Our 12 Favourite Mindfulness Books to Read
Dive into our hand-picked collection of wellbeing books – no pressure, just an opportunity to find joy
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We’re not here to tell you that you should be making the best of your time indoors with ambitious deep cleans and online courses. Keeping busy is nice though, so why not pick up a book guaranteed to make you feel better? Take a look at Plum Guide's favourite mindfulness books below...
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Oldies goldies. Every one of us has been recommended a bit of Tolle at some point, and while we know you’re making your way through your to-read pile, we think it would be a shame to pass up the opportunity to finally see what all the fuss is about. Tolle’s focus on ‘now’ has been bringing relief from anxiety to millions around the world and has inspired a whole generation of authors to write mindfulness books. It's a classic to add to your home library.
Cover of The Power of Now
The Little House, Plum Guide home in the Cotswolds
The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe
This little book is perfect for those who want to dip their toes in the water before diving headfirst. The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness was written by a former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe, who is also the wise voice behind the popular eponymous app. Designed to change your life in mere ten minutes, it’s jam-packed with short meditations and succinct tips. A perfect choice for your coffee table collection.
Cover of The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness
Table of books in Country Modern, Plum Guide home in the Cotswolds
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Wherever You Go, There You Are is another classic amongst mindfulness books, written specifically to counter goal-setting culture and reminding us to stop trying to get somewhere and enjoy the present. This one especially hits home (no pun intended) for anyone experiencing anxiety thinking about the future, but it’s also a great introduction to meditation.
Cover of Wherever You Go, There You Are
Glass coffee table with books in the living room of Le Palais de Marie, Plum Guide home in Paris
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Hygge is a tricky one – the Danish wellbeing philosophy has taken the world by storm, but many believe the practice has been misunderstood. Meik Wiking’s book isn’t about buying fluffy blankets, but incorporating the search for small pleasures into your everyday life (which, on second thought, might involve some fluffy blankets) and making your home a place where you feel good. What better time to do that than right now?
Cover of The Little Book of Hygge
The Gantzel Studio, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
On Being Nice by The School of Life
The School of Life’s philosophy is to 'entertain, educate, console and transform.' All of their mindfulness books are bold and beautiful to read, but this one stood for us because one person reading this book can help many more. What might seem like an unrelated subject to wellness, On Being Nice tackles what motivates our being, relationships, and compassion – and how being nice is actually quite revolutionary.
Cover of On Being Nice
The Beauty Chef by Carla Oates
Spending time at home will give a lot of us a chance to spend more time thinking about and making food, which is why The Beauty Chef is a perfect book to get stuck in. Carla Oates has prepared over 300 pages of recipes that will elevate your wellbeing and nourish your body. Most of the recipes are dairy and gluten-free too, which makes it accessible to all dietary profiles.
Cover of The Beauty Chef
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
What happens when a neuroscientist writes a book about how sleep affects our everyday life and wellbeing? Millions of people all around the world start realising how crucial it is, that’s what. Matthew Walker analyses the health impact of sleep deprivation as a common root to a variety of problems, offering tips on how to sleep more and better.
Cover of Why We Sleep
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Albert Liebermann and Hector Garcia
In the Western world, ikigai was introduced as the antithesis to hygge – the latter was simplified into the art of doing nothing, and ikigai as doing ‘something, but with purpose’. The two authors will take you on an introductory journey to the life practices that have made the Japanese one of the healthiest nations in the world.
Cover of Ikigai
The Telomere Effect by Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD and Elissa Epel, PhD
We love it when our wellness gurus bring out the big science guns. In this case, Nobel laureates explain how the fountain of youth (or extreme longevity, which is close enough) might actually exist inside of us. The sciences of telomeres and the factors that influence them are a thrilling journey.
Cover of The Telomere Effect
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay
If you’re familiar with practices for positive thinking and affirmations, then you’re probably familiar with one of the most powerful voices in self-help. You Can Heal Your Life is a little more spiritual than most wellness books on this list, but it’s one of those books you’ll be coming back for the rest of your life for advice and reassurance.
Cover of You Can Heal Your Life
10% Happier by Dan Harris
This book steers clear of grandiose promises of full transformation and focuses on the fact that a ten per cent increase in happiness is a valid pursuit. Dan Harris explores meditation from a part-neuroscientific-part-psychological perspective that’s tailored for someone with a bit more scepticism.
Cover of 10% Happier
In Defence of Food by Michael Pollan
In an age of nutritional fads, Michael Pollan is a critical voice who challenges the perception that we should complicate our dietary habits. His simple manifesto that of “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” argues that the more we obsess with nutrition, the less healthy we become. A great read for those looking to get and stay healthy while self-isolating.
Cover of In Defence of Food
We sincerely hope we’ve added at least one life-enriching non-fictional companion to your reading list. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ll crack on with some mandated curling up in front of the fireplace – all in the name of hygge.
