A book for anyone who’s ever worried life isn’t going to plan, Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter will make you laugh and it might even make you cry. But most importantly, it will remind you that you’re not alone, because we’re all in this together. 

Time to fall in love with your life.

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This book touched the societal pressure on women, especially when you reached a certain age where you’re supposed to be of a certain status in life. It talks about:

• grief, loss, breakup & dating again
• friendship and how it changes over the years
• losing friends & finding new ones
• infertility & pregnancy journey and 
• the struggle in telling the truth to your family & friends because even when they ask how are you, you know to yourself they are not ready to actually listen & lend an ear when you needed it the most because they are busy with their lives, too.

Cricket is a wise lady. I’m glad Nell met her. 💜💜💜

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

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A beautiful story about love, friendship, fame, family and standing up for the people you love – breathtaking yet heartbreaking. One of my favourite novels in 2022. 

A celebration of love in all its forms, featuring conversations with: Philippa Perry on falling in love slowly featuring:

• Candice Carty-Williams on friendship
• Alain de Botton on the psychology of being alone
• Dolly Alderton on vulnerability
• Emily Nagoski on the science of sex
• Diana Evans on parenthood
• Lisa Taddeo on the loneliness of loss
• Esther Perel on unrealistic expectations
• Stephen Grosz on accepting change
• Roxane Gay on redefining romance and many more

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This book exceeded my expectations! I learned so much about love from every conversation featured in the book, yet it’s relatable. It leaves you reflecting on your questions, delusions and expectations of love and guides you to understanding your heartbreaks.

Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles–the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.

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I have read both of her books, but I loved this because she opened up more and became more relatable to the readers. The Light We Carry is filled with pieces of advice that we need – from finding your identity, representation, friendship, marriage, parenthood, family, work and more. It had a slow start but bloomed like a beautiful flower towards the end. One of my best books this 2023, for sure.

Mixing humour, heartache and science, award-winning comedian, author and accidental relationship guru Rosie Wilby embarks on a quest to investigate, understand and conquer the psychology of heartbreak. Tragedy plus time equals comedy, right?

This book is a love letter to her breakups, a celebration of what they have taught her peppered with anecdotes from illustrious friends and interviews with relationship therapists, scientists and sociologists about separating in the modern age of ghosting, breadcrumbing and conscious uncoupling. Her plan is to assimilate their advice and ideas in order to not break up with Girlfriend, her partner of nearly three years.

In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection. 

Over the past two decades, Brown’s extensive research into the experiences that make us who we are has shaped the cultural conversation and helped define what it means to be courageous with our lives. Atlas of the Heart draws on this research, as well as on Brown’s singular skills as a storyteller, to show us how accurately naming an experience doesn’t give the experience more power, it gives us the power of understanding, meaning, and choice. 

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Atlas of the Hearts received mixed reviews. I agree that it feels textbook-y, but Brené Brown did a great job writing a book that helps its readers understand their emotions. This book is a gem. It guides you to understand and identify your emotions and improve your conversations with others.