Barre with Justine

• The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

This was such a fascinating (and sad) peek inside mental illness. There’s a lot to unpack in this story, and it’s full of twists and turns. I really enjoy Kubica’s style because she doesn’t paint one dimensional characters. Everyone is broken and no one is entirely good (although some are more treacherous than others!)

• The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

This was an intriguing read about a young woman who suddenly inherits a beautiful house in London, with no understanding of why. She starts to discover its secrets and the decades-long history of strangeness and obsession that haunt the house.

• The House of Secrets by Sophie Draper

This book was published under a different title in the UK (Magpie) and it’s another chilling look at secrets in a family and the heartbreak they can cause. There’s some interesting history woven into the book, and the theme of water (the beautiful house overlooks the water) runs throughout.

• Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health by Michael Breus

I love Dr. Breus (the “sleep doctor”!) and have his original book Beauty Sleep. In this recent book, he outlines the basic but foundational wellness habits – quality sleep, staying hydrated, and doing breathwork. These habits are intertwined and are essentially free, compared with the confusing and often inaccessible wellness trends in social media. I am committing to sleeping 8 hours next year!

• Natural Organic Skin and Hair Care by Aubrey Hampton (vintage 1987)

I was so excited to find a copy available for purchase (i think it shipped from Scandinavia!). Aubrey Hampton was a trailblazer in natural skin care and had a range of products (Aubrey Organics) in health food stores for years. Sadly, he passed away in 2011 and the cosmetic/skin care line ceased in 2022. This book is a treasure and includes recipes, his love for and knowledge of natural plants (he was a chemist), as well as a lot of research that is difficult to find, including pictures of the before/after for rosehip oil treatment. I will be using this book for years to come!

• Aromatherapeutic Blending by Jennifer Peace Rhind

I truly love Rhind’s work on aromatherapy. She writes beautifully and includes so much detail and research about essential oils. This book has some great chapters on skin care and highlights the benefits of certain blends for various conditions. She also discusses the skill and art of blending, which I haven’t found addressed in many aromatherapy books beyond recipes.

• Essential Beauty: Using Nature’s Essential Oils to Rejuvenate, Replenish, and Revitalize (2000) by Betty Andrusia

This is a short but excellent book on incorporating essential oils into skin care. Andrusia writes from personal experience giving facial treatments and offers anecdotal evidence along with detailed properties of various oils. She also includes recipes and lifestyle tips for skin.

• Cortisol Control and the Beauty Connection by Shawn Talbott

This book is a promising look at how stress and the hormone, cortisol, can affect skin health. Talbott offers lifestyle changes and supplements to address issues like AGES and stress, along with interviews with skin care experts.

• Plant Magic by Desiree Nielsen

Possibly my favourite cookbook of the last year! I love Nielsen’s recipes (the vegan carrot cake recipe is delicious!) and also her little wellness writings that break up the book. Her approach resonates with me as a busy mom because she isn’t about perfection in food or in life. Her recipes are colourful and yummy!

• Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver

I am eagerly awaiting Carver’s next book, Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want, but requested her older book through interlibrary loan. It’s a lovely read and one that I needed to put down at times and reflect on. I saw so much of myself in the clutter and the compulsion to fill time/cupboards/life with stuff.

• The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

I wrote all about this one earlier this year! Read the blog