We’re officially at the tail end of the year, which means colder weather and lots more time spent indoors. It also might mean taking time to slow down from the hustle of the holidays and (possible) family drama. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best wellness books, memoirs, and guides to help you get through what can be an emotionally rocky holiday season.
Our picks include meditation guides, self-care remedies, celeb memoirs, introspective collections, and even a sprinkling of prose and poetry. They’re the perfect pairing for those days when you want to curl up with a cup of hot cider and tuck into a a good read.
Wellness books to get you through the holidays
The Astrology of You and Me by Gary Goldschneider
Ever wondered why you have trouble getting along with certain astrological signs? Or, perhaps, why you can so easily communicate with Virgo but not a Cancer? The Astrology of You and Meis deigned to help you maneuver different relationship conundrums based on horoscopes. Consider it a Zodiac cheat sheet for relationships.
The F*ck It Diet: Eating Should Be Easy by Caroline Dooner
If the final months of the year have you feeling guilty about your relationship to food, it’s time to reassess. Maybe the problem isn’t you, it’s the ridiculous “diet culture” we live in. In The F*ck It Diet: Eating Should Be Easy,Caroline Donner gives you an alternative: eat what you want.
What Would Dolly Do? How To Be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World by Lauren Marino
You don’t have to know the lyrics to every Dolly Parton song to admire the entertainer’s many Dolly-isms about life, love, and happiness. If you’ve ever wondered what Parton would do in your situation, you can look to the colorful, illustrated guide What Would Dolly Do?for answers.
Forward: A Memoir by Abby Wambach
Abby Wambach’s Forward might have come out in 2016, but you can add the renowned soccer player’s memoir to your list of inspiring reads. The book has been praised again and again for its introspection and honesty.
How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery
In How to Be a Good Creature, author and adventurer Sy Montgomery draws on her experience traveling the globe and studying rare animals. The memoir explores the “quirks” of 13 animals while touching on larger themes about the way we love, form families, and learn to be a “good creature in the world.”
Inward by Yung Pueblo
Seeking a bit of introspection during the final months of the year? Yung Pueblo is the pen name of Diego Perez, a mediator, writer and speaker known for his posts about self-love and discovery on Instagram. Inward is his collection of poetry and prose on self-healing.
The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self-Care by Emma Loewe
Are you a fan of rituals and self-care? If so, then The Spirit Almanacis just for you. In it, you’ll find dozens of modern-day rituals you can incorporate into your routine. The book also traces each ritual’s history through the ages, providing crucial context and room for you to personalize it as you see fit.
Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe by Yumi Sakugawa
If you need a little reminder of how awesome you are and how much greatness is within you, then consider Yumi Sakugawa’s Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe. In it, you’ll find nuggets of wisdom depicted in beautiful line drawings.
Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda
If you follow Lin-Manuel Miranda (a.k.a the creator of Hamilton) on Twitter, then you’re likely familiar with his self-affirming tweets and inspiring bits of prose. In Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You, you can work your way through daily affirmations from Miranda, accompanied by illustrations from Jonny Sun.
Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree with and Maybe Even Change the World by Justin Lee
When it’s the holidays and you’re spending time with family and … extended family, there’s a good chance politics will inevitably come up. If you’re looking for some guidance on how to handle those tough political convos, especially when your views are diametrically opposed, then consider Talking Across the Divide. In it, social justice activist Justin Lee breaks down the five key reasons people resist ideas and how you can work through them.
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety by Sarah Wilson
In We Make the Beast Beautiful,Sarah Wilson offers some practical tips for dealing with the “beast” that is anxiety. But don’t think of this as just another self-help book. Wilson’s guidance comes with an added dose of humor.
Okay Fine Whatever: The Year I Went from Being Afraid of Everything to Only Being Afraid of Most Things by Courtenay Hameister
Courtenay Hameister spent her life in an anxious state, fretting nervously about pretty much everything. That is, until she challenged herself to live one year of her life doing the things that most of us would say “nope,” to. In Okay Fine Whatever, she hilariously recalls the bizarre challenges she set for herself and how she learned to live more daringly.
Kintsugi Wellness: The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit by Candice Kumai
Candice Kumai’s Kintsugi Wellness has earned praise from the likes of Arianna Huffington and our very own CEO, Sophia Amoruso. In Kintsugi, Kumai shares her favorite personal Japanese traditions, recipes, and takeaways for better living.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to Be Calm and Mindful in a Fast-Paced World by Haemin Sunim
When the world seems like it’s spinning and going at 100 miles-per-hour it time to…slow down. In The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, renowned Buddhist meditation teacher Haemin Sunim offers guidance on how to just that. And, in doing so, reminds us how we can form deeper connections to others when we’re not rushing through life.
This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps has one heck of a distinct voice (just check out her Instastories). In This Will Only Hurt a Little,she recounts her experiences in Hollywood dealing with sexism and body-shaming—all while making us laugh and cry with her.
