A joyful reading list: 7 books that changed the way I think
If you follow me over on Instagram, you’ll know that I’m a big reader - in fact, I’ve read over 70 books already this year! I don’t say that to brag, but simply to stress what a big part reading plays in my life.
Curling up with a good book is my down time, my entertainment and my therapy all rolled into one, and I love discovering new ideas and perspectives and learning more about myself by getting lost in the pages. It’s an integral part of my self-care routine, and not a day goes by where I don’t spend at least 20 minutes reading.
As a result, I’ve racked up a fairly sizeable reading list over the past couple of years, and have got plenty of recommendations to share. But today I wanted to focus on putting a curated list of joyful reads together - these are the books that have inspired me to live more positively, the books that have changed the way I think.
I can wholeheartedly recommend each and every one of them. And if you do pick any of them up - enjoy! I’d love to hear your reviews…
Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
Out of all the books on this list, I don’t think any have felt like as much of a gut punch as Daring Greatly. This book completely transformed the way I think about vulnerability and courage, and helped me to realise that my perfectionist tendencies weren’t protecting me from failure, but simply distracting me from all the joy I already have in my life. I can hand on heart say that the work and ideas Brené Brown shares in this book have changed the way I live my life for the better, and for that reason, I recommend you all read it ASAP if you haven’t already!
The Art of Being Brilliant: Transform Your Life by Doing What Works for You - Andy Cope
This was one of the very first books I read about the power of positivity, and it’s so great that I read it at least once a year. The Art of Being Brilliant explores some of the key theories of NLP and the field of positive psychology, but in a way that is accessible, entertaining, and most importantly of all, actionable. It genuinely changed the way I think about and approach so much of my life, and after years of recommending it, I know it’s done the same for others, too.
A Manual for Heartache - Cathy Rentzenbrink
If you’ve ever experienced grief, heartbreak or loneliness, this book will make you feel less alone. I came across it at a time when I really needed it, and it felt like a gentle hand to hold as I started to put the pieces of my life back together. Cathy Rentzenbrink is such an eloquent writer (her memoir, The Last Act of Love, is also a very moving read), and this book helped me to realise that life can still be meaningful and worthwhile and beautiful after heartache.
How To Fail: Everything I’ve Learned From Things Going Wrong - Elizabeth Day
I’ve been obsessed with Elizabeth Day’s podcast since the very first episode with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, so when I saw that she was set to release a book of the same name, I knew I’d love it. In How To Fail, Elizabeth Day explores the many ways in which she’s failed throughout her life, and how ultimately, all of those failures have moved her forwards and helped her grow into the person she is today. I found it to be a really comforting read, and it helped me to see my own failures in a new light.
The Little Big Things - Henry Fraser
I’m not sure I have ever read a more hopeful, joyful and inspirational book than this one. Henry Fraser was involved in an accident that left him paralysed from the shoulders down when he was 17, robbing him of the future he’d spent his childhood dreaming of. But rather than giving up on life, Henry has grown in the face of adversity, finding gifts in life’s challenges and a new sense of purpose and direction. This is the ultimate lesson in not being able to control what happens to you, but being able to control how you react to it, and I promise you that’ll you finish this book feeling energised and uplifted.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun, and Be Your Own Person - Shonda Rhimes
Even if you’ve never heard of Shonda Rhimes, chances are you’ve enjoyed her work - she’s the writer and producer behind hit shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. But in this book she strays from fiction and instead tells the story of how one little decision - the decision to say yes to every opportunity that came her way - changed her life for the better. The Year of Yes is relatable and funny, but deeply inspiring too, and it really made me think about the ways I hold myself back, and how I can say a hell yes to life more regularly.
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy - Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant
You’ve probably all heard about Sheryl Sandberg’s first book, Lean In, but it was her second book, Option B, that was a real game changer for me. Sandberg wrote it with Adam Grant following the unexpected tragic loss of her husband, and it’s filled with so many practical tips and theories to help you build resilience in the face of life’s inevitable curveballs and setbacks. It has been a real comfort to me during challenging periods of my life, and I now live by Sandberg’s motto: “Option A is not available, so let’s kick the shit out of Option B”.
Have you read any of the books on this list?
