I spend most of my time writing about what to eat, and how to move, and why deep breathing is so important. I want everyone to have the information they need to balance their hormones and live long, juicy, joyful lives. Today I want to share something a little different with you; it’s one of the reasons I want you all to stay vital and vivacious well into your golden years.

This Monday’s recommendation isn’t about kale, or yoga, or toxic mattresses. It’s about a book. Reading for pleasure does wonderful things for the body and the mind. It gives that desperately needed tiara time. It provides new information and perspectives. It triggers your imagination and curiousity. If you’re in a book club, it promotes feelings of community and connection. And sometimes, the book makes you laugh. Studies have shown that laughter improves immunity, boosts mood, and reduces stress. No question: laughter is my favorite way to get that bad-boy hormone, cortisol, back into it’s rightful place!

If any of these benefits appeal to you, get your tush to a bookstore (or your virtual tush to Amazon), and pick up a copy of Joshua Safran’s Free Spirit: Growing Up On the Road and Off the Grid. In this incredible memoir, Safran shares his journey with a rebellious mother, a gypsy-like childhood, his struggles with an abusive stepfather, and finding his place in society.

It sounds like tough stuff, and some of it is, but you know what? I laughed more reading this book than I have in years. Safran is funnier than David Sedaris, but balances his honest humor with moments of intense poignancy and insight. I can’t recommend it strongly enough.

I’m not the only one who thinks Joshua is the next David Sedaris. I don’t want to give away the whole book, so let Publisher’s Weekly spur you into action:

"A beautiful, powerful memoir that shows how a son and his mother both grew up and survived amid chaos. Even better, [Safran] recalls events without condemnation or condescension. This assured debut is reminiscent of David Sedaris's and Augusten Burroughs's best work: introspective, hilarious, and heartbreaking."

Head over and buy 3 copies, one for yourself and two for your girlfriends so they can slap down cortisol too and get a great read.