t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Even the grumpiest grinch or the staunchest Scrooge might find themselves forgoing the occasional “Bah, humbug!” It’s undoubtedly summer, exhausted hearts soften, frantic minds surrender, and we all become a little more generous, a little more spacious and forgiving.
As we anticipate the halcyon days ahead, what could better enhance our languor than fabulous reading material. To inspire and delight you, here’s are some book suggestions:
- The Harry Potter series – JK Rowling - a spellbinding tale of friendship, courage, and the triumph of good over evil. With its relatable characters, gripping plotlines, and themes of love and resilience, the series captivates readers of all ages, offering a timeless blend of whimsy, adventure, and heart.
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor uncovers how proper breathing is key to health and well-being, revealing that even minor adjustments can enhance performance, reduce ailments, and transform lives. Blending ancient techniques with modern science, Nestor challenges conventional wisdom, offering a fresh perspective on this vital, yet overlooked, function.
- The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is a profound guide to inner peace and self-discovery. Blending philosophy, mindfulness, and spirituality, it explores the nature of consciousness and offers practical insights for freeing ourselves from mental and emotional burdens. Uplifting and transformative, this book inspires readers to live more fully and authentically in the present moment.
- The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a gripping true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer who became a double agent for MI6. Macintyre masterfully weaves espionage, suspense, and human drama into a tale of courage, betrayal, and the high-stakes world of Cold War intelligence. Thrilling and meticulously researched, it reads like a top-notch spy novel—except every word is true.
- The Covenant of Water – Abraham Verghese - a sweeping, multi-generational tale set in South India. Rich in emotion and beautifully written, it explores family, love, loss, and the enduring mystery of a medical condition that ties the generations together. A profound and immersive read.
- Attuned – Thomas Hübl - a thoughtful exploration of trauma, healing, and human connection. Combining science, spirituality, and practical tools, Hübl offers insights into how we can attune to ourselves and others for deeper empathy and collective healing. A transformative guide to fostering resilience and connection.
- The Netocrats - Alexander Bard & Jan S?derqvist - a thought-provoking exploration of a digital age society shaped by networks and technology. The authors introduce the concept of "netocrats," a new class of people who thrive in a world where power is defined by access to information. A bold and insightful read, it challenges conventional ideas of power, culture, and identity in the 21st century.
- Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy - a timeless masterpiece that delves into love, infidelity, and societal expectations in 19th-century Russia. The novel intricately explores the lives of its complex characters, especially Anna, whose tragic affair leads to her downfall. With its deep psychological insight and rich social commentary, it remains one of literature's most powerful examinations of human nature and relationships.
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski follows Edgar, a mute boy living on a farm in northern Wisconsin, who raises a unique breed of dog with his parents. After his father’s sudden death and the return of his disruptive uncle Claude, Edgar suspects foul play. Forced to flee into the wilderness with three dogs, Edgar embarks on a journey of survival, self-discovery, and confronting his father’s death. The novel explores themes of family, loyalty, and communication, all set against a richly atmospheric backdrop.
If you’re not much of a book reader, but you prefer your reading to be in bite-sized chunks, this page from Maria Popova’s The Marginalian, may be just the thing you’re looking for: 18 Life-Learnings from 18 Years of The Marginalian
Just two of the snippets I can’t resist sharing:?
- In any bond of depth and significance, forgive, forgive, forgive. And then forgive again. The richest relationships are lifeboats, but they are also submarines that descend to the darkest and most disquieting places, to the unfathomed trenches of the soul where our deepest shames and foibles and vulnerabilities live, where we are less than we would like to be. Forgiveness is the alchemy by which the shame transforms into the honor and privilege of being invited into another’s darkness and having them witness your own with the undimmed light of love, of sympathy, of nonjudgmental understanding. Forgiveness is the engine of buoyancy that keeps the submarine rising again and again toward the light, so that it may become a lifeboat once more.
- Don’t just resist cynicism — fight it actively. Fight it in yourself, for this ungainly beast lies dormant in each of us, and counter it in those you love and engage with, by modeling its opposite. Cynicism often masquerades as nobler faculties and dispositions but is categorically inferior. Unlike that great Rilkean life-expanding doubt, it is a contracting force. Unlike critical thinking, that pillar of reason and necessary counterpart to hope, it is inherently uncreative, unconstructive, and spiritually corrosive. Life, like the universe itself, tolerates no stasis — in the absence of growth, decay usurps the order. Like all forms of destruction, cynicism is infinitely easier and lazier than construction. There is nothing more difficult yet more gratifying in our society than living with sincerity and acting from a place of largehearted, constructive, rational faith in the human spirit, continually bending toward growth and betterment. This remains the most potent antidote to cynicism. Today, especially, it is an act of courage and resistance.
In conclusion, thank you for traveling with us, for your trust, and partnership, for sharing our journey.
Wishing you an abundance of courage and curiosity – may 2025 be filled with wonder for us all.
“It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.”
