Uplifting Reads
Uplifting Reads
As Daylight Savings comes to an end, and the weather gets a little colder, we have put together a list of reads to uplift, inspire and make your days a little brighter. From picture books to self help, there’s something in here for all ages!
PICTURE BOOKS
Don’t Forget by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker
A timely and uplifting picture book that reflects on what’s important for each of us to remember.
Don’t forget to make your bed,
and wear socks that fit your feet…
Don’t forget to care, to play,
To run, to laugh…
Sometimes, we need to remember all the things we can do to be part of the world. Small things, like offering a smile. And bigger things, like hoping, dreaming, imagining…
More Kid’s Picture Books:
Bandits by Sha'an d'Anthes (2 to 6 years)
Happy Days by Sue deGennaro (0 to 5 years)
Oli and Basil: The Dashing Frogs of Travel by Megan Hess (0 to 6 years)
Resilience by Zannie Louise, illustrated by Missy Turner (2 to 6 years)
When I Am Happy by Campbell Books (0 to 3 years)
KID’S BOOKS
Happy, Healthy Minds by The School of Life
Our minds are beautifully complicated and brilliant machines.
For much of our lives, these machines run hugely efficiently with minimal maintenance. However, just like our other organs, they do require some proper attention every now and then. Recognising that mental health matters at an early age can only help as children progress into adulthood. We explore a range of common scenarios encountered by young children and talk about some of the very best ideas to help deal with them.
By offering a sympathetic and supportive framework, this book encourages children to open up, explore their own feelings and face the dilemmas of growing up armed with emotional intelligence. (Ages 8 to 11)
More Kid’s books:
Be Your Own Man by Jessica Sanders, illustrated by Robbie Cathro (6 to 10 years)
The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain ed. by Katherine Rundell (8 to 12 years)
The Dare to be You Journal by Matthew Syed (7 to 11 years)
Forgotten Fairy Tales of Kindness and Courage retold by Mary Sebag-Montefiore (7 to 10 years)
Stories for Kids Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks (7 to 12 years)
YOUNG ADULT
Becoming: Adapted for Younger Readers by Michelle Obama
What's important is our story, our whole story, including those moments when we feel a little vulnerable.
Michelle Robinson started life sharing a bedroom with her older brother Craig, in their family's upstairs apartment in her great-aunt's house. Her parents, Fraser and Marian, poured their love and energy into their children. She would go on to become Michelle Obama, the inspirational First Lady of the United States of America. Now adapted for younger readers, with new photographs and a new introduction from Michelle Obama herself, this memoir tells a very personal, and completely inspiring, story of how, through hard work and determination, the girl from the South Side of Chicago built an extraordinary life. Above all, it is a book to make you think—who are you, and what do you want to become?
More Young Adult books:
Courage: A Guided Journal for Embracing Your Inner Gryffindor by Studio Press
Good Selfie by Turia Pitt
Me Time: The Self-care Guide to Being Your Own Best Friend by Jessica Sanders
Open Your Mind: Learn to Deal with the Big Stuff in Life by Gemma Carey
Tell Me Why: For Young Adults by Archie Roach
UPLIFTING FICTION
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson
It will make you laugh, it will make you cry!
What do you get when you cross a painfully awkward son, lofty comedic ambition and a dead best friend? Norman. Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides paying tribute to his best friend just can't wait... so he rewrites their plan: 1. Look after mum 2. Find Dad 3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe. Sadie knows she's never going to win Mother of the Year, and not knowing exactly who her son's father is doesn't help. But when she finds Norman's new plan, all she wants is to see her son smile again... So they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman's dad along the way.
More Uplifting Fiction books:
The Archer by Paulo Coelho
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Saving Missy by Beth Morrey
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
TRUE STORIES
My Year of Living Vulnerably by Rick Morton
From Rick Morton, the author of the bestselling, critically acclaimed memoir One Hundred Years of Dirt comes a dazzlingly brilliant book about love, trauma and recovery.
In early 2019, Rick Morton was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Over the course of twelve months, he went on a journey to rediscover love. To get better. Not cured, not fixed. Just, better. This is a book about his journey to betterness, his year of living vulnerably. It's a book about love. What love is, how we see it, what forms it takes, how we practice it in our lives, what it means to us, and how we really, really can't live without it, even if, like Rick for many years, we think we can.
More Biography and Memoirs:
The Beauty of Living Twice by Sharon Stone
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Eating with My Mouth Open by Sam van Zweden
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
The Shape of Sound by Fiona Murphy
SELF CARE
How to Do the Work by Dr Nicole LePera
Number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List in March 2021!
As a clinical psychologist, Dr Nicole LePera found herself frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy. Wanting more for her patients—and for herself—she began a journey to develop a united philosophy of mental, physical and spiritual health that equips people with the tools necessary to heal themselves.
In How to Do the Work, Dr LePera offers readers the support and tools that will allow them to break free from destructive behaviours to reclaim and recreate their lives. Nothing short of a paradigm shift, this is a celebration of empowerment that will forever change the way we approach mental wellness and self-care.
More Self Care books:
At Home Within: A Little Book of Self-Care Wisdom by Meredith Gaston
Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday
The Resilience Project by Hugh van Cuylenburg
Simple Self-Care by Anastasia Charisiou
Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
PRODUCTIVITY & CREATIVITY
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Transform your life with tiny changes, starting now.
People think that when you want to change your life, you need to think big. But world-renowned habits expert James Clear has discovered another way. He knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions. He calls them atomic habits.
In this ground-breaking book, Clears reveals exactly how these minuscule changes can grow into such life-altering outcomes. He uncovers a handful of simple life hacks and delves into cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience to explain why they matter. Along the way, he tells inspiring stories of Olympic gold medalists, leading CEOs, and distinguished scientists who have used the science of tiny habits to stay productive, motivated, and happy.
More Books to Help You Get Organised:
The Barefoot Investor (Updated 2020) by Scott Pape
The Home Edit by Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin
Passion, Purpose, Profit by Fiona Killackey
Think Like an Artist… and lead a more creative, productive life by Will Gompertz
A World without Email by Cal Newport
HOME & LIFESTYLE
One Pot, Pan, Plant by Anna Jones
Award-winning cook Anna Jones blazes the trail again for how we all want to cook now: quick, sustainably and stylishly.
In this exciting new collection of over 200 simple recipes, Anna Jones limits the pans and simplifies the ingredients for all-in-one dinners that keep things fast and easy. These super varied every night recipes celebrate vegetables and deliver knock-out flavour but without taking time and energy.
One brings together a way of eating that is mindful of the planet. Anna gives you practical advice and shows how every small change in planning, shopping and reducing waste will make a difference. There are also 100 recipes for using up any amount of your most-eaten veg and ideas to help you use the foods that most often end up being thrown away.
This book is good for you, your pocket and the planet.
More Home & Lifestyle:
A Basket by the Door: Recipes for comforting gifts and joyful gatherings by Sophie Hansen
Eat Plants, Be Happy by Caroline Griffiths and Vicki Valsamis
The Kinfolk Garden: How to Live with Nature by John Burns
Thrifty Household by The Country Women’s Association of Victoria
The Well-Gardened Mind by Sue Stewart Smith
Need some ideas? Give us a call on 03 9699 2292 for personalised suggestions!