On La Petite Photo Book Shelves

For many of us, the lock down reconciliated us with the lost art of reading and getting lost in books. Here is a list of books that I read for the last two years. My favorite genre is travel stories, self help books (spiritual, growing, transformative books), a bit of fiction and… cooking books! Let me know if you’ve read any of these or share your favorite title in comments!

Rare photo of mini me near the famous glasses. Me me eating, carefree, thinking I could read with those on, if only I can steal them from my Dad…

At a very young age, I stole my dad’s glasses and I was in dismay when I realized they were not a magical instrument that instantly gave you the ability to read stories, but only made the text blurrier. I remembered being insanely frustrated that our preschool teacher was not willing to read us stories whenever possible. I found refuge in books as soon as I learned to read and it was rare to see me without one in hand. Yes, I read in the shower (impractical you may say), all night long under the covers with a torch, at the beach, on my way to school, while waiting in line, while eating…

After Leon my son came into my life, I read about 3 books. No time, no energy. But in 2020, my library shelves and digital audiobooks started to pile up again. I became eager to read again and started devouring books after books. As a matter of fact, it’s not rare for me to read or listen up to ten books at the same time. I love variety and some days you need a self help book, but at night, you want a sci fi novel, you know?

Here I give my latest favorite books. I am still reading a couple of them but they were transformative or truly enjoyable and I wanted to share with you. Let me know what was your favorites lately!

TRAVEL AND AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

Elsewhere: One Woman, One Rucksack, One Lifetime of Travel, by Rosita Bowland
The closest I’ve felt to any author in the last couple of years. Rosita is like the big sister you wish you had. I’ve traveled solo for six month and Rosita wrote and expressed sensations and feelings that I could not put in words. I loved each chapters and each paragraph of this book. If you have to read one book only in this list, it would be this one.- Buy Here.

Travels , by Michael Crichton
Absolute favorite book of all time. Michael mixes explorations from the physical and spiritual world. Very informative, he describe his life changing experiences alternating between traveling around the world and… Traveling with his mind. Or his soul. Whatever you call it! - Buy Here.

Not That Anyone Asked: A Travel Memoir about Sex, Drugs, Love, and Finding Purpose, by Travis W. King
Raw, honest, funny, simply brilliant. We travel around the world with Travis as he reveal his experience and adventures of five years as a backpacker. So did he find purpose? Spoiler alert, in the end, it’s all about love, self love and discovery. No taboo, no fairy tale, just the real life of an awesome backpacker on the road.- Buy Here.

To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret, by Jedidah Jenkins
Jedidah’ stories about his life on the road are incredible. His reflexion about self acceptance and spirituality are also touching. I loved the part where Jedidah explain how nerves racking preparing for this exploit has been. Something as incredible as crossing the American continent from north to south is deeply transformative. I could not let the book at the end and nearly open it to the first page to start again…- Buy Here.

Wild, From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed
If I love something more than anything, it’s stories of badasses women doing crazy stuff, like hiking the PCT pre internet era, by themselves. I listened to this book in my car and had to stop a couple of times to cry freely. - Buy Here.

The World by Hitchhiking: 5 Years at the University of Life, by Ludovic Hubler
Ludo hitched hike around the world. I hitched hiked a dozen of times while traveling and it was always an adventure. And he did it for five years straight, crossing all continents. Could you imagine? Whenever someone tell me the world is a scary place, I think about his stories and my own experience. The world is a beautiful place. - Buy Here.

Thirst: 2600 Miles To Home, by Heather Anderson
Keep a bottle of water nearby, you’ll feel the thirst through the book. The story of Heather Anderson is often nerve wracking. She walked 2,655 miles in 60 days, crushing the previous men's record by four days and becoming the first woman to ever hold the overall record. - Buy Here.

You Are Here: Camping: The Most Scenic Spots on Earth by Blackwell & Ruth Blackwell & Ruth
They are the most scenic spots on earth, so yeah, it’s a pretty book. It gave me a list of places I want to go camping. - Buy Here.

A Year In Japan, by Kate T. Williamson
I have a obsession about Japan. Hopefully it’s nothing too weird… This book is a drawing memoir of Kate’s year in Japan. It’s simply beautiful and of course, very easy to read. - Buy Here.

TRANSFORMATIVE

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus… Well one thing for sure: it’s outdated!

Untamed, by Glennon Doyle
One of my favorite book. Glennon dissect each aspect of her life that was “tamed”. Deeply reflection and feel-good book. - Buy Here.

Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions, by Pema Chödrön
Any oversensitive people out there? Read this book. It’s amazing how quickly you can apply the concepts in your everyday life. - Buy Here.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle
I’ve been reading this book over the last couple of month and always get something unexpected out of each sentence. I love reading it while traveling. - Buy Here.

Call of the Wild: How We Heal Trauma, Awaken Our Own Power, and Use It for Good, by Kimberly Ann Johnson and Harper
Healing trauma via psychosomatic work. Also very interesting if you want to understand a little more your nervous system. - Buy Here.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg
Interesting facts! - Buy Here.

In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial, by Mona Chollet
This book has been transformative and highly informative. Mona is an incredible writer and I could not drop the book in the end. - Buy Here.

Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, by Gabrielle Bernstein
Some parts are awesome, some other, I kind of disconnected a little. Her technics are amazing and really helpful in your everyday life!- Buy Here.

Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Complete but very interesting point of view of the legend and stories. - Buy Here.

Narcissistic Mothers: How to Handle a Narcissistic Parent and Recover from CPTSD: Adult Children of Narcissists Recovery, by Caroline Foster
The title talks for itself. - Buy Here.

SPIRITUAL

28 years old Margot in Cambodia, at the beginning of her spiritual seeking and self discovery.

The Four Agreements, by don Miguel Ruiz
I started my reading marathon with this book. I would say this book changed my perspective on the world. It helped me to go back to the essential. Highly recommend.- Buy Here.

Spirit Hacking: Six Shamanic Keys to Reclaim Your Personal Power, Transform Yourself, and Light Up the World, by Shaman Durek
Wow. Just wow. What was I doing before I read this book? - Buy Here.

Tantra: The Supreme Understanding, by Osho
Everyone need to read it! - Buy Here.

The Japanese Art of Reiki, by Frans Stiene
Interested in Reiki? This book is for you - Buy Here.

Thiaoouba Prophecy: The Golden Planet, by Michel Desmarquet
I actually met Michel while traveling in Vietnam. It only took me ten years to start reading his book! If you believe it, that’s cool. If you don’t, you can take it as a sci fi book. But really, why not!- Buy Here.

FICTION

City of Girls: A Novel, by Elizabeth Gilbert
I don’t usually read fiction but I read this book so fast! I love this author. - Buy Here.

Stories Of Your Life, And Others, by Ted Chiang
Amazing stories. Each chapter transport you in different worlds. Super easy to read. - Buy Here.

Interview With India, by John Frederick Muehl
Beautiful book! - Buy Here.

EDUCATION

Understanding Body Language: How to Decode Nonverbal Communication in Life, Love, and Work, by Scott Rouse
So I can help you feeling at your best in front of my lense. - Buy Here.

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth, by Jen Sincero
Another book who transformed my life. It helped me to change my mindset about money. - Buy Here.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari
Historical study of Us, Humans. - Buy Here.

HOME AND LIFE IMPROVEMENTS

Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home, by Nikki Boyd
Just looking at the pictures make me want to turn my house upside down and organize it - Buy Here.

The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything, by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
When I grow up, I want to be Clea and Johanna - Buy Here.

Simply Living Well: A Guide to Creating a Natural, Low-Waste Home by Julia Watkins
Beautiful photos. I learned how to make a killer almond milk, date protein balls and other amazing things. - Buy Here.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo
I just read this book again when I want to feel peaceful and believe I have my “stuff” together. Is Marie Kondo an angel? I think so. - Buy Here.

Jungalow: Decorate Wild: The Life and Style Guide, by Justina Blakeney
So inspirational! And beautiful. Gorgeous photos and Justina Blakeney seems to be a sweet heart. I love to dive in it and feel like I’m traveling in a way. - Buy Here.

Declutter Like a Mother: A Guilt-Free, No-Stress Way to Transform Your Home and Your Life, by Allie Casazza
I listened to this book while deep cleaning mu house. In one go! Very inspirational and help you change your mindset about decluttering. - Buy Here.

ART - CRAFT

Universe by Nicolas Cheetham
Any photos of the universe is a beautiful photo right? - Buy Here.

Humans, by Brandon Stanton
Deep and intense. Emotional and beautiful. - Buy Here.

Sewing Happiness: A Year of Simple Projects for Living Well, by Sanae Ishida
When I started sewing, this book became my bible. - Buy Here.

COOKING BOOKS

Burma Superstar: Addictive Recipes from the Crossroads of Southeast Asia, by Desmond Tan and Kate Leahy
I traveled in Myanmar a couple of years ago and seeing the amazing photos of Yangon and the dishes made me tear up a little. - Buy here.

Mowgli Street Food: Authentic Indian Street Food, by Nisha Katona
I used to have a traditional Indian recipe book in France but lost it and was in search of a REAL Indian recipe book. I highly recommend.- Buy Here.

Sweet Laurel: Recipes for Whole Food, Grain-Free Desserts: A Baking Book, by Laurel Gallucci, Claire Thomas
A couple of month ago, I changed my diet for a gluten free, sugar processed free and dairy free life. I cried so much at first, thinking I could never have a piece of delicious cake but this baking book proved me wrong. Incredible recipes and so easy to make! - Buy Here.

Sweet Laurel Savory: Everyday Decadence for Whole-Food, Grain-Free Meals: A Cookbook, by Laurel Gallucci, Claire Thomas
Same but savory! - Buy Here.

Nom Nom Paleo, Food For Humans, by Joy Garcia
Easy and accessible! Good and simple food. Their granola is so good!- Buy Here.

Rustic French Cooking Made Easy: Authentic, Regional Flavors from Provence, Brittany, Alsace and Beyond, by Audrey Le Goff
There is a recipe from my hometown in the South of France. That’s how legit this French recipe book is. Highly highly recommend! - Buy Here.