Masala Recommends

Self-Help Books That Are Actually Worth Reading This New Year

A fresh year, familiar resolutions—and a self-help reading list that just might stick.

Grace Clarke, Apoorva Mahajan

As the new year commences, we begin the age-old tradition of the new year’s resolution. Realistically, the resolution is a goal we set and then abandon three weeks into January. Maybe it’s because we try to do too much. A rebrand should be gradual, not all at once.

This month’s Masala Book Club is all about self-help. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a resolution that will stick within this catalogue.

HEALTH

The Gut, Payal Kothari
A non-fiction book that talks to us about how influential our gut is, and not just our gut instinct.

Ultra-Processed People, Chris Van Tulleken
Don’t mistake this for a diet plan. This book looks into how and why we keep eating food that is bad for us and how we can change that.

FINANCE

Girls That Invest, Simran Kaur
Confused about the stock market? Unsure of how to start investing? This guide breaks down the basic principles needed to become a Wall Street wizard.

The Old Money Book, Bryan Tully
If you already curate your Instagram feed, why not curate your books as well? Managing finances isn’t about skimping on luxuries but rather knowing the right luxuries to invest in.

PSYCHOLOGY

The Body Keeps The Score, Bessel van der Kolk
You may forgive and forget, but your body doesn’t. This book explores how trauma literally reshapes the body and the brain and offers a way for survivors to reclaim their lives.

Dopamine Nation, Anna Lembke
Do you find yourself attracted to fleeting and instant pleasures? You may be addicted to dopamine! Call Anna Lembke, MD, for a cure.

PARENTING

What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About, Michele Filgane
Feeling smothered by your mother? You aren’t alone. Unfortunately, this feeling is universal. Here are stories from several walks of life that may resonate and might even heal your relationship.

The Montessori Toddler, Simone Davies
When it comes to parenting, rules are necessary, but they don’t have to look like everyone else’s. Learn how to harness your child’s curiosity and raise an inquisitive learner who loves exploring the world.

PRODUCTIVITY

Deep Work, Cal Newport
How’s your attention span been post-pandemic? Struggling to watch even a five-second video? Sound like you? Read this.

Think Like a Rocket Scientist, Ozan Varol
No, we’re not talking about blowing up a lab. Sometimes even the most complex of ideas can be distilled into something simple. After all, it’s not rocket science.

CREATIVITY

The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron
There’s more to being an artist than cracking open a notebook in a cafe and sipping performatively at your overpriced matcha. Embark on your creative journey… the artist’s way.

Just Making, Mithali Perkins
The pursuit of your dreams is not an easy decision to make. Often, the weight of sacrifice looms like a heavy cloud. That doesn’t mean we stop dreaming. Dreaming is how creatives can build a better world.

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