Six books that changed my life
Yes, changed my life. Really.
I love to read. I love to learn, to feel my world growing bigger as I contemplate other points of views and enlighten myself through other people’s experiences. I mostly choose to consume my content through audiobooks, which I love to put on as I’m walking around the streets of Sydney. But not always - some books are just meant to be devoured in written format, and some voices can act as a barrier to connecting with the content. So I like to mix it up accordingly.
Period Queen, Lucy Peach
I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who menstruates, or anyone who knows someone who menstruates. That is, everyone. Growing up, we were taught to dislike our bodies, to not trust them, and that our periods are just a great inconvenience. When we were 18, my best friend and I went along to the GP together (we did everything together), and got on the contraceptive pill, relieved to finally be managing the annoyance. Even though it took me years to find one that didn’t make me violently ill, I kept persevering. Then, for my most recent birthday, aforementioned best friend sent me this book and said I had to read it. I was hooked from the first page. It completely changed my relationship with my period, and I now love and respect it and realise what a superpower it is. I want to share this with the world. Please read this book.
The Choice, Edith Eger
Another contender for a list like this would be ‘A Man’s Search for Meaning’ by Viktor Frankl, but I think Eger has created a much more accessible book, that is an absolute joy to read, despite the content - she survived Auschwitz. What I find really interesting about this book, is that Eger became a psychologist in her 50s (take that, anyone who says they’re too old to go to uni), as opposed to Frankl, who was a psychologist before he even got to Auschwitz. This distinction means that she comes from a very different angle - as a regular person, who later learns about the mind and people and learns how to apply her background and the things she’s learned to help people. Frankl’s book reads more like an academic paper or a textbook, whereas Egers is filled with courage and heart, the hopes and dreams of the 16 year old girl who dreamed of being a dancer, but instead had to watch her mother be sent off to the gas chambers at Auschwitz... Chilling stuff. But essentially, a book about overcoming hardships and finding empowerment and joy.
With The End In Mind, Kathryn Mannix
I was resistant to reading this book for a while. Did I really want to read a book about death? But my best friend, who has been living with a very serious cancer diagnosis for the past five years, kept on at me to read it. And I’m so glad I did. The stories within it are so incredible, and tell of a variety of people at the end of their lives - something that happens to all of us, but that we’re usually too scared to admit or realise. We will all die, one day. Society’s fear of death does nothing to help us, and it often stops people being able to have the conversations they need, or get prepared for the inevitable. This book is a work of beauty and I think everyone should read it.
Radical Remission, Kelly A. Turner
My best friend recommended this book to me - she has cancer, but she said she thinks everyone should read this book. And I have to say I agree. The book explores the common factors among individuals who have experienced remission from cancer, often without conventional medical treatment, and usually after their Oncologist has written them off and sent them home to die. Turner spoke to over 1,000 people who achieved radical remission and identified nine key factors that are common among them all. And I think they’re things that we could all benefit from living by. The nine factors of radical remission identified by Kelly Turner in her book are:
Radically changing your diet
Taking control of your health
Following your intuition
Using herbs and supplements
Releasing suppressed emotions
Increasing positive emotions
Embracing social support
Deepening your spiritual connection
Having strong reasons for living
In her follow up book, ‘Radical Hope’, she also adds ‘exercise’ as a 10th pilar of radical remission, as although a lot of the people interviewed couldn’t partake in conventional exercise while they were in the midst of it all, it did become very important in all of their lives. The information in this book is absolutely mind-blowing, and I think we could all learn a lot from it.
The Power of Vulnerability, Brené Brown
Although Brené has pretty much become a household name these days, this book was pretty groundbreaking when it came out. It expands on her TED Talk of the same name, and it it, she delves into the concepts of vulnerability, shame, and authenticity. She talks about vulnerability is not a weakness, but rather a courageous act that can lead to greater personal growth and connection with others. Brené shares her research findings that individuals who embrace vulnerability and are willing to show their imperfections are happier, more fulfilled, and have stronger connections with others.She also provides practical strategies for developing resilience and self-compassion, and offers advice on how to cultivate meaningful relationships and create a more authentic and fulfilling life. The book encourages readers to embrace vulnerability as a means to living a more wholehearted life.
Mating in Captivity, Esther Perel
Esther Perel completely revolutionises the way we look at relationships. This book delves into the tension between intimacy and eroticism in long-term relationships. Perel argues that while intimacy and closeness are important for maintaining a healthy relationship, they can also stifle erotic desire. She suggests that the key to maintaining a passionate and fulfilling relationship is to balance intimacy with a sense of separateness and mystery. Perel provides practical strategies for couples to cultivate a sense of eroticism in their relationship, such as prioritizing time for play, exploring fantasies, and embracing risk-taking. She also discusses the cultural and societal factors that contribute to the tension between intimacy and eroticism in modern relationships. "Mating in Captivity" challenges traditional assumptions about love and sexuality, and offers a new perspective on how couples can sustain long-term passion and desire.