Four Books to Help Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Resolution #1: Better financial well-being

Happy Go Money by Melissa Leong (ECW Press)In Happy Go Money, financial expert Melissa Leong takes on the source of many people’s issues: money. If your resolution is to tighten up the purse strings without sacrificing your happiness, this book’s got a lot of gems with practical advice on spending, budgeting, investing, mindfulness with the understanding that more money and possessions don’t make us any richer in the happiness bank. The book comes complete with exercises so you can achieve your better-spending goals in a pinch.Resolution #2: More nutritious cooking

Some Good: Nutritious Newfoundland Dishes by Jessica Mitton (Breakwater Books)If healthier eating habits are on your goals list this year, Holistic Nutritional Consultant Jessica Mitton is serving up a ton of tasty eats from appetizers to desserts (and even condiments!) with a lot of nutritional goodness. What’s more is that all the recipes are gluten- and dairy-free and made without refined sugars so potlucks will be a cinch!Check out Test Kitchen for results of our ALU HQ feast featuring recipes from Some Good.Resolution #3: Write more

Exhilarating Prose by Barry Healey & Cordelia Strube (Baraka Books)We know that reading about writing when all you’re trying to do is write more seems counter-intuitive, but Exhilarating Prose aims to stimulate writing inspiration. It’s not procrastination, it’s research.) The book examines what makes good writing and not-so-good writing, the various forms of prose and elements, and useful approaches to the writing process. It’s also humorous, engaging, and fun to read.Resolution #4: Travel More (bonus: and get more exercise)

The Best of the Great Trail by Michael Haynes (Goose Lane Editions)For the double-whammy resolver whose got their bags packed and walking shoes on, we’re recommending The Best of the Great Trail, an essential companion to the eastern part of Canada’s national trail. You can get your sweat on as nature intended: walking! Plus, this book offers a sampling of more than 900km of trail beginning at Cape Spear and ending on the shores of Lake Huron. There are GPS coordinates maps, and detailed points of interest to make sure you’re set to adventure.