I can’t believe we are already three weeks into the new year. If you love the feeling of a fresh page that can come with a new year, why not settle down with an awesome book about new beginnings and starting over to inspire you in 2017! Here are some of my favourite…
1. The Woman Who Upped and Left by Fiona Gibson
One of the things I love about it is that although it is about new beginnings she doesn’t abandon her whole life to make it happen (despite the name), she discovers a new way to enjoy what she already has – although some much-needed changes are made along the way. A book about fiding your own inner strength and making positive changes.
This book is also wonderfully uplifting
2. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
I have spoken about this book before. It is moving and powerful and you may need some tissues at the ready. The main theme of this book is identity and how much you identity is tied into your family and the people around you, as well as asking the question about if it is possible to ever really ‘start over’ again.
A moving book that is highly recommended.
3. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you haven’t read the book then I am sure you have seen the movie with Julia Roberts (which I equally love). This book is creative non-fiction and Gilbert’s personal experience of the year after her divorce. Its honest and moving and will probably have you wanting to travel the world by the end.
Touching and inspiring novel.
4. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez
This is a poignant and moving novel – especially in light of the recent inauguration and possible wall building – is about people moving to the United States of America as a way to make a new life and discover their place in the world. Themes of family, identity and what it means to be an ‘American’ wrapped in a story about different forms of love.
A novel to make you questions why people do the things they do.
5. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben
This is a great book to start the year with. Another non-fiction book in which Ruben decides to start the year making changes to her life to make herself happier. Ruben does a new thing every month with each chapter showing what she does that month so you can try to emulate these ideas. In my case I didn’t follow everything but picked out the parts that I knew would work for me.
Great read to motivate yourself.
6. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Two books by Elizabeth Gilbert on one list – outrageous! But if you write books about making changes and positive living, I guess that’s inevitable on this type of list. I’m such a massive fan of this book, all about living creatively which is clearly completely up my street. You don’t have to be in a creative industry or anything, this book is more about being creative everyday and is a great place to start bringing joy and creativity into your life.
Inspiring, creative living.
Again, even if you haven’t read the book you may have seen the awesome film. The plot is not a million miles away from Eat, Pray, Love in that its a woman trying to figure out what makes her tick after the loss of her mother and recent divorce. Rather than travelling the world she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail in the USA, spending much time on her own to reflect and think.
Very honest and raw reflective memoir of change.
Please do comment below and let me know if you have read any of the books and what you think of them, and what books you would recommend that are around based around new beginnings or starting over.
Follow this blog to get latest posts and updates straight to your inbox.
You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
I genuinely love to hear from you so come and say hi! Nx
