You’ve been looking forward to your trip for months. At last, the time has come to de-stress with some sun, nature, and ocean air. Your SPF 50 is slathered on and your icy drink is at hand. You’ve taken care of your body, but what about your mind?Consuming uplifting content is a strategy many use to maintain a positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life. In other words, reading a great book can help recharge your light, which you can then share with others. Here are 7 book recommendations to fill light up your next vacation.
The Salt Path by Rainor Winn
In a world that seems full of chaos, it’s important that you find the light within yourself. The Salt Path, by Raynor Winn, is a story of hope and resilience. Winn describes what it felt like to lose her home, her livelihood, and find out that her husband, Moth, is terminally ill. She and her husband make the impulsive decision to walk 630 miles along the South West Coast Path in the UK. Along their journey, they learn what it means to find inner strength and how to rebuild yourself after tragedy. If it seems like your life is crumbling around you and you are looking to rebuild, read this book.
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peal
Positive thinking has been shown to be beneficial both physically and mentally. In his book The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale provides insight and practical strategies on how to boost your self-confidence and carry out your goals. Although this self-help book was written in 1952, its lessons and advice on how to “achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life” stands the test of time. This would be a great read for anyone who struggles to follow through on their goals.
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
Choosing your own path and surrounding yourself with positive people that will uplift you is important in becoming your best self. The novel The People We Keep, by Allison Larkin, is a coming-of-age fictional story about 16-year-old April Sawicki who finds her independence from a neglectful father and a mother that abandoned her. This read’s themes are self-reliance and what true family means.
The 5 Love Languages By Gary Chapman
To maintain and build relationships, it’s important we continually grow together and learn about one another. In the now-classic book The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, the author describes the 5 different ways people express and interpret love, such as words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and giving & receiving gifts. This book has been credited with transforming millions of relationships, both romantic and platonic. If you’d like to strengthen your relationship, read this book with your partner.
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
People who aren’t addicted to their phones tend to be more calm, happy, and can have more meaningful discussions. In Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport, the author shares steps and strategies to live a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. Newport puts in perspective how much time we spend on our phone and all the productivity we’d gain if we put it down. This book draws from examples of people all around the world, and it provides tips on how to have a healthy balance of technology and control. If you find yourself controlled by your phone, this book is for you.
This Too Shall Pass by Julia Samuel
Life throws a lot at you and sometimes it feels like you are constantly in survival mode. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel recounts 21 stories of her clients going through a variety of traumas ranging from dealing with the death of a loved one, family issues, work problems, and health complications in her book This Too Shall Pass. Dr. Samuel shares different ways we can approach challenges at every stage of life. She isn’t afraid to tackle difficult topics and this book can be useful those struggling with change, crisis, or reaching different milestones in their lives.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Sometimes all it takes to make big differences in your life are small changes. In Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, she details her epiphany about happiness that led her to a year-long project where she researched and worked on a plan designed to make her happier. This book provides insights and reminders on how to enjoy life. If you’re looking to find more joy in your life, this is the book for you.
Just as we nourish our bodies, we need to give our minds regular nutrients so they can grow and thrive. Getting lost in an uplifting book won’t just help you unwind during your vacation, it can be the pathway to becoming a more resilient, optimistic, and generous person.