Books Like...

'The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times' by Pema Chodron is a book that delves into Buddhist principles in an accessible and understandable manner. The author's wisdom shines through every page, offering simple, practical advice for living with less fear and anxiety, and cultivating a more open heart. The book serves as a general introduction to Pema Chodron's style of Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of awakening our basic goodness and connecting with others.

The writing style of Pema Chodron is described as calm, beautiful, open, and with a flow that captivates readers. Her ability to explain concepts related to meditation in a clear and engaging way is highlighted, making the book a thoughtful compilation of stories and advice that invites readers to question everything. Despite being less inspiring than some of her previous works, the book is still praised for its profound words that provide comfort and inspiration during difficult times.

Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig is a handbook that offers tips, techniques, and 'first aid' for managing anxiety and stress in the modern world. The book delves into the impact of social media, technology, and constant connectivity on mental health, drawing from the author's personal experiences with anxiety and depression. Written in short, bite-sized chapters, the book provides strategies for leading a fuller life and dealing with anxiety in a world that can be overwhelming.

'When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times' by Pema Chodron is a collection of teachings that provide wisdom and guidance on navigating through challenging moments in life. The book emphasizes the importance of embracing the uncertainties and transitions that life brings, encouraging readers to open their hearts and minds beyond limits. Through a blend of Buddhist beliefs and practical applications, Chodron offers insights on finding growth and expansion in times of turmoil. The writing style is described as gentle yet powerful, delivering strong messages that resonate deeply with readers.

The book explores themes of coping with troubled times, cultivating wisdom and compassion, and finding peace amidst chaos. Chodron's approach is noted for its practicality and relatability, making complex Buddhist teachings accessible to a wide audience. The author's humility, compassion, and straightforward style are highlighted, providing readers with essential guidance on mindfulness, meditation, and spiritual growth in the face of pain and difficulties.

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach is a book that delves into the intersection of Buddhism and psychotherapy, focusing on accepting oneself as one is and moving away from self-judgment and shame. The author's background in psychology allows her to present the concepts in a clear and direct manner, offering practical guidance and meditation exercises at the end of each chapter. Through personal stories, case histories, and guided meditations, Brach leads readers towards trusting their innate goodness and developing a balance of clear sightedness and compassion.

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience is a beautifully designed book that aims to provide language and voice to our emotions, enabling empowered conversations and understanding of human experiences. While some readers find the book disjointed, lacking a cohesive narrative thread, others appreciate the physical form of the book and the connection it creates with its content. Brene Brown delves into the complexities of human emotions, challenging readers to explore vulnerability, curiosity, and the importance of meaningful connections in navigating life's challenges.

'A Guide to the Good Life' by William Irvine is a practical guide to living a Stoic life in the modern world. Irvine delves into the philosophy of Stoicism, focusing on reducing negative emotions through techniques like negative visualization and self-denial. He provides historical context on Stoicism and introduces readers to prominent Stoic thinkers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. The book offers a blend of self-help advice and philosophical insights, aiming to help readers achieve tranquility and contentment in their daily lives.

The writing style of 'A Guide to the Good Life' is described as accessible, personal, and compelling by readers. Irvine's approach to Stoicism is seen as practical and applicable to contemporary life, with the book offering techniques and guidelines for incorporating Stoic principles into everyday situations. Some readers appreciate Irvine's efforts to distill the teachings of ancient Stoics into concise guidelines that can bring tranquility and a sense of purpose to modern readers.

'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' delves into the concept of ikigai, which means a reason for living, and explores how it can help individuals lead a fulfilling and purposeful life. Through interviews with Japanese centenarians, the authors uncover the secrets to longevity and happiness, focusing on the lifestyle, habits, and philosophy of those living in the blue zones like Okinawa. also discusses the importance of finding flow in work, resilience in facing challenges, and the impact of living a meaningful life through ikigai.

'The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self' by Michael Easter is a well-researched and inspiring invitation to embrace natural discomforts for the good of our bodies and minds. Easter presents concise, bite-sized pieces of knowledge gained from consulting researchers across various disciplines, encouraging readers to consider the benefits of exposing themselves to discomfort. The narrative follows Easter's own journey, including a primal Caribou hunt in the Alaskan tundra, where he braves the elements and physical demands to find meaning and introspection, ultimately challenging readers to reflect on their own lives and make positive changes.

A collaboration between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, this non-fiction book focuses on finding joy in life. The two spiritual masters compare notes on various topics such as suffering, fear, stress, compassion, and generosity. The book delves into the nature of true joy, the obstacles to joy, and the eight pillars of joy, offering insights and wisdom on how to live joyfully even in the face of adversity.

'The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma' by Bessel van der Kolk is a comprehensive exploration of how trauma impacts the brain, mind, and body. The author delves into various types of trauma, including childhood trauma and military PTSD, while providing up-to-date research on mindfulness, meditation, and therapeutic treatments. Through case histories and personal experiences, van der Kolk explains the lasting effects of trauma on memory and emotions, offering insights into ways to cope and heal from traumatic experiences.