m+work: why you need a little blue book in your life
There’s a quiet trend sweeping bookshelves, and no, it’s not a new genre or literary breakthrough - it’s the rise of the little blue book.
Not quite self-help, not quite memoir, and far too stylish to live in the “personal development” aisle of old, these beautifully designed titles are sharp, digestible and often small enough to slip into your work bag. More importantly, they speak to the moment so many of us are in: questioning how we live, work, parent, and show up in a world that’s moving too fast.
These are books for the woman on the edge of her next chapter - whether that’s a career pivot, a creative awakening, a subtle power shift, or just a need to feel more in control of her day. You might call them your desk-side companion, your Sunday morning reset, or the 15-minute read that quietly changes everything.
Here are three of our favourites:
New Methods for Women by Sharmadean Reid
The creative founder’s manifesto for building a modern life on your own terms. Think systems, strategies and rituals that actually fit around real life — including children, ambition, exhaustion, and joy. A smart, accessible blueprint for the woman who’s done being reactive and wants to design her life with intention. Shop here
Smarter: 10 lessons for a more productive and less-stressed life by Emily Austen
This one’s for the overthinkers, perfectionists and burnout-adjacent. Equal parts witty and wise, it offers science-backed strategies for how to get out of your own way, without the toxic positivity or hustle culture undertones. Short, sharp, and far more effective than your third flat white. Shop here
Manifesto by Candice Brathwaite
Forget vision boards, this is manifesting for women with jobs, kids, and limited patience for fluff. Bold, personal and energising, Candice Brathwaite’s version of manifestation is rooted in action, identity, and the power of backing yourself. A reminder that you don’t have to wait for permission to take up space. Shop here
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