The Big Love Bookshelf

"Hi, I’m Cody, the founder of Big Love Retreats. For many years, I was a teacher of English language and literature, and I hold a PhD in applied linguistics. Language, storytelling, and the power of words have always been at the heart of who I am.

Reading has been a cornerstone of my wellness journey—whether it’s diving into a novel for pure pleasure or exploring non-fiction to better understand our place in the world. Books have the power to heal, inspire, and connect us, and I wanted to bring that magic to the Big Love community.

That’s why I created the Big Love Bookshelf. It’s a space to celebrate books that inspire growth, connection, and healing—especially those by marginalized voices who remind us of the beauty and complexity of the human experience. I hope you’ll join me on this literary journey!"

Why Reading Belongs in Your Wellness Toolkit

Reading isn’t just entertainment; it’s a transformative practice that nurtures the mind, heart and soul.

  • Stillness & Presence: In a world of endless scrolling, reading demands slowness. It pulls us into the present moment, creating a meditative space where we can disconnect from stress and reconnect with ourselves.

  • Empathy & Connection: Books allow us to walk in someone else’s shoes, fostering compassion - not just for characters, but for real people in our lives. Studies actually show that reading fiction strengthens emotional intelligence.

  • Mental Resilience: Getting lost in a story isn’t escapism - it’s active restoration and for sure we all need more of that!. Like yoga or breathwork, reading can lower cortisol levels, quiet the constant mental chatter and offer relief from anxiety.

Perspective & Growth: A single book can shift how we see the world - or ourselves. Whether it’s a memoir that mirrors our struggles or a novel that challenges our assumptions, literature expands our inner landscape.

Let’s Be Honest: Wellness Books Can Be Exhausting

The wellness industry is flooded with prescriptive guides - 10 Steps to Happiness, The Perfect Morning Routine - how to do this, that and the other and suddenly your entire life will be transformed! Oh the pressure! While some are undoubtedly valuable and some utterly life-changing, the sheer volume of wellness related books is just overwhelming. The Big Love Bookshelf cuts through the noise with curated reviews of books that truly nourish - whether they’re mindfulness guides, novels that stir the soul or works by local authors from the places we visit.

Today, we’re featuring The Wayward Daughter by Shradha Ghale - the perfect companion for our Nepal retreats (link to retreats). What better way to prepare for a journey than through a local author’s eyes? Literature adds context, nuance and heartbeat to travel, transforming a trip into a deeper dialogue with a place and its people.

So, I am absolutely delighted to be introducing The Big Love Bookshelf….

A curated space for books that:

  • Inspire growth (both inner and outer),

  • Amplify marginalized voices and

  • Celebrate the cultures of the places we visit.

Here, you’ll find:

  • Wellness reads to nourish your mind,

  • Fiction to get lost in and

  • Works by authors from our retreat destinations—because understanding a place starts with listening to its storytellers.

Every book I share is a thread in the tapestry of The Big Love: one part adventure, one part healing and entirely human. 

Turn the page with us.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This book beautifully weaves Indigenous wisdom, science, and personal stories to explore our relationship with the Earth.

Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

A powerful guide to understanding and dismantling white supremacy, both personally and systemically.

The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

This book explores radical self-love and how it can transform our relationships with ourselves and the world.