The books that shaped Shannan part 2

Reasons to Stay Alive

by Matt Haig

Haig says in the opening pages that he's attempting to do two things in this memoir: to lessen the stigma of mental illness by talking about it openly, and to "try and actually convince people that the bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view." I found this to be fascinating in its content, surprising in its scope and design, packed with good words about books and reading, and life-affirming in its conclusions. I highlighted extensively, copying nearly a page worth of quotes into my journal.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

by Becky Chambers

Members of the Modern Mrs Darcy team rejoiced over this brand new novella from one of our favorite sci-fi authors. With her knack for combining quirky characters with surprising science fiction plots, Chambers helps us step outside the “real world” to examine modern society with fresh eyes. In the first installment of her next series, a tea monk dedicates their life to comforting humans in times of need, until they meet a robot friend with an important question. Endearing and delightful, this novella isn’t just for sci-fi lovers. In fact, Chambers dedicates it to “anybody who could use a break.”

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing

by KC Davis

This is therapist KC Davis's gentle instruction manual on how to maintain your home even when you're overwhelmed, depressed, or just living life with a neurodivergent brain that doesn't respond well to the advice that seems to work for everyone else. I loved this book, and found Davis's two-pronged approach extremely effective. First, a paradigm shift is in order: you are a person deserving of care; your home needs maintenance (not care) for the purpose of serving you well. Second, she provides specific instruction on momentum, motivation, and cleaning rhythms that make it easier to get done what needs to get done. This short little book packs a big punch: if you follow Davis's express path through the book you can finish it in an hour and start benefiting immediately.

The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms

by Danielle LaPorte

Shannan says: My conservative upbringing caused me to feel uncomfortable with Danielle’s “new age” vibes but this practical guide to creating success on my own terms appealed enough for me to pick it up. In Session 3: The Strategy of Desire, she introduced the concept of Core Desired Feelings: unique feelings we have been chasing since childhood. Her hypothesis is that everything we do (our careers, who we love, how we move through the world), we do to feel a certain way. I started thinking about how I wanted to feel in my working life and decided to pursue my personal interests as a career. One of the reasons I am writing this blog post is because of this book and I can confidently say that it would not have happened without Danielle.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

by Marie Kondo

If you want to tidy up once and for all, this is the best kick in the pants you can get for ten bucks. This book is more than a little woo-woo, but her extreme approach to decluttering WORKS. Kondo is a Japanese personal tidying expert (she doesn’t like to call herself an “organizer”). She originally wrote her decluttering manifesto to help the Japanese clients languishing on her waiting list. Not all translations are good translations, but this one has been praised for preserving the quirkiness of her voice. (It's quirky, all right.) I love this book (more thoughts on that here).

I Will Teach You To Be Rich

by Ramit Sethi

Shannan says: I have been in consumer debt off and on my entire adult life and after getting out again in 2024, I knew something had to change. Anne had mentioned the book before in MMD Land but it wasn’t until I watched Ramit’s Netflix show How to Get Rich that I was inspired to pick it up. Between the show, the book, and his podcast of over 265 episodes that I binge listened, I am slowly and methodically changing my money psychology. Ramit says that we should spend extravagantly on what matters and cut mercilessly on what does not. I have found this applies to more than just money.

Circe

by Madeline Miller

Miller’s Odyssey retelling focuses on the witch Circe, who is known for having turned men into pigs. Here we see how and why she got to that point. Circe grows up as the daughter of Helios, the god of the Sun and a Titan. She doesn’t fit in with her family but over time, she discovers she does have magical powers all her own. Banished to a deserted island by Zeus, she comes into her own as she meets both friend and foe. This is an inventive take on a familiar story that allowed me to see it in a new, fresh way.

The books that shaped Shannan part 2

Reasons to Stay Alive

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing

The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

I Will Teach You To Be Rich

Circe

a gateway

to reliable joy this summer

Buckle Up!

summer reading starts May 16th