Costa Women Recommended Reading
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Books are more than just ink on paper; they are gateways to different worlds, time machines that transport us to the past, present, and future, and companions that challenge, comfort, and inspire us.
In a world that often feels rushed and chaotic, reading offers a sanctuary where we can slow down, reflect, and expand our minds.
Whether you’re diving into a gripping mystery, exploring distant galaxies in a science fiction epic, or uncovering profound truths in non-fiction, the act of reading enriches our lives in countless ways.
But reading isn’t just about the stories—it’s about the journey of discovery. It’s about finding that one book that speaks to you, that one author who captures your imagination, or that one passage that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
In this blog, we’ll explore the many joys and benefits of reading, with book recommendations from Costa Women Members that might just become your next favourite read!
So, whether you’re a seasoned bookworm or just looking to rekindle your love for reading, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s embark on this literary adventure together!
Below are 3 of my own and other Costa Women Members book recommendations, With a brief summary of each:
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
We are reading this for our Costa Women Book Club, which meets at the end of every month in Fuengirola. I really enjoyed the read; it was a page turner!
With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance. Each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France. The book is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
Infinite Receiving by Suzy Ashworth
I read this after having it recommended multiple times by different people and the author is offering it for free, you just pay the postage! Here is the link. I am about 2/3rds of a way through it and learning lots about receiving, asking for help and staying open to opportunities.
Infinite Receiving is so much more than manifestation. When your purpose is truly aligned with what the universe wants for you, and you consciously take action, your dreams really can come true. This book will help you find your purpose and take actionable steps to live the life you want. Faith plus action equals miracles!
Stop standing in your own way. We need to let go of fear, shame, guilt, and judgement in order to consciously receive all that we desire. When we open up our hearts and release self-doubt, we create energy that allows us to see more ‘magic’ in our lives and actively pursue our dreams.
Through meditations, affirmations, and practical exercises, Suzy Ashworth will show you how to become more aware of your energy and help you to redefine your relationship with wanting.
By following the four pillars of Infinite Receiving, you can increase your state of awareness and attract much more into your life.
The Habit Revolution by Dr. Gina Cleo
I have just started and it’s our Business Growth Book Club book for August and September. Dr. Gina Cleo has a PhD in habit change and is coming from a scientific background as to why we can’t change our habits. I am enjoying the read!
Beyond Atomic Habits, a practical and evidence-based guide by a world-renowned researcher on hacking your habits for lasting change.
‘If you’ve ever set a goal to start a new habit or break an old one and you fell off the wagon; if you’ve been in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, phone scrolling or alarm snoozing; or if you intend to do one thing but end up doing another, then you’re in the right place.’
Why do you find yourself repeating unwanted patterns? What do you do when exhaustion creeps in and you lose your willpower? The good news is it’s never too late to reprogram your habits. But how long does it really take and how can you make the changes stick?
Leading habit researcher Dr Gina Cleo reveals revolutionary breakthroughs in behavioural science that will help you uncover how your brain works, and how to rewire it to make instant and lasting change in your life. Discover evidence-based techniques to break free from unwanted habits. It will help you master your motivation and navigate setbacks to achieve the lifestyle you’ve always wanted, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Packed with practical insights, inspiring stories and surprisingly simple activities to try today, The Habit Revolution is your guide to a life magnificently remastered through the incredible power of habits.
Members Current Reading
Recommended pages turners from Vimala Soderqvist are:
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Nunez’s book is about a woman mourning the suicide of a close friend, mentor, and fellow writer. After she reluctantly agrees to take in his traumatised, bereft dog, a massive, arthritic Great Dane. He stinks up her tiny Manhattan apartment and threatens her rent-stabilised lease — but also provides unexpected solace. Nunez deftly turns this potentially mawkish story into a penetrating, moving meditation on loss, comfort, memory, what it means to be a writer today, and various forms of love and friendship — including between people and their pets. All in a taut 200 pages.
