Better Reading BE: Books that Support and Inspire You

On the last Tuesday of every month we do a Facebook LIVE that focusses on titles we feel inspire, educate, empower and nurture readers. We’re looking for special books: books written by experts in their field, books that celebrate women, and books that educate. Subjects that are covered include mindfulness and meditation, healing and health, powerful memoirs, and self-development.

Our January BE was pushed back a week due to the public holiday. Click here to watch it.

Below are the titles we discussed.

The Heart of a Horse by Candida Baker

Why we love it: Learning to ‘listen’ with all our senses and the magic that happens when we keep an open mind about the idea of communication from the animal world. Candida Baker’s book is a wonderful reminder that in times of stress, connecting with our animal friends is a great way to be present and calm.

What it’s about: Told through a series of true stories, at its essence The Heart of a Horse is about learning to ‘listen’ with all our senses. Using her lifelong love of horses as the main conduit for bridging the gap between our thought processes and intuition, Candida describes the magic that happens when we keep an open mind about the idea of communication.

The Greatfulness Guide by Jacqui Jones

Perfect for Tweens and Teens

Why we love it: If life is a journey, then this book is an unmissable stop along the way. The Greatfulness Guide is a practical and interactive resource that sets the foundations for strong mental health and positive, resilient thinking. This entertaining guidebook provides a map that teaches children step-by-step how to use their minds to care for themselves in times of stress or worry, and to truly flourish.

What it’s about: Packed with fun, engaging activities and real-life examples from Novak Djokovic, Mel Robbins, Andy McCann, Isaiah Dawe and many others, The Greatfulness Guide teaches young people HOW to think, not WHAT to think, giving them the power, the self-belief, and the tools to bounce back from life’s challenges.

Raising Girls Who Like Themselves by Kasey Edwards and Dr Christopher Scanlon

Why we love it: This explores why seven specific qualities are important, what you can do to instil them within your daughter, and the obstacles that you may need to tackle. Filled with chapter recaps, personal anecdotes, and quizzes, this book is designed to help you process, learn and incorporate these techniques in the way you parent.

What it’s about: Free of parental guilt and grounded in research, this book is imbued with the warmth and wit of a mum and dad who are in the same parenting trenches as you. Packed with practical, evidence-based advice, it is an indispensable guide to raising a girl who is happy and confident in herself.

Also a shout-out to:

Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta MD

Keep Sharp debunks common myths about ageing and cognitive decline, explores whether there’s a ‘best’ diet or exercise regimen for the brain, and explains whether it’s healthier to play video games that test memory and processing speed, or to engage in more social interaction.

Discover what we can learn from ‘super-brained’ people who are in their eighties and nineties but showing no signs of slowing down – and whether there are truly any benefits to drugs, supplements and vitamins. Dr Gupta also addresses brain disease, particularly Alzheimer’s, answers all your questions about signs and symptoms, and shows you both how to ward against it and how to care for a partner in cognitive decline.