Book Club: What to read in September

We’re with C.S. Lewis, who said, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” Alex Lloyd provides the inspiration and gives us her view on what to read in September…

Single At Heart by Dr. Bella DePaulo (Profile Books, £14.99)

Society is centred around couples, with the snaring of a soulmate seen as the ultimate route to happiness. But what if living solo could be the true secret to joy for many?

Academic and proud singleton Dr. Bella DePaulo has dedicated years to studying this lifestyle and makes a compelling case for banishing the stigma of choosing to live alone. She argues that some partnered people are less fulfilled than solo ones, forced to compromise their dreams and preferences for little in return.

This positive presentation of another way of being is real food for thought, whatever your relationship status.

Maybe You’re The Problem by Jack Williamson (Jackal, £19.97)

What if the answers to your problems were within you? Therapist Jack Williamson believes they might be and takes readers on a voyage of discovery to learn how their life experiences can impact their behaviours.

He uses a light touch, with engaging anecdotes linked to popular culture, to break down complex psychological concepts and neuroscience.

Everything from attachment style to environmental influences is covered, helping you delve into the whats and whys of your emotions. And, crucially, there are potential solutions to help you reset and rewire unhealthy habits, too.

Buy Yourself The Damn Flowers by Tam Kaur (Bonnier Books, £14.99)

After looking to lovers and friends to provide her with validation, Tam Kaur committed to the one person who she could rely on to show up – herself.

Here, the content creator shares her path to living with self-love – not self-loathing – and the confidence, peace, and motivation it brings.

For Kaur, this is a lifestyle commitment that becomes a positive habit, and is so much more than simple self-care. From learning your love language and expressing it to yourself, to having regular solo dates, her methods are packed with practical activities, encouraging words, and goals to work towards.

Manifesto by Candice Brathwaite (Quercus, £20)

The practice of manifesting has gone mainstream in 2024. But what if you don’t come from a position of privilege, with innate advantages to grease the wheels?

Bestselling author Candice Brathwaite explains how she has used manifesting techniques to achieve her dreams and overcome the mental barriers caging her due to her Black, working-class background.

She acknowledges the “woo woo” nature of aspects of her journey, but her humour and zeal make even holding crystals and burning herbs feel worth a shot.

The self-deprecating will appreciate her adapted techniques, too.

Find Alex Lloyd on Instagram at @AlexLloydJourno