Ever since I started my healing journey, I’ve been trying to fall back in love with reading and writing. So if you’re looking for a good push, what better day to start than National Librarian Day? Here are a couple of my favorites that I think you’ll love.
- Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
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Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love is a memoir that will make you laugh, cry and nod your head in agreement. This book is a raw and honest reflection on love, friendship, and growing up in the digital age. From her teenage years to her thirties, Dolly shares her experiences with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. She candidly discusses her relationships with men and women, her struggles with addiction, and her journey toward finding self-love. Her witty, relatable, and insightful writing makes it hard to put the book down. I recommend this if you are feeling a little lost or misguided.
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
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Normal People is a raw depiction of modern love and relationships. The novel follows the tumultuous relationship between Connell and Marianne, two teenagers from different backgrounds in a small Irish town, as they navigate their way through adolescence and young adulthood. The novel also touches on important themes such as class, power, and mental health. Rooney explores the impact of social status on the characters’ lives and how it affects their relationships. I actually couldn’t put this book down, it’s the first book to ever make me cry. Trust me, you’ll want to read it over and over again.
- The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks
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The Will to Change is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of patriarchy and masculinity in contemporary society. In this book, Hooks challenges the traditional notions of masculinity and offers a vision for a more compassionate and equitable society. Hooks also brings a personal touch to the book by sharing her own experiences as a feminist writer and educator. She discusses her encounters with men who have struggled with expressing their emotions and the damaging effects of toxic masculinity on their lives. These anecdotes add a human element to the book and make it a bit more relatable. This one was a hard and tough read for me, but I kept seeing it all over TikTok so I had to try it.
- Want Me by Tracy Clark-Flory
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Want Me is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of female desire and sexuality. This book challenges the societal norms and expectations around women’s sexuality and offers a fresh perspective on the topic. She uses a combination of personal anecdotes, interviews, and research to create a well-rounded and nuanced exploration of female desire. The book also touches on important themes such as consent, communication, and pleasure. I recommend this book to really anybody, even strangers because it’s just that good. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of female desire and the societal norms and expectations that shape it.
I’m a bit of a pushover when anyone hands me a nonfiction book, but they’re usually so good. If you’re willing to branch out of your usual young adult fiction books, I’ve got you covered with these recommendations.