Welcome to my bookshelf!
If you’ve been here before, just feel free to scroll down to My Book Favs list below for my latest Bookshelf additions!
If this is your first time here, then here’s a little background to this space.
On this page, I feature some of my favourite books. It’s not an exhaustive list, as it’s not possible to list every book I’ve ever read here.
But my book favs (listed below) are those books that I have read cover to cover and found helpful along my journey at one stage or another.
These are the books that not only made it onto my bookshelf (physical or digital), but stayed there because they were so very insightful!
As you will see from my book favs list below, I tend to read books that contribute something towards my personal development.
I am not huge on reading purely for entertainment myself (unless it’s reading children’s books to our boys, of course), although I totally get why novels and other fictional books exist.
I mostly enjoy books that encourage some kind of personal transformation but are written in a way that resonates with me personally or allows me to connect with the author, to get the most from the book.
This page is also a way of encouraging myself to find the time to read more, to further support my own Journeys of Becoming.
There really is so much to be gained from reading more but often the challenge is finding the time to do it!
And if you are a scholarly Mama, then you understand the struggle of finding that time, but I’m sure you also appreciate the importance of raising readers too.
Here’s to being a good example, by finding time to read more!
So this is my way of showing up and committing to my own self development through doing more reading with purpose and sharing my ‘good reads’ with you.
It’s a growing list, which I will continue to add to or amend as I go along.
For each book, I will share something I took away from the book and also share a link to where I got it, should you wish to purchase for yourself.
Before we dive in, let me make clear that this list is in no order of preference. However, you’ll likely find my most recent reads nearer to the top of the list.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links which means I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you), should you make a subsequent purchase using any of these links. Apart from my own books, I have no personal connection with any of the authors listed here and do not endorse them beyond the value I’ve found in their books, which I’ve shared on this page.
This comforting and inspiring read is honestly worth its weight in gold. Written after the pandemic, by the amazing Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, this thought-provoking book is jam packed with wisdom for the modern Mama who finds herself struggling to navigate her own Journeys of Becoming. She shares the power of self-love, the intrinsic value of starting each day with gladness and kindness to self, the lifeline your circle of true friends can become, and the importance of compatibility and compassion in love and relationships. She shares some of the life nuggets she picked up from her own mother which helped shape her motherhood journey. I love how she uses her own life experiences to make space for reflection and transformation in how we view the world and our place in it. She talks openly about wholeness and how we should embrace our whole selves, with all our imperfections and acknowledging that we didn’t get where we are on our own strength, but with a village of unassuming support behind us. She finishes the book with advice about how we keep our integrity in tact, taking care to never forget the power of change, but that we remember to put in the advocacy work towards it. This message rings true even for us as scholarly mamas, as we are often navigating paths with much uncertainty, that we never forget the light we carry and always remember that “we are capable of creating change by design”. Perhaps, this too, applies to shaping our own Journeys of Becoming with intention. The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama is absolutely worth the read and I recommend it without hesitation.
Actress Viola Davis really did herself proud with this book. She shares intimate reflections on her life, from a little girl who grew up in complex circumstances of extreme poverty and hardship, to becoming a Hollywood actress who eventually found herself and built a thriving career and fulfilling family life through courage, self-love and acceptance. In this thought-provoking book, Viola shares deeply personal experiences with raw, unfiltered accounts of her struggles and the challenges she faced as a young black girl who eventually became a successful black actress in an industry where this was much harder for her than most. She defied many odds as she not only climbed the career ladder and challenged many stereotypes, but also went on a journey of self-discovery and love which allowed her to learn what really mattered in life. In the book, we get a first hand account of this inspirational woman’s life story and a front row seat, as we watch her Journeys of Becoming unfold. Viola teaches us, in her book, that the sky is truly the limit but that the courage to dream big begins from a place of self-love and faith in what’s possible and what we are really capable of, when we truly believe. Finding Me by Viola Davis is yet another highly recommended read for any ambitious, scholarly Mama navigating the challenges of academia because, let’s face it, her world isn’t too dissimilar from ours!
