January is that time of year so many of us are feeling a bit run down and worn out, so it’s a good time to investigate what new health books we have in the collection. A broad selection of titles from birth and midwifery through changing bodies, healthy eating, exercise, ageing and even death. We’ve curated a selection for you here.
Forever strong : a new, science-based strategy for aging well / Lyon, Gabrielle
” After years of watching patients cycle through her practice, Dr Gabrielle Lyon noticed a pattern. While her patients struggled with a wide range of conditions, they all suffered from the same core problem: they had too little muscle rather than too much fat. When we think about muscle, we tend to think about strength or aesthetics, but in reality, muscle accounts for so much more than that. As the body’s largest endocrine organ, muscle actually determines everything about the trajectory of health and aging. Now, Dr Lyon offers an easy-to-follow food, fitness, and self-care program anchored in evidence and pioneering research that teaches you how to optimize muscle-no matter your age or health background.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Breaking through depression : new treatments and discoveries for healing / Gold, Philip W.
“Since he first developed the idea that depression is a stress response gone awry, Philip Gold has spent decades researching what this means for our whole bodies, not just our brains. In this book, he reveals the latest research on how depression affects every aspect of our health – from the chemical messengers that control sleep and appetite to the brain’s structure and functionality. Timely, urgent and important, Breaking Through Depression articulates the workings of this misunderstood illness in compelling and often surprising detail, introducing the newest innovations in treatment that offer hope for healing.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Veg-table : recipes, techniques + plant science for big-flavored, vegetable-focused meals / Sharma, Nik
“Nik Sharma, blogger at A Brown Table, Serious Eats columnist, and bestselling cookbook author, brings us his most cookable collection of recipes yet in Veg-table. Here is a technique-focused repertoire for weeknight mains for cooks of all skill levels looking to add more delicious and satisfying vegetable dishes to their diet. Featuring more than 100 of Sharma’s gorgeous and evocative photographs, as well as instructive illustrations, this cookbook perfectly balances beauty, intellect, and delicious, achievable recipes.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The best country to give birth? : midwifery, homebirth and the politics of maternity in Aotearoa New Zealand, 1970-2022 / Bryder, Linda
“‘Historian of medicine Linda Bryder explores how New Zealand developed a unique approach to the role of midwives in childbirth in the 1990s, and analyses the consequences of that change for mothers and babies. How and why does maternity care in Aotearoa differ from other countries? How has it shaped the equitable care of our mothers and babies? Why have critical reports had so little impact? This is a major historical account of an issue at the heart of our maternity care.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Eden vegan : plant-based recipes for every day / Eden, Tess
“Every dish in this book is 100 per cent vegan, made with whole-food ingredients that can all be found on the shelf at your local supermarket. No fancy ‘superfoods’, no expensive powders-just good, fresh ingredients!” (Catalogue)
Sober vibes : a guide to thriving in your first three months without alcohol / Andersen, Courtney
“This impactful book will answer all of your questions about what to expect when you first get sober, so you can find success on this journey and ease in its process. Courtney Andersen is a sober coach who has walked the path of recovery for over a decade. In a series of insightful essays, she details what the first three months of sobriety look like and supports you as the process unfolds with expert advice and first-hand knowledge, so you can stick to your goal of not drinking. Get ready to quit alcohol for good, change your life for the better and usher in a healthier, more conscious lifestyle.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Period : the real story of menstruation / Clancy, Kathryn B. H.
“An exploration on the science and cultural history of menstruation that challenges many of the myths and false assumptions that have defined the study of the uterus. Covers issues such as bodily autonomy, menstrual hygiene, the COVID-19 vaccine, and the ways racism, sexism, and medical betrayal warp public perceptions of menstruation.” (Catalogue)
Yin yoga 50+ : slow flows to restore your body, improve flexibility, and relieve pain / Steele, Paul
“This book explains what yin yoga is, its history, and the benefits, including stress reduction and improved strength, flexibility, and range of motion. It includes photos and instructions for 24 poses and 15 sequences for specific body regions, sports, or activities.” (Catalogue)
The in-between : unforgettable encounters during life’s final moments / Vlahos, Hadley
“What can people at the end of their lives teach us about living well today? In this heart-warming memoir of wisdom, redemption and even joy, Hadley Vlahos beautifully shares life lessons and stories from being a palliative care nurse, and how end-of-life patients informed her sense of purpose. With warmth and compassion, she tells the stories of patients who have changed her life. From the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter and the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her, each story raises vital questions about living, dying and the afterlife, offering comfort to those navigating loss and inspiring us to live our lives to the fullest.” (Catalogue)
For more new titles in the collection, go to: What’s new / January 2024 (wcl.govt.nz)
