Books Books Books

Al's Recs

These are just some books I love and think are worth the time to read. I know Amazon is convenient, but don't forget to support your local bookstores! Make it a self-love date. Take yourself out and treat yourself to a book. No better gift than words on pages.

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• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

  • My all time favorite book that everyone in this world should read. Once you learn the 4 agreements they will be in your mind through everything you do and every interaction you have. Obviously easier read than done, but I swear this book is incredible. The coolest part? it only takes like 2 hours to read. A short book with that much impact?! How awesome. Definitely worth purchasing a print copy (check out your local bookstores and library book sales). 

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• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

  • My 2nd favorite nonfiction read. Another one that is worth buying. Incredibly eye opening. A collections of meditations and indigenous knowledge on plants, wildlife, and our relationship to earth. A hard topic to read about, but Robin writes it in such a way that it leaves you inspired and with hope. I have re-read many parts, many times. It is also a great morning audiobook listen. Robin reads it herself and listening to her voice and the knowledge in all she speaks is a full mental reset and a great way to start the day. ​

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• Go as  River by Shelley Read

  • A historical fiction novel about so many things- nature vs nurture. What does "family" mean? How much of myself can I give without taking care of me? Selflessness. Community. Based in the wilderness of the Colorado mountains, its a deeply moving story of loss, love and coming of age. A story of courage. A story of what it means to "go as a river." One of the only fiction books I have read that I would read again. ​

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• Breath by James Nestor

  • Annoyed by mouth breathing? This book might not be for you. After reading breath, I now notice how most people around me breathe. If it is someone I love I will sometimes acknowledge their breath and let them know about tis book. The science and history behind breathing. Someone we do every single day and something most of us could get a lot better at. Worth the read. ​

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• The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

  • the cutest quick read, and an even better listen. The audiobook provides voices that are just the best and really add to it. Stories and examples from Winnie the Pooh to explain the basic principles of philosophical Taoism. Short and fun read that you get a lot out of. ​

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• Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad

  • If you don't know who Suleika Jaouad is, I recommend looking her up. She's super inspiring and seems like an all around good human. The memoir follows Suleika through a story of illness and recovery, going through diagnosis, to remission and then back to "normal life." It really makes you think about your life choices, and how you want to spend your short time here on earth. Ps- Suleika is married to Job Batiste who is also just an absolutely incredible human and musician. Suleika also just released the Alchemy Journal which is on my Wishlist. ​

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• Wedding People by Alison Espach

  • Such a fun fiction read! Heavy topic, shared in a unique way. It highlights the power of community, self love and surrounding yourself with things are good for you, even if it's unexpected. ​

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• The Measure by Nikki Erlick

  • If you could know how long your life would be, would you want to know? A super thought-provoking dystopian read. A book that you think about long after you finish reading it. A story of love, hope and what life means to everyone. Definitely worth your time.​

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• The Nature Fix

  • Honestly not the easiest, smoothest read and I am still working on it but there are some really fun an interesting studies in this book. nature truly is magical. I tend to pick it up, read a chapter and then do it all again the next week. A great nonfiction read to learn all that nature can do for us, what we can do for it and how amazing it'd be if we really worked with nature in all we do.  

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• The Names by Florence Knapp

  • A heartbreakingly beautiful fiction story about 1 family told in 3 different ways, with 3 different fates. Disclaimer: A story full of heavy topics including vivid discussions of domestic abuse. ​