As the weather begins to change and days become shorter, curling up with a book starts to feel particularly appealing. We would like to share with you what some of the members of our team are reading for comfort, exploration, growth, and knowledge in hope that this inspires you!
Amanda Matousek: I’m reading “How to Raise a Secure Child: How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child’s Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore” by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell. A fantastic resource for parents!
Carla da Cunha: I am currently reading “A Race is a Nice Thing to Have” by Dr. Janet Helms. It is an interactive guide with reflection questions and activities aimed at either understanding yourself and your socialization as a White person or understanding other White people in your life. I highly recommend it as it really brings a deeper understanding to White racial identity and how to use that identity to deepen the understanding of “Whiteness” and foster change in ending racism and oppression.
Chrissy Ellis: I’m currently reading a memoir by Caitlin Moran, “How to Be a Woman.” The author is a white British woman so intersectionality isn’t all there, but it is a hilarious, provocative, and thought-provoking read. I’m also reading “How to Raise a Secure Child: How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child’s Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore” by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell.
Eden Himidian: I’m currently reading “The Language of Emotions” by Karla McLaren and “A Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss – Guidance and Support for You and Your Family (Revised and Updated 2nd Edition)” by Ingrid Kohn.
Jessica Coors: Currently, I’m half-way through reading “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem which approaches healing racialized trauma through somatic and mindfulness practices. It’s incredible and I cannot recommend it enough. I’m also reading “How To Raise An Adult” by Julie Lythcott-Haims which addresses patterns of, “overparenting,” and how to support children in ways that build critical thinking, autonomy and independence. Finally, I’ve almost personally completed the “The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook” by Kristin Neff. I have found it incredibly helpful for myself and clients, especially during the pandemic.
Kate Ernstrom: I’m reading “Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy” by Francine Shapiro. This is an easily digestible book for folks with no EMDR experience (clients or clinicians) with some easily self-directed exercises for self soothing, grounding, beginning to process things that might be coming up for folks.
Sara Vivens: I’m currently reading “Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good” by Adrienne Maree Brown. It’s an absolutely beautiful and radical examination of oppression and white supremacy, and how liberation can be accessed through pleasure. It’s all about social activism through a black feminist lens.
