Make libraries cool again: books I didn’t regret borrowing in 2018

C.S. Lewis is a man after my own heart. He once uttered the words “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

I haven’t read many books this year. But some of the ones I did read have made a huge impression on me.

I get most of my books out the library.

I go on Amazon, look up some books I might want to read, and then I order them in to my local library, for a mere 25p.

What’s not to love about libraries?

It’s a wonderful way to read. Not only am I sticking to my minimalist principles and not buying a lot of books (which makes sense when you travel a lot), but it gives other people the opportunity to read the same book.

Plus, it’s a good way to remember how much you’ve actually read.

I just logged in and viewed my checkout history, and I could see that I borrowed exactly 13 books so far this year. I have bought an additional four books.

Quality over quantity wins every time when it comes to reading books.

You can read just one book and it can stay with you a lifetime.

This year, somehow the books that I’ve read have knocked it out the park, and have been nothing short of life-changing. Here’s my favourites.

The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale

This book is a seminal classic, and essentially does what it says on the tin. Although it is littered with Christian references (it is a rather old book), I found the author’s tone motivating and inspiring. Norman Vincent Peale writes with such fervour that it’s difficult to not believe what he says.

In fact, I liked The Power of Positive Thinking so much I asked for it in hardcover for my birthday. It’s a brilliant example of just how powerful our minds are.

Big Magic

This book blew me away. If you’re in any sort of creative endeavour, Big Magic will give you a new perspective on your creativity.

Gilbert talks about ideas as if they were actual magic bubbles, floating on the winds of consciousness, and how we somehow ‘tap into them’ , if it’s the right time to write about them. She uses lots of examples and references, and offers a soothing voice to the angst-ridden writer. Mainly, it’s a book about trusting in your own inner voice, and how the creative process is of inherent value in itself, without us needing any attachment to the outcome.

The Power of Premonitions

I got this one out the library as I interviewed Larry Dossey earlier this year. I’d known of his work for a while, and was intrigued to read more.

It’s fair to say, The Power of Premonitions is absolutely crammed with stories of premonitions, each one more fascinating than the next. Larry explores theories around premonitions, intuitions and having a ‘sixth sense’, which interestingly crop up when we or someone we love is in danger. A fascinating read.

How to Stop Time

What can I say about this, except it’s a breathtakingly beautiful book.

Matt Haig has skyrocketed his way into becoming my favourite author this year, and this work of fiction has become so popular, they’re making it into a film with Benedict Cumberbatch.

How to Stop Time is a book about an ageless man that has to hide his unusual ‘defect’ from the rest of society, and it zigzags it’s way through various centuries, taking him through different lives, and emotions. Wherever the man goes, his centuries of memories go with him. It is ultimately a book about releasing the past and living in the present moment. You might cry at the end.

Braving The Wilderness

This book is like a shaking to the soul. If you ever wondered what it means to be brave, look no further than Brene Brown.

Not only is she a vulnerability and shame researcher, Brene explores how owning our personal ‘truth’ is what it means to be brave — even if that means standing entirely alone (in the wilderness). Her beautiful use of metaphor in Braving The Wilderness and her many personal,honest examples means that you can not only understand what Brene is talking about, but you feel her truth in this book too. It certainly made me feel more courageous after reading it.

Surprise Me

I don’t read a huge amount of fiction (probably 20% ), but when I do, I love books that are fun, and soothing to the soul. Sophie Kinsella is one of those writers.

I suppose it’s a bit like watching a rom-com — you know the overall tone of the movie before you watch it, but it’s fun and satisfying to watch nonetheless. I loved this book. Surprise Me is about a married couple who have a wonderful relationship, and then go to the doctors together to get some tests done. The doctor announces to them that they’re both very healthy, and have another 66 years to live. Cue the existential panic from both of them, in a very amusing way (that’s another 3,000 shags with just him), before they both decide to embark on surprising each other to keep the spark alive. In the end, they realise that they end up surprising themselves.

Notes on A Nervous Planet

I’m reading this at the moment, and I have to put this on here even though I’m not finished, just because it’s simply incredible.

Not only does Matt have the talent to ascertain exactly what’s happening on a global scale with our frazzled and anxious minds, he explains it so succinctly in this gentle and loving book that anyone can understand it.

Notes on a nervous planet is about how the media, politicians, and generally society create a culture of fear, and how this has tipped us into existential panic. He even likens it to a ‘collective panic attack’. The main theme is the fast paced nature of society, and how the internet has degraded our attention spans, which makes our minds run a lot faster than they probably should. It’s a brilliant book that gives a lot of insight and wisdom.

Ones that I did regret:

The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert: Sorry, Liz. I just couldn’t get into it.