Book Recommendations

A while back I asked everyone if they had any great book recommendations and I got a few responses. If you are looking for a new book to read check out this list, you may just find a gem.

The Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwok - recommended by Irene

The story is slow-paced but it tackles the life of a poor immigrant young girl coming to America, going to school, learning the language, and working in the evening to help her family.

I like this story because she is trying to find a balance between her culture and this new life and the choices she has to make, all the while struggling in the process.

The ending grips my heartstrings, but it reminds us that in life we sometimes make difficult decisions that can break our hearts but feel that is the right thing to do.

The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern - recommended by Aliza

The Night Circus is a phantasmagorical fairy tale set near an ahistorical Victorian London in a wandering, magical circus that is open only from sunset to sunrise. The Night Circus has been compared to Harry Potter and Twilight, as well as to Neil Gaiman, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

I read this book in high school. My AP English teacher had us do an exercise where she literally had us judge a book by its cover and if we liked the cover, we’d read it and then create an art project for it at the end of the quarter and review what we thought about it. It became one of my favorite books ever.

The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson - recommended by Paula

Don’t let “historical non-fiction” fool you – it’s the gripping and unbelievably true story of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the mastermind serial murderer HH Holmes. It’s a page-turning, up-all-nighting, thrilling tale of acutely brilliant minds and the paths they choose to take.

Scoring a 4.5-star rating with over 26,000 reviews on Amazon alone, this New York Times bestseller is sure to live up to the hype.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho - recommended by Paula

Translated into over 60 languages and with multiple millions of copies sold all over the world, it’s a story of discovery that connects every one of us to our basest instincts and desires. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

What do you *actually* want in life? How far will you travel to get it? Will you know when you have found it?

The Stranger, by Harlan Coben - recommended by Ama

The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar or a parking lot or at the grocery store. His identity is unknown. His motives are unclear. His information is undeniable. Then he whispers a few words in your ear and disappears, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world.

It’s is one of the best books I have read in a long time simply because it wasn’t what I was expecting. It was impossible to put down and when you start thinking you know what’s going on, the author reminds you that you don’t know anything.

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, by Dr. Joe Dispenza - recommended by Russell

“Cells that fire together wire together”, this read is all about creating positive change in your life by making conscious positive thoughts become subconscious, thus changing the literal chemistry of your brain through thought.

Not only will you be given the necessary knowledge to change any aspect of yourself, you will also be taught the step-by-step tools to apply what you learn in order to make measurable changes in any area of your life.

Girl Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis - recommended by Savannah

Girl, Wash Your Face is a raw, real, and honest book that makes you question some, if not most, areas in your life. If you are looking for a book to inspire and kick you in the rear this is it! While Rachel herself has become quite controversial, her message is still 100% valid. It without a doubt changed my life.

This book discusses; relationships (failing and successful as well as growing), suicide, adoption, children, marriage, and so much more.

Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey - recommended by Savannah

A memoir to enjoy. I laughed, I sighed, I shook my head, I learned quite a few lessons. Matthew McConaughey has gained a reputation for being a deep thinker, a trailblazer, and an amazing actor. His witty one-liners are hilarious yet insightful.

“We all step in shit from time to time. We hit roadblocks, we fuck up, we get fucked, we get sick, we don’t get what we want, we cross thousands of “could have done better”s and “wish that wouldn’t have happened”s in life. Stepping in shit is inevitable, so let’s either see it as good luck, or figure out how to do it less often.”

In my opinion, the only way to read this book is to listen to it. Matthew's narration is everything we didn't know we needed.