I have always been a huge fan of Tabitha Brown. I came across her Facebook page many years ago when “Donna” was just a baby fro and she first became vegan. I’ve been enjoying her content ever since! Tabitha is a best known as America’s Favourite Mom and her loving personality and contagious smile definitely help her to live up to that title! Her book, Feeding the Soul, was an absolute pleasure to read. In the book, she shares her Journeys of Becoming in such a unique, authentic way, that they inspire the reader to never give up on a dream. Tabitha shares intimate details of how she became who she is today and the challenges she overcame along the way. If you’re looking for an inspirational read, infused with bucket loads of humour, yet remaining humbly relatable, Feeding the Soul by Tabitha Brown is one to read! As a bonus, Tab also includes some of her world-famous vegan recipes to help nourish the body, as her inspiring stories and words of wisdom do their job of nourishing the soul. Thank you Tab!
In this fantastic book, author Dr Devon Price coins the phrase “the laziness lie” and explores how it teaches us to value overwork, overachievement and productivity over rest, relaxation and acknowledging our needs and limitations. The author shares some of the research and psychology behind the “laziness lie” and provides incredibly helpful insight how we can live happier, healthier and more balanced lives in which we slow down, take a step back and resist the damaging culture of overwork which is so widespread in academic life. My favourite section of Laziness Does Not Exist is found in Chapter Four, where the author talks about “savouring” and the benefits of fully embracing the moments in life that bring us joy. I won’t spill all the beans and risk ruining the novelty of it for you, but if there is one thing I hope you can take away from this book, is how you can learn to savour and overcome the “laziness lie” in your scholarly Mama life. I hope that in reading this book, you will be able to:
1. let go of productivity as a measure of your worth
2. let go of the guilt of taking a break or feeling like you don’t deserve time away
3. truly savour the moments in life that bring you joy
4. prioritise your health and well-being
5. be empowered to set boundaries and say “no” to things without guilt or shame
6. purposefully redefine your own “success”
7. be gentle with yourself
It takes time to reach this place of peace. But I am so happy to be on a purposeful journey of rediscovery. For me, this begins with recognising and resisting the “laziness lie”. So if you’re a busy, overwhelmed scholarly Mama who wants to change your mindset about productivity and laziness, then Laziness Does Not Exist is definitely for you!
This book is a must-read for anyone concerned with the frantic, pressurised world of academia, with which many scholarly Mamas may be quite familiar. Authors Maggie Berg and Barbara Seeber capture perfectly, the culture of speed and overwork in which academics are expected to thrive, and demonstrate how it actually leads to the burnout, disengagement and disillusionment that tired, overwhelmed academics more often experience. In this book, they promote a more mindful approach to academic practice, by encouraging researchers and teachers to slow down enough to allow themselves to appreciate the simple joys of scholarship, which have become eroded by a kind of academic capitalism. One of many key take-home messages in The Slow Professor by Maggie Berg and Barbara Seeber, is the concept of ‘timeless time’. By this, the authors refer to a state of ‘flow’, where one truly immerses oneself in one’s work for deep insight and understanding, with less emphasis on the research outputs and quantifiable measures of productivity, often revered in academia. Interactions with colleagues also requires an overhaul, they suggest, with a shift towards a more holistic approach, including genuine, agenda-free conversation. The authors also talk about the shame academics may feel when unable to keep up with the demands placed upon them, and how this can be dealt with. If you’re interested in a slower paced, more intentional approach to academic life, The Slow Professor by Maggie Berg and Barbara Seeber should definitely be on your reading list!
This very insightful book by author Susan Cain, reveals the power of introverts in a world that favours extroverts. Whether we have an introverted or extroverted nature defines many of our life choices in ways that we could never imagine. From our relationship and career choices, to even our parenting styles and approaches. This book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking resonated deeply. As an introvert myself, it helped me to understand how this element of my personality is more than shy and sensitive in nature, as often negatively perceived by others. Instead, Susan Cain, eloquently explores how being an introvert is actually a positive and powerful trait, worthy of celebration. She does this by repositioning introversion out of the misinterpreted shadows imposed by our ‘noisy’ world, into a new light of positivity and strength, with its quiet persistence. She explores our current understanding of introvert and extrovert temperaments with a well-researched narrative, infused with real life examples. She also addresses the challenge parents face in raising introverted kids, which also resonated with me as a mother of an introverted child. If you to are an introvert, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking will help you to understand yourself and empower you to tap into your introvert superpower. This is by far, one of the most compelling and enlightening books I’ve ever read and so I am delighted to grant it this rightful place here on my Bookshelf.
