4 Books I’ve Loved So Far This Year

Today’s post is written by contributor Chelsea Becker, a San Diego native, living and writing in San Francisco. Follow her on Instagram & Pinterest.

One of my favorite things in the world is curling up with a good book—no matter if that’s on the subway, before bed, or while eating lunch. If I have free time, I’m probably reading! I’ve always found it as a way to chill out and learn. Especially after college ends, there aren’t too many opportunities to learn daily, and reading is a great way to do so! Plus, it’s a welcomed break from staring at a phone or screen all day.

Since I go through so many books (usually a few a month), I wanted to share the ones that have stuck out so far in 2018. Obviously not every book I get my hands on is something to share, but these 4 are! From fiction to self-help to cooking, I highly suggest these books below.

How to Get Sh*T Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything so They Can Achieve Anything

This is the first productivity book catered to females in over a decade and it did not disappoint! The author, Erin Falconer, who also runs Pick the Brain and was a co-founder of leafTV, really takes into account being a modern woman. There are tips for being productive while also figuring out exactly what’s important to you – and eliminating the rest. It was a refreshing take as most productivity books preach about how to “do it all.” I especially loved the homework at the end of each chapter where you have a chance to put what you just consumed to action.

The Clarity Cleanse: 12 Steps to Finding Renewed Energy, Spiritual Fulfillment, and Emotional Healing

A fellow wellness lover recommended this book and I’m so glad she did. The author, a doctor who focuses on health and spirituality, is backed by everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Anne Hathaway. It’s essentially a book about how to maintain clarity in your life while healing. Though some pages were a bit deep or woo-woo for me, I appreciated the overall message. Dr. Sadeghi also got me thinking more about how I operate and my past. I always like a book that makes me think!

The Women in the Castle

If you like to break up fiction from non-fiction, I highly recommend this fiction novel. I don’t usually gravitate towards historic pieces (this is loosely based on surviving women of WWII), but this story line grabbed me instantly. I was hooked the entire story! It was powerful, sad, interesting, and ultimately, very empowering as a woman. If you love this era of history, you’ll definitely enjoy! And if you have any more WWII fiction books, send them my way – I need more!

Real Food, Real Simple: 80 Delicious Paleo-Friendly, Gluten-Free Recipes in 5 Steps or Less

Cookbooks, in my opinion, are one of the most underrated books. Obviously they’re a way to get inspired in the kitchen while meal planning, but you usually learn a cooking skill, too. Plus, the beautiful imagery is always a treat for the eyes, and beyond relaxing. I flip through a lot of cookbooks, but after picking this up, I had to share. I enjoyed how simple this book is, the personal stories, and the recipes are healthy and incredible.

Let us know if you like this type of post and I’ll be sure to share my book recs over the year. Also, what’s the best book you’ve read lately?

BTW, 6 books that have made an impact on me, and 5 areas of life where you should be selfish.