Loss, exploitation and marginalisation can rob people of their sense of power and agency. The following new books help us reclaim life through the power of art, nature, and connection as well as the protective power of staying informed on the toxic influences around us.

Believability: Sexual Violence, Media, and the Politics of Doubt / Banet-Weiser, Sarah
“The #MeToo movement has empowered women to speak out against sexual assault. However, in the era of “fake news” and “alternative facts”, the concept of truth is being questioned. This book explores how #MeToo intersects with the post-truth crisis, focusing on experiences of women and people of colour whose claims of sexual violence are often doubted. It analyses how media culture influences the believability of truth about sexual violence today.” (Adapted from publisher and catalogue)

Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People: Avoid Emotional Traps, Stand Up for Your Self, and Transform Your Relationships… / Gibson, Lindsay C
“If you had an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent, you may remember a childhood full of emotional neglect. But what about other emotionally immature people in your life? Dealing with EIPs can be challenging. They can overly prioritize themselves, causing isolation and pain. This practical handbook provides insights and guidance to set boundaries, improve relationships, and handle these difficult interactions. By understanding their behaviours and transforming your connections, you can live a happier life. Disentangle from EIPs and empower yourself to assert your needs with confidence and self-compassion.” (Adapted from catalogue)

God is an Octopus: Loss, Love and a Calling to Nature / Goldsmith, Ben
“In July 2019, Ben Goldsmith tragically lost his fifteen-year-old daughter, Iris, in a farm accident. This book tells the story of Ben’s journey of soul-searching and healing after this devastating loss which left his whole family reeling. As he immersed himself in the rewilding of his farm, he found solace, hope and healing through the dramatic restoration of nature in the place where it happened. A powerful and inspiring story of finding comfort and strength in nature amidst despair.” (Adapted from catalogue)

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To make powerful change in life, it needs to come from a well-informed place grounded in reality and emotion, and address root causes. The following new books help us to do so, paving the way for transformation, growth and healing.

Dark PR: How corporate disinformation undermines our health and the environment / Ennis, Grant
“Slogans like “Think global, act local!” and “Be the change you want to see in the world!” resonate with many. Corporations often hijack these powerful narratives to shift responsibility onto individuals, so they perceive them as a matter of “personal choice”. Ennis exposes how multinationals manipulate and deceive us using frames like denialism and victim-blaming, to divert attention from the real causes of global and systemic problems. Ethical consumerism and divestment are not effective solutions. Only by collectively lobbying our governments can we break this cycle and regain control of our lives.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Out of the Woods: A tale of positivity, kindness and courage / Griffin, Betsy
“In this deeply moving and inspirational fable, Betsy Griffin teaches us how to face our struggles with courage and determination, and shares powerful lessons about positivity, kindness and hope. With wise advice from woodland creatures along the way, Betsy takes it upon herself to change her outlook on the world as she finds her way home. Despite her young age, Betsy’s wisdom will inspire readers of all ages, showing us that anything is possible.” (Adapted from dust jacket and catalogue)

Psychonauts: Drugs and the making of the modern mind / Jay, Mike
“Before the 20th century, scientists experimented on themselves to study the effects of drugs on the mind, leading to insights in many of the sciences and inspiring many others in the process. After 1900, drugs were increasingly seen as a social problem and self-experimentation became rarer. Mike Jay’s book recovers this lost tradition which influenced the birth of psychology, the discovery of the unconscious, and the emergence of modernism. Today, as we experiment with cognitive enhancers and psychedelics, it is important to revisit the experiments of the original psychonauts to understand the deep and lasting impact of mind-altering drugs on Western science, philosophy, and culture.” (Adapted from dust jacket and catalogue)

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Whether you’re interested in cognitive science, human relationships, or the mysteries and potential of the human mind, there’s something for everyone in these thought-provoking personal development books.

