New must-read books for under the tree (or earlier)

1 Hey beautiful soul - Fleur Overgaag

LOVE Fleur's humor, really if you want to brighten up your timeline with a hilarious happy egg: follow @fleur.overgaag NOW. Honestly? The first reel I ever saw of her, I thought it was real what she did. Maybe I hadn't had coffee yet. But apparently I'm not the only one.

Hey beautiful soul - Life is full of unexpected twists and challenges: strange encounters in the sauna, a phone that refuses to work at exactly the wrong moment, a flight attendant who absolutely refuses to check in your suitcase. And then there are all those things you actually want to get rid of (complaining, procrastinating, pleasing) and that huge difference between who you are and who you actually want to be. How do you remain a nice person in such a tangle?

In Hee mooie ziel Fleur Overgaag knows how to perfectly combine humor and recognizability. She shows how, despite all the chaos, you can discover the beauty in yourself and your surroundings. Think of the struggles of curling parents, horse coaches, speeding cyclists and other impatient or overstimulated fellow human beings. And yes, especially in her own chaotic moments.

This book is full of hilarious, comforting and uncomfortably recognizable stories that will make you laugh and put things into perspective. Perfect for anyone trying to find their way in the craziness of everyday life and not shying away from a healthy dose of self-mockery.

2 You can't make this up - Sanne Akkerman

Watch out! Sanne's Instagram account @laviesanne is addictive, all her characters are spot-on and once you follow Baukje, substitute teacher or one of her other idiotic characters, you'll understand me. Follow when your life is gray.

In Dit verzin je niet Sanne Akkerman – better known as @Laviesanne on Instagram, where she has over 400,000 followers – gives you a hilarious and candid look into her life. She shares her struggles and adventures without hesitation: from hypochondria and motherhood to cosmetic experiments and the less glamorous sides of her online fame. With her down-to-earth humor and disarming honesty, Sanne turns every event, no matter how chaotic, into a story to cherish.

From a home birth that was absolutely unplanned to a nose job that was cancelled at the last minute, and from awkward clashes – both literal and figurative – to recognizable fumbling as a mother. Sanne's life is full of unexpected twists and turns that make you think: you can't make this up!

This book is a feast of recognition for anyone who wants to embrace the chaos of motherhood, the vagaries of life and themselves with a good dose of humor. A perfect mix of laughter, putting things into perspective and oh yes, I've experienced that too! - moments that will make you enjoy yourself time and time again.

3 It's in your head - Vera Camilla Lucker

I have been following @veracamilla for years and I think this book is a very uplifting, brave move from her. I always love it when people help others and I have that idea very strongly with her book. Vera shows that even if things aren't going well with you, you can still try to get everything out of life. Great!

In Het zit tussen je oren, Vera Camilla Lucker, known as an influencer and entrepreneur, shares her honest and personal story about how she learned to be happy despite an anxiety disorder, depression and burnout. Although mental problems are a common thread in her life, they are not what defines her. Vera is much more: a creative entrepreneur, loving friend, animal lover and a true make-up expert.

With disarming openness she writes about the dark and light moments in her life: from medication and therapy to love, friendship and navigating between good and bad days. The book is not a manual, but a recognizable and hopeful message for everyone who struggles with themselves and life. Vera shows that you can also lead a beautiful and valuable existence with mental challenges.

Whether you are dealing with mental health issues yourself or just want to understand what it feels like, It's All in Your Head offers support, recognition and a glimmer of hope. As Vera herself says: It's okay not to always feel good. You are not alone.

4 Pulmonary - Eva Hermans - Kroot

Not a happy ending, but worth mentioning in every way, Eva's book. Her unfair fight shows how valuable life is. As Tim Hofman puts it, I gladly join in: "If you want a lesson in life: read this book by Eva - @longeneeslijk . It's beautiful". Eva you rock big time!!

Longeneeslijk - How do you continue living when you are diagnosed with incurable lung cancer at the age of 22? In Longeneeslijk, Eva Hermans-Kroot shares in a candid and impressive way how she deals with the challenges and unexpected moments that have marked her life. How do your partner, family and friends experience the news? And how do you stay true to yourself, even when everyone keeps asking how you are doing - even during chemotherapy?

Eva describes how she celebrated her 26th birthday despite the serious diagnosis, admired Beyoncé live from a stretcher and learned to really only do what makes her happy. She had to let go of a lot, but at the same time found a new, more intense way of life. Her personal story is not only moving, but also disarming and inspiring thanks to her sharp humor. The book not only discusses Eva's experiences, but also those of her loved ones.

With her Instagram account @longeneeslijk, which started as a way to keep friends and family updated, Eva now reaches more than 400,000 followers. In addition to sharing her story, she graduated cum laude in 2023 and was featured in the BNNVARA program Over Mijn Lijk . Eva shows that even under the most difficult circumstances, life and laughter can go hand in hand. A must-read for anyone looking for courage, strength and an unprecedented appreciation for life.

Inspirational books

With these four books under the tree – or rather on your bedside table – you are guaranteed an inspiring reading experience. Whether you need a good dose of humor, recognizable stories, mental support or a deep life lesson, these authors know how to touch and motivate with their unique perspectives and writing style. So grab a warm cup of tea, curl up on the couch and let yourself be carried away by these special stories. Which one will you read first?