It’s been twenty years since her mother was photographed, blood-soaked, outside the family home. A famous TV food personality, she fled the country. Since that time, the girl has grown up. She’s bought an apartment, learned her own cooking style, fallen in love. She lives a quiet life, working as a copywriter for a health insurance company. She’s found happiness, finally.

But strange things are in the air. Her easygoing boyfriend has started sleeping with men. Her mother is selling the infamous family home. And a glamorous, pregnant neighbour has moved into the apartment downstairs, calling into question everything the girl believes about her own desires.

Among conspiracies, dubious loyalties, and mercenary impulses, how do we work out who is worthy of our devotion and who is just a fan? Shirley charts a search for meaning in a world where the fracturing of ambitions – work and purpose, real estate and home, family and love – has left us uncertain how to recognise ourselves.

Popularised by the Dunbar Number, which suggests that our cognitive limit for maintaining stable social relationships is around 150 people, this book is a fascinating if highly cerebral and scientific take on friendship, trust, loneliness and social cohesion. Its academic exploration provides a practical guide  and homage to human connection for anyone looking to understand the nuances of friendship groups.

Promoted as a book to counteract self-sabotage, it actually covers many aspects of life including happiness, decluttering, denial, procrastination, finding inner peace, trusting yourself and so on. If you are an avid self help book reader it may feel like many well-worn concepts that have been repackaged into a booklet without chapters that speaks like the Tao Te Ching. While we may well be responsible for our own lives, the emphasis on personal responsibility could feel overwhelming or dismissive of the complex factors that contribute to mental health struggles, including the society we operate in.

Discussing sex miseducation, the origins of insecure sexuality, attachment theory and more, Casey draws inspiration from her personal journey , academic research and community cultivated knowledge. Framed by anti-oppressive and trauma informed practise this book is an absolute must read.

Combining expertise in clinical psychology with holistic health, this book reflects the idea that cultivating self-love and self-compassion can transform your relationships with others. Key concepts are understanding and healing your past, cultivating self-love and developing self-awareness. Huge on Instagram Nicole, aka the Holistic Psychologist provides in depth insight into living a more authentic life.

Based on extensive research with numerous studies and personal anecdotes, this beautiful, hopeful and practical book explores the science behind the emotion of awe, which is defined as the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding of the world.

Challenge societal norms and redefines what it means to be truly whole. Does not offer a quick fix but takes you on a profound and considered journey of self-discovery, encouraging people to embrace all aspects of ourselves – flaws and all. Has a realistically optimistic tone and insightful wisdom which makes it highly readable and highly recommended.

A foundational book in understanding the interplay between emotions and intelligence. Provides valuable insights into improving emotional skills and emotional competence. Emphasis self-awareness and self-regulation and expands into organizations aiming to cultivate a more emotionally intelligent workforce.

This is a beautiful book about human connection, drawing from philosophy, psychology, and personal anecdotes. David Brooks provides a compelling exploration of the intricacies of human character, offering practical wisdom for navigating the nuances of relationships and self-awareness.

Grounded in Jungian therapy and Buddhism, this book offers invaluable tools and strategies for navigating the complexities of love, communication, and self-discovery with clarity, compassion and insightful gentleness, inviting readers to embrace vulnerability and authenticity as pathways to profound connection and growth.

Articulate, life changing classic

Wise, compassionate & essential

Thoughtful, well researched & deeply reflective

Practical, engaging & accessible

Honest, relatable & poignant

Simple, eye opening & uplifting

Insightful, meaningful, road map

Digestible, clear & practical