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Today is National Read a Book Day
What better excuse to take a few minutes out of your day and get stuck into one of your favourites for the sake of it? Or for self improvement? To learn a new skill, to remind yourself of something you used to love doing, but stopped, and you can’t remember why? My favourite escape when I was a kid was to read. I didn’t realise that I was autistic as a child, so reading was my refuge, and I would read till all hours, because I was unable to get to sleep and anxious as a result. So, I’m going to recommend some books, and let’s see if there’s anything that fits you here.
By the way, there are amazon links in here, so I might make a small commission if you click on them and decide to buy, but believe me, it will be small. Don’t let it put you off. Also, if you don’t really like to read, but you still love to learn or be read to, most of these books will either come with an audio book option of some sort, like a cd or narration add on for a couple of pounds extra, or you can also get them from Audible.
I’m starting off with a children’s book, and it was my favourite when I was a little girl, and I still have my original copy. It’s one of those books I go back to time and time again when I feel in need of a little bit of comfort and maybe a bit of time for self reflection and a trip back in time. I identified with Anna, the main character, who just wanted to feel ordinary and kept in the background, but desperately needed a friend. It’s a hearbreaking book with a happy ending, just what you need when you’re ten, or nearly 50.
I’m
always sceptical about books that are plastered with big name reviews on how “This book will seriously change your life.” Any book can do that. You pick it up, read it, think “oooh that’s good,” and then never do anything with it, because, let’s face it, self help books don’t. But your life has changed a bit because before, you hadn’t read the book, and now you have. And then I saw the name Matt Haig on there and he wrote “Reasons to Stay Alive” which I read when I was in a particularly bad period, and I was struggling with reasons to stay alive myself. So I got this book and read it in one sitting and I loved it, and it has changed my life. I have to say that I’ve read it from being in a good mental space, but Johann Hari is a good storyteller, he is compelling, and he is one of the reasons I have left social media and have joined a yoga class. Seriously, that’s unheard of. Highly recommended.
I love this, I love this, I love this. Mel Robbins has one of the most watched Ted Talks ever, and it’s her first ever Ted Talk, it’s here on YouTube, and it’s called How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over. Gotta love that. She’s nervous as anything, although you wouldn’t know it to look at her, and she almost forgets the main method for stopping screwing yourself over, which is her 5 Second Rule, which she explains to us in more depth and with greater detail of the benefits here. so 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, start getting your shit together, and this book will help you. It’s a mix of common sense that we all know, with action to kick you up the butt, and some lovely lovely neuroscience thrown in. My favourite combination of stuff. If you know me personally, you know why I like this. Go get it.
Me and Eddie have had a thing going for nearly 30 years now. I got a kiss off him once, after waiting for him after a gig outside the stage door, and he left a lipstick print that I carefully washed around for about 5 days until I couldn’t bear it any longer and had to scrub it off. Yes, I know. Don’t judge me. I was young and foolish, and not brought up by wolves. If you don’t like Eddie, we can’t be friends. His is one of the most interesting stories you will ever read, and when you realise his comedy has always been about trying to get his mum back, who died when he was six, you’ll love him even more.
This book is the most comprehensive book on understanding the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and how to change them to live your best life and be extra AF that you will ever find. You could fill out stadiums like Ed Sheeran with your abilities, but if you believe that it’s simply down to talent and good luck, your fixed mindset will keep you stuck watching other people doing the things that you could be doing yourself. Don’t negate the hard work that you put in to be good at what you do. Grow yourself and live your best life. That’s always the message.
OK I think that’s enough for now, but I’m always here if you want recommendations for books that I think are worth your time. Just head over to the contact page and let’s talk. See you soon.
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