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Writing & Reflection Resources

An ever expanding list of recommended minds and their meanderings, enjoy! 

Becoming a Better Writer

On Writing - A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Part memoir, part masterclass, King shares his personal journey as a writer alongside practical, no-nonsense advice on the tools of the trade.

Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont

A beloved guide that encourages writers to tackle large projects "bird by bird," offering wisdom on overcoming writer's block and the importance of "shitty first drafts."

Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay

Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay: Crafting the Story Only You Could Write by Nancy Aronie

A warm and humorous guide to crafting unforgettable narratives, teaching writers to use vulnerability and self-reflection to connect with readers.

Shay’s Favorite Memoirs and Non-Fiction

A Piece of Cake

A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown

A harrowing yet moving memoir detailing Brown's journey from an orphaned child facing addiction and homelessness to transforming her life against all odds.

Educated

Educated by Tara Westover

An unforgettable memoir about a young woman who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.

Can’t Hurt Me

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

A raw and intense memoir of Goggins’ transformation from a depressed, overweight young man into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and elite endurance athlete. He shares his "40% Rule"—the idea that most of us only tap into a fraction of our true potential—and provides a blueprint for building an unbreakable mindset.

Me Talk Pretty One Day

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

A collection of hilarious personal essays, notably chronicling Sedaris's attempts to learn French in Paris from a uniquely sadistic teacher.

Im Glad My Mom Died

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

A raw and unflinching look at McCurdy's struggles as a child actress and her complex, abusive relationship with her mother.

In Pieces

In Pieces by Sally Field

An intimate account of Field's lonely childhood, her celebrated acting career, and the complicated influence of her parents' "unlived lives" on her own.

Wow No Thank You

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

A riotous collection of essays on the unglamorous reality of modern womanhood, from the pains of aging to the absurdity of "adulting."

Quietly Hostile

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

In her fourth collection of essays, Irby trains her signature self-deprecating and hilariously cynical eye on the absurdities of modern life. She covers everything from the "glamour" of red carpets to the realities of aging, pandemic pet adoption, and her obsession with QVC.

Coming Clean

Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller

Miller reveals the secrets of growing up in a home dominated by her father's extreme hoarding, exploring family loyalty, shame, and resilience.

When Women Were Birds

When Women Were Birds: 54 Variations on Voice by Terry Tempest Williams

A meditative exploration of voice and silence, sparked by the discovery that Williams's mother left behind three shelves of completely blank journals.

Eat-Pray-Love

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This celebrated memoir chronicles Gilbert's year-long journey of self-discovery following a difficult divorce. She travels to Italy to explore pleasure through food and language, India to find devotion through spiritual practice, and Bali to seek a balance between the two, ultimately finding love again.

Do the Work

The Trauma Tool Kit

The Trauma Toolkit: Healing PTSD from the Inside Out by Susan Pease Banitt, ICSW

A comprehensive guide for healing PTSD, offering holistic tools to address trauma from physical, mental, and spiritual perspectives.

How to Do the Work

How to Do The Work by Dr. Nicole LePera

A holistic approach to healing that teaches readers to recognize childhood patterns, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their authentic selves.

Women Living Deliciously

Women Living Deliciously by Frances Given

A vibrant guide encouraging women to rediscover joy and self-expression while rejecting toxic wellness culture and patriarchal expectations.

Atlas of the Heart

Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

Brown maps out 87 emotions and experiences, providing the language and framework needed to build meaningful connections with ourselves and others.

How to Love

How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh

A gentle guide to cultivating compassionate relationships through mindfulness, presence, and deep listening.

Kick Ass with Mel Robbins

Kick Ass with Mel Robbins by Mel Robbins

Robbins coaches eight individuals through raw, real-life challenges to help listeners disrupt self-sabotaging patterns and take action.

Youre Not Listening

You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy

A fascinating look at the "lost art" of listening, arguing that truly hearing others is the key to deep connection and personal growth.