Experiment a Little…Recommends from my bookshelf to yours

We've made it halfway through winter! It’s been a cold month here in Melbourne and I am coming off the back of a mini break over the school holidays. It wasn’t quite the break I expected with the household all getting various degrees of illness. Still, a break. And the perfect moment to burrow inside and catch up on some books and shows, evaluating the fashion of ‘And Just Like That’ (yes, loved SITC back in its day!) and digging into some reading. Poetry has made its way into my sphere as a new love. I’ve been borrowing from the library before I have purchased some amazing poems to keep.

It got me thinking about (and admiring) all the books on my shelves. You can often tell a lot about someone when you sneak a peek at their shelves. Many of my books are tattered, dog-eared, highlighted and worn from years of love. Others are pristine. Not because they’ve been untouched, but because I’ve given away so many copies, I’ve had to buy them again. My books have travelled with me through career changes, friendships, new partners, adventure, parenthood, self-discovery and deep transformation.

Some have whispered to me when I needed guidance. Others shouted truths I wasn’t ready to hear. Each one has shaped who I am and how I show up in the world. As a coach, a woman, a leader, a Mum, a friend, and ultimately as a lifelong learner.

If you’re looking for your next read, or just need a little spark of inspiration, here are five of my top recommendations:

The Pilgrimage – Paulo Coelho This mystical tale found me around age 15. And inspired me to walk the Camino de Santiago and dream bigger than I ever had before. It opened the door to adventure, spiritual practice, and the idea that our journeys are as much about the inner landscape as the physical one. Walking the Camino is the one time in my life I can honestly say I cleared my mind. The memory of that walk still sits deep in my bones.

Perfume – Patrick Süskind This was the first book that completely intoxicated me with its language. My brother bought it for me in my 20s. I could smell every page, feel the damp of 18th-century Paris, and it showed me how words can bewitch your senses. It was a masterclass in storytelling and sensory writing. I’ve never read anything quite like it since.

Heidi – Johanna Spyri As a little girl, I adored this story. Adventure, mountain air, freedom, and love from family. If I’d had a daughter, I would have called her Heidi. It gave me an early appreciation for climbing metaphorical and literal mountains, and the grounding presence of grandparents.

Body and Soul – Anita Roddick This was the first book I read about a female entrepreneur in my teens and boy did I love The Body Shop products as a teenager! Anita’s activism taught me early on about ethics, animals, and the planet. It lit a spark in me that business could be both bold and good.

The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz These four simple principles shape so many coaching and team conversations I have. Don’t take things personally. Don’t make assumptions. Be impeccable with your word. Always do your best. They sound simple – they’re profound. Those of you who have worked with me using this foundation know exactly what I mean!!

And I couldn’t stop there. I’ve shared many more book recommends in the full list on this month’s blog. From Susan Cain to Bruce Lipton, from Alicia Keys to David Whyte, each with little anecdotes on how each book shaped me.

Experiment a little…

Have a think about your ‘bookshelf of influence’. Take 15–20 minutes to reflect on the books that have shaped your life.

List 5 books that have stayed with you. The ones you’ve underlined, gifted, re-read or carried through life’s big moments.

Next to each book, write what it taught you or how it influenced your thinking, choices or identity.

Now ask yourself:

·       What themes are emerging?

·       What do these books say about what matters to me?

·       Is there a book I need to revisit or share with someone else right now?

This simple practice can reconnect you to your values, spark insight, or offer a gentle (or obvious) nudge in a new or forgotten direction you aim to head in.

p.s. If you’re not a reader and prefer paintings or artwork, podcasts, YouTube, or movies… you can do the same with the questions above!

My gosh this list was a hard one to compile. I intended it to be a Top 10 yet couldn’t bear to leave some of these amazing reads out. (And I haven’t even started on the art or interiors books yet or raided my son’s shelf for Dr Suess and C.S. Lewis…)

I often reflect on, “the right words at the right time can change everything.” These books have been just that for me. Perhaps one or two might find their way into your hands when you need them most. Let me know if they do? I always love a good recommendation in return.

And last, we all love a deal and best price, but I strongly encourage you to support local bookstores, libraries and second-hand. Amazon doesn’t need your cash, hence why I’ve put all the links to local bookstores here in Australia.   

And just a reminder, if you’re keen to explore what coaching with me for yourself or your team, we can use books to help guide us along the way! I will have more 1 on 1 coaching spaces opening up in August. I deeply enjoy this work to help teams transition away of dysfunction and distraction and towards cohesion and performance. Drop me a DM here and we can talk more.

Until next month,

Leigh