1. The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Modern Library Classics)
“The deeper he dives into his privatest, secretest presentiment, to his wonder he finds this is the most acceptable, most public and universally true. The people delight in it; the better part of every man feels — This is my music; this is myself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
This book is what really sparked my interest in writing. Emerson preaches independence above all else and inspires everyone to go out and create. Reading these essays made me feel more at ease with myself and gave me an new found appreciation for all who share their true selves with the world. If you’re short on time at the very least read through “The American Scholar”, “Self-Reliance” and “Nature”. Also if you already have a kindle then most of his essays can be downloaded for free.
2. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
“It is a strange thing that all the memories have these two qualities. They are always full of quietness, that is the most striking thing about them; and even when things weren’t like that in reality, they seem to have that quality. They are soundless apparitions, which speak to me by looks and gestures, wordless and silent — and their silence is precisely what disturbs me” -Bessel van der Kolk
This was probably my favourite book of 2017. The sheer breadth of the content covered is astonishing. Anyone interested in learning more about how the mind works from a practical and technical viewpoint should look to this book as a primer. The book also provides an insightful view on the history of the medical world (specifically pharmaceuticals) has tried to treat mental health. Seriously this book is amazing and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
3. The Unbearable Lightness of Being: A Novel
“The goals we pursue are always veiled. A girl who longs for marriage longs for something she knows nothing about. The boy who hankers after fame has no idea what fame is. The thing that gives our every move its meaning is always totally unknown to us.” – Milan Kundera
A couple things pushed me towards reading this novel. Firstly I had just gotten through reading a lot of Nietzsche’s work, which meant I had done all the philosophical homework to tackle some of Kundera’s main themes. Secondly my favourite band, Gang of Youths, released their second album Go Farther in Lightness. The album’s name as well as many of the lyrics alludes to Kundera’s work; so needless to say my hopes were set very high before starting this book. I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint. Kundera’s writing is highly readable for how philosophical it is and by the time I finished this book I had only put it down three times.
Other Recommendations:
Stefan Zweig’s biography on the life of Montaigne is a quick read that gives a more personal look at the life he lived.
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment touches on a lot of the concepts that ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ does but narrows the focus to how adults develop different attachment types in their relationships.
Liam Wood Roberts 