5 Inspiring books to check out this February

I am always with a good book – (if you don’t see it in my hand then it’s on my device 📚) There are soooo many amazing, inspiring books that give hope, joy, laughter and general good vibes and I’ve shared just a few with you below. Enjoy 😀

No.1 The Awakened Woman

The Awakened Woman; Remembering & Igniting Our Sacred Dreams by Dr. Tererai Trent

(Forward by Oprah Winfrey)

I recently listened to the most moving podcast when I was out walking my dog. It had me in tears walking across the fields by my house (no one saw me thank goodness 😢). The podcast was on The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes and he was interviewing Dr. Tererai Trent and they were talking about her life and her new book The Awakened Woman; Remembering & Igniting Our Sacred Dreams

The book tells of her incredible journey from a child bride in Zimbabwe with 5 children (by the age of 18) to one of the most recognised voices in women’s empowerment and education. 

Oprah Winfrey has said that she is one of the best guests she has ever had on her show…she is a charming lady with such passion and drive for the empowerment of women that I felt truly inspired by her. Tererai points out that there is a massive, untapped, global resource in women who have, for one reason or another, set aside their wisdom, their skills, and their dreams in order to take care of the personal business of their lives.

In her book, she talks about the actionable steps you can take to awaken your heart, capture your dreams and inspire others along the way.

No.2 Judgment Detox

Judgement Detox: Release the Beliefs That Hold You Back from Living a Better Life by Gabby Berstein

I think that we’ve all been here, some more than others, but I can hold up my hand and admit I can be super judgemental. Most of all with myself but also of others.

Now, I have to warn you, this topic caused a very in-depth (slightly heated 😡) discussion at our kitchen table one supper time. I bought up the subject and mentioned a few names and suggested that we “live and let live” and move on over to the “no judgment here” side but some thought that there is most definitely a place for judgment in our lives.

Judgment Detox is a step-by-step program that is meant to help you heal your judgment and re-discover your oneness with others. Its a 6 step practice, that if followed, will lift resentment and bring forth compassion.

Gabby Bernstein is well known for The Universe Has Your Back: How to Feel Safe and Trust Your Life No Matter What. She believes that judgment (both being judged and judging others) is at the core of our discomfort and one of the root causes of our life blocks. By being more aware of our judgments we can become more mindful and conscious people.

Judgment is usually right at the forefront of our emotions when someone has pissed us off, hurt our feelings and left us feeling vulnerable. Gabby suggests that once these feelings fade we are left with bad energy and this can really mess with our lives.

When you follow the process and become willing to let go, judgement, pain and suffering will begin to dissolve. Sounds good to me 😀

No.3 How to Be Human: The Manual

How to Be Human: The Manual by Ruby Wax

To me, when I think of Ruby Wax, I think of her long career as a comedy writer (love Ab Fab 😂) and stand-up comedian. So when this book came out in January I was quite surprised, but as it turns out she’s written lots of books.

How to be a Human is a three-way encounter between a Monk, a neuroscientist and Ruby Wax. It is meant to be a practical handbook for those in despair and in need of inspiration and reassurance that things can change and we can be more in control of what goes on in our crazy minds.

Why the strange combo? Apparently, the combination of the Buddhist monk and the neuroscientist is, in fact, the answer to greater happiness. The monk explains how the mind works and the neuroscientist explains what makes us “us” in the brain.

Chapters are: Evolution, Thoughts, Emotions, The Body, Compassion, Relationships, Sex, Kids, Addiction, The Future and Mindfulness Exercises. All designed to help us get on the Yellow Brick Road to happiness.

No.4 The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k

The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k: The bestselling book everyone is talking about (A No F*cks Given Guide) by Sarah Knight

Anyone that knows me, and reads my blog, will know that I swear (more than most 😏) so when there is a book with the word “f**k” in it, it catches my eye and I think we may just have something in common.

The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k is for all of us that work too much, play too little and never have enough time to devote to the people and things that truly make us happy. It’s about letting go of your anxiousness and stop caring so much. Give less f**ks.

Some people spend waaaay too much time and effort focusing on the feelings of others. Weddings are a classic example of this – how many people did you invite to your wedding that you didn’t even like?? This book explains how you can rid yourself of unwanted obligations, shame, and guilt – and give your f**ks instead to people and things that make you happy.

Sarah Knight, the author, also read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Maria Kondo which I mentioned in my post 11 Things that will make you feel fabulous this January that don’t cost a penny! – I guess that where she got the idea for the title – it’s a fab book about only holding on to things that spark joy. Go check it out

The other thing I notice about this book is that it’s very similar to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson which I read a little while ago (and LOVED)

No.5 Let’s Pretend this Never happened

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

I laughed out loud just reading the bio of this book. It’s by Jenny Lawson aka The Bloggess (like Mother Teresa, only better) and it’s “a mostly true memoir.” It took her 11 years to write and she shares stories of her childhood, marriage and motherhood.

Jenny Lawson grew up in Texas and all she ever wanted was to fit in. This was ruined by her father the professional taxidermist and a childhood of wearing winter shoes made out of used bread sacks.

The book shares moments that Jenny wishes she could pretend never happened but she understands that these are the moments that shape our lives and makes us the people we are today.

It sounds wonderfully funny and if you don’t think so then we cant be friends (you weirdo🤓)

I really hope that one, if not all, of these books, spur you on to feel inspired in some way, shape or form.

Kind regards, Livvy xo