Summer Reading
We’re deep into summer and many of us are taking advantage of the warmer weather and longer daylight by taking some extra time for ourselves. While it’s easy to get caught in the Netflix and social media loop, mixing up your downtime with less screens can be good for our brain and overall health (I’m looking at you, late night doom-scrolling).
I’m encouraging my kids to continue reading this summer and in the spirit of modeling non-screen focused activity, I’ve upped my reading game as well! If you’re looking to mix your summer beach reads with some non-fiction, I’ve got some suggestions! I’ve broken them into categories based on season of life/topic.
Most of these titles can be checked out from your local library and many are available via audio-book so you can listen on your drive into work or while you’re walking the dog. Stop in your local library branch or neighborhood bookstore and give one a read!
Relationships:
Relationships aren’t limited to romantic partnerships and we could all use new ideas to connect with the people around us on a more intentional level.
The Art of Gathering: How we Meet and Why it Matters by Priya Parker
How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendships, and Community by Mia Birdsong
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr Sue Johnson
Parenting:
For those in the season of parenting, we know it gets tricky to maintain focus on the connection with our kids while also holding the boundaries that we’ve set . These books steer us towards identifying where our kids are at developmentally (what they’re likely capable of) as well as strategies we implement to support kids and manage our own reactions when parenting feels difficult.
Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be by Dr Becky Kennedy
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson PHD
For Women:
Women specifically navigate some seasons of life which are often unspoken about outside circles of close friends of family. The following books are just a few that offer insights into many of these experiences and help bring the lesser spoken about topics, into the broader public eye.
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of Mew Mothers by Karen Kleiman
Mom Rage by Minna Dubin
The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate the Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Confidence by Lisa Mosconi, PhD
Other Book Recs:
The following books are books that brought me joy or left me feeling more connected to the world around me. Some fiction, some non-fiction.
Hello Beautiful: A Novel by Ann Napolitano
Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt
An Alter in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Taylor Brown
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate - Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams