Moving Forwards By Kate Duggan
Books
Books to uplift, inspire and help you to move forwards.
Where Hope Comes From By Nikita Gill
Nikita Gill’s poems take the reader on a journey through the stages of grief, onwards to hope. Gill is at high risk from Covid-19 and lives thousands of miles away from her family. Her poems helped her to find a way forward. As she explained on Instagram, “When I realised that I needed to honour my grief and anger, I finally began to work my way through them.” The result is a truly beautiful collection of short poems to help the reader “… come away with a little more joy and hope than before.”
One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot By Marianne Cronin
A book about two terminally ill friends may not seem like the most uplifting of reads, yet somehow One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot manages to be just that. seventeen-year-old Lenni and eighty-three-year-old Margot meet in hospital. They set themselves a challenge of painting a hundred pictures, one for every year of their lives. As they grow closer, they reveal the stories behind the paintings. While the original focus in on Lenni, it’s Margot’s life, with all its ups, downs and loves lost, that ends up taking centre stage.
The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell
Helen Russell explores traditions, practices and beliefs from around the world, from the Italian ‘dolce far niente’ (the joy of doing nothing) to Japan’s ‘wabi-sabi’ (appreciating things as they are, with all their imperfections). She also offers advice for embracing some of these practices in everyday life. An enjoyable read to dip in an out of, The Atlas of Happiness might just help you to see life a little differently.
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The Shift By Sam Baker
Whether you’re just approaching the perimenopause or have reached the other side, Shift is a must read. It covers everything from common symptoms to the media’s treatment of ‘invisible women’. You won’t find a list of all the different types of HRT or discover a magic cure-all for hot flushes. Instead, as the subtitle says, it’s the story of how Baker lost (and found) herself after 40 – and how you can too. I loved the author’s wry humour and admission that she doesn’t have all the answers. Interspersed with her writing are quotes from hundreds of women, revealing differing views to the menopause, ageing and life in general.
Do Pause By Robert Poynton
Poynton discusses how pausing (whether to reconsider, question yourself, appreciate your surroundings or just rest) can help us to take back control, become more creative and, ultimately, be happier. If you’re struggling to find a balance in life, or find your brain is always ‘on’, this little book could be the coffee break read you’re looking for.
Homebody By Joanna Gaines
Whether you’re decorating your first home or just want to refresh a room, it’s always a good idea to seek a bit of inspiration. But ultimately, you don’t want a show house; you want a home that reflects your personality. In Homebody, Joanna Gaines explains how to do just that. She talks the reader through different design styles, gives solutions to common problems (e.g. small dark rooms) and goes through what to consider for every room in the house. And, of course, there are plenty of photos to lust over too.
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