We were lucky to attend the Goop Health Summit over the weekend, if for no other reason than that we got to see Gwyneth Paltrow’s face when Miranda Kerr described what it’s like to get a leech facial, and how she kept the critters as pets afterward. When something in the wellness world freaks Gwyn out, you know it’s—as the health mogul herself put it—”batsh*t crazy.” Most of the rest of what went on over the course of the jam-packed day, however, was anything but nuts, with panel after panel of impressive experts giving advice aimed at making you both physically well and sane. If you couldn’t attend to take in the many gems divulged during the summit, fret not—many of the panelists have written books, and all of them, in our opinion, are well worth a read. Here, 10 books to bury yourself in if you want to get into the Goop.
Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
by Esther Perel, $14
Esther Perel is one of our favorite authorities on relationships and we're huge fans of her TED talks, so it was quite an honor to attend her panel. Mating in Captivity, her first book, explores what she calls "erotic intelligence," or what it takes to make lust last.
by Alejandro Junger, $11
If there's anyone we want to take detox advice from, it's whoever is advising Gwyn on the matter. That just so happens to be Dr. Alejandro Junger, whose Clean Program has become famous, thanks in large part to Ms. Paltrow's endorsement. If you can't afford the $475, 21-day cleanse, this book is a good place to start instead.
Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm by Nicole Daedone, $13
Nicole Daedone, founder of orgasmic meditation company OneTaste, was one of our favorite speakers of the day. Her research on female pleasure has been revolutionary and, since we’re not brave enough to actually try one of her seminars, we will definitely be reading this book ASAP instead.
The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time
by Cameron Diaz, $20
Cameron Diaz spoke mostly about the challenges of being an ambitious woman, and how she made the difficult decision to take a break from acting to focus on finding balance. This book likewise explores the important topic of balance and how important it is for us to attain some semblance of it. Read our interview with Cameron around the book here.
by the editors of Goop, $18
We can think of no better resource for all things clean beauty than the editors of Goop—we found this book in our gift bag from the event, and can safely say it's worth the investment if you're likewise obsessed with going au naturel.
The 30-Day Method by Tracy Anderson
Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method: The Weight-Loss Kick-Start that Makes Perfection Possible
by Tracy Anderson, $14
This editor has been trying the Tracy Anderson Method all month, and can attest to both the difficulty level and the results (also, it's actually fun). Classes are a bit pricey, so we suggest digging into this book (as well as trying out some of her DVDs or even her live-streaming program) if you're looking to reap the method's benefits on a budget.
Te Plant Paradox by Steven R. Gundry
The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in "Healthy" Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain
by Stephen R. Gundry, $17
This book blew our minds and totally transformed the way we think about food. We don't want to spoil the major takeaway for you (hint: fruit is not our friend), but if you're interested in optimizing your health through diet this is a must-read.
The Autoimmune Solution: Prevent and Reverse the Full Spectrum of Inflammatory Symptoms and Diseases
by Dr. Amy Meyers, $10
According to Dr. Amy Meyers, more than 90% of the population suffers from inflammation of some sort. Her book purports to help cure everything from the common cold to Crohn's disease using functional medicine.
by Phil Stutz & Barry Michels, $12
This book, written by two Hollywood therapists who've allegedly cured many a screenwriter of writer's block—offers workable tools for releasing creativity and healing personal issues through a focus on the present rather than the past.
Permission to Parent: How to Raise Your Child with Love and Limits
by Robin Berman, MD, $8
According to Dr. Berman, the current culture of parenting has overcorrected for the excessive strictness of prior generations by creating a family structure in which children rule the roost. Here, she teaches the delicate balance between love and discipline.
