For some, it's an idea treasury. A door into creativity they know they boast but thirst more of. Some find it a convenient mode of travel - through the universe, history, worlds, and eras without a single step taken. It's a chance to meet extraordinary people and curl up next to their lifelong friends.
Others spread open amassed papers to seek solace, comfort, and life guidance. For many - knowingly or by chance - it's a way to morph into a better and wiser version of themselves.
For most though, it's simply a great way to spend free time.
For us - as a Wakeout Force Collective - the books we're about to share are a way to appreciate our mind and body in a newfangled world. That of remote closeness, desk-bound drooping, ever-changing reality, and sedentary conundrums. The books we ought to share hold the key to bolster back our salutary selves.
Dear salubrious force, we bring you 12 books to read in 2023!
#1 Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
Pedro Wunderlich, Wakeout's cofounder has a life-changing revelation to share.
"This book changed my life."
And - to our surprise as well - the book is about time management. If you're thinking "another one of those..." just bear with us for a brief moment.
The author's overall aim with this one - contrary to the philosophy of many rampant productivity zealots - is not to turn you into a task fertilizer, workhorse, or whatnot. Instead, it's a philosophic take that teaches you to learn the art of appreciating time and using it more wisely.
Pedro goes on to share: "If you're like me, you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. You're constantly pursuing the new method or technique or app to allow you to get more done quickly. I was that way before reading a book. Now I'm not. And I'm getting more done."
#2 Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
A Silicon Valley entrepreneur and a founder of The Restful Company is on a mission to help people cultivate a healthy work-life balance and peak their potential. Beautiful if you ask us!
In his book, he holds creativity, play, joy, and work as equals. If any of these forces is disrupted, well - ironically, you get less work done and end up feeling moody and restless.
Moreover, Alex goes on to challenge the long-soured and groundless BS.
- 4 hours of focused work is better than 8 hours of so-so work!
- taking a breather mid-work boosts your creativity!
- deeply playing can, literally, save lives - just like physical activity breaks do
#3 The Web of Life by Fritjof Capra
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
By taking a seat on a journey next to Dr. Capra, readers are taken on an exciting expedition of both internal and external networks - opening to a world full of captivating discoveries.
One remarkable gem included is an exploration of the Santiago Theory by Maturana and Varela, entitled "Bringing Forth a World". This profound idea reflects upon how we use words to shape our reality.
Taking a breather to ponder the words contained in the book will prompt you to realize how small changes in your own self-talk might just open up new possibilities! Exploring this path with Dr. Capra is sure to be a jubilant experience full of joyful insights and sincere revelations.
#4 Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future by Margaret J. Wheatley
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
Thoughtfully assembled; Creatively bold; Thought provoking; Socially righteous.
In this book, organizational consultant Margaret J. Wheatley poses questions worthy of our reflection. By mingling with poetry, sage words, and mythic tales, the writer wants to prompt a conversation that is at once courageous and connecting.
Just think of these as you take your next step on your journey, be it about wellness, welcoming, or wondering:
- What is my unique contribution to the whole?
- When have I experienced good listening?
- What is the relationship I want with the earth?
If there are blanks and blinks to those questions, you should really pick this one up.
#5 Who Says I'm an Addict? by David Smallwood
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository
A remarkable book that's part self-help, part psychological journey for anyone glued to a habit they can't seem to break. It doesn't matter if your vice is food, sex, overthinking, social media, or even overworking - this invaluable resource gives you the tools you need to face and beat addiction head-on.
It's the perfect companion for anyone who suspects - deep down inside - that something isn't right in their life. We know it's baffling and frustrating to admit we may be addicts and need help with our compulsions - but it is the start.
You can move beyond sneaky little monsters. The book's motivating tone will help you find the strength to do so.
#6 Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
Sleep.
Probably a number one constituent of a healthy, emotionally vibrant, and physically-elated life. It has an immense power to impact our cognitive capacities, memory, and ability to fend off diseases.
