This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. Whether or not you use my link, I genuinely love these products/programs and hope they can be of help to you! (-:
As an educator, August is like my second New Year. It’s right before back-to-school season and a way for me to reset my goals and priorities before getting back to my kiddos. Check out the books that got me inspired after a long summer break!
Atomic Habits by James Clear
I have a few times in the year where my life feels like a “reset.” There’s New Year’s in January and going back to school in August. To find the motivation to either make new goals or re-establish old ones, I love diving into James Clear’s Atomic Habits.
Although the book came out in 2018, it’s a book I’ve turned to time and again. Not only is it an easy read, it’s one of those books that provides practical steps on how to markedly improve your life. Essentially, it’s showing you how getting 1% better each day can lead to a lifetime of difference.
For example, imagine going for a 10-minute walk, each day, during your lunch break. One day won’t make a big difference, but imagine how you’ll feel after a week, a month, a year! It’s about adding and adjusting “atomic” behaviors in our lives to see massive results in the near future.
James Clear is an amazing writer. He’s an expert on habit formation and knows exactly how to break down the steps of forming a new habit in an easy and palatable way. Oftentimes, it can feel very overwhelming to establish a new habit. We’ve all had those New Year’s goals that fade out into nothing a month or two later. Clear helps you understand the psychology behind why that happens and how you can stop the cycle of giving up.
Clear also has an incredible story of his own. He begins his book by describing the tragic accident that led him to this research and how he used atomic habits to ultimately reach his goal of playing competitive baseball. In this period of his life, he didn’t even know he was doing the research. He stumbled upon this amazing life hack through trial and error, then later through science. His research has inspired many and helped change millions of lives.
So if you ever feel stuck, this will help you feel unstuck! His writing is simple and direct, yet interesting enough to keep you hooked. What I love most is that you can begin implementing his steps right away. If you haven’t picked this book up yet, you’re missing out!
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
As a counselor by trade, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Lori Gottlieb, a therapist in LA, intersperses vignettes of her patient’s problems with those of her own to paint a beautiful portrait of the human existence.
Gottlieb does an amazing job painting a picture of her patients and their challenges. They are described in such detail that it almost feels as if they’re the friends you have in your own life. As I read, I found myself thinking of specific people in my life. I even found myself recognizing myself in some of the patients she spoke about.
It’s beautifully written to remind you that every neurotic thought or coping behavior is entirely human and entirely okay. It made me feel less alone to know that I wasn’t the only one experiencing some of the same anxieties of dying alone, not having friends, and being too vulnerable in front of the people I love.
It’s an incredible insight into therapy –it’s not always what you see in the movies and it’s not always pretty to look inwards. It details the work you must do to truly feel better and it shows that everybody’s journey looks a little bit different.
As a practitioner, I also loved how vulnerable she was in showing the other side of therapy. Gottlieb dives deep into her own personal life and is honest with how it affects her work. It’s brutally honest and sheds light on the life of a therapist. They may be put together in your session, but you have no idea how they’re coping at home. Oftentimes, therapists can feel all-knowing and without struggle, but the truth of the matter is that they are probably struggling in many of the same ways you do.
If you’re a fan of the show Shrinking, you’re going to love this memoir! It’s a fascinating read that I just could not put down. Pick it up, you might learn something about yourself! If nothing else, it’s highly entertaining!
The Queens of New York by E.L. Shen
Although my first two books focused on self-help and improvement, the third book of August was an entirely different way of getting ready for the upcoming Fall!
I love a good Young Adult novel. I always have and I probably always will. There’s something so beautiful about experiencing the many faces and feelings of youth through the ups and downs of a character’s life.
The Queens of New York was particularly special as it brought me back to the familiar sights and smells of New York and Korea alike. This novel focuses on three Asian-American girls, who are best friends, that are apart from each other for the summer. One friend is off to Ohio to chase her dreams of becoming a famous broadway star, another is off to Korea to find closure around her sister’s death, and the last remains in Queens, New York, learning to balance familial obligation and her own desires.
What I loved most about this story was the tenderness and care portrayed in the friendship. Additionally, as an Asian-American woman, it felt comforting and familiar to read about girls who were so like myself at that age. The representation of the Asian-American, second-generation girl is not a character I’ve seen so often. I also loved how each character was a true vignette of a kid growing up in Queens. Each girl was of a different culture, had different relationships with their parents, and lived in different financial situations. It was a true portrait of New York’s diversity.
The Queens of New York was a classic story about growing up while not growing apart. Despite the distance during the summer, the three girls found a way to show up for and support each other. As the story goes on, each girl weaves their own path and finds a better understanding of who they are. Without each other around, they’re forced to explore their individuality and create identities outside of their comfort zones. Despite each character’s separate adventure, there is a through line of love and support via text, email, and video call. It was a great, modern take on how we keep each other close.
It was beautiful to watch each journey unfold and see each girl discover something new about themself. The Queens of New York is an incredible story of growing up and finding your voice. It’s a nod to transitioning into adulthood and growing into your own, yet keeping your friends and support systems close on the way.
I can not recommend this book enough! It’s a fond story of long summer days hanging out with your friends and enjoying each other’s company before the true responsibilities of life move in.
Find the books here on Amazon!
