1. On Happiness: Altruism by Matthieu Ricard
Matthieu Ricard proves that true happiness is not tied to particular moments or sensations, but is a lasting state rooted in compassion. In his book, Ricard explains how altruism is about having a genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. He reasons that this kind of compassion can change you and the world, and could ultimately be the saving grace of the 21st century. Altruism is the essential virtue capable of addressing the three main challenges of our time: the economy in the short term, life satisfaction in the middle term, and the environment in the long term.
2. On Nutrition: The Whole30 by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig
The Whole30 is a month-long nutritional guide to total health. Health-and-fitness power couple Dallas and Melissa Hartwig created the Whole30 program to help people rewire their health by eliminating problematic foods for 30 days, then determining which ones to avoid long term and which to reintroduce. Whole30 is commonly described as the “squeaky clean Paleo.” Although its guidelines are similar to those of a Paleo diet, it focuses less on replicating the caveman regimen and more on helping the body heal from the inside out.
3. On Parenting: Brave Parenting by Krissy Pozatek
Brave Parenting: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient Children is about teaching our kids to overcome small hurdles at a young age to better equip them for facing larger issues later in life. Problem solving at an early age teaches self-confidence and self-reliance—and proves that our kids are more resilient than we think. Krissy Pozatek draws from her Buddhist practice and her personal experience of guiding children in wilderness therapy. Life—like the wild—is unpredictable and Pozatek teaches that the most loving thing a parent can do is fearlessly ready their child to face the wilderness.
4. On Dating and Marriage: Boundaries by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend
Boundaries is about knowing when to say yes and how to say no. Boundaries impact the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives, so setting clear boundaries is vital for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Where you draw your boundaries says a lot about who you are and who you are not. In their revolutionary book, Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend show us how to set healthy boundaries in our relationships through biblically based principles.
5. On Meditation: The OM Factor by Alka Dhillon
The OM Factor: A Woman’s Spiritual Guide to Leadership provides immediate and long-term answers to dealing with everyday stress. In the book, Alka Dhillon includes her essential “plug-and-play” tools to help readers tackle emotionally challenging situations and defines seven key character traits that cultivate personal success and wellbeing. Each trait is followed by a corresponding yoga pose, complete with photographs and instructions, to guide the reader to a lively expression of the trait.
6. On Neuroscience: Becoming Aware by Lisa Garr
After suffering from a traumatic brain injury during a biking accident that altered her memory and ability to speak, Lisa Garr used EEG techniques to heal her brain and used the experience as a wake-up call to transform her life in every way possible. Garr is the host of The Aware Show, an internationally syndicated radio program that inspires conscious conversations and positive growth in all areas. In Becoming Aware, Garr discusses how she learned to repattern her brain and explains how you can, too.
7. 
On Mental Health: Brain Maker by David Perlmutter, MD
Brain disorders are becoming more and more common in today’s society, and we still have much to learn about them. Dr David Perlmutter reveals new research that shows that the brain is directly influenced by the state of your microbiome. In Brain Maker, he clarifies how what you put into your body plays a powerful role in determining your risk of a brain-related disorder.
8. On Wisdom: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
In his bestselling self-help book The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz shares four key principles to cultivating love and happiness in your life. The four agreements are: 1) be impeccable with your word, 2) don’t take anything personally, 3) don’t make assumptions, and 4) always do your best. They may be difficult to adopt at first, but with practice these four agreements will be integrated into every area of your life and become part of who you are.
9. On Simplifying Your Life: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo is a Japanese consultant who specializes in the art of decluttering and organizing. In The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Kondo breaks down the various types of clutter and what causes them. She also shares her simple method for tidying up, the KonMari method, which was built on the S.P.A.C.E. formula:
- Sort: Gather all items from one category together
- Purge: Discard items no longer needed
- Assign: Designate a storage place for all items
- Containerize: Find suitable containers to hold the items
- Equalize: Consistently return items to their assigned homes every day
10.
On Personal Growth: Gorgeous for Good by Sophie Uliano
Want to look radiant and rested—without undergoing surgery, using harmful chemicals or spending tons of money? Clean beauty guru and New York Times bestselling author Sophie Uliano offers a solution to this beauty dilemma. Gorgeous for Good: A Simple 30-Day Program for Lasting Beauty—Inside and Out finds the balance between natural and fake. Rather than focusing on these extremes, Uliano looks at healthy options that actually work. This 30-day holistic program covers everything from nutrition to self-care to spiritual connection and incorporates tools for a body-and-soul makeover that helps readers stay gorgeous for good!
To find out about Rose’s thoughts on how to live a happier life, click here
