10 Book Recommended by BalancedLes of Balanced Black Girl

By Kyle Colley, Aug 8, 2024

In our latest episode of the Creators Talk Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Lestraundra, better known as Balancedles, the inspiring force behind the Balanced Black Girl Podcast. Known for her candid conversations around wellness for black women, Lestraundra shared invaluable insights on living a balanced life without sacrificing your happiness and well-being.

"When I talk about balance," she says, "I mean not sacrificing your life for the sake of being well." This mantra reflects her approach to wellness—focusing on finding joy in the everyday actions that contribute to our health. For her, balance is not about perfection but about creating a life where taking care of yourself feels good, not like a chore.

Throughout our conversation, Les emphasized the importance of community, creativity, and self-care. She believes that as a creator, it’s essential to have a "lack of shame, lack of fear" and to "throw stuff out there, try it, and not be worried about how it does." This mindset is crucial for anyone looking to build something meaningful, whether it’s a podcast, a platform, or a personal journey of wellness.

In the spirit of nurturing both mind and soul, we asked Les about the books that have shaped her life and influenced her journey. Here are the top ten recommendations from our conversation:

Book Recommendations from Lestraundra (Balancedles):

1 - Harry Potter Series (Childhood Favorite)

2 - The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (A good Book for Journaling)

3 - On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi (Current Read)

4 - Funny Story by Emily Henry (Balanced Black Girl Bookshelf)

5 - Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan (Favorite Author)

6 - A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (Favorite Book of the 2024)

7 - Becoming by Michelle Obama (Book Club Selection)

8 - The Davenports by Krystal Marquis (Balanced Black Girl Bookshelf)

9 - Worthy by Nancy Levin (A book a lot of people don't talk about)

10 - This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan (Balanced Black Girl Bookshelf)