As I mentioned a week or so ago, I’ve been really struggling with increased depression and anxiety, thanks to my parent’s divorce and the breakdown of my relationship with my father. That, combined with an intense work life, has meant an increased need to recentre myself and practice mindfulness wherever possible.
This year I’ve found reading to be absolutely crucial to staying mindful despite in the chaos. Sometimes I find my mind racing at night and really struggle to get to sleep – and so I’ve turned to reading as a nightly ritual. I get all snug in my bed and allow myself at least half an hour to turn off my phone and get stuck into another world.
It’s really hard to switch off entirely, and that’s precisely what reading requires you to do. You have to stop thinking about your own life, your own problems or even your own social media feed, and just concentrate on something entirely other. For me, it really helps, and sends me off to a nice, peaceful sleep.
Since I mentioned my 2017 Goal to average a book a week, I had plenty of requests to share my reading list. So here you have it – all my books for 2017 so far!
From the guys who wrote Freakonomics, this takes you through how to challenge the status quo and look for hidden connections in the seemingly meaningless.
The absolute pick-me-up I needed in January when I found myself jobless and on crutches – one of the standouts so far.
The autobiography of ultra runner Charlie Engle, from his adventure racing exploits to his wrongful imprisonment for tax fraud.
Hilarious, poignant and thought-provoking autobiography of Trevor Noah, on growing up in post-apartheid South Africa.
An inspiring work of fiction about the importance of finding your destiny in life. A bit sentimental, but beautifully written.
A fictional tale of love, betrayal and identity, set against Nigeria’s 1967-60 Civil War.
The story of love and identity, following Ifemelu; of a Nigerian student who emigrates to the US.
A good insight into the start-up way of doing business and getting quick results by learning to fail and fail again.
A great mix of self-help and memoir, this is a great guide to becoming more present in life, and letting go of perfectionism.
Comical memoir of a 30-something comedian who doesn’t have her shit together any more than the rest of us.
An account of 12 months of goal-driven happiness, including concrete, actionable ideas on how to cultivate happiness in your life.
A short Penguin guide to the Suffragette movement in Western countries, including the female-led anti-suffrage movement.
A lazy beach read- a story of love in adverse circumstances.
A hilarious and charming retelling of Norse myth and legend, brought to life in a wickedly clever way.
A genuinely terrifying profile of Donald Trump by one journalist who has keenly followed the demon’s rise to fame.
Fascinating insight into the Occupy movement, including the recent historical context of the 2008 Financial Crash.
An abridged version of the feminist classic, covering the way beauty standards are used to keep women “in their place”.
A modern sci-fi classic – an ancient civilisation is discovered on earth. The rest is a mystery…
The second Sleeping Giants book – it continues!
Another life-affirming classic from Paulo Coehlo; the premise is about a girl who wakes up from her suicide attempt, but discovers she only has a few days to live.
A collective memoir or the experience of Japanese women brought to the US as brides in the 1930s and 40s.
A collection of the authors favourite and most thought-provoking philosophic quotes, along with a brief essay on why they captured his imagination.
A collection of essays and short stories written by a talented young Harvard student, and published after her tragic death only a few years ago.
An autobiographical account of everything running can teach you about life.
A productivity guide that preaches doing the most difficult and most dreaded task first.
A poignant and gorgeously-written tale of an out of place teenage girl who yearns for a place to belong.
An imagined but entirely possible future in which genetic engineering has gotten out of control, and which there remain only a handful of “real” humans left.
A fascinating historical and anthropological look at humankind’s evolution through the ages, from the Stone Age to the modern day.
A memoir / non-fiction work on the issue of race, in the context (mainly) of 21st Century Britan. This work certainly highlights the lack of cultural education received in the UK – specifically to do with the injustices and atrocities committed by the British Empire, and the legacy this has left.
A no-bullshit guide to everything that’s wrong with clean eating, fasts, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the logical tricks that leave us buying into them.
The premise: one Ghanian sister sold into slavery, the other married off to a British slaver; we follow the atrocities and legacies of slavery as they trickle down through the generations.
A soothing, cosy book on the magic of getting your shit together, your house in order, and your life how you want it.
A tale of a married couple’s struggle to have children – beautifully told, and set against the background of political unrest in 1980’s Nigeria.
A heartbreaking work about a girl caught in a state of limbo after a life-threatening car accident – great if you need a good cry.
The true story of Olympic Legend, eccentric and all round gentleman Emil Zátopek, struggling with his role in post-war Czechoslovakia. A truly inspiring read.
A concise but thorough account of how Western foreign policy (specifically British and American) has screwed over the Middle East and created a breeding ground for extremism.
The continuation of Homo Sapiens, this work takes a look at humankind as we embark on our voyage into the world of amortality, artificial intelligence and genetic engineering.
In case you weren’t counting, I’m on 36 to date, which makes me approximately two weeks behind. But fear not, I’m catching up!
In the meantime, please send me your recommendations! I’m always looking for new reads to get my nose into!
Lots of love,
Pippa
