In her career, Nana K. Twumasi, vice president and publisher of Balance, part of the Hachette Book Group, has found great satisfaction in exploring issues of health and wellness. She seeks out a diverse range of authors whose work is steeped in research, education, and innovation. Balance books cover a range of practical nonfiction topics, and in moments of reflection this summer, readers may find inspiration, information, and motivation from them.
“There are people who are really looking to solve actual problems in their lives, whether that’s mental or physical or relationship or whatever, and I wanted to be able to improve on the information that people had access to,” said Twumasi.
Balance books address a diverse range of readers, but they also account for different cultural and life experiences. Some are specifically designed for Black audiences. Twumasi has a genuine connection with wanting to provide resources for people often left out from conversations about these topics.
“The more you know, the better informed you are, the better choices you can make for yourself,” said Twumasi of how these reads may be enlightening. “Reading is important. Reading is how you learn. It’s why I do what I do. I love books; I love language. Books are not going anywhere. It’s important that we continue to understand that and to engage with them.”
Here are some must-see titles for the season.
“Black Girls Breathing” by Jasmine Marie
This is a guide to harnessing the power of breathwork and moving toward healing and rebuilding a sense of self.
“The compounding stress leads to poor health outcomes, which, as is common knowledge, tend to affect Black women the most — like chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, and heart disease,” said Twumasi. “This book is the permission to breathe. It’s OK to take care of yourself, and with consistency and practice, doing so will feel less indulgent and more like a well-deserved respite.”
“Consumed” examines how and why we buy what we buy, how it’s created, who benefits, and how we can solve the problems created by a wasteful system.
“The most important takeaway from this book is that the system responds to us,” said Twumasi. “Our actions as consumers have a direct effect on economics and the environment, and it’s not as difficult as we think to make small changes in our habits that lead to collective change.”
“Living in Wisdom” by Devi Brown
Sometimes trauma can keep people from seeing and embracing the good in life and celebrating successes, achievements, and positive relationships. This is a guide to getting unstuck, relieving internal suffering, and harnessing your power for true personal growth.
“Those who are interested in spiritual practices like yoga and mudras to enhance meditation will find this [book] appealing,” said Twumasi. “It offers “techniques like breathwork, self-massage, journaling, and recapitulation. The goal is to heal your life while living it and learn from life while enjoying it.”
Drawing on first-hand clinical insight and scientific research, this book offers advice about how women of color can achieve their professional goals without sacrificing physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
“Continually proving our worth in the workplace can be exhausting and ultimately detrimental to our health,” said Twumasi. “Dr. Wilborn offers strategies for the ambitious Black woman who strives to get ahead with a roadmap to success while also preserving their well-being.”
“How to Find True Love” by Francesca Hogi
An award-winning dating coach and matchmaker presents a practical guide for those searching for true love who are willing to empower themselves to find it.
“Francesca Hogi’s key message is that your mindset matters; thinking bigger about love and expanding your definition of true love makes finding it that much easier, and this certainly extends to platonic relationships,” Twumasi said. “The world is too hard a place for us to exist in it alone.”
This is a comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible guide to uterine health and, if necessary, a hysterectomy.
“Over half a million women in the U.S. undergo surgery for hysterectomy each year,” Twumasi said. “This is almost doubly important for Black women, whose pain is most often dismissed by the medical establishment, even though they are more likely to suffer from fibroids [in addition to other uterine conditions] … The more knowledge you have, the better able you are to ask questions to better understand your options and make an informed decision.”