The title of this wonderful book certainly speaks for itself. Written by fellow Barbadian author and blogger Xannah Moniq, for YOU: just what you need to hear right now is a compilation of reflections inspired by her own life experiences. In this book, Xannah shares some of her own traumatic experiences and her personal journey of healing, and how they have shaped who she is today. Hearing from someone who has been through trauma but was able to navigate and overcome, offers hope for anyone who may be in this situation. Her thought-provoking quotes and musings at the beginning of each chapter provide a wonderful introduction and the closing questions at the end of each section both engage the reader and invite self-reflection. For YOU: just what you needed to hear right now was a great read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
This thought-provoking book by psychotherapist Emmy Brunner, explores how an inner ‘unwell voice’ can keep one trapped in a cycle of anxiety, depression and toxic, negative thoughts. Emmy takes a calm, therapeutic approach to taking her readers on a journey of healing, recovery and self discovery, with useful tips and tools throughout. She shares her personal story and embeds examples from her professional journey of how you can embark on a path towards better mental health. Find Your True Voice by Emmy Brunner is a very enlightening read and would be particularly helpful for anyone wanting to begin a new journey towards healing from past trauma, as well as manifesting more joy in their lives through practicing self love and compassion. It’s been a real eye-opener for me and a great resource I am sure I will return to many times!
This book is one of my latest reads and what great timing it was! I was so happy to come across it while on maternity leave. If you are a Mum juggling the demands of work and home life, but want to also tap into your creative side, then this is the book for you! In this empowering read, author Vicki Broadbent (blogger at HonestMum.com), shares her journey of becoming a Mum and how that inspired her to become a ‘MUMBOSS’ by starting her blog! I related to so many of the sentiments Vicki expressed in this book and would highly recommend MumBoss by Vicki Broadbent to any Mama who is motivated to bring their passion project ideas to life. This book will give you the confidence to embrace your creativity and try something new, because you really never know where it may take you!
This book was one of my favourites, and not because the author shares my first name! Written by the former First Lady herself, Mrs Michelle Obama. In this book, Mrs Obama opens up about her own journey of becoming – from her early childhood growing up humbly on the South side of Chicago, right to and through her marriage life, motherhood journey, family life, education, career and public life. It’s truly the epitome of a journey of becoming. The journey of a woman who wore many hats, experienced the highs and lows of each and learned so much along the way, much of which she shares with us in her book. Becoming by Michelle Obama is a highly recommended read.
This book is one of my recent reads and really does what it says on the tin! The author, Austin Kleon, takes us through ten tips to help the reader along their journey of creativity. As an artist himself, the book has a creative flare but I think the advice shared can honestly be applied to anyone, in any field. It’s a small book, packed with loads of helpful advice for not giving up and is casually written, in a way that makes you feel like you’re chatting with a friend over lunch. Keep Going by Austin Kleon is a truly engaging read that will indeed inspire you to keep pressing on in your own creative pursuits.
This book was a game changer for me personally. As scholarly Mamas, we know that doing a PhD can sometimes feel like a long, hard journey of diligence and sacrifice, doesn’t it? I read this book and take so much away from it, knowing that my spiritual beliefs may be different from the author’s. This took nothing away from the wisdom this book has to offer. The author shares some profound insights from his journey as a former monk, demonstrating the power of deep reflection on the journey to living a more purposeful life. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty is a fantastic read and regardless of your spiritual inclination, I would recommend it without reservation.
My husband and I read this book together and I’ve got to tell you, it really changed our parenting lives. It revealed how much our parenting styles were influenced by what we’ve been taught from our own parents, families and culture, some of which left much to be desired. However, this book challenged us in a way that revolutionised our parenting mindset. In this book, the author Dr Laura Markham shares the secrets to parenting with less stress and less tears with insightful tips. These include, but are not limited to, becoming better at managing your child’s emotional challenges by demonstrating empathy, engaging in effective communication and improving your own emotional intelligence. Calm Parents, Happy Kids by Dr Laura Markham is definitely right up there near the top of my fantastic reads list!
Here’s another one that my husband and I read together, which also had a significant impact on our thinking, this time about money. In the world of academia, this is not often talked about much and in my own cultural and religious background, even less so. But this book changed the way we talked and acted when it came to the subject of money. The author, Robert T. Kiyosaki, takes you on an interesting journey of how he managed to change his own mindset about money and success, leading him to achieve financial freedom. This change was the result of his own life experiences and the relative influences of who he refers to in the book as his “rich dad” and his “poor dad”. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki is a highly recommended read if you want to really revamp your financial mindset.
