Books to Read

• Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain
  Beautifully written, wonderful storytelling, poignant, and charming. The audiobook (which I got from my library) is read by the author, which makes her personal stories of melancholy and sorrow particularly touching. Highly recommended to those who have found that they appreciate and/or resonate with the bittersweet parts of life (art, music, etc.).
• The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
  A lovely exploration of what “focusing on the positive” can look like in an authentic, non-bypassing way. Full of wit and charm, this book helps me recognize the delight present in everyday life. It’s also a wonderful example of how things like gratitude practices and reframing can literally rewire the brain to strengthen neural pathways associated with positive thinking.
• Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski and Emily Nagoski
  One of my most referenced and quoted reads! Key aspects of the human nervous system, including our stress response and research-backed methods for addressing stress, are explained in easy-to-understand language and relatable personal examples from the authors themselves. This book is one of the few that I consider "must read" for all of humanity, regardless of gender, station, or race, but especially for those who are parents, caregivers, teachers, work closely with other humans, and anyone socialized or who identifies as femme/female.
• Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski
  Like all of Emily's books, this one is full of great advice, not just in regards to sex but in ALL aspects of life. The info on emotional understanding, conflict resolution, gender, and creating change alone make it an invaluable resource. If you're a human, living in a body, who interacts with other humans... I highly recommend this book!
• Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg
  The publisher called this book "paradigm-shifting" and it truly could be! It serves as a comprehensive reframe of "sensitivity," covering the ways capitalism and patriarchy influence our cultural definitions of mental illness and the "disorders" of neurodivergence. It specifically explores how and why women are often under-identified as neurodivergent, the benefits of having a brain that processes the world differently, and strategies for self-care that honor the unique needs of neurodivergent folks. 
• Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff
  Another one of the books I often reference or quote with clients and friends alike, this book has some great insight into human psychology when it comes to setting goals and getting sh*t done. My only caveat is that many of the examples used by the author perpetuate harmful assumptions from colonization or diet culture, but many of the concepts discussed (e.g., the "noble objection" and the "day after perfect") are valuable nonetheless. 
• Lost Connections by Johann Hari
  This has been one of the most important books in helping me redefine my own outlook and mindset, offering guiding principles for how I choose to manifest connection in my life. Hari is not afraid to explore in-depth our current understanding (and misunderstanding) of the human condition as it relates to depression and anxiety. Much of what he has to say you might find surprising.
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
  A beautiful summary of how our culture evolved to value traits such as charm, having an outgoing nature, and assertiveness over things like reliability, trustworthiness, and hard work. Cain helps bring into question current assumptions about those of us with quiet personalities and society’s preference for extroverts that influences workplaces and learning institutions all over the world. Whether or not you are an introvert, I highly recommend reading this book (especially if you are a parent, educator, in relationship with an introvert, or in a supervisory position at work).