(top: shein // jeans: carmar // photo: MAS photography)
I’m gonna keep it real: hosting and managing a popular Instagram account is not always all it’s cracked up to be. Everyone is a critic (especially yourself!) and you really put yourself out there into the world each time you post, vulnerable to the potential reactions of others and hoping that you’ll be understood. I will say, though– Instagram has brought me such a gift, and that is the gift of support. I have found such inspiration and comfort in having a strong network of beautiful female (vegan) game changers, all of whom aren’t afraid speak their minds, and who lead with compassion and with their BRAINS as opposed to their (incidentally pretty) faces. That being said, I just knew that each of these incredible women would have something to offer us by sharing a book that changed their life, and why. I hope that you find this as motivating and exciting as I did! Here we go, in no particular order…
Kristina of @BulldogStuff : Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. “This book is written by the author of Eat, Pray, Love. Creative living is a unique path to take, and there’s no rulebook or guarantee of success. Elizabeth humbly shares her journey and the many failures it took in order for her to become comfortable with the unknown. If you’re looking for positive, honest inspiration, then this is an amazing book!”
Margaret of @PlantPhilosophy : The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, by Michael A. Singer. “It honestly transformed the way I live my life. I strive to take it one day at a time, not fixating on the negative thoughts that I have about myself. I understand now that I am not the voice inside of my head, and that peace from within is possible if you learn how to control said voice. An incredibly freeing feeling; knowing that I am not my thoughts, merely an observer of them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with their purpose.”
Jessica of @TheTreeKisser : Switch: How To Change Things When Change Is Hard, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. “I’ve read it once and listened to the audiobook probably three full times. I think its hugely helpful for every activist and really anyone who wants to make a difference in their own life or in the lives of others.
Sunny of @VeganBeautyReview : Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You, by Nancy Tillman. “It is actually a children’s book that I enjoy reading to my little ones on a regular basis. It’s beautifully written and illustrated, and it captures the sentiment of love so tenderly and sweetly that it often brings tears to my eyes.”
Jennifer of @NeuroticMommy : Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched The World, by Bret Witter. “This book goes into deep understanding of how pets are essentially family. Dewey, whose entrance into life was a dark one, was stuffed into a library book slot. He brought an entire town together. He showed comfort to those who needed it most, he had a sixth sense for special needs, and he made hard times seem brighter. He knew that if he could make it, the small town (a proud farming community) could make it, too… And they did. This is also a true story!”
Tashina of @LogicalHarmony : Spirit Junkie, by Gabrielle Bernstein. “This book changed my life and has such a profound and positive impact on all areas of my life. It really helps you stop and think about… how to live in a way where your thoughts and mindset are serving you. In our society, it’s so easy to be impacted by all the noise and negative thoughts out there. It’s so easy to lose focus on what grounds you and makes you happy. Spirit Junkie teaches you how to add that balance back in.”
Ashlee of @AshleePiper : United, by Cory Booker. I loved this book because I adore biographies (and get so much inspiration from learning about the journeys and positive strategies of change-makers– the good, the challenging, and the downright tough). I’m also a huge fan of Cory Booker (my future husband, duh). I highly encourage anyone to give it a read. So much more than just political commentary!”
Rebecca of @TheMakeupEffect : Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown. “I’m reading this book right now; the speaker is so relatable, funny, wonderful, SMART. The book focuses on the power of vulnerability, but the coolest part is that it is backed by actual research. She empowers you to live ‘wholeheartedly.’ I find myself laughing, taking notes, exclaiming “YES!”, and crying tears of “Oh my goodness, this woman gets me.”
Nadhisha of @HuntdBlog : Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling. “It’s a hilarious confessional about her rise to TV fame. I love… how she talks frankly about things such a body confidence, being a woman in a man’s world, the perils of dating, and growing up as a girl of Asian background. She talks about her experiences trying to fit in, something which I experienced when I was young.”
Valeria of @WaterThruSkin : The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, by Ken Robinson. “This book is one that I connected with at a profound level. It helped me understand that we are all different and that we should accept and embrace our uniqueness, that material attachment can consume us, and that our true purpose and aim in life should be to follow our passions. That’s the only recipe to a happy and fulfilled life.”
Molly of @FashionVeggie : The Heaven of Animals: Stories, by David James Poissant. “This is an incredible collection of short stories– some full of love, some absurd or violent, some hilarious, all poignant and involving animals. Any animal lover who enjoys fiction should own this book. It’s hard for me to explain my experience reading it in any way except to say that my heart felt like bursting, from the first page until the last.”