However, you're probably thinking: "Tell me something I don't know already". Challenge excepted! 😀 One in three Americans, despite their sleep know-how, is sleep deprived. This either makes us shockingly ignorant or we lack one big-fat WHY.
This book holds all the answers.
Renowned scientist Dr. Matthew Walker explains why quality sleep is necessary for physical and cognitive performance, both short and long-term. He provides insight into how our bodies and minds change when we don’t get enough rest, using research-backed evidence as well as examples from his own experiences.
#7 Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
It's a rare treat to explore the inner depths, the grand scheme of things, and life alongside an emperor. It's even more rare that you can do so while living 2000 years apart.
A peak into Marcus's intimate thoughts - thoughts he deemed were best left in the confines of his diary - will nudge you to understand that life on earth should be celebrated, not half-lived.
He'll help you understand that regrets, complaining, and "logic" will yank you back to your negligible behavior. The same way self-control, mental fortitude, and a higher perspective will offer you a seat next to the gods. Moreover, these virtues should support a more fulfilling and happy life.
#8 Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
Juggling life, work, relationships, and health; having an app that helps you manage over a hundred other apps installed; forgetting whether it was a clap or a switch that turned the light on in the hallway... Oh dear, the reality is...
We're bathing in clutter.
This book might help you step out of that jammed tub.
By serving you with more AHA moments than chapters, Greg McKeown will prompt you to find your essence. Or as he puts it - your highest level of contribution. Moreover, he'll help you stick to it and eliminate the perturbing waste.
In this treasure house of a book, you'll find a companion you'll wish to come back to whenever you get drenched back into an overwhelm.
#9 The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice by Todd Henry
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
Tagging yourself creative?
Good. Todd Henry will hand you a bullhorn and make your brilliance scream across the artic and boomerang back to charge the amplifier.
If you're trying to cherish your creative sprints; invent brilliant solutions; and actually kick it off with the muse within deadline brackets - The Accidental Creative will solidify your efforts with a stout process.
#10 The Good Life by Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
A sample size of hundreds of people's lives across two centuries makes this book a must-read. In addition, the fact that Harvard Medical School is at the epicenter makes it that much more intriguing - and important to read.
To teach you how to lead a happy life, they unfold the lessons learned from studying people throughout their entire lives. The Good Life is not just another self-help book to fill up your shelve: It's practical wisdom conveyed in letters that covers the most important constituents of a happy life: social fitness, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, healthy habits, and sleep.
#11 Yoga: Mastering the Basics by Sandra Anderson
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository
According to Goodreads - the harshest of the platforms in terms of ratings - it's the best in the bunch!
Instead of trying to hook you into reading, we'll share reviews we found online. They summarize the essence way better than we can:
"A well-illustrated, practical guide to Yoga. The student of Yoga will definitely reap the reward of exposure of this book." – Vijayendra Pratap, PhD, DYP, Director of the Yoga Research Society
"Both the novice and seasoned practitioner will find a wealth of truly helpful information on this dynamic art... A treasure trove of trustworthy information on yoga that will help you custom-tailor a yoga program to fit your own unique needs and wants." – Thomas Claire, author of Bodywork: What type of Massage to Get - and How to Make the Most of It
#12 Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To by David A. Sinclair
Amazon / Goodreads / BookDepository / Audible
Never mind the impression, but we're not jumping on the live forever bandwagon. We'll even say that the good life doesn't necessarily have to be a long one.
Now, this is where the however part shoves itself into a mix.
Outdaring age, however, does seem to align well with our effort to fend off diseases we pick up along the way. David Sinclair, a professor of molecular genetics at the Harvard Medical School, took on a challenge to enforce this notion. A notion that it's actually more about the healthspan, rather than a lifespan.
If you're feeling plagued by the sedentary lifestyle, this one might be worth a try!
Wakeout
