins a place at university and finally a scholarship to Cambridge. It’s an often harrowing, but beautifully written account about determination, strength and tenacity and what it ultimately costs her to gain an education. Incredibly inspiring.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Done is better than good." Wise words and words that I’ve tried to say repeatedly to myself since I’ve been working for myself in the times that I’ve lacked confidence in my creativity (often) or struggling to finish a project. It’s a must-read, especially if you're working in an aesthetics-driven job, if you've ever doubted yourself or if you just want to be more creative.
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
If you're looking for a pick-me-up, read this. Jen Sincero's no nonsense, straight-talking way of writing is the best antidote to being in a rut. And I’m guessing a lot of you, like me will be need more pick me ups in the weeks to come.
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Perhaps an even more important book for now to help prevent us from languishing too long in bed. I've become better at getting up earlier over the years, but it is still a bit of a struggle as I’ve never been a natural morning person.
Which books would you add to this list?
