I’ve always been a big reader but in recent years I’d been fighting with myself to make it part of my world in the way it had once been so naturally the centre of my personal time. So my goal this past year was to read more books than I had done in 2022. A simple aim yet without the massively unrealistic internal strain I tend to put on myself around goals. And guess what? it worked. Without that massive pressure I made it happen by choosing to read instead of watching TV in the evenings (although I am definitely not admitting here that TV was not a part of our Winter evenings). And it’s been such a joy today to look back on what I read this year. So in no particular order of reading or most enjoyed, below is my 2023 book list..

What books did you read +/or love in 2023?

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Part I

February 22, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

There is no one big answer in or to anything in this life. Having said that, there are undoubtedly lots of little lessons along the way that shine a light on deeper meaning to or a wider perspective on certain parts of life + our place within in. As a person, I’ve always been drawn to understanding things on a deeper level + as part of that personal exploration I’ve found certain self-development books to be hugely beneficial. I’ve found part of myself in + elements of the person I have become are, in part, thanks to the lessons such books have afforded me; some truly have really been a huge part of my journey thus far or in a moment, have helped me go deeper, whether I realized it at the time or only really grasped the depth of the books effect on my journey till later.

Acting as some classification of therapy for many, books that seek to teach at a personal level can contribute hugely to our healing processes + lend themselves as a unique perspective in the techniques we incorporate into our daily lives, ultimately enriching our experiences + very souls. As part of a longer list that I will continue to share, here are some of those books worth their weight in gold:

A T O M I C H A B I T S

I read this book last January (2021) + loved it so much that I re-read it again at the beginning of the year. Atomic Habits is one of those books that speaks to the practical side of bettering our processes some can live the life we actually want. James Clear is an inspirational, honest + genius writer, piecing together a hands-on guide to understanding the science + meaning in routine + how to actually weave new habits into your life with lasting effects. It helped me greatly in creating a better mentality around habits + the idea that habits are simply choices repeated again + again. This is one that I will most likely re-read every year of my life..

Find out more // J A M E S C L E A R

T H E U N T E T H E R E D S O U L

This classic read delves into the truth of who we really are at a soul level + the possibility of what it is to live beyond the limitations of our conscious mind, the part of ourselves that can all too often hold us back from who we really are. It opens us to the potential of what life can be when we break through any + all boundaries we previously thought to be true while the author, Michael A. Singer breaks it down in manageable pieces so you can begin to discover more inner peace day by day.

This is one that, to grasp on a deeper level, I find I must read again + again. I have heard different things from it at various times + also have been able to receive distinctly transformational lessons each time I’ve opened this book.

Find out more // T H E U N T E T H E R E D S O U L

T H E L A S T L E C T U R E

One of those books that has you smiling + crying in the same moment, The Last Lecture by Professor Randy Pausch is a must read for every human. Pausch wasn’t just imagining his last lecture when he wrote this moving + inspirational book, he was living it out as his own reality due to his recent diagnosis of terminal cancer. IN delivering his last lecture, entitled ‘Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams’, he imparts his wisdom around about the importance of conquering life’s challenges, facilitating the dreams of others + of making the very most of each moment we have - as he had eventually found out, we sometimes may just have a limited amount left to make anything of. This book is one to be read throughout the ages no matter your age + one that brings depth to what’s most important + a lightness to what can feel all too overwhelming sometimes. This book is a beautiful rendition of what it’s like to live.

Find out more // T H E L A S T L E C T U R E

T H E B O D Y K E E P S T H E S C O R E

Intense. Like really intense. Very real. Incredibly insightful. And remarkably beneficial in it’s approach to + treatment of trauma, The Body Keeps the Score is celebrated the world over for it’s holistic perspective on the stress trauma causes on the body + how, in real everyday ways we can shift away from it + cultivate a new power within to heal + deal with the parts that often lay stuck in our bodies from what has happened. In his widely acclaimed work, Dr Bessel van der Kolk goes beyond the traditional therapies of medication + talking that haven’t always proven entirely instrumental in healing or allowing one go beyond what haunts them - this book is a gift to yourself if you’ve found that no matter how much ‘work’ you’ve done on what happened, you still find the struggle real. It’s like a bible to understanding your stress responses in more depth + how you can bring compassion + action to the healing process.

Find out more // T H E B O D Y K E E P S T H E S C O R E

T H E W I M H O F M E T H O D

I am a huge believer in cold therapy. A few years back my brother’s girlfriend (who is one of my best friends) + I started sea swimming. Thinking we were entirely mad, like full-on cray-cray, we would get up early to met before the day began + get our fix of the freezing cold winter sea. Each day we did it, as we lowered ourselves into the water I’d think we must be f*cking crazy, this is TORTURE. However, each time we got out I’d think, wow I can’t wait to do this again tomorrow, that was AMAZING. One of the most unexplainable feelings, bodies of cold water can literally change your life. Wanting to understand more I delved into the world of Wim Hof + his method of breath-work + cold therapy. I haven’t been able to do sea swims of late, however, I’ve continued the work in as much as possible as it’s SO effective in helping with anxiety, depression, low moods + generally my mental health. Wim Hof is a pioneer in the area + sharing his work with the world he is helping people help themselves with amazing, effective + free techniques that truly are transforming. I highly recommend his work, any podcasts/interviews with him +ultimately this book as a great gateway into his world.

