7 BOOKS I ACTUALLY READ THIS SUMMER
It’s been a long time since I read a book cover to cover (and even longer since I read fiction, but that's another story). I dipped into books while pregnant looking for nourishing info as well as audiobooks and podcasts, but when it comes to a lovely book, it’s been a while since I pored over one and felt like the task was complete. These were my chosen reads for the summer — all brand new releases from this year with so much to offer.
There’s a real mix of physical, mental and spiritual development here, and of course all of these things affect one another — from understanding the foundation that foot health can help you build, to literally making your wildest dreams happen through the power of manifestation, to understanding what it is that you’re putting on your face and body and into the skin and the impact of it on the environment. The wild card here is the Frida Kahlo Style book — it was a bit of effervescent fun getting to know Frida Kahlo, the unforgettable artist of the 20th century whose personal style and love affairs influenced her incredible work. As someone who has worked in art and fashion, this book is also good for my mind-body-spirit — a little of what you fancy does you good.
Sustainable Beauty by Justine Jenkins
Justine Jenkins is an authority in the sustainable beauty space, so I knew that her ultimate guide to making better beauty choices would contain a wealth of wisdom. It’s packed with actionable tips for choosing better products, making your own and generally avoiding waste wherever you can. Plus, it makes a great coffee table book — one to gift or keep for yourself.
Manifestation is nothing new, but it is one of the most spoken-about wellness trends these days. You’ve definitely heard of it, and you may even have tried it for yourself, but if you’re ready to take a deep dive into this powerful method for creating the life of your dreams, Roxie Nafousi is one of the most inspiring voices out there. In Manifest, she outlines seven steps for finding more peace and alignment in yourself and in the world.
The Strong Like Mum Method by Shakira Akabusi
My pregnancy, followed by the arrival of Mahi, ushered in a new chapter in my life and wellness. Though I didn’t get my hands on this one until Mahi was well over a year old, this book written for prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum gave me lots of insights into my postpartum body. It features so many interesting facts about the female body, accessible exercises and lots of info to help you with the very physical full-time job of birthing a baby and “actively” recovering while embracing all the incredible changes.
Energize by Simon Alexander Ong
With a straight-to-the-point title, you get what it says on the tin here. Life coach Simon Alexander Ong offers practical advice for finding more energy than you ever thought you could, naturally, and for making stress and burnout a thing of the past.
Frida: Style Icon by Charlie Collins
Dive into the iconic fashion world of renowned artist Frida Kahlo with this art-meets-fashion-meets-history book. When it came to dressing, none of Kahlo’s outfits were left up to chance — they all formed part of her larger political and social message, and it’s fascinating to read about.
The basic premise of this book is one that those of us who are familiar with Ayurveda know well: that our modern world tends to disconnect us from our true nature, from our inner balance and harmony with the natural world. Be More Human is a gentle invitation to come back to your breath, to rest, to mindfulness throughout your day.
Don't Just Sit There! by Biet Simkin
Whether you’ve never meditated a day in your life or you’re a seasoned meditator, this book will give you a brand new perspective on the art of mindfulness. It provides tools to confront some of the oh-so-human obstacles we may face when meditating and truly experience the beauty that comes out of making that space for ourselves in our daily lives.