For many of us, lockdown was a chance for us to revisit our love for reading. Life on the outside is often so busy, people usually don’t have the time to dig into a good book.
Nielsen Book research found that 41% of people have been reading more books since the start of lockdown. For some, this might mean escaping the current times by diving into a good fictional book while for others, the lockdown has been a time of reflection where a good self-help book or memoir comes in handy.
Self-help books and memoirs have a history of sounding corny but here are a few that have had a significant tried-and-tested impact on me. So if you’re on the hunt for a good self-help book to dive into, keep reading.
Open Up: Why Talking About Money Will Change Your Life by Alex Holder
Let’s face it, not many people enjoy talking about money. However considering the time we’re in, it’s quite hard not to speak about the coins as for the first time in eleven years the UK is in a recession, people are being furloughed and young people are struggling to find jobs.
Though speaking about money is uncomfortable, this book touches on why it’s so powerful to do so. Money affects so many areas in our lives from relationships, family and future life events. This book teaches us to move away from the idea that discussions about money are taboo. If the idea of speaking about money cringes you out, this may be the book for you.
How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price
I’m sure like me, since the start of lockdown, your screen time has increased exceedingly. Media Nation’s 2020 report found that most people spent six hours and twenty-five minutes a day watching audiovisual content.
EE found that there was a 45% increase in traffic on apps such as Whatsapp, Houseparty and Skype. It’s easy to be sucked into the world of Instagram and Facebook when you’re stuck at home all day. This book analyzes your relationship with your phone and helps you achieve practicable steps to be phone care-free. (Since reading this book, my screen has proudly fallen dramatically. If you’re looking for practical ways to improve the relationship with your phone, this one is for you.)
Period Power by Maisie Hill
For anyone who experiences a period, you know how stressful having one is. Whether your periods are light or heavy, natural or made through man-made hormones, bleeding for several days straight for many people is not an enjoyable experience.
When it comes to life-changing books, this book has completely transformed the way I see my body and my menstrual cycle. As someone who has suffered from excruciating period pains since a teen, this book has helped me manage my pain and also made me look at my period as less of a burden. From contraception, menstrual pain to seed cycling to trying for a baby, this book covers it all. I think it’s important for people with periods to understand their body especially if you suffer from conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or endometriosis. It can help you navigate through your cycle as you may struggle with your periods more.
How To Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong by Elizabeth Day
This pandemic has been testing for all of us. Many of us have lost our jobs, relationships or even friendships. It’s been a time to reflect. Regardless of the situation you’re in, this book helps you see how our failures always work out for our good. It may feel like life is working against you right now but this book reminds us that it’s just a season.
Year Of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
It’s impossible to watch TV without watching one of the shows created by the brilliant Shonda Rhimes. When the writer of Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder and Scandal speaks up, we listen. I was automatically intrigued by this book as I was sure why the Shonda Rhimes can be afraid of anything. This book is a reminder that everyone has fears and everyone has to face them eventually. In the ‘Year Of Yes,’ Rhimes takes us into a look at how she faced all of the things she said no to in a year.