The Details by IA Genberg
A famous broadcaster writes a forgotten love letter; a friend abruptly disappears; a lover leaves something unexpected behind; a traumatised woman is consumed by her own anxiety. In the throes of a high fever, a woman lies bedridden. Suddenly, she is struck with an urge to revisit a particular novel from her past. Inside the book is an inscription: a message from an ex-girlfriend. Pages from her past begin to flip, full of things she cannot forget and people who cannot be forgotten. Johanna, that same ex-girlfriend, now a famous TV host. Niki, the friend who disappeared all those years ago. Alejandro, who appears like a storm in precisely the right moment. And Birgitte, whose elusive qualities shield a painful secret. Who is the real subject of a portrait, the person being painted or the one holding the brush?
In exhilarating, provocative prose, Ia Genberg reveals an intimate and powerful celebration of what it means to be human. Translated from Swedish by Kira Josefsson.
Deep thinking is being enjoyed by Katarzyna Tyszkowska who is reading:
The Ancestors Tale. A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life by Richard Dawkins
The renowned biologist and thinker Richard Dawkins presents his most expansive work yet: a comprehensive look at evolution. It ranges from the latest developments in the field to his own provocative views. Loosely based on the form of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Dawkins’s Tale takes us modern humans back through four billion years of life on our planet. As the pilgrimage progresses, we join with other organisms at the forty “rendezvous points” where we find a common ancestor. The band of pilgrims swells into a vast crowd as we join first with other primates, then with other mammals, and so on back to the first primordial organism.
Dawkins’s brilliant, inventive approach allows us to view the connections between ourselves and all other life in a bracingly novel way. It also lets him shed bright new light on the most compelling aspects of evolutionary history and theory: sexual selection, speciation, convergent evolution, extinction, genetics, plate tectonics, geographical dispersal, and more. The Ancestor’s Tale is at once a far-reaching survey of the latest, best thinking on biology and a fascinating history of life on Earth. Here Dawkins shows us how remarkable we are, how astonishing our history, and how intimate our relationship with the rest of the living world.
Profesor Tutka by Jerzy Szaniawski
In a cafe, in a park, for tea in a private apartment – or in fact in an unspecified place and time – the Judge, the Counsellor, the Notary, the Attorney, the Doctor and Professor Tutka meet. Conversation is their element. Tutka, telling seemingly trivial cases, uses the convention of a philosophical story to provoke listeners to reflection and often to revise established concepts.
Conciseness and aphorism of style, subtlety of allusions, mockery and understatements, hiding authentic emotions – these are the features of these masterful stories.
Professor Tutka, the embodiment of narrative craftsmanship, using various means, from storytelling to paradox, is an excellent literary creation of Jerzy Szaniawski, and his series of miniatures is one of the great achievements of Polish prose of the 20th century.
Inspirational thoughts with her reads is Ali Farmer:
The Inside Track by Peter Sage
Prisoner – Or Secret Agent Of Change?
What happens when you put a non-criminal and one of the world’s top experts in personal growth, into one of the toughest prisons in the UK? In 2017, that’s exactly what happened to Peter Sage when, during a civil matter, he was found in contempt of court. What unfolded next has become a masterclass in how to turn adversity to your advantage.
The Inside Track is the collection of 11 private letters that Peter sent to his elite coaching groups throughout his 6-month sentence. Written in a conversational style, each one breaks down the actual tools, techniques and insights he uses and shows you how to face any problem in your life from a place of power, not force. How to stay calm and positive when life hits you with a bat and turn your biggest challenges into your greatest achievements.
As you follow this unique and incredible story, you’ll discover not only how Peter was able to thrive in a place where angels fear to tread, but also leave a lasting mark that is now helping thousands of lives.
