Sometimes real advice doesn’t come from self-proclaimed ‘self-help’ books, but through someone telling their own life story.
Have you ever had your eye caught by a book in Waterstones that you just couldn’t leave on the shelf? Well I have, and it’s often one of the books where someone shares their vulnerabilities with their readers.
We connect with each other through our words in the smallest of moments, and written words can be so powerful for people during low moments.
However, self-proclaimed ‘self-help’ books can be repetitive and sometimes patronizing, without any real depth, and not allowing for nuisance in experiences. Sometimes the best advice comes from authors who don’t frame their work as advice, but instead just share their own story.
EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE BY DOLLY ALDERTON
“It takes a village to mend a broken heart.”
Her memoir is so beautifully written, touching upon various personal stories from throughout her childhood as a young girl. Every page feels warming and comforting, with Alderton perfectly describing an unfiltered reality of being a woman navigating life. She deep dives into the feeling that love is all around you, but not always in the forms that you expect – such as romantic love – with platonic love being just as if not more important.
Alderton is known for giving advice through her Dear Dolly column in The Times and Sunday Times, which she later turned into another book. From friendships, to romantic relationships, to the relationship we have with ourselves, Dolly expressed her advice in a non-judgmental way like a supportive older sister to her readers.
If you’re enjoying this story – try this Book Review on ‘The 7 Types of Rest‘
SILENCE: IN THE AGE OF NOISE BY ERLING KAGGE
Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge depicts anecdotes from his adventures, bringing forward elements of philosophy from his life experience. He shows us how we can find moments of silence for our mind in our very hectic, busy daily lives. Particularly, this is a perfect read for people who find themselves in busy cities, such as London – where corporate work often overpowers huge parts of locals’ lives.
“Shutting out the world is not about turning your back on your surroundings, but rather the opposite: it is seeing the world a bit more clearly, staying a course and trying to love your life.”
Kagge reminds us to make time for reconnecting with nature and quiet places, to allow for some peaceful reflection and to enjoy mundane moments of nature.
CONVERSATIONS ON LOVE BY NATASHA LUNN
Upon first glance you may look at the title of this read to be just another fictional love story. Instead, Lunn explores some very personally low moments of her adult life alongside her husband, with their journey to have a baby. Through interviews with other authors, such as Dolly Alderton, Alain de Botton, Lisa Taddeo and many more, the reader is able to relate to when carrying love through tough times.
From falling in love slowly, to the psychology of being alone, to vulnerability with others, to the loneliness of loss – they all have stories which readers will connect with on some level. We all go through hardship, and although we know that others do too, but joining together can help us feel a sense of community and solidarity.
“When you stumble on something you didn’t know that somebody else felt too, you think, oh my gosh, I’m not the only one. That is a falling in love – it’s the self recognised in someone else. A union of souls.”
