10 Books Which Brought Joy and Inspiration in 2019

I have written this year about the benefits of reading for mental health.  I have also had a regular bibliotherapy series suggesting bookish remedies to those of us ailing physically and emotionally.

Books continue to be a source of great joy to me and 2019 was a good reading year.  I discovered new authors and became reacquainted with familiar ones.  The biggest difference to my reading year was the number of non fiction books I read.  And as I reflect on last years reading, I am aware it is probably those which inspired me most.

The Non Fiction Which Enhanced My Days

BookWorm by Lucy Mangan

This was undoubtedly one of my favourites of 2019.  If you are an avid reader and were a child of the ’70’s then this book is for you.  Lucy is the book wormiest of book worms and this is the story of growing up in books.  I was reminded of all sorts of books and characters I had forgotten from my own childhood, and I will always be grateful to her for reminding me of my love for Teddy Robinson!

Diary of a Book Seller by Simon Bythell

Another book about books, but this time about selling books.  Simon Bythell diarises his daily struggles and joys and the realities of being an independent bookseller.  Funny, at times irreverent but mostly a wonderful birds eye view of the world of book selling.

The Wild Remedy – How Nature Mends Us by Emma Mitchell

I wrote about my joy in this book earlier last year.  Emma’s book is an honest and open diary of her daily struggles and the very positive effect that walking and being in the countryside has had on her mental health.  The illustrations, all by her too, are just gorgeous.

 

The Fiction Which Brought me Joy

Sweet Sorrow By David Nicholls

I, like probably most of the people reading this adored One Day by David Nicholls, and so  came to Sweet Sorrows  with great excitement. I read it on holiday and it produced everything I wanted it to.  It transported me to another time and place, it made me laugh and cry and stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

A Keeper by Graham Norton

Similarly I loved Graham Nortons first book, but I probably loved this one more.  He has an ability to spin a yarn and create characters which reach out to the reader and draw them in.

Tin Man by Sarah Winman

I love Sarah’s lyrical, almost poetic style of writing and find it very easy to lose myself in the world she has created.  This is such a touching story, of friendship and support.  I couldn’t put it down.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Because this book seemed to be everywhere, I stupidly avoided it.  Thankfully a much cleverer person than me shared it in my postal book club.  I completely and utterly adored this. The central relationship between a boy and a girl from different sides of the class divide is magnificent. Demons and issues emerge affecting every relationship they ever have. I devoured it all very quickly.

The Books which Inspired and Motivated Me.

Eat, Drink, Run by Bryony Gordon

Bryony Gordon is a brilliant writer.  She also lives with mental health issues. She is vey funny and is pretty good at running too. This book charts her journey of falling on and off the wagon and how getting out side and moving probably saved her.  Its an honest and challenging memoir and reinforced my absolute belief in the power of exercise.

How to Own the Room by Viv Groskop

I had the privilege of hearing Viv Groskop speak at a book festival earlier this year.  She was actually interviewing another writer but after the event her own book was for sale.  This could not have come at a better time for me.  i was about to speak at a conference overseas and was terrified. The advice and self belief that this book instilled without a doubt helped get me through and not only embrace the challenge but positively enjoy it.

The Girl Who Climbed Everest by Bonita Norris

This was the book with which I finished the year. It was the perfect place on which to summit! Bonita climbed Everest at just 22 years old making her the youngest woman to do so at the time.  She pushed herself to her limits and beyond, as a mistake on the way down nearly cost her her life.  Her account of her physical and mental journey is utterly engaging and totally inspiring. I include this quote from her book here because it seems a brilliant bit of advice at the beginning of a brand new year full of unknown adventures.

“If you don’t reach your final goal, or that goal turns into a nightmare, the journey along the way will still burn brightly and affect you in ways you could never imagine at the start, with new friendships, memories, skills and doors opened that you never knew existed.  Fear and the fear of failure never go away, but, despite them, people have achieved great things”

So those are a handful of the books which made me laugh, made me cry, inspired me and challenged me. I would love to know your reading plans for 2020 too…..

And Finally…….

…….this year I have decided to share each book I read in my instagram stories with a few comments.  So keep an eye on instagram if you are interested. I have already posted my first read of 2019 and saved it to my bookish year highlights.