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Today's topic is: Top Ten Books For Every X To Read
Jamie's Picks
1. For every creative -- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert: I really think anyone who writes or blogs or is creative in any way should read this for some inspiration!
2. For people who have trouble keeping their space free from clutter -- The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: Okay so some of this book is a little too out there for my mind but I really enjoyed it for the most part. It's a good book for someone like me who has struggled to keep my space clean/organized/free from clutter for my whole life. Sometimes she's a little extreme and I wasn't as strict about getting rid of everything that didn't spark me joy but it really did help me in little ways or reframe some of the stuff I held on to and why I did.
Jana seconds this!
Jana seconds this!
3. For the person who loves inspirational memoir type books -- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: I read this at a time where I was pretty down and it was really inspiring and thought-provoking as this man faces certain death from an illness imparts some life lessons.
4. For people who like learning about random stuff (and like quirky nonfiction) -- Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach: Seriously one of my favorite non-fiction books ever. SO SO fascinating! I just really love learning random stuff and Mary Roach is so engaging!
Bridget's Pick
5. For the introvert or the person who is just interested in psychology -- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain: Many of our readers will relate to the struggles of living as an introvert in a world that seems to only value extroversion. This book, though frustrating in many ways, also opened my eyes to just how much extroversion is praised at the expense of introversion, and explained why so many "normal" situations always made me uncomfortable. And don't just read this if you're an introvert; it can also help extroverts understand a little bit more of why their introverted peers act, think, and interact the way they do.
Lauren's Picks
For someone who is unfamiliar with the global abuses of women and their fight for survival --
6. Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir and Damien Lewis: This was the first memoir written by a woman caught up in the war in Darfur. Halima is the kind of individual that can change the world, and that she did. This is not a novel full of sadness, but a call to action with a person who spoke out about the abuses in her homeland without thought of self preservation.
7. Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindia: You remember year ago seeing an article or two, or maybe just remembering the words, "female genital mutilation" mentioned in the news? An entire movement to stop the ritual that encompasses those words may have actually been started because of Fauziya and her determination to stand up for women everywhere. This is a powerful novel, and it will not disappoint.
Jana's Picks
Lauren's Picks
For someone who is unfamiliar with the global abuses of women and their fight for survival --
6. Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir and Damien Lewis: This was the first memoir written by a woman caught up in the war in Darfur. Halima is the kind of individual that can change the world, and that she did. This is not a novel full of sadness, but a call to action with a person who spoke out about the abuses in her homeland without thought of self preservation.
7. Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindia: You remember year ago seeing an article or two, or maybe just remembering the words, "female genital mutilation" mentioned in the news? An entire movement to stop the ritual that encompasses those words may have actually been started because of Fauziya and her determination to stand up for women everywhere. This is a powerful novel, and it will not disappoint.
Jana's Picks
8. For someone who enjoys reading survival stories -- 438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin: Remember hearing about this guy in the news? Just over two years ago, he was rescued after living adrift for 438 days. This man’s story is unfathomable, and inspiring. There are really no words that can accurately describe what he went through. I don't want to say too much, but I will mention the whale shark that hung out with him for a few days. Amazing.
9. For the travel-lover -- 501 Must-Visit Destinations
This book is 544 pages of dream vacations, and I would love to visit every single one of them. I am really annoyed that the book did not come with plane tickets and travel accommodations for each of these destinations.
Tahleen's Picks
9. For the travel-lover -- 501 Must-Visit Destinations
This book is 544 pages of dream vacations, and I would love to visit every single one of them. I am really annoyed that the book did not come with plane tickets and travel accommodations for each of these destinations.
Tahleen's Picks
10. For anyone who likes funny books, memoirs, and a little bit of history -- The Life and Times of the Thunderbold Kid by Bill Bryson: Some of you might know about my slight obsession with Bryson's work. This is one of my favorites, his memoir about growing up in the 1950s. It's so funny, and I love how he kind of gives us a history of that time as well. Bonus points if you listen to Bryson narrate it himself. If you like this one, I highly recommend listening to his other books too, especially I'm a Stranger Here Myself and really any of his travelogues.
Tell us your favorite non-fiction books!
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I just finished read Quiet by Cain so I totally agree with Bridgett's choice. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteI also love Bill Bryson. My favorite is A Walk in the Woods. Great list. :)
ReplyDeleteCan honestly say those are all new to me! Not really a non fiction reader.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
You guys picked amazing, and deep, books. I wrote a post about 80's lovers books. I feel a little shallow in comparison... not unlike the 1980's.
ReplyDeleteI've read all of Jamie's picks except Big Magic, but it's going on my tbr along with all of Bridget, Lauren, Jana and Tahleen's book suggestions. :)
Ooh Non-fiction - good choice! I *love* Stiff, and that would have definitely made my list. I would also recommend Free for All (Turan/Papp) and How the Other Half Lives (Riis) - both of these made my 10 essentials for New Yorkers list - as well as Fin-de-Siecle Vienna (Schorske) and The Age of Wonder (Holmes).
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling that the world is trying to tell me something....I should venture into non-fiction lands :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of any book on this list but I've added "Quiet" to my TBR and cannot wait to read it (and then make my husband read it).
Great list! I am an introvert and I love psychology so I need to read Quiet! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list! I love the little details for each book!
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoy reading non-fiction. This year I loved The Romanovs by Virginia Cowle, which chronicled the ups, downs and extreme personalities of the Romanov dynasty in Russia.
ReplyDeleteI really really need to read Marie Kondo. My apartment is YELLING at me to read Marie Kondo.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
ReplyDeleteThese all sound amazing! A couple of them really speak to where I'm at right now creatively. Can't wait to dive into them!
ReplyDeleteI also recently read Big Magic and The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and would highly recommend them to everyone, but yes, creative and clutter-y (like me) types especially!
ReplyDeleteTahleen, I am a huge Bryson fan too! I've got that one on my shelf, but haven't read it yet... Will try to move it up. Have you read Out of a Sunburned Country and At Home???
ReplyDeleteOh great suggestions by all!
ReplyDeleteGreat list!! Adding several of these to my TBR list! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I totally need to read Jamie's pick for tidying up and organizing my clutter. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood list! I've read one or two, and have a few others on my list (Big Magic, if I ever make it through the library's hold list, and books by Mary Roach.) Tahleen, I love Bill Bryson too, but I haven't read that one yet. I'm planning on listening to his book about Shakespeare next.
ReplyDeleteBill Bryson is the BEST. Period! I loved Thunderbolt Kid and plan to re-read it in the future.
ReplyDeleteRight on with Big Magic. I actually reread the first part of this book today. I needed some inspiration and naturally, I picked this up. One thing Ms. Gilbert says though is that there are no non-creative people because we are all born with the desire to do something.
ReplyDeleteDevil in the White City is my absolute favorite non-fiction book. If all non-fiction books were written in this fashion I would read more!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy I came across this blog post! I am a big non-fiction fan and I LOVE inspirational memoirs. I recently read a really personal and fascinating memoir about prison life by author Don Alfredano called "Real Men Wear Beige" (http://realmenwearbeige.com/). This book gives you a real life look at the criminal justice system as well as what life is like in state prison. The author manages to inject humor, insight, and deep emotions throughout his memoir. I couldn't put it down. I am a big fan of Orange is the New Black and this reminded me of it but gave me a whole new perspective of what it's like as a man. Hope you will check it out
ReplyDelete