It’s mid-January. Which means we’re getting to that dangerous moment when the New Year’s resolutions we committed to just weeks ago suddenly start to seem a tad overambitious…
But don’t fear, we’re here with a selection of books that will give those keeping the most common resolutions a much-needed shot in the arm. From sporting biographies to study guides, these books will help keep your goals on track. And – as an added bonus – they’ll also help you tick off another hugely popular resolution: to read more!
Resolution: To go on an adventure
Try… Alex Milway’s Big Sky Mountain (Piccadilly Press)
Having all spent a great deal longer indoors than we would have liked over these last couple of years, it’s no surprise that many of us are thirsting for a real adventure in the great outdoors. Take some inspiration from Alex Milway’s exhilarating Big Sky Mountain! From bombing down white-water rapids to up-close encounters with Mother Nature, Rosa and Grandma Nan’s fearless exploits will have you booking that weekend in the wilderness.
Resolution: To try your hand at a new sport
Try… Chris Bowers’ Federer: The Definitive Biography (John Blake)
January might be the month of a million soon-to-be-forgotten gym memberships, but it’s never a bad time to leap into a new sport and find a fun fresh activity to get the endorphins pumping. If you were inspired last year by Emma Raducanu’s frankly astonishing U.S. Open win, then why not pick up a racket and give tennis a swing? Chris Bowers’ definitive up-to-the-minute biography of the great Roger Federer will give you something to aim towards.
Resolution: To live healthy (or at least a little healthier)
Try… Professor Rose Anne Kenny’s Age Proof (Lagom)
Professor Rose Anne Kenny distils her ground-breaking research and decades of experience at the forefront of ageing medicine to show how we can all live fitter, healthier and happier lives – deep into our twilight years. Zig-zagging the world, introducing the reader to nonagenarian nuns, unlikely animal friendships and those who found exercise late in life; Age Proof is an enlightening look at the simple steps we can all follow to take charge of our biological clock.
Resolution: To take up a new creative hobby
Try… De Nichols’ Art of Protest (Big Picture Press)
We all need an outlet. Whatever you’re passionate about, why not put your energies into protest art and use your creativity to help push for positive change? In Art of Protest, De Nichols gives readers the tools to produce their own protest art – demonstrating how you can make a difference armed only with pens, chalk, and good intentions. Make your mark and be the change you want to see in the world.
Resolution: To take care of your mental health
Try… Louise Nealon’s Snowflake (Manilla Press)
In these turbulent times, the need to keep an eye on our mental health and show greater understanding – both to ourselves and other who may be silently suffering – has never been more necessary. In Louise Nealon’s luminous debut Snowflake, we see eighteen-year-old Debbie grapple with her own mental health and the legacy of a uniquely dysfunctional upbringing – and navigate a path towards self-care and understanding. A startling novel that calls, above all, for empathy.
Resolution: To study smarter
Try… Jade Bowler’s The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need (Blink)
Got some big exams coming up this year? Don’t stress. Studytuber Jade Bowler is on hand with The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need… Written while still at university and undergoing the same panic-inducing deadlines and classroom struggles as students everywhere, Bowler’s book provides reassurance and delivers a host of tried-and-tested techniques to help get you organised, combat any fears of failure, and smash those pesky exams.
Resolution: To spend less time on your phone
Try… Becca Caddy’s Screen Time (Blink)
We all probably find ourselves picking up our phones and scrolling through social media a little more than we’d like… Becca Caddy’s Screen Time is a go-to resource for anyone looking to redress the balance in 2022. Her book provides a zero-judgement look at the reasons behind our collective and carefully-calibrated tech addiction, and the ways we can make the technology in our lives work for us. Pick this up next time you feel your iPhone calling.
Resolution: To spend more time with family
Try… Maisie Chan’s Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths (Piccadilly Press)
Maisie Chan’s razor-sharp debut – shortlisted for Best Story at the Blue Peter Book Awards – will have you reaching for the phone to arrange the next family get-together. Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths is a heart-warming and hilarious novel centred around the relationship between the titular young artist and his grandmother Nai Nai – an older woman with boundless joy in her heart. An awesome tribute to inter-generational friendship.
