This month, I’m leaning into reads that challenge me, comfort me, and remind me I’m not alone on this journey. These titles aren’t just here to fill time; they’re here to help me keep choosing love, boundaries, softness, and truth. I’m sharing them here because I believe they might do the same for you.
Why Reading with Intention Matters
In a world that asks us to do more, hustle harder, and keep our pain quiet, reading can become a revolutionary act of self-care. Especially when we choose books that hold up a mirror to our experiences or offer the wisdom we never received as children. If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, questioned your worth, or struggled to break cycles that began long before you did, these reads might just speak your language. And if you want more recommendations, sign up for my newsletter!
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Trauma Bonding by, Lauren Kozlowski
This one is hitting close to home. If you’ve ever stayed in a relationship that felt like it was slowly eroding your spirit, you may have experienced trauma bonding. Kozlowski breaks it down without shame or blame, offering clarity where there used to be confusion.
I added this book to my TBR list because even after years of healing, remnants of old patterns still linger. We don’t always recognize how our childhood wounds show up in our adult relationships until we read something that names them out loud.
What I love most is that it doesn’t just explain the problem. It offers real, actionable tools for breaking free and reclaiming your sense of self, something I talk a lot about in Rising Above Adversity as well.
The Anxious Generation by, Jonathan Haidt
This one’s for the mamas and caregivers in the room. Haidt’s work dives into the rise of anxiety in today’s youth and how our digital lives are reshaping the way we form relationships, communicate, and handle stress.
As someone raising children and nurturing inner healing at the same time, this book felt necessary. I’m always looking for ways to create a home that’s not just safe but emotionally rich. Haidt provides insight on how to do that even when the world outside feels heavy. I’m reading this alongside my son’s growing independence and my own evolving understanding of emotional resilience. It’s teaching me that healing isn’t just personal; it’s generational.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by, Mark Manson
If you’ve read my blog before, you know I believe deeply in feeling your feelings, but I also believe in protecting your peace. Manson’s tough-love approach is a reminder that not every battle is yours to fight, and not every opinion deserves your energy.
This isn’t your typical self-help book. It doesn’t coddle. It confronts. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need, especially if you’ve been raised to be the fixer, the pleaser, the one who holds it all together no matter what. This book is on my TBR as a reminder to choose my cares wisely. To say yes only when I mean it, and to protect my peace.
Rising Above Adversity: Healing and Nurturing Your Inner Child by, Arelis Calkins
And of course, my own book is on this month’s list. Not out of ego, but because even I return to these pages when I need to remember how far I’ve come. Rising Above Adversity was born out of years of pain, resilience, and the slow journey toward forgiveness. It’s a book about breaking cycles, setting boundaries, and loving the parts of yourself that were once rejected.
If you’re carrying unhealed wounds from childhood, or you’ve ever wondered why certain patterns follow you into adulthood, this book is for you. And if you’ve already read it, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If not, maybe this is the month you do.
What I’ve Learned from Curating a TBR List with Purpose
When your TBR list isn’t just about entertainment, but about reflection and restoration, it becomes something more than itself. These books aren’t distractions. They’re invitations. To heal. To grow. To see yourself differently. Choosing your TBR list is an act of choosing yourself. Choosing your future. Choosing your joy. And if you’re on your own healing journey, I’d love to walk beside you.
Want more healing, spiritual insight, and stories that feel like home? Browse my blog or check out the book page to grab your copy of Rising Above Adversity. Let’s keep reading, growing, and rising together.
