Since we’re nearing the end of the year, I thought it’d be fun to round up my favorite books of 2015 to share with you! I went through my bookshelf and found my top 7 books that either came out this year — or, favorites from previous years that I just can’t put down. Whether you’re looking for a good read or just searching for holiday gifts, I know you’ll love these!
Anti-Inflammatory Eating Made Easy: 75 Recipes and Nutrition Plan by Michelle Babb
This cookbook is one of my favorites and it’s definitely been one that I’ve referenced often this year. Michelle Babb is a registered dietitian with a private practice here in Seattle where she specializes in mind-body nutrition, weight management and inflammatory digestive disorders. I’ve worked with Michelle before and I can tell you that she knows her stuff and makes amazing food so if you’re looking for a great cookbook that will inspire you to eat healthier, be sure to check this one out!
Fermented Vegetables by Kirsten Shockey and Christopher Shockey
It was so hard to just pick one book on fermentation to feature, but this one is my current favorite. If you’ve been a blog reader for awhile, you know how much I love fermented foods and this is a great resource to have in your kitchen! It covers everything from the basics of fermentation, tips to get started, as well as delicious recipes (including pickled brussels sprouts!).
I adore Brene Brown and there’s definitely a reason why this book became a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Brene’s tone is similar to her other books, but this one is about daring to be vulnerable and how to bounce back when we fall. She begins by introducing the physics of vulnerability and then lays out “the Rising Strong Process” (The Recking, The Rumble, and The Revolution). Throughout the book Brene weaves in stories of her own life and her research to help us use this roadmap to gain confidence and “rise strong.” Love it.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my favorite authors and I felt so lucky to have had the chance to hear her speak when she came to Seattle. Big Magic is about the creative process and is divided into six sections: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. Her overall message is to live with passion, don’t let fear stop you from being creative, and embrace what brings you joy. One of my favorite parts of this book is that she mentions you don’t have to quit your day job or suffer as a starving artist in order to love your life and be creative. If you have a creative passion in your life, I think this book is a must-read.
Best Food Writing 2015 by Holly Hughes
I just happened to stumble on this book in a local bookstore and instantly fell in love with it. Best Food Writing is a collection of the year’s best essays about food written by a variety of authors (ranging from established journalists to bloggers). I love that each piece varied in length and since they’re all essays, they’re short reads and perfect if you’re like me and want to read before bed, but don’t want to get sucked into a lengthy novel. If you love reading about food, I would highly recommend this book.
Becky is one of my favorite local Seattle authors. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her and not only is she hilarious, but she’s an incredibly knowledgable chef. This cookbook teaches you everything you need to know about culinary mushrooms, whether they’re collected in the wild or store-bought. Each chapter focuses on a different kind of mushroom, offering special considerations, substitutions, and recipes. My favorite part of this book is Becky’s tone and writing style because it makes you feel like you’re cooking with a friend. This one is a must-have for anyone who loves mushrooms or is looking to expand your cooking horizon.
One of the greatest highlights of my year was meeting Tara Brach in person. Tara is an incredible psychologist, author, and meditation teacher who has a weekly podcast about spiritual healing and emotional awareness. In this book, Tara talks about how to bring mindfulness into our daily lives and become aware of our “false refuges,” or things we use to avoid pain. I really appreciated her sharing her story of dealing with chronic illness and her wisdom of how to deal with the inevitable difficulties that come up in life.
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