Anatomy of a breakthrough: How to get unstuck and unlock your potential / Alter, Adam
“Anatomy of a Breakthrough” is a smart-thinking book that helps people optimize their minds to overcome obstacles. We all get stuck sometimes, whether it’s in our careers, relationships, personal lives, or artistic endeavours. “Anatomy of a Breakthrough” helps identify and overcome our ‘friction points’, offering a new framework to get ‘unstuck’ and thrive as the key to reaching our full potential.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Brainwashed: A new history of thought control / Pick, Daniel
“Psychoanalyst and historian Daniel Pick delves into the mysterious world of brainwashing in the 20th and 21st centuries, from ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ to ISIS, TV advertising to online algorithms. Mixing fascinating case studies with historical and psychological insights, ‘Brainwashed’ is a stimulating journey into the mysteries of thought control.” (Catalogue – From publisher’s website)

The creative act: A way of being / Rubin, Rick
“Rick Rubin is known for creating a supportive environment where artists can discover their true selves and surprise the world with their unique talents. He believes that creativity is a fundamental part of human life and that everyone has the ability to tap into it. This timeless classic is a must-read for anyone seeking to unleash their artistic potential and find transcendence through creativity.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Continue reading “Exploring the Human Mind: New personal development books” →

From the history of the myth of witchcraft to the science of emotions and the future of artificial intelligence, delve into history, philosophy, science and technology to discover more your inner and outer world with these new personal growth releases.

Ashes & Stones: A Scottish journey in search of witches and witness / Shaw, Allyson
“Ashes and Stones is a book by Allyson Shaw that explores modern memorials, standing stones, forests, and hedge mazes, weaving together history and feminist reclamation to create a vibrant memorial. The book untangles the myth of witchcraft and gives voice to those erased by it, linking contemporary women to the horrors of the past and calling for remembrance of our ancestors.” (Adapted from catalogue and inside cover)

How to think like a woman: Four women philosophers who taught me how to love the life of the mind / Penaluna, Regan
“How to Think Like a Woman is a memoir, biography, and criticism of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century feminist philosophers Mary Astell, Damaris Masham, Catharine Cockburn, and Mary Wollstonecraft. Regan Penaluna tells their stories and her own search for love and truth, weaving an alternative history of philosophy and a searing look at patriarchy and sexism in academia.” (Adapted from catalogue and publisher’s description)

Machines behaving badly: The morality of AI / Walsh, Toby
“Is Alexa racist? Can (and will) AI help tackle the climate emergency? What limits should we place on face recognition software? Can robots have rights? And what regulations can we put in place to ensure AI makes the world a better place? Toby Walsh explores how AI is here to stay. Although it may not be the stuff of science fiction, it will undoubtedly change the future of the human race, for better or worse. ” (Adapted from catalogue)

Real self care: Powerful practices to nourish yourself from the inside out / Lakshmin, Pooja
“Self-care has become a commercialized industry, but real self-care is a sustainable practice that involves setting boundaries, treating ourselves with compassion, and living a life aligned with our values. Psychiatrist and women’s mental health specialist Dr Pooja Lakshmin offers actionable strategies to help women become agents of change in their lives and assert their power, resulting in a personal and social revolution.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Sensitive: The power of a thoughtful mind in an overwhelming world / Granneman, Jenn
“Sensitive is a book that champions the world’s “highly sensitive people,” who make up nearly 1 in 3 of the population. Through fascinating research and expert storytelling, the authors show these readers how to unlock the potential in this undervalued strength and leverage it across the most important life areas, demonstrating how leaning into sensitivity unlocks a powerful “boost effect” to launch them ahead in life.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Philosophy and life: Exploring the great questions of how to live / Grayling, A. C
“In this book, A.C. Grayling explores how to live a fulfilling life, discussing questions such as ‘what values to live by’ and ‘what goals to aim for’. Drawing on a wide range of thinkers from across time and place, including philosophers like Confucius, Seneca, and Nietzsche, as well as authors like Shakespeare and Ursula LeGuin, and modern thinkers like Martha Nussbaum and Bernard Williams, Grayling shares insights on the philosophy of life.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Emotional ignorance: Lost and found in the science of emotion / Burnett, Dean
“In his book, Dean Burnett explores the science behind emotions and their impact on our lives, from the origins of life to the end of the universe. He covers topics such as why we follow our gut, the addictive nature of doomscrolling, and how sad music can make us happier. Burnett also shares insights into the grieving process and argues how emotions are what make us who we are.” (Adapted from catalogue and publisher’s description)