6 Books to Inspire You: Forget Self-Improvement Books, Try Self-Love Books.
There comes a time in everyone's life where you feel a little stuck and need some guidance. We live in a world which is constantly moving, changing and sometimes we fall behind (no judgement here - it’s totally normal).
There are hundreds of “self help” books out there: some give false hope, some make others feel worse and some are written by the author to simply pay the bills. The problem is a lot of “self help” books further implement the societal norms of hustle culture, beauty standards, gender roles and everything else questionable within the western world.
Ironically, we’re here to suggest some books that we’ve read and helped us in one way or another - but not in that ‘just smile’ or ‘we have the same 24 hours in a day’ kinda way.
Eat Up: Food, Appetite and Eating What You Want by Ruby Tandoh
Eat Up comes from former Bake-Off contestant Ruby Tandoh and is an all-around celebration of food. It is set to challenge the regular self-help and diet guides that give us a thousand and one rules to follow. Instead, Ruby focuses on eating food because you enjoy it, whilst also exploring the whole host of challenges, from health to finance, that can get in the way of our relationship with food.
It’s a good read not only when thinking about diet culture, but about self-help guides in general - there’s no golden ticket to doing well, and often we forget to consider what feels best for us rather than what an unattainable influencer says works best for them.
What a Time to be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough by Chidera Eggerue
Self-empowerment and self-love are at the centre of this book. What a Time to be Alone looks at teaching you how to love yourself for who you already are - not focusing on how to improve yourself. Throughout, Chidera discusses the patriarchy, racialised standards of beauty and internalised misogyny. Prior to this book, Chidera has raised awareness on these issues through her social media campaigns #SaggyBoobsMatter and #BlockHimParty.
The book also explores the toxicity of damaging relationships and that not only is it absolutely fine to be alone but to also ENJOY IT!! What a Time to Be Alone includes bold and fierce illustrations and insightful Igbo proverbs from Chidera’s mother.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
From the writer of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, Elizabeth Gilbert is back with another collection of pages. Now this might seem an obvious suggestion, coming from a company of creatives, but Big Magic is an incredible book encouraging people to work on creative things. Not necessarily in their career, but focusing on how creativity can help us in day-to-day life.
The book asks readers to welcome curiosity and let go of needless suffering. Elizabeth shares stories from her own life, her friends, and those who have inspired her along her journey.
Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton
Early adult hood can be petrifying (if some of you can recall from all those years ago haha!). Everything I Know About Love discusses love, getting drunk, being dumped, friendships and everything in-between.
Dolly’s witty humour is at the height of this book as she’s bound together personal stories, lists, ironic observations, recipes, and more - something relatable for women of every age. This book makes you realise that there is so much love all around you - but not necessarily in a romantic way.
On Connection by Kae Tempest
On Connection is a beautifully written and thought provoking book where the author talks about the power of creative connection.
It’s uplifting in the sense that it is a refreshing reminder that the links we have to people, ourselves, place and words are what keeps us alive and how creativity can bring us closer together.
The lllustrated Child by Polly Crosby
Whilst this isn’t your typical “self help” or uplifting book, The Illustrated Child is a remarkable debut novel about a young girl who is fascinated with her father’s illustrated books - containing clues to their shocking family secrets.
The amount of times I had a “I wonder if moment…” whilst reading this magical tale. The beautifully written story encapsulates growing up and discovering the wonders that make us who we are.
