7 Healthy Books to Put on Your Summer Reading List

Remember how your teacher used to give you a list of recommended reads for the summer? And it was full of classic literature? I read SO many great books that way. It’s how I was introduced to everything from East of Eden to Gone With the Wind to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. And those books changed my life — because they changed my perspective of life. They introduced me to new places, new people, new ways of thinking. And while, OBVIOUSLY, nonfiction fitness and self-help books aren’t typically *quite* on the same level as, ahem, Maya Angelou, we thought it would be fun to put together our own summer reading list that has a healthy twist.

From helping you to rock the gym, to loving yourself more, to reaching your goals to living an active life that rocks, these seven books are totally worth checking out at your library, downloading on your Kindle or picking up at the bookstore. Kick back with them this summer and get inspired!

1. White Hot Truth

Credit: Catherine Just

You guys know how we feel about all things Danielle LaPorte (authentic poetic genius!). Her new book, White Hot Truth, drops May 16 … and it is everything.

We got a sneak peek at the copy and it’s sharp, wise, inspiring and sometimes hilarious. If you’re a self-improvement junkie, this book will CHANGE YOU. (Not to mention, it’s pretty to look at, right?!)

2. The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises

Gym routine getting stale? Bored with your current workouts? Mix them up forever and always with The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises. It’s basically the bible of exercise. We’re talking tips, exercises, workouts and 1,350 photographs that show movements for every muscle and training plans to match every fitness goal. Consider your gym boredom busted.

3. Body Kindness

We featured a wonderful excerpt from this book during Love Yo’Self Week and that article is a great reflection of this entire book. It’s thought-provoking, inspirational and if you struggle with only using your body size or weight as a barometer of your self-worth or mood, it’ll help you break the pattern and feel the love.

4. Women Who Tri

What’s one of the world’s most challenging, inspiring, and fastest-growing sports? Triathlon! And more and more women are doing them — including the author of this book and mom of four small kids, Alicia DiFabio. Alicia shares her personal experience with triathlon, along with why more and more women are doing them. Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete or simply tri-curious, this book will inspire the heck out of you!

5. Move Your DNA

We recently had Katy Bowman on our podcast and had the MOST fascinating conversation about what it meant to be truly active — and how our modern lives are kind of mucking all that up. And this book is a deep dive (yet totally readable and relatable — Katy is the best at that) into the science of how we can all feel better and move better in our bodies. And the info is really easy to put into practice, too. The book includes movement programs, corrective exercises, habit modifications and simple lifestyle change suggestions, so that you can help move your DNA in a healthier — and more natural — direction.

6. Partner Workouts

We’ve long been internet buds with Laura Williams and this book is SO creative and fun! We definitely know that getting and staying fit is better and more fun with a partner, and this book gives you a ton (okay, 70 to be exact) of step-by-step body weight exercises to do with someone else. With 40 actual workouts to try, plus three long-term full exercise programs to hit your fitness goals, the only thing you have to do is ask someone to join you!

7. Stack Your Bones

From the title, you might think that this book is all about posture and body alignment. And it is A LOT about that (and has fantastic info in it about that), but it’s also about habits, what your mind thinks about your body and how you can change your lifestyle to be more mindful. Whether you suffer from chronic pain of some kind or are injured … or not, it’s a really, really interesting read!

And y’all didn’t forget that we have a book, too, right? It’s kind of the best. Hehe. —Jenn