Book Club
Book Club
Welcome to our Monthly Book Club
A virtual space to gather ideas, discover meaningful books, and stay committed to reading — exploring holistic wellbeing through literature.
Reading, something many of us are doing less of in the age of constant technology, remains one of the simplest and most powerful tools for wellbeing. It enhances focus and concentration, deepens empathy and compassion, and creates space for reflection and reconnection with our inner voice.
Like any habit, reading strengthens with consistency. A book club can support this by adding accountability, structure, and shared exploration.
This space has been created as a virtual book club, a place to gather ideas, discover meaningful books, and stay committed to reading.
The intention is to offer a resource for those interested in exploring holistic wellbeing through literature. Each selection is carefully curated, balancing recent research and publications with timeless works that continue to offer valuable insight.
The themes will draw from psychology, neuroscience, neurodiversity, parenting, and philosophy — all with the aim of deepening our understanding of ourselves and those around us.
At the beginning of each month, a new book will be introduced. At the end, I will share a short reflection highlighting the key ideas and insights I found most valuable.
This club is open to anyone curious about the human experience. All you need is a book and a curiosity to explore and broaden your understanding.
Welcome and enjoy!
Monthly Selections
This Month's Selection · August 2026
by Homer translated by Emily Wilson
For the summer months, I decided to step away from my usual selection and read something different. I first encountered the Odyssey during my academic years, but it was Christopher Nolan's recent film that drew me back to it, and specifically to Emily Wilson's translation. What truly sealed it was an interview with Matt Damon, who spoke about one of the poem's underlying themes: the longing for home, the journey back, and the gap between what we imagine awaits us and what we actually find when we arrive. As someone whose work often sits with people navigating exactly that tension, I found it impossible to resist. Emily Wilson's translation was a revelation. Her rendering makes the poem genuinely accessible, and her introduction alone is worth reading as a guide to the work itself. We are in the middle of summer. This feels like exactly the right moment to slow down, unwind, and get lost in one of the greatest stories ever told. Enjoy the journey.
June 2026
by TJ Power
As the weather turns and things begin to slow down, I'm proposing The DOSE Effect as our next book. Written by TJ Power, a psychologist and neuroscientist, this book looks at how screen use affects four key brain chemicals : dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, and offers practical ways to rebalance them for a more grounded, purposeful daily life. I think it's a great read heading into summer: a chance to step back from our screens and reconnect with the people and activities we love, before the season is in full swing.
Reflection
This month's read explores four neurochemicals that play important roles in motivation, social connection, mood, and overall wellbeing: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. What I particularly appreciated about this book is its practical approach to understanding how these neurochemicals influence our everyday experiences and how simple habits can support the brain systems they are part of and contribute to our overall wellbeing. It also serves as a timely reminder that our increasingly frictionless, technology-driven world does not always support our long-term health and happiness. Instead, the choices we make each day can influence how we feel and our ability to work towards our personal goals. One exercise that especially resonated with me is beginning and ending each day by reflecting on gratitude and personal achievements. It is a simple yet powerful way to cultivate confidence, encourage a more positive mindset, and support emotional wellbeing. As summer offers an opportunity to slow down, I invite you to become more aware of your own DOSE. Consider how your daily routines may support these brain systems and notice the difference that small, intentional changes can make by the end of the season.
May 2026
The Stoic Challenge, A philosopher's guide to becoming tougher, calmer, and more resilient
by William B. Irvine
To begin, I have selected a book rooted in Stoicism, a philosophy that has endured for thousands of years, and whose thinkers like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius continue to offer surprisingly practical guidance for modern life. I came across this book through Jonathan Haidt, professor at NYU Stern and author of The Anxious Generation, as part of the reading list for his 2023 positive psychology course Work, Wisdom and Happiness. As one of the leading researchers documenting the decline in youth wellbeing in the age of technology, his reading choices felt important to explore. In The Stoic Challenge, Irvine builds on his earlier work and focuses on how Stoic principles can help us navigate everyday setbacks. The book brings together ancient philosophy and modern psychology, offering practical strategies for becoming more resilient in the face of every day setbacks.
Reflection
A couple of key takeaways from my May reading: In life, we all face challenges. How we meet them shapes our experience of them , not because we choose what happens, but because our thoughts frame how we feel, and how we feel shapes how we respond. This is not new wisdom. It has been carried for thousands of years, from ancient philosophy to modern psychology, reminding us that resilience isn't fixed , it's something we can grow into I also found reassurance in knowing we are not alone in the experience of being human. These thoughts and struggles have existed for thousands of years , a reminder of how important it is to stay interconnected with one another.