East to the Sun by Julia Gregson
Autumn 1928. The Kaiser-i-Hind is en route to Bombay. In Cabin D38, Viva Hollowat, an inexperienced chaperone, is worried she’s made a terrible mistake. Her advert in The Lady has resulted in three unsettling charges to be escorted to India.
Rose, a beautiful, dangerously naive English girl, is about to be married to the cavalry officer she has met only a handful of times.
Victoria, the bridesmaid, is determined to lose her virginity on the journey before finding a husband of her own in India. And overshadowing all three of them, the malevolent presence of Guy Glover, a strange and disturbed schoolboy.
Three potential Memsahibs with a myriad of reasons for leaving England, but the cargo of hopes and secrets they carry has done little to prepare them for what lies ahead.
From the parties of the wealthy Bombay socialites to the poverty of the orphans on Tamarind Street, East of the Sun is everything a historical novel should be: alive with glorious detail, fascinating characters and masterful storytelling.
Mindset shifts are being enjoyed by Tash Burn Hashtaggz who is currently reading:
Manifest by Roxi Nafousi
Have you ever felt like you’re drifting through life, searching for purpose and meaning? In “Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life” by Roxie Nafousi, you’ll embark on a transformative journey to discover your true self and create the life you’ve always dreamed of. This book is more than just a guide; it’s your companion on personal growth and fulfilment. With her unique blend of personal anecdotes, practical exercises, and spiritual insights, the author takes seven decisive steps to help you manifest your best life. Whether seeking clarity, love, success, or simply a sense of purpose, this book offers the guidance and wisdom to help you unlock your full potential and live the life you deserve. Join me in this exciting overview of “Manifest,” where we’ll delve into the book’s transformative power and critical takeaways for a life filled with purpose and joy.
Teresa Bickerstaff has got some great tips from:
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly by Margareta Magnusson
Margareta Magnusson shared with the world her practical Swedish tradition of döstädning, or “death cleaning”. The clearing out unnecessary belongings before others must do it for you. In her international bestseller The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Now, unburdened by baggage (emotional and actual) she is able to focus on what makes each day worth living, and reveals her discoveries about growing older. Some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her early days growing up in Sweden and raising her family around the world. Margareta offers tips and wisdom on how to age gracefully, such as: don’t be afraid to wear stripes, don’t resist new technology, let go of what doesn’t matter, and much more.
As with death-cleaning, it’s never too early to begin. The Swedish Art of Aging Well shows us how to prepare for and understand the aging process. The joys and sorrows it can bring. While Margareta still recommends ongoing downsizing and decluttering (your loved ones will thank you!) her ultimate message is that we should all be less afraid of the idea of death.
Wise, funny, and practical, The Swedish Art of Aging Well is a gentle and welcome reminder – no matter your age, there are always fresh discoveries ahead, and pleasures both new and familiar to be enjoyed every day.
Enjoying the learning is Monika Griffith where in her hands are:
The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani
What if everything we think we know about how the world works—our ideas of love, education, spirituality, work, happiness, and love—are based on Brules (bullsh*t rules). Rules that get passed from generation to generation and are long past their expiration date?
This book teaches you to think like some of the greatest non-conformist minds of our era. To question, challenge, hack, and create new rules for YOUR life so you can define success on your own terms.
The Code of the Extraordinary Mind is a blueprint of laws to break us free from the shackles of an ordinary life. It makes a case that everything we know about the world is shaped by conditioning and habit. And thus, most people live their lives based on limiting rules and outdated beliefs about pretty much everything—love, work, money, parenting, sex, health, and more—which they inherit and pass on from generation to generation.
But what if you could remove these outdated ideas and start anew? What would your life look like if you could forget the rules of the past, and redefine what happiness, purpose, and success mean for you?
Not Just a Book, but a Movement.
