Filmmaker and author Giovanni Sticco has released A Very Groovy Book, a new work that brings mindfulness and good vibes to readers who feel the world is moving too fast. The book combines spiritual grounding, self-awareness and creative energy beneath a breezy, light-hearted style.
The writing draws heavily on meditative traditions akin to Buddhist philosophy. It teaches readers how to detach from daily suffering and quiet an overactive mind. Sticco describes sadness as a temporary visitor that can be replaced by imagination, presence and positive manifestation. Instead of holding tightly to every anxious thought, readers are encouraged to breathe, let go of control and accept that everything in life is impermanent.
Radical self-awareness and personal growth form another core part of the book’s philosophy. Sticco encourages readers to stop beating themselves up, drop the victim mentality and step up as the champions of their own lives. He stresses that people must control their thoughts, words and actions. The book acts as a mirror, asking readers to look closely at their own self-sabotage and to shift towards resilience and inner strength.
Sticco also credits an influential figure from his early life. His greatest teacher was not a monk but, in a lot of ways, Tommy Appleby, his 7th-grade teacher from Claremont, California. Appleby, an artist, poet and calm, quiet soul, helped shape the perspective that anchors Sticco’s worldview. He remains a vital and enduring part of the author’s life and still calls in to talk with him to this day.
The book is closely attuned to the physical world and reflects a sense of prolific artistry. Sticco stays in touch with his surroundings and frequently draws inspiration from nature. He suggests that whenever life feels too boxed in, a simple walk among trees can quiet the soul, and that anyone who does not stop and look around may miss something.
That connection to the outdoors flows from Sticco’s creative output as an independent filmmaker and writer. Every page of A Very Groovy Book carries a retro charm and an invitation to slow down, smile and find your groove. Across the book, Sticco has taken everything the world has to offer and made it his own.
