5 SELF-CARE BOOKS TO READ THIS AUTUMN
From gardening and food to finding positives in the global issues of today, these thought-provoking books feed both the mind and soul.
As humans, we’re not always very good at looking after ourselves. Busy, non-stop lives often mean that self-care – the act of consciously doing things that improve our mental or physical health – becomes a low (or non-existent) priority. Ever missed a favourite yoga class because of a late finish at work? Or eaten junk food for dinner when you’re too tired to cook?
While each of these books hones in on a different subject, they all encourage us to think more about our choices, from where we shop to what we eat, and, crucially, how we can begin to nurture better.
THINK BIG – SHOP SMALL: UNIQUE STORES AND CONTEMPORARY RETAIL DESIGN by Marianne Julia Strauss
Now that shopping online is the norm and high streets are becoming homogenised with endless outposts of the same few fashion brands, retailers that offer engaging in-person experiences are more valued than ever. From feel-good personal service to uplifting interiors, this book showcases the forward-thinking stores – such as Facon in Buenos Aires which sells artisanal objects, Big Night deli in New York and stationery specialist Kakimori in Tokyo – whose owners realise that authentic craftsmanship, laser-sharp curation and inviting in the local community is not only crucial for survival, it keeps click-weary customers craving positive human contact returning.
Out now; published by Gestalten.
NOW IS BETTER by Stefan Sagmeister
He has designed album covers for the likes of Lou Reed, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones and has work in museum collections around the world, including MOMA. Now for his latest project, Austrian-born, New York-based graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister has turned his attention to the state of the world today, presenting data as artworks (inlaid into 19th-century oil paintings, embroidered onto canvases, reimagined as optical illusions) to show how far society has come. A positive antidote to the tumultuous news cycle and a thoughtful visual meditation on our daily lives.
Out 28 September, published by Phaidon.
THE POWER OF COLD: HOW TO EMBRACE THE COLD AND TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE by Niall Ó Murchú
Wim Hof instructor Niall Ó Murchú is an expert at harnessing the power of cold to improve health (it can release tension and anxiety, and help with everything from stress to fear). In this new book, he shares stories from his practice to demonstrate how bringing intention to your thoughts and breath during cold water exposure can be transformative – starting with the smallest daily alterations such as turning the shower temperature to cold for a few seconds at the end or spending more time barefoot. An inspiring, practical look at how to use cold as a force for good.
Out 28 September; published by Hardie Grant.
ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE: WHY DO WE ALL EAT STUFF THAT ISN’T FOOD…AND WHY CAN’T WE STOP by Chris van Tulleken
It turns out there’s a reason we find it hard to say no to that extra slice of frozen pizza on a Friday night – and it lies in the synthetics, chemicals and stabilizers that are typically snuck onto the ingredients list. This eye-opening, research-backed investigative book by infectious diseases doctor Chris van Tulleken is a deep-dive into ultra-processed foods (UPF) and how they short-circuit the brain to want more. Van Tulleken puts the science to the test with his own eating experiment: a month with no UPF, then another where 80 percent of his calories are from UPF. An informative, diet-changing read.
Out now, published by Cornerstone Press.
WHY WOMEN GROW: STORIES OF SOIL, SISTERHOOD AND SURVIVAL by Alice Vincent
‘To garden is to cultivate a superpower,’ writes journalist and author Alice Vincent in her latest book, Why Women Grow, a series of fascinating meetings with female gardeners across the country who have all found solace in plants and the act of growing. These chats – which range from someone who created a garden dedicated to their stillborn child to another who swapped community living for winter in an isolated, rural cabin – flow seamlessly with Vincent’s musings on her own life: how gardening once heaved her out of heartbreak and what the possibility of motherhood might mean.
Out now, published by Canongate.
Images: @nordic_stories