*Short on time? Eyes exhausted from looking at screens all day? Scroll to bottom for the TL;DR.

Where my fellow book lovers at?!?!

Shout yourself out in the mf’ing comments (or say hi via email 😊) because today’s OUR day!!!!

It’s NATIONAL BOOK LOVER’S DAY!!!!

And I’m beyond excited because I LOVE BOOKS!

In your comment or email, please share what books you’re loving nowadays, what books you will always love, and/or books you hope to love that are sitting in your to-read stack 😭

My recommended reads for National Book Lover’s Day 2023 covers an array of topics:

• movement

• breath work

• aligning life with menstrual cycle phases

• Black minimalism

• nature + business

• finding strength, courage, + wisdom by strengthening your spiritual core

• Social justice focused books that center mindfulness, somatic practices, yoga, rest, + spirituality. (Actually, these books aren’t on THIS list. I plan to share my equity + justice wisdom and teachings via the Rewilding Justice paid subscription Substack coming soon.)

I’ve read many of these books to deepen my skillset as a movement and wellbeing instructor, and they are also great for anyone who just wants to learn more.

If you’ve read any of them already, in true book lover fashion, let’s chat!

These first two books have dramatically changed the way I live day to day and motivated me to take control of my health. I want every single human on earth to read both of these books.

Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman

In the Flo by Alissa Vitti

Can we pause for a moment and get personal?

I’d like to share a proud moment with ya’ll.

For the past 3 or 4 years, I’ve set a reading goal of 12 books per year. I’m usually scrambling by the end of the year to get to 12, but I always make it.

It creates a great opportunity to jump into some short, fast moving, YA novels by authors of color.

Also, if you’re wondering if I count audiobooks, I sure do! I love all kinds of books. Physical books, ebooks, audiobooks. It doesn’t matter, whatever gets me to the words, story, learning, imaginative space, and beyond.

Ready for the proud moment? Drum roll, please…

🎉 I’ve completed 18 books so far this year!!!! 🎉

Many of these books have been rich with all things radical rewilding, so when I found out about National Book Lover’s Day I was like, “Boom! Here we go.”

Anywho, Thanks for celebrating with me 🤗

Next up are two books that are great “how-to” books for beginners and skilled practitioners alike.

Just Breathe by Dan Brule

Regenerative Business by Samantha Garcia

Now it’s time to pause for the cause.

I could have structured this list differently but I intentionally structured it this way to acknowledge a problem: 1) this list is majority white authors, and 2) the majority of books by authors of color I’ve read are on the social justice books substack post (coming soon).

My mentor, a Black man, and I discussed this. He highlighted racism in the publishing industry and how hard it is for Black and Brown folks to get published. I reflected on racism, classism, + ableism in one’s education, career, + lived experiences that could either propel or inhibit one’s writing skills and professional writing success. (SN: I know for a fact that writing is not heavily taught in public schools anymore. And don’t go blaming the teachers. It’s not their fault. For the most part, anyways.)

So hold that thought + let’s add this thought.

Additionally, I LOVE that most of the books by authors of color I’ve read this year explore the intersections of social justice + wellbeing.

These books are rooted in liberation, healing, wellbeing, and the most pure + authentic love of all.

They speak to my heart. My core. My essence. My being.

AND they speak to the collective of human existence.

I love all of that, AND ALSO, I still want to find books on the SCRIBD app solely about rewilding, movement, breathwork, cannabis, yoga, etc by Black + Brown authors without the added social justice lens.

I want us to just BE as well.

I had something I wanted to say about the difference between white book lovers, Black + Brown book lovers, and white supremacy, but ya’ll will have to catch that on the Rewilding Justice Book Lover’s Substack post (coming soon).

Shall we proceed and add some seasoning while we at it? Cool. Cool.

I hope every Black person reads Platt’s book, and every person who wants to strengthen their spiritual wellbeing should read Washam’s book.

The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less by Christine Platt

A Fierce Heart by Spring Washam

Returning home to what you love

I’ve loved books since I was a toddler.

As a kid I loved journaling and writing poetry.

My passion for reading + writing were somewhat nurtured growing up (not extensively or with the same intention + energy that was put into playing sports - which I love too).

Unfortunately though, in middle school, high school, and college there was (what felt like at the time) a soul-crushing event that stunted my natural passion for writing, and caused me to stop writing for extended periods of time.

Yet, here I am.

Writing.

Returning home to my true nature.

Returning home to love.

It may not be great. It may not be perfect.

And it doesn’t have to be.

It just needs to BE.

And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be sharing about how I’m writing a book about radical rewilding, and a second book on rewilding justice.

But as for today, this very moment, I’m just reveling in loving books.

Happy National Book Lover’s Day my book loving people!

Be dope. Be well.

💚Woods

PS- If you don’t want to read about some of these skills, and prefer to learn and practice with me, here are 3 ways to do so:

1. Vibe + Flow: Embodying bliss, balance, + being with E.A.S.E.

2. Rewilding Justice for Small Businesses

3. 4 Easy Steps to Relieve Back Pain

PPS - I have a yearly subscription to the SCRIBD App to access hundreds of ebooks + audiobooks. I currently have over 400 books saved. Lol! I’ve read a lot of them, but probably not even half of them. Anywho, If you wanna check it out and get 60 days of free reading, click here.

TL;DR

• It’s NATIONAL BOOK LOVER’S DAY!!!!

• Scroll through to see my highly recommended books for living dope + well

• Woods’ has surpassed her yearly reading goal of 12 books by 6 books already and it’s only the beginning of August.

• F*ck systemic oppression in the publishing industry, education system, and everything else that propels some and hinders others from flourishing as writers

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