Find out more // W I M H O F M E T H O D

The Indie Magazine Edit

April 21, 2020Interiors, StyleRebecca O'ByrneComment

S U I T C A S E

Suitcase magazine is an entire world in itself of wondrous escapism + bucketlist travel dreams combined. I’ve bought every single edition since it was founded + have loved it more + more each time. The Suitcase Instagram account too is a wonderful place to loose yourself in the rabbit hold of dreamy places + spaces, you can bet you’ll need to start a whole new + specifically dedicated ‘Saved’ folder for this one..

Available in print + online at suitcasemag.com // Follow on IG @suitcase

H O L I D A Y

Between 1946 + 1977, Holiday was one of the most exciting magazines in the United States. Known for working with ambitious writers + photographers. Hugely noteworthy + successful writers such as Graham Greene, Joan Didion, Jack Kerouac + Truman Capote first appeared in the pages of Holiday with their work. HOLIDAY took a long hiatus, reappearing in 2014 under the direction of Parisian art director Franck Durand who has beautifully brought to life the core + essence of the original template while also venturing into the world of fashion as well as travel.

Published bi-annually // Follow on IG @holidaymagazine

P A L M E R

In the words of Stefano Tonchi, Palmer’s Editorial Director “Palm Beach as a state of mind.” And that it is. Launched in March 2020 as one of the hottest new magazine’s in circulation since Holiday hit the worldin the 1940’s, Palmer is the ultimate invite into the realm of some of the world’s most interesting mind’s + lives, all portrayed through the lens of a Palm Beach state of living. Brought to life by Tonchi + his creative/business partner Michael J Berman, the quarterly coffee table publication reads as though you’ve just been invited to one of the most stimulating dinner parties t where phones are taken at the door whatever happens on the inside stays on the inside. It’s truly divine!

Published quarterly. Purchase Vol. 01 at PALMERPB.com // Follow on IG @palmerpalmbeach

P E T I T E P A S S P O R T

Petite Passport is the brainchild of travel blogger, journalist + photographer Pauline Egge. Pauline has created an entire brand around her love of travel + exploring to find the best off-the-beaten-track hotspots. I’ve followed her blog for a long long time + have found some amazing spots I might otherwise have missed while visiting certain new cities. She has a collection of travel guides as well as her new print edition of the website, all of which I’ve bought + loved. Escape into Pauline’s view of the world, you won’t be disappointed.

Subscribe here // Follow on IG @petitepassport

C E R E A L

Encompassing travel, art, design, cities + style, CEREAL magazine is another independent bible I’ve loved for a long time. Captivating aesthetics, it’s a minimalist-lovers dream come to life with a focus on specific locations + destinations in each issue, accompanied by engaging + interesting interviews + articles in the fashion, design + art worlds.

Published bi-annually // Visit readcereal.com // Follow on IG @cerealmag

A E S T H E T I C A

Taking in the worlds of art, design, photography, architecture, music + film, AESTHETICA is a worldly destination for those interested in being interesting. A pioneer in the space, the magazine hosts + produces varying awards, exhibitions + events, with each focused on developing talents within the art, photography, literature + film spaces.

Visit aestheticamagazine.com // Follow on IG @aestheticamag

C R F A S H I O N B O O K

Provocatively fabulous + dangerously sexy, CR (Carine Roitfeld) Fashion Book is the baby of Carine Roitfeld, former E-I-C of Vogue Paris which she founded in 2012 after leaving the helm of the French fashion bible. Roitfeld is known for her progressive stance +a risk taking spirit + each of her editions of the fashion bible style publication has been nothing short of WOW. It’s big, it’s glossy AF + the perfect destination to loose yourself into the world of high fashion.

Published bi-annually // Visit crfashionbook.com // Follow on IG @crfashionbook

T H E G E N T L E W O M A N

This fabulous woman’s magazine delves deep into the authenticity of being a woman. With a strong accent on women with style + purpose, The Gentlewoman plays host to a variety of inspirational women with visionary motive to the backdrop of ti’s own strong + ambitious yet warm + personalable personality. The Gentlewomen is for everyone + nobody is excluded.

Published bi-annually // Follow on IG @the_gentlewoman

L I T T L E W H I T E L I E S

Established in 1995, Little White Lies celebrates + supports fantastic movies, the directors + producers behind them + the actors who star in them. Featuring a strong play on independent films you can be sure to find some of the greatest movies our there + a variety of articles around every topic in the industry. Interesting + interested, Little White Lies tells the truth about what to watch + why!

Published bi-monthly // Visit lilies.com // Follow on IG @lwlies

F R A N C

Franc magazine is an Irish fashion focused publication produced by Briony Somers which began as a college publication + now continues to evolve + inspire far beyond what it once started out as. Taking into account the magazines philosophy that fashion “is a way of doing things; it isn’t about the clothing or accessories”, each of the four issues are themed around a concept, offering editorials + articles around fashion that are deeply intelligent + consciously accessible.

Visit francmagazine.com // Follow on IG @francmagazine