My 2021 - in books bought from Amazon
Reading is a passion of mine. It is what I do to escape. I always have a book in my bag and find it’s preferable to scrolling mindlessly through my phone if I have 10 minutes spare. Reading helps me to feed my brain and fuel my curiosity. This year, with various periods of enforced confinement, I have always had a few books on my nightstand to dip into and escape the craziness that is COVID.
I decided to go through my Amazon orders for the year. I am cringing with embarrassment as I fess up that I placed 276 Amazon orders in 2021. I am glad that they don’t keep a running total of how much money spent. I also feel embarrassed that I am not supporting local book sellers but I just love Amazon Prime’s ability to pop the book through the letterbox the very next day or sometimes the same day.
I love reading about other people’s favourite books or a new sport of mine is checking out the bookshelf behind the person being interviewed and spying what books they have. So here’s what kept me going this year. I have highlighted my favourite ones of the year.
JANUARY
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Cain, Susan
Seven Principles of Good Mental Health Dryden, Windy
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse Charlie Mackesy
Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living: Doyle, Glennon
This is the book that apparently changed Adele’s life. It stops you in your tracks and makes you really think about life, how you are living it and what you want from it. I dare you to read it and not be moved.
Speak Your Truth: Connecting with your inner truth and learning to find your voice Cotton, Fearne
Eating for Results Madeley, Chloe
Anxious Man: Notes on a life lived nervously Roberts, Josh
I have always wanted to be part of a book club, this year I joined Kimberley Wilson’s “Thinking Space” online book club. Psychological books chosen to help inspire, challenge and help you grow. I loved the monthly discussion and hearing Kimberley’s reflections. Food for my soul! Such a treat to be able to hear the author talk about writing this book.
FEBRUARY
Living the Life Unexpected: How to find hope, meaning and a fulfilling future without children Day, Jody
“Thinking Space” book club choice – so thought provoking.
Hanging with the Elephant: A Story of Love, Loss and Meditation Harding, Michael
The Mindful Walker: Rediscovering the Simple Path to a Healthier, Happier, More Peaceful Life Alex Strauss Kindle Edition
My Dark Vanessa: Kate Elizabeth Russell
MARCH
A Bit of a Stretch: The Diaries of a Prisoner Atkins, Chris
“Thinking Space” book club choice. Special to me after spending 3 years working in a prison I am a bit obsessed by all things penal. Very sad to hear that things have not improved over the years but actually gotten worse.
The Well Gardened Mind: Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World Stuart-Smith, Sue
Into the Forest: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness Li, Dr Qing
Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the healing Power of Nature – Discover the Secrets of Shinrin-Yoko M. Amos Clifford
Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy Joanna Macy
I have often felt overwhelmed, depressed and thoroughly helpless at the thought of the climate crisis and environmental destruction. This book helps approach the situation with radical acceptance, an inspiring vision and daring to believe change is possible.
Many Different Kinds of Love: A story of life, death and the NHS Rosen, Michael
Probably my MOST FAVOURITE book of 2021. I read this in the March 2020 lockdown. Rosen was hospitalised with COVID and spent 47 days on a ventilator in Intensive Care. This book is made up of the diary entries that the hospital workers wrote in throughout his stay. Their words helped him piece together the lost days and more importantly shows the priceless value of human kindness and love in the process of recovery.
A story of hope Matter of Death and Life: Love, Loss and What Matters in the End Yalom, Irvin
Yalom is my most favourite psychotherapist. His books full of stories of client transformations are what inspired me to follow the career path that I did. When his beloved wife Marilyn was diagnosed with terminal cancer that set about writing this book together penning alternate chapters about the last months together. Heartbreaking, beautiful and insightful.
The Choice: A true story of hope Eger, Edith
Much like Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” this is Edith Eger’s account of life after surviving Auschwitz Concentration Camp where she and her sisters were separated from her parents. Eger was a dancer and made to perform for one of the camp’s doctors. She lived for years not talking about the horrors that she had witnessed. After years of therapy to deal with the wounds of the past, and then becoming a renowned therapist herself, Eger learnt to live again and share with millions her message of hope.
