The Best Books I Read On Sabbatical
During my recent sabbatical I became obsessed with reading. Not since my teenage years, when I loved to read fiction, have I found such comfort and enjoyment in books. Somewhere in the last two decades reading had become a chore, something I did when I had to, and rarely with any great joy. So to have this healthy addiction back in my life was unexpected, and very welcome.
I want to share the best books I read during sabbatical, both to appease the algorithm overlords with a content sacrifice, and to ask, “What have YOU been reading lately?”.
Here’s my list:
"The English Patient" by Michael Ondaatje - Set against the backdrop of the last days of World War 2, this book swept my silly heart through a deeply evocative, lyrical story of love, betrayal, tragedy, and the intricate workings of WW2 era land mines. So, hit all my buttons! The film has always been a favourite but I was quite unprepared for how majestic the book is. I read it twice and it’s gone straight into the list of my favourite books of all time!
"The Practice" by Seth Godin - A guide to developing creativity as a deliberate and regular process, rather than relying on sporadic inspiration. Written as a series of short aphorisms about the creative life, this is one of those books that inspires action as it penetrates the fog of fear that surrounds creative work, encouraging the reader to turn up every day, believe in the process, and trust in instinct.
“The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin - Similar to “The Process”, this beautiful book is a guide to creativity and the artistic life. Written as a series of short, zen-like essays on every aspect of creativity - the fears, hopes, methods, sensitivities, and mindset of an artist - the wisdom it shares is both spiritual and practical. It’s also a truly delightful object to hold in the hand, with a beautiful, minimalist design with excellent font choices, a weighty feel, and a pleasing fabric cover. I loved it. I keep it by the toilet and read a little bit every day. TMI?
“Deep Work” by Cal Newport - A fascinating argument for abandoning modernity and embracing lost wisdom. I took a lot from this book, which makes the case for removing distracting “network tools” like email, text messaging, social media, slack, and so on, from your life, and creating an environment that ensures long periods of focused attention on difficult problems. It’s a method that’s scientifically proven to make the most of your talents, and having tried it out I can report that it feels great too. I wrote about this in more detail on my blog. If you’re interested, there’s a link in the comments.
"Before They Are Hanged" by Joe Abercrombie - Somewhat less romantic than The English Patient, but a lot of fun none-the-less! The second instalment in a high-fantasy epic with mages, warriors, a fading empire mired in bureaucracy and power struggles, magic swords with fearsome soubriquets, love, and adventure. Perfect right before bed. Thank you Cam Robinson for the recommendation!
"No More Mr. Nice Guy" by Robert Glover - A psychological examination of the 'Nice Guy Syndrome', offering insights into authentic relationships and self-worth. I really struggle with self-worth and have read about it extensively. I also wrote a blog post about it a while back that I’ll link in the comments. This book had a lot to teach me about putting myself first, taking responsibility for my own needs and feelings, the importance of connecting with male communities, and how to be more upfront about what I want out of life. I think a lot of people will have a knee-jerk reaction to the title, writing it off as a slightly odd, “meninist” sort of book, but I promise it’s not what you might think at first glance. It’s helped me take responsibility for my own bullshit, which has to be worth something!
"Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach - Another in the field of self-acceptance, this time a blend of Western psychology and Eastern spiritual practices from one of the most prominent voices in western Zen practice. Focusing on the transformative power of self-compassion and mindfulness, this is a practical guide to becoming aware of your inner monologue, learning not to attach your identity to it, and holding what you find there with compassion and love. It’s a beautiful book that I have a feeling I’ll be reading again and again.
“The Stand” by Stephen King - Part of my sabbatical was taking over full responsibility for running our house, including all the mundane stuff like laundry and dishes. Luckily, I had this 50-hour epic to accompany me on audiobook otherwise I might not have made it through! Somehow I hadn’t heard of it before my brother-in-law’s recommendation, but right from the first vignette it had all the hallmarks of a classic thriller. I think Stephen King is a genius at character writing, and was surprised at how modern and therapy-informed the characters are.
So, there’s my list. I took a sabbatical and fell in love with reading again. I highly recommend it!
As I take my first steps towards finding a new full-time role, I’m determined to maintain space in my life for books, and slightly saddened by the feeling that I won’t be able to keep momentum going once I do.
What books have shaped your thinking recently? I welcome recommendations and discussions on impactful reads that captured your heart, challenged your perspectives, or fostered growth! Or maybe all three at once!