13 Inspirational Books to Help You Reach Your 2017 Goals
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
Whether you’re looking for the secret to happiness, ways to simplify your life or tips for workplace success, these great reads will give you the stepping stones to a fresh life.
Big Magic
Elizabeth Gilbert is the worldwide bestselling author of a little memoir called Eat Pray Love. In her latest book, she explores her own creativity and offers tips for filling your days with curiosity, inspiration and colour.
Read if… you want to find the courage to live a more creative life.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, $22, indigo.ca
Love Warrior
Writer Glennon Doyle Melton was living her best life when she found out her husband was cheating. In her new memoir, she explores her healing process and the strength that she found within herself.
Read if… you’ve ever been cheated on or you’re struggling in your relationship.
Love Warrior: A Memoir by Glennon Doyle Melton, $35, indigo.ca
Feminist Fight Club
Most women continue to experience sexism in the workplace but it is more subtle and nuanced than ever before. In this manual, Jessica Bennett tells personal stories from her group of friends and offers strategies for any woman to combat everyday sexism.
Read if… you want to learn to thrive and succeed, despite a sexist work environment.
Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Manual (For a Sexist Workplace) by Jessica Bennett, $22, indigo.ca
Birds Art Life
In 2012, Toronto-based writer Kyo Maclear met a local musician who had become obsessed with birds. She spent the next year following him and learning about his passion. She writes about it in her latest book while simultaneously meditating on what it means to have a meaningful existence.
Read if… you want a new perspective.
Birds Art Life: A Field Guide to the Small and Significant by Kyo Maclear, $30, indigo.ca as of January 17, 2017
Grace, Not Perfection
Have a career, children, a dog, a husband and a range of hobbies and groups of friends? If you find yourself consistently running out of time, you may need to learn to prioritize. In Grace, Not Perfection, the creator of the Simplified Planner, Emily Ley, teaches about simplifying your life so it’s less stressful and more rewarding.
Read if… you’re sick of trying to do it all, all the time.
Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy by Emily Ley, $21, indigo.ca
The Five Thieves of Happiness
After taking a sabbatical to find out why he no longer felt joy in his life, John Izzo realized that he had allowed certain attitudes to corrupt his happiness. He discusses these five “thieves” (the thief of control, the thief of conceit, the thief of coveting, the thief of consumption and the thief of comfort) and how we can all keep them out of our lives.
Read if… you want to get back in touch with your sense of joy.
The Five Thieves of Happiness by John Izzo, $22.50, indigo.ca as of January 2, 2017
The Great Global Bucket List
Travel journalist Robin Esrock has visited over 100 countries. In his new book, he details his most unique and diverse experiences around the world in an effort to inspire the adventurer within.
Read if… you want to plan a life-changing trip.
The Great Global Bucket List: One-of-a-Kind Travel Experiences by Robin Esrock, $25, indigo.ca
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Blogger Mark Manson believes that we all need to stop positive thinking and confront the reality that we’re not all extraordinary and destined for greatness. In his unusual self-help book, he argues that accepting the limits in our lives will help us learn what to care about and what to let go.
Read if… you need a dose of real talk.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson, $22, indigo.ca
The Little Book of Hygge
Denmark is the happiest country in the world and Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, says it comes down to hygge. Hygge is known as “the art of creating intimacy, coziness of the soul or taking pleasure in soothing things.” Flip through this book to learn what makes those happy Danes tick.
Read if… you want more coziness in your life.
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking, $22, indigo.ca
The One Life We’re Given
Spiritual teacher and philosopher Mark Nepo discusses the fine balance of trying and letting go in his new book of personal stories, questions and meditations. Use them as a handbook for finding fulfillment and meaning in life.
Read if… you need some spiritual guidance.
The One Life We’re Given: Finding the Wisdom that Waits in Your Heart by Mark Nepo, $35, indigo.ca
The Universe Has Your Back
With her latest offering, bestselling author Gabrielle Bernstein teaches how to bring more love into your life. The result? Greater feelings of strength, support and safety in times of trouble and stress.
Read if… you’ve had a rough year.
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein, $25, indigo.ca
When Strangers Meet
Author Kio Stark believes that we would all lead much more enriched lives – filled with excitement and new ideas – if we spoke to strangers more often. In her book, she writes about her encounters with new people and offers tips for allowing strangers to make their imprint on your day.
Read if… you keep your head down when you walk on the sidewalk or take public transit.
When Strangers Meet: How People You Don’t Know Can Transform You by Kio Stark, $23, indigo.ca
Year of Yes
Groundbreaking TV-show creator Shonda Rhimes (of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal) used to be a homebody that suffered panic attacks before media interviews. In her new memoir, she tells her story, culminating in one important year: the year she decided to say yes to everything.
Read if… you’re an introvert and want to break out of your shell.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes, $20, indigo.ca
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