5 Books I’m Loving

Not too long ago I checked myself into quarantine in the Northern Territory for 2 weeks so I could then proceed to work shows in QLD, NT and WA whilst NSW was in lockdown. Surprisingly, I actually really enjoyed my enforced down time. It’s easy for life to get too busy, and one of the best things I got out of my quarantine was the time to stretch, pause and catchup on some rest. Anyway, whilst I was there, I managed to sneak in some delicious reading hours. I wanted to share with you a few of my favourite books. There’s a bit of everything in this list, and I’m really looking forward to adding to it. But for now, here are 5 books that I am LOVING:

Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverley
Grace Beverley has been my #womancrushwednesday for a long time. She is absolute girl goals, and I am in awe of everything she has achieved over the last few years. Her book truly lived up to these expectations for me – it is an actionable and useful book that provides a refreshing and insightful take on productivity and motivation. This book goes into the pressures of modern society to be insanely productive, lap up ‘the grind’ and find a career that is both satisfying and hyper lucrative. Yet instead of pushing these ideals, it prompts you to have an honest conversation with yourself about what you really want and need, and then offers advice on how to get there. 

Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
Changing tack for a minute, Dark Emu explores the early systems of food production and land management employed by Aboriginal Australians in pre-colonial times. It argues against the ‘hunter-gatherer’ tag and rebuts the stories that have functioned to justify the dispossession of their land. Over the years, this information got buried in scientific papers and just wasn’t accessible for the every day reader. Pascoe has done a great job of bringing this information to light in a way that everyone can, and should, access. As Australians, I do think that it is vital we read this book, and others of its kind, in order to understand the history of this country.

Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
I loved this book! Burnout is a book that delves into why women experience burnout in a different way to men. It is witty and empathetic, and gives a science-based plan to help women reduce their stress levels, understand their emotions and live a life that is more focused on joy. As women, we often experience burnout because there is a massive gap between what people expect women to be, and how we actually experience life. We see it every day – we are told to love our bodies, yet everywhere around us we are confronted by images of the ‘perfect bikini body’ telling us we are inadequate. In our careers, we are told to be ambitious, yet when we pursue this, we are told we are too bossy. This book is a compassionate and eye-opening guide to creating powerful change in your life.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle
I read this book a while ago now, but it is one that has really stuck with me. Untamed is the story of how a woman realises that her purpose in life is to show up and say, There She Is – unapologetically and loudly showing up for those she loves. It is a story of divorce, sexuality, family and self, and a gentle reminder of how we can unleash our instincts so that we can live our fullest, most authentic lives. Funny, yet passionate and tender, this is a book we can all benefit from. 

The Dry by Jane Harper
This list is completed by some good old Aussie mystery fiction. The Dry is Jane Harper’s debut novel, and went on to win a whole host of awards. It was so successful that it even went on to have a film adaptation that was released earlier this year. This book is perfect for times when your brain is too tired to focus on anything non-fiction; or for when you want to disappear and get lost in a plot for several hours. The Dry tells the story of a police agent who returns to his home town and embarks on a journey to solve the events of a mysterious tragedy that has befallen the town.