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest Lang, Heather
APRIL
Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women's Strength Bell, Poorna
M.E., Myself and I: An insider's view of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Finn, K C
“Thinking Space” book club choice
MAY
The Drama of Being a Child : The Search for the True Self Miller, Alice
“Thinking Space” book club choice
Finding My Voice: Nadiya's honest, unforgettable memoir Nadiya Hussain
Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions Russell Brand Audiobook
JUNE
Internal Family Systems Therapy: Second Edition Richard C. Schwartz, Martha Sweezy Audiobook
JULY
The Comfort Book Haig, Matt
A little warm hug of a book full of profound and witty encouragement. The book is a collection of anecdotes and advice to inspire. Just what we need at the moment. Makes a perfect Christmas present!
90 Days Cultivation of Gratitude, Happy Mind and Soul practice Lucas, James
Let It Go: Breathe Yourself Calm Dennis, Rebecca
We all know how this ends: Lessons about life and living from working with death and dying Lyons, Anna
“Thinking Space” book club choice
AUGUST
We Need to Talk About Money Uwagba, Otegha
More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters The Hotbed Collective Kindle Edition
I often download books to my Kindle and forget they are they as I much prefer to hold a real book (as you can tell by how many books I bought this year!) Looking forward to reading this one!
Get Divorced, Be Happy: How becoming single turned out to be my happily ever after Thorn, Helen
Often when people end a relationship, I will say “congratulations, lets celebrate!” but most break ups are met with condolences. I loved this book as it celebrated divorce in a way I had not seen before. A refreshing, honest and uplifting book.
SEPTEMBER
A Toolbox of Wellbeing: Helpful strategies & activities for children, teens, their carers & teachers Tina Rae
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing Winfrey, Oprah
Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature McAnulty, Dara
Listen: A powerful new book about life, death, relationships, mental health and how to talk about what matters Mannix, Kathryn
“Thinking Space” book club choice
The State Of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity - a book for anyone who has ever loved Perel, Esther
The Last Free Cat Blake, Jon
You're Not Broke You're Pre-Rich: How to make your money work for you Bellet, Emilie
Diary of a Young Naturalist McAnulty, Dara
Written by the teenage star of BBC’s Countryfile. Dara McAnulty opens up about his autism and its interrelation to his love of the natural world, as well as providing fascinating practical advice and knowledge about British wildlife. I loved this book
Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going: 10 ways to be at the top of your game! Balding, Clare
OCTOBER
Can You See Me?: A powerful story of autism, empathy and kindness Scott, Libby
My daughter had read this book with her class earlier in the year. I read this book before attending a Parenting Special Children online conference on autistic girls, as 12 year old Libby (author of the book) was the keynote speaker. Libby uses diary entries, around the time she started secondary school, to give an authentic insight into one girl's perspective of being autistic, and smashing a host of common assumptions and stereotypes about autism. A MUST read for anyone wanting to understand autism.
The Come As You Are Workbook & Come as You Are By Emily Nagoski 2 Books Collection Set Emily Nagoski
Inspire: Life Lessons from the Wilderness Fogle, Ben
Such an enjoyable read. Like many people, nature has become even more important to me this year as a means of escaping the “survival mode” and resetting. Drawing on his greatest adventures, Ben shares what his time spent in the wilderness has taught him about life. Ranging across seas, icecaps, jungles, mountains and deserts, this is a book about positivity and overcoming obstacles, surpassing your expectations and inspiring your journey of adventure.
Glittering a Turd: How surviving the unsurvivable taught me to live: Kris Hallenga
This is more than just another cancer memoir, it’s a manual on how to live life to the fullest, shining a new perspective on survival. Kris found a lump on her boob at the age of 23 and was fobbed off the first few times she went to the GP. Wanting to raise awareness in young people she started the charity “Coppa Feel.”
NOVEMBER
The Reason I Jump: one boy's voice from the silence of autism Higashida, Naoki
How To Do The Work LePera, Nicole
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome Kathy Hoopmann
As a cat lover and a neurodivergent lover this book is just fab!
Beating Brain Fog: Your 30-Day Plan to Think Faster, Sharper, Better Brennan, Dr Sabina
“Thinking Space” book club choice
Mental Fitness: 15 Rules to Strengthen Your Body and Mind Middleton, Ant
DECEMBER
Start Your Day With Katie: 365 Affirmations for a Year of Positive Thinking Katie Piper
Dorothy Wordsworth's Christmas Birthday Duffy, Carol Ann
The Cactus: the New York bestselling debut soon to be a Netflix film starring Reese Witherspoon Haywood, Sarah
Hope you enjoyed perusing my year in books. Would love to hear what your favs were this year.