Michelangelo by Irving Stone
His time—the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring Popes, and the all-powerful de’Medici family…
Discover his loves—the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de’Medici, the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi, and his last love, his greatest love—the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna…
What was his genius—a God-driven fury from which he wrested brilliant work that made a grasp for heaven unmatched in half a millennium…
And his name—Michelangelo Buonarroti. Creator of the David, painter of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, architect of the dome of St. Peter’s. Michelangelo lives once more in the tempestuous, powerful pages of Irving Stone’s towering triumph. A masterpiece in its own right, this biographical novel offers a compelling portrait of one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.
Vane Nicolosi is also thinking deep and about change with her reading about the female brain:
The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi
Women are far more likely than men to suffer from anxiety, depression, migraines, brain injuries, strokes, and even Alzheimer’s disease. However, through the lens of ‘Women’s Health’, women’s brains won’t make the cut. Now, the director of the Women’s Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell Medical College gives women the first plan to address the unique risks and strengths of the female brain.
Until now, medical research has focused on “bikini medicine,” assuming that women are essentially men with breasts and tubes. The XX Brain confronts this crisis by revealing how the two powerful X chromosomes that distinguish women from men impact our brain first and foremost.
The XX Brain builds from the recognition that women’s brains age distinctly from men’s, due mostly to the decline of a key brain-protective hormone: oestrogen.
Taking on all aspects of women’s health, including brain fog, memory lapses, depression, stress, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, and the increased risk of dementia. Dr. Mosconi introduces cutting-edge, evidence-based approaches to protect the female brain, including a specific diet proven to work for women, stress reduction, and sleep. She also examines the controversy about soy and hormonal replacement therapy, takes on the perils of environmental toxins, and examines the role of our microbiome. Luckily, it is never too late to take care of yourself.
Marie Hayden is also brain focussed with her latest read:
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
“Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” explores the concept of neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to rewire itself based on new experiences and thoughts. Dr. Dispenza discusses how intentional and focused changes in thought patterns can lead to the rewiring of neural networks, enabling personal transformation. He introduces the concept of meditation and visualisation as tools to facilitate this process.
This teaching resonates with contemporary neuroscience research that highlights the brain’s capacity for change and adaptation. The insights Dr. Dispenza offers readers practical techniques to harness neuroplasticity for positive growth and change.
And enjoying turning the pages is Ana-Maria Ignat-Berget with:
Writing Down the Bones- Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
With insight, humour and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skilfully and creatively. She offers suggestions, encouragement, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer’s craft.
Writing from “first thoughts” (keep your hand moving, don’t cross out, just get it on paper).
On listening (writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write)
Using verbs (verbs provide the energy of the sentence), on overcoming doubts (doubt is torture; don’t listen to it)—even on choosing a restaurant, in which to write.
Goldberg sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the value of their lives. The advice in her book, provided in short, easy-to-read chapters with titles that reflect the author’s witty approach (“Writing Is Not a McDonald’s Hamburger,” “Man Eats Car,” “Be an Animal”), will inspire anyone who writes—or who longs to.
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
Tom Hazard has just moved back to London, his old home, to settle down and become a high school history teacher. And on his first day at school, he meets a captivating French teacher at his school who seems fascinated by him. But Tom has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he’s been alive for centuries. Tom has lived history–performing with Shakespeare, exploring the high seas with Captain Cook, and sharing cocktails with Fitzgerald. Now, he just wants an ordinary life.
Unfortunately for Tom, the Albatross Society, the secretive group which protects people like Tom, has one rule: Never fall in love. As painful memories of his past and the erratic behaviour of the Society’s watchful leader threaten to derail his new life and romance, the one thing he can’t have just happens to be the one thing that might save him. Tom will have to decide once and for all whether to remain stuck in the past, or finally begin living in the present.
How to Stop Time tells a love story across the ages (and for the ages) A man lost in time, the woman who could save him, and the lifetimes it can take to learn how to live. It is a bighearted, wildly original novel about losing and finding yourself, the inevitability of change, and how with enough time to learn, we just might find happiness.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
