How To Know A Person. David Brooks.
Brooks uses psychology and neuroscience to help readers become more understanding and considerate of others. He presents a hopeful and integrated approach to human connection and becoming good at connecting with others, a much-needed skill for people to be well and thrive in the AI age.
The Blue Zones. Secrets for Living Longer. Dan Buettner
Buettner dives into the blue zones – the five places in the world where people live the longest – and gives new insight into the powers of purpose, faith, community, downtime, natural movement, and plant-based eating that have provided as many as 10 additional years of healthy living in these regions.
“Together – The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World”
Vivek H. Murthy, MD
Surgeon General of the United States
“Together” sheds multi-dimensional light on a topic many are ashamed to discuss. Loneliness is a cause of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression and contributes to addiction disorders. This book effortlessly explores the history, complexities, and implications of loneliness. Among many other relevant considerations, it explains the power of pausing, on art in accessing the sense of solitary connection, and different levels of connection. It explores how physical touch, laughter, sound, and movement help to connect us. “Together” gives us hope in curing this epidemic of loneliness.
“The Last Book of Herbal Remedies”
Claude Davis and Nicole Apalian
This unique book is written by Dr. Nicole Apelian – an herbalist with over 20 years of experience working with plants, and Claude Davis, a Wild West expert passionate about the lost remedies and wild edibles that kept previous generations alive.
“Legacy- A Black Physician Reckons With Racism In Medicine”
Uche Blackstock, MD
“Legacy” tackles the deep-rooted and complex issue of racism in medicine on both a personal life as it relates to Dr. Blackstock’s life experiences and on a systemic and national level. The book skillfully navigates racism in medicine from its origins to the present day, and it coincides with the events that highlight the tragic and oppressive history of racism. Dr. Blackstock writes in one of many eye-opening explanations, “This is sort of the take-home message we get. We’re taught that there are different normal values for kidney functions and that Black patients have a certain set of normal values than non-Black patients. We’re told that about lung function; that there’s a difference between Black patients and non-Black patients. And this isn’t necessarily recent. A lot of these beliefs are centuries or decades old.”
“The Alchemist”
Paulo Coelho
“You must always know what it is that you want.” – “The Alchemist”, Paulo Coelho
About 35 years since it was released, “The Alchemist” is not a relic of the past but still very much alive. It is a literal treasure that reminds us of the beautiful, simple yet complex nature of being alive, an experience of the timeless power of an extraordinary book.
“Transcendent Kingdom”
Yaa Gyasi
This novel explores the infrequently openly discussed topic of living with a loved one who struggles with mental illness and addiction. It is a heartbreaking yet redemptive and luminous story that explores the journey of a brilliant PhD student, inspired by her family’s struggles and working to find scientific answers for the suffering she sees. She grapples with faith and loyalty to her family as she carves a life for herself and the future of science and medicine.
“The Power of Now”
Eckert Tolle
The book in itself is nothing short of a spiritual experience. Eckert Tolle challenges readers to embrace the everyday, noisy, and unscripted “now” as the source of the joy that we seek and need. This book provides profound insights into how the mind works and how we can be transformed by the power of the present moment. It is a life-altering, must-read.
“A New Earth”
Eckert Tolle
“Love and do what you will.” – St. Augustine
This powerful book makes a case for being present and fully attentive to the present moment. It brilliantly explains how our lives are transformed with quality and power when we live in the present. When what we are doing is not primarily a means to an end, but fulfilling, our actions become effective. Living well is living consciously, recognizing the ego at work, and spending more time simply being. “A New Earth” is an inspiration for living more alive. He shares how true freedom and enlightened living, through nonresistance, nonjudgment, and nonattachment, is attainable by each of us.
“The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois”
Honoree Fanonne Jeffers
Every page, every chapter a journey of the complexities, beauty, and strength of humanity, the soul of black and indigenous Creek people, and relationships, coming together in an incredible story. Several favorite sentiments on truth and emotions will lead to reflection. One such is from the character, Uncle Root, who stated, “And you don’t have to tell all the truth if you don’t want to. But it’s important to know what truth is, even if you only say it to yourself.”
“Turtles All The Way Down”
John Green
Another piece of exceptional fiction with a relevant perspective. The book is a compelling look at mental illness, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder. It gently challenges our idea of “happy endings”, summarized in a statement made by one of the characters – “You work with what you have”. This unique story is packed with sobering insights into living and loving people with mental illness.
The Gratitude Prescription. Harnessing the Power of Thankfulness for Healing and Happiness.
By Will Pye.
Readers are provided the tools to transform their lives with the powerful medicine of gratitude. This book is filled with ways to help you find peace and happiness in any situation. It teaches you to stay positive in difficult times and shows you “how being unconditionally thankful can lead to profound personal growth, better relationships, and increased joy.”