Social Distancing Book Club
Now that many of us have extra time on our hands, it’s a good opportunity to get through those books that have been collecting dust on our nightstands. One of my friends introduced me to the idea of the “Easiest Book Club Ever” which is essentially just a shared google doc with your friends where you each input the books you’ve been reading with a 1-2 sentence review to help each other find your next favorite book. I’ve rounded up a list of some of my favorite books right now. Please leave yours in the comments!
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl - “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” -Viktor Frankl This is probably the most powerful book I’ve ever read, and it’s incredibly relevant right now. Viktor Frankl’s memoir about his experience in concentration camps during World War II illustrates the immense power of the human spirit.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - A beautifully written novel with a murder mystery, a love story, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. It’s a little slow to get into, but you will be glad you stuck with it. One of my favorite fiction books of all time.
Inside Out by Demi Moore - I’ve been on a memoir kick lately, and I loved Demi Moore’s book. I was never a huge Demi Moore fan, but I heard her interview with Gwyneth Paltrow on the Goop podcast and was impressed by her wisdom and vulnerability. She is very candid about her difficult childhood and relationship with her mom, her failed relationships with Bruce Willis and Ashton Kutcher, her struggles with body image and addiction, and how she found self-love and acceptance. Another honorable mention is Jessica Simpson’s memoir. It was much smarter than you’d expect, and she has a fascinating story that will make you fall in love with her.
Educated by Tara Westover - One of the greatest memoirs I’ve read. Tara grew up in a survivalist, religious family in rural Idaho with no access to formal education or medicine. She tells the story of how she used education to break free from her abusive family and end up in a PhD program at Cambridge University. The book almost reads like fiction because her story is so unbelievable at times.
Body Love Everyday by Kelly LeVeque - Kelly is a celebrity nutritionist who specializes in weight loss. This is an excellent book on nutrition science for anyone. It is easy enough to read if you’re new to nutrition, but you will still get something out of it if you’re a veteran. I love Kelly’s “Fab Four” meal structure (Fat, Fiber, Protein, Greens), and I recommend it to my clients.
In the Flo by Alisa Vitti - Alisa Vitti developed the revolutionary concept of “cycle syncing.” In addition to our 24 hour clock, women also have a 28 day clock with 4 unique hormonal phases. Our varying levels of hormones mean that we have different needs, moods, and energy levels each week. Alisa teaches you how to optimize your diet, exercise, and work for each unique phase of your cycle to unlock peak creativity, performance, and avoid burnout. I have implemented many of the suggestions in her book, and I have noticed a difference in my productivity and kindness towards myself.
The Universe Has Your Back and Super Attractor by Gabby Bernstein - I found Gabby’s book The Universe Has Your Back when I was going through one of the most challenging times of my life, and it really helped me get through it. Gabby is one of my favorite spiritual teachers, and she has helped me reconnect with my spirituality in a beautiful way. I am in the middle of Super Attractor right now, and the concepts have already helped me decrease my anxiety and attract more abundance into my life.
Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis - I grew up listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they’ve always been one of my favorite bands. I read this book when it first came out in 2004, and I remember I couldn’t put it down. Kiedis details his crazy childhood, the depths of his drug addiction, and the rise of RHCP. If you liked I Forgot to Die by Khalil Rafati, then you will definitely like this. I plan on reading it again.
Grain Brain series by Dr. David Perlmutter - These books changed the way I thought about health, and they got me so excited about how much control we have over how our genes are expressed. If you have Alzheimer’s in your family, this series is a must-read. Dr. Perlmutter and his son recently came out with a new book, Brain Wash, with tools to think more clearly, make better decisions, strengthen our bonds with others, and develop healthier habits. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my list.
Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown - Brene Brown is one of my favorite teachers out there. The Gifts of Imperfection is one of her shorter, more simple books but still very powerful. It helped me realize where I had perfectionist tendencies and how to cultivate greater feelings of self-worth. If you haven’t seen her Netflix special, go watch it now! I have also read her books Daring Greatly and Rising Strong which are both excellent. Her newer book Braving the Wilderness is on my list as well.
