Reading the news these day is important, but the act may bring with it feelings of stress and anxiety. It’s thus important that we spend time reading material that is calming and soothing, with words that wrap us in a cocoon of comfort. Here are our top picks.
Small Pleasures - The School of Life
Beautifully written and inclusive of equally captivating images, The School of Life's offering boasts over 200 pages of small yet meaningful things you can take pleasure from and why, from staring out of a window being "an exercise in discovering the contents of our mind" to a favourite old jumper existing as something that "love quietly accumulates round". This book is perfect for a time like this, as it helps you rediscover the tiny things that make life magical.
Essays In Love - Alain De Botton
Written as a relatable, quirky, insightful and emotional stream of consciousness, De Botton's book can be devoured quickly, but must be digested more slowly as he offers inspiring words on the nature of love, the development of emotions and the small yet significant things we may overlook in our interactions with one another. "Pullovers may be a sign of love between a man and a woman," de Botton says, "but we had yet to translate our feelings into language."
The Daily Stoic - Ryan Holiday
The Daily Stoic helps you start every morning with an insightful quote from the likes of Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Their musings on meditation, rituals and general life are not only calming, but also educational.
The Journey of Being Human - Osho
"In nature, nothing goes off balance." That is just one of the quotes you'll find in this insightful and calming treatise from Osho as he explores the essence of happiness and its relation to humanity. Whether you read this book in one sitting or in chunks, it is surely an offering that you will return to time and time again.
The Little Book of Hygge - Meik Wiking
This book is apt for a time like this when you're spending more time at home, as Hygge (hue-gah) is the Danish way of living that encompasses comfort, shelter, belonging and warmth. Pick this book up to learn all about the simple art of wellbeing.
