My favourites: books, podcasts & more

Vegan Pregnancy Survival Guide by Seyward Rebhal

This little book is a great resource if you are pregnant or trying to conceive… whether you’re fully vegan or not! My favourite parts are: the one on which foods to eat during pregnancy to ensure mothers/babies get appropriate levels of nutrients, as well as the one about homemade remedies for postpartum issues.

Your Baby Week by Week: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your New Baby by Caroline Fertleman and Simone Cave

If you’re expecting or know someone who is – this is one of the best books out there to buy! (Well probably, I haven’t read that many baby books…) It offers week-by-week guidance regarding the all-important aspects of caring for a new baby, such as feeding, sleeping and nappies. Crucially, it is a practical, reassuring and non-judgemental guide to the first six months of parenting, which is why I like it so much!

The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines,‎ Joanna Gaines and Mark Dagostino

This was one of those great “selfless” gifts for my partner, that I ended up probably enjoying more than he did. Chip and Joanna’s stories of decorating their own homes and flipping properties are so inspiring, writing this now makes me want to read it all over again. I challenge you to pick this book up and not wonder “hmm maybe I could do it too?”!

Make Life Beautiful by Syd and Shea McGee

In the same vein as the Magnolia Story, this book tells the story of power couple Shea and Syd McGee. Super inspiring and definitely worth a read if you enjoyed their Dream Home Makeover series on Netflix!

Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek

This is an autobiography of record-setting ultramarathoner Scott Jurek. He talks about emotional parts of his life such as his tough childhood and losing his mum, as well his running career. Interspersed in all that are some vegan recipes that I have yet to try. But hey, if it’s possible to run 100+ miles eating that kind of food, it’s probably worth a try!

This is an interesting book that combines running with personal development. The authors talk about their (sometimes crazy) experiences with running, while encouraging the reader to reflect on their own running and life.

No Meat Athlete: Run on Plants and Discover Your Fittest, Fastest, Happiest Self by Matt Frazier and Matt Ruscigno

It is no secret, as mentioned above, that I am a fan of the No Meat Athlete Radio podcast. The book, written by one of the podcast hosts, is a great no-nonsense resource for those who are veg-curious or who want to get started on their fitness journey. It also provides great reminders and recipes for those who are already veggie and active!

Upstream: Selected Essays by Mary Oliver

This book is a bit different from what I normally read, but quite a pleasant surprise! Mary Oliver pays great attention to the animals – big and small – that she sees around her home, as well as paying homage to the writers who inspired her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, which might make you feel like spending more mindful time in nature too! and on a more superficial note, the book cover is gorgeous.

How To Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup

This is a great little book! I have read the Kindle edition twice now and I think it gives a brilliant step-by-step introduction to monetising your blog. [If you don’t have a blog yet, but you’re curious and thinking about first steps, check out my Becoming a blogger series.] This book covers ad networks, affiliate sales and much more, including an important primer on creating great content.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey

This is a life-changing book! And one of the original (and in my opinion best) in the personal development “genre”. Stephen Covey walks the reader through how to be a proactive person who acts with integrity and empathy. He goes pretty deep and has great examples to illustrate his seven principles.

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life by Crystal Paine

This is a great practical book when you’re feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. I wrote a blog post about my lessons learnt from the book – check it out here! Anyhoo, I strongly recommend this as a well-rounded resource to figure out what you want and start working towards it.

The 5 A.M. Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast by Jeff Sanders

This book is a great introduction to how starting your day with intention can lead to great things. You don’t need to start at 5 am, the main idea is to find time for what you value most. Jeff Sanders walks the reader through how to develop healthy habits, starting with morning and evening routines. His daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual plans to keep progress on track are similar to the strategy I use for my big goals.

The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul by Danielle LaPorte

Now, this book was definitely a bit out of my comfort zone. The author writes in a spiritual – what some would call “woo woo” – way about things that can seem a bit too deep or abstract. However, it could be very useful to someone who is on the “goals treadmill” (like me): always trying to accomplish more, without taking time to pause about how the process and result make me feel. It’s probably also a good starting point for those who feel a bit lost and don’t have big goals that motivate them towards a better life. Give it a go and tell me what you think!