Do you believe that books have the power to transform our lives for the better? If you do, I’m with you. Because I’ve experienced it first hand.
Before I tell my story, this post is where I’ll share my 6 favorite non-fiction books that I highly recommend for you to read this 2022 (that is, if you still haven’t). So if you’re looking for the next book to read, today is your lucky day.
These books taught me a lot of valuable lessons, and some of them changed my life for the better. There are two, to be exact.
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My story… (or jump to the list of books)
There are many things I’m thankful for from what happened to my life last 2021. But, this was also the year where I suffered from depression. And I don’t know where I’ll be now if God didn’t help me.
As we know, God uses instruments whenever He answers our prayers. And when I prayed to Him to lead me to the path of healing, He gave me a book. No, the book didn’t fall from the sky. Instead, I accidentally discovered it from Toronto’s virtual public library (which I don’t have access to now, unfortunately). And ever since I’ve read that book, I’ve gradually recovered from my depression.
Thanks to this book (which you’ll find in the list), I understood myself better and I’m now more in control of my emotions. I’m still struggling from time to time, of course, because like what author Justin Bariso said, learning how to better manage our emotions is a life-long process. But I’m glad that I have a book that will always remind me how important it is for us to intentionally improve our emotional intelligence.
But this isn’t just the book that transformed my life for the better. Another one is where I learned to be more intentional with my goals.
I used to have Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS), and I probably still have it now. If you’re not familiar with this, SOS is a situation where people focus their attention on something new, current, or trendy and drop this as soon as something new takes its place. It’s like a child who drops his favorite toy and runs to a new one.
As for me, I’ve been suffering from SOS for a long time without me even realizing it. Until my husband finally told me this: “you have lots of great ideas, but you have to stick to one.”
And even though I ignored him at first, I eventually realized he was right. I have lots of ideas in my head, but I won’t get anywhere if I execute every idea that pops up to me. I need to focus on one idea at a time.
Thanks to one of the books on this list, I’ve learned how to filter my ideas.
Now, enough of my story and on with the list.
6 non-fiction books for you to read this 2022
Since New Year is always about starting afresh, what better way to kick off the year than to feed our minds with the wisdom that we can learn from these well-written books?
If you’re an aspiring immigrant, the lessons you’ll learn from these books will come in handy as you walk through your bumpy ride in your Express Entry or Student Pathway journey (or whichever pathway you’re taking). As for newcomers, you’ll surely appreciate the lessons here as you start a new chapter of your life in Canada.
Without further ado, here are the 6 non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
EQ Applied: The Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence
This book by Justin Bariso explains the concept of emotional intelligence as applied to the real world while combining scientific research with high-profile examples and personal stories. This is the book that helped me cope with depression. It’s where I learned how to control my emotional reactions — from the frustrations that come from parenting to the upsetting emotions that I get from negative comments I receive in my blog.
I’m still a work-in-progress. But this book will always be the anchor that will pull me back in place.
So if you’re also looking for ways to improve your emotional intelligence, then this is among the non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
If you’re experiencing overwhelming emotions (which is common for newcomers), this book might also help you. But if you’re struggling with depression, I’m not saying that this is a substitute for proper medical help. It’s still best to talk to a professional first. And of course, to pray to God.
Read from INCMedia: Dealing with Depression During a Pandemic
The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future
You probably saw my post recommending this book on my blog’s Facebook page once. And I’m gonna recommend it here again. Because of all the books I’ve read, this is one of the books that truly changed my life.
It gave me clarity as to which goals are worth my time and energy. And like what I said before, it helped me to recover from my Shiny Object Syndrome. Although I still get distracted with new ideas from time to time, the practice of bullet journaling helps me stick to the goals I’ve already set out to achieve.
If you haven’t tried bullet journaling and you want to try it this year, then this is among the non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
As newcomers here in Canada, this is the perfect time to redefine your goals (if you haven’t done that yet). Some people’s goals end by the time they arrive here. But if you’re among those who want to aim for more (maybe you want to buy your own house here, or start your own business), bullet journaling might help you design your future better.
The Happiness Project
This book by Gretchen Rubin was given to me by a good friend of mine 2 years ago. One thing that resonated with me is how the smallest changes in our lives can make the biggest difference. Like when my mood became better and better every day when I started listening to upbeat songs daily.
So if you’re into becoming happier this year, then this is among the non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
In this book, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. There are lots of lessons to learn here, like how novelty and challenge can be powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness when spent wisely (to which I agree); and that outer order contributes to inner calm (I agree, too).
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Speaking of the outer order, this book by Marie Kondo will help you in that area. I’m sure you know Marie Kondo and her famous KonMari method of tidying up. If not, then you can check her Netflix show “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”, or read this book.
If you’re also looking for ways to improve your life through tidying up, then this is among the non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
While I don’t follow the KonMari method 100%, I’ve adapted some of the ways that Kondo taught in her book. Like how we should let go of the things that don’t bring “spark” to us anymore. Some of us tend to be so attached to material things (I’m guilty of this) that we end up collecting unnecessary items. But Kondo teaches us that the less we have, the better our lives will become.
And as newcomers and future immigrants here in Canada, take this chance to start fresh. Read this book and it’ll help you decide which items to pack (and not to pack) in your luggage.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
This book by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) was recommended to me by another good friend of mine. Here, Gilbert asks us to embrace our curiosity, shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need to live our most creative lives. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, this book offers valuable lessons.
So if you’re looking for another source of motivation and inspiration for your creative pursuits, then this is among the non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
For me, two of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from Gilbert are the following:
- Don’t be afraid to follow our passion (like writing or making art) even if others don’t have nice things to say. “Let them do their art,” is what Gilbert said.
- Don’t give our passion the burden to pay our bills. It’s okay to take other jobs to survive while doing our passion on the side. And when the time is right, the moment will come when we’ll be working a job we truly love.
The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea at the Right Time
This book by Allen Gannett teaches practical ways on how we can achieve commercial success in our creative pursuits (or any field, actually). He gave many examples here that we know–people like John Lennon and JK Rowling. By understanding the mechanics of what Gannett calls “the creative curve” – the point of optimal tension between the novel and the familiar – everyone can better engineer mainstream success.
If you’re starting your own business, writing a book, creating videos for your YouTube channel, or whatever pursuit you plan to do here, there’s so much to learn from this book. And that is why this is among my favorites.
So if you’re also looking for ways to achieve mainstream success, then this is among the non-fiction books for you to read this 2022.
Final Words
If you feel like any of these books will also change your life this 2022, go visit the nearest library or bookstore in your area. Or you can buy an ebook or paperback version from Amazon (that’s where I bought my copies of EQ Applied and The Bullet Journal Method). There’s also a book store here in Thorold, Ontario that sells brand new books (with an option for online shopping) for over 50% off, and they’re called Book Outlet (that’s where I bought my latest book on marketing).
If you’re an international student here, you might want to take advantage of Amazon Prime Student membership’s free 6-month trial so you can enjoy free delivery for your book orders.
So, happy book-shopping and reading!
Do you have any books you recommend for me to also read this 2022? Let me know in the comments section! Or feel free to email me here.
About the author:
JK Legaspi is a permanent resident of Canada since 2018. She and her family lives in the beautiful Niagara Region. As the founder of Detour To Canada, she aims to help aspiring and future immigrants reach their Canadian dreams by sharing her family’s own immigration and newcomer story.
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