Jan. 3, 2024 – As 2024 begins, many people are committing to new routines and new resolutions. Materials Librarian Allison Zordell, however, wanted to approach the idea of a new start a little differently.
"For the 'New Year: You Do You' book list I was thinking about how there's so much focus on self-improvement and fixing what's 'wrong' in the new year, and that maybe we should instead look to taking care of ourselves as we are. And if that means no New Year's resolutions, then that's perfectly fine! So, I looked for titles that focused on self-care, empathy for yourself, and other, less-intense methods of being OK."
She created this book list for those looking for a little spiritual and mental renewal. Scroll through the titles below, and click on the covers to put them on hold in our catalog. Book descriptions are excerpted from the catalog or publisher descriptions.
"Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included) by Pooja Lakshmin
From women's mental health specialist and New York Times contributor Pooja Lakshmin, MD, comes a long-overdue reckoning with the contradictions of the wellness industry and a paradigm-shifting program for practicing real self-care that will empower, uplift, and maybe even start a revolution. ... Packed with actionable strategies to deal with common problems, "Real Self-Care" is a complete roadmap for women to set boundaries and move past guilt, treat themselves with compassion, get closer to themselves, and assert their power."
"Right at Home: How Good Design is Good for the Mind" by Bobby Berk
Queer Eye's design expert presents an interior design guide that emphasizes self-care to help you find your own taste so you can optimize the function of every room and feel happier at home. The way your home makes you feel is one of the most important (and simplest fixes) that can affect your mental health. Your overall attitude both in and out of the home starts in the home, and hopefully with this book as a jumping off point, gone are the days of designing homes just for showing them off to others. The functionality of a home has changed drastically with the onset of the pandemic and the massive increased time spent inside. Today, the home represents our ultimate safe space and needs to be able to host our most intimate conversations – so setting it up for comfort, style, and authenticity is essential to your self-care.
"Love Yourself Well" by Lo Bosworth
A frank and accessible guide to optimizing women's health by Lo Bosworth, the CEO and founder of Love Wellness, tracing the interconnectivity of the gut, brain, and vagina, and providing natural solutions to intimate problems.
"The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power" by Courtney B. Vance
Early in his career, actor Courtney B. Vance lost his father to suicide. Recently, he lost his godson to the same fate. Still, as mental health discourse hits the mainstream, it leaves the most vulnerable out of the conversation: Black men. ... Along with professional expertise from famed psychologist Dr. Robin Smith (popularly known as "Dr. Robin"), Courtney B. Vance explores issues of grief, relationships, identity, and race through the telling of his own most formative experiences. Together, Courtney and Dr. Robin provide a guide for Black men navigating life's ups and downs, reclaiming mental well-being, and examining broken pieces to find whole, full-hearted living. Self-care is an act of revolution. It's time to revolutionize mental health in the Black community.
"Racial Wellness: A Guide to Liberatory Healing for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color" by Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu Iyamah
A guide and workbook centered on self-care, healing, and empowerment for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
"The Sugar Jar: Create Boundaries, Embrace Self-Healing, and Enjoy the Sweet Things in Life" by Yasmine Cheyenne
Wellness and self-healing expert Yasmine Cheyenne's "The Sugar Jar" is an accessible, inclusive approach to self-healing, boundary setting, and protecting your Sugar Jar (a.k.a. your core energy).
"How to Stay Safe Online: A Digital Self-Care Toolkit for Developing Resilience and Allyship" by Seyi Akiwowo
Digital spaces are a positive force for change, connection and community, but left unregulated, they are not always safe. Globally, women are 27 times more likely than men to be harassed online. This is worse for Black women who are 84% more likely to face online abuse than white women. There has been a 71% rise in online disability abuse and 78% of LGBTQ people have experienced hate speech online. "How to Stay Safe Online" will teach you how to spot, respond to and proactively defend yourself from online abuse and learn how to be a good ally to those experiencing it. An urgent and necessary digital self-care tool, this book will help you to support victims and empower friends, teachers, parents and willing allies to help make online spaces safer.
"Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You!" by Sasha Hamdani
When you have ADHD, it can be hard to stay on top of your wellness. Self-Care for People with ADHD is here to help! This book can help you engage in some neurodiverse self-care-without pretending to be neurotypical. You'll find more than 100 tips to accepting yourself, de-stigmatizing ADHD, finding your community, and taking care of your physical and mental health. You'll find solutions for managing the negative aspects of ADHD, as well as ideas to bring out the positive aspects.
"The Self-Care Year: Reflect and Recharge with Simple Seasonal Rituals" by Alison Davies
Offering tips and rituals for better sleep, yoga positions, breathing and meditation exercises, as well as simple craft projects and seasonal affirmations, this book is for those who are seeking a slower pace and want to carve out quiet, mindful moments in their lives. Whether you're a lover of the first buds of spring, a summer sun worshipper, a fan of the fall leaves as the year turns or a winter wonderland devotee, there is something for everyone.
"Self-Care Cross-Stitch: 40 Uplifting & Irreverent Patterns" by Stéphanie Röhr
Crafters will love this snarky book with its forty witty cross-stitch patterns that focus on promoting a healthy, self-affirming relationship with yourself.