10 Healing Non-Fiction Books & Podcasts
These are 10 books and podcasts from 2024 that offer healing comfort, insight, information and affirmation during these tumultuous times
Help spread the word about School of Thought by clicking the ♥️ button.
An article in The NY Times today that referenced a term I hadn’t heard before.
The Times article, by Alexandra Alter, explained that a genre has emerged called healing fiction. These books, mostly by authors in Japan and Korea, are becoming increasingly popular as readers are looking for an escape from distressing news about wars, political animosity and environmental disasters.
“Fans of the genre say the heartwarming, whimsical stories offer comfort at a time when the world seems off-kilter and chaotic, and feel like an escape from distressing news about wars, political animosity and environmental disasters,” writes Alter.
I get it.
And, wow, this term ‘healing fiction’ is also really resonant.
It’s been a big time in the world, and especially for US politics. There is a lot to think about, to plan for, to reflect upon. I personally continue to have questions like - what am I doing to make a difference? Is this how our world really is? What can I contribute?
The Big Idea
I’ve also been wondering if there is a “healing” counterpart in non fiction.
Is there healing non-fiction?
I found myself reading and listening even more than usual to sources of inspiration and comfort - but in the non fiction section these past few weeks. In doing so, I was reminded of the wise words, the beautiful passages, the resonant thoughts of so many.
These books are healing non-fiction for me.
“Reading books is so profound because it denies you the ability to speak when confronted with an idea. You must listen. It isn’t a conversation. Sometimes it shouldn’t be a conversation. Sometimes you should just listen. Just listen.” @Mohamed Skandari
So I thought I’d share. Below please find my favorite reads and accompanying listens that lift and fuel. They are what I am going to call healing non-fiction, and all published in 2024. This post includes:
Healing non-fiction book recommendations and a bit of my why,
A standout quote from each that I chose to get a sense of the messages,
a bonus related primer- either a podcast or free audiobook, and
a visual.
These are books that have kept me thinking in 2024, all for different reasons. Some include topics I am grappling with, some confirm, expand or even go against my own ideas, and some are contributing to the People Based Learning project. Hope you might be able to take something from them, too.
Enjoy.
But before we go…
School of Thought Announcements.
📕 There is still space to join the School of Thought & RITHM Project’s virtual book club on How To Know a Person on November 20th, 9am PT/ 12pm ET. Register here.
🎨Interested in some original School of Thought art? Portraits? Holiday gifts? An illustration for a post you are writing? Fill out this form, or DM me.♥️
✏️School of Thought is offering a group subscription discount. If you purchase more than one subscription at a time, there will be a 20% discount. Gift idea!
