Top Ten Books to Read This Summer!
Everyone knows I love movies and TV and podcasts. But did you know these all started with my first love- reading books? I can remember reading early and frequently. I read my first Stephen King book when I was 10 or 11. I clearly remember it like it was yesterday. It was The Stand, which I think is technically the longest book ever written. I mean, I do not have facts to back that up, but I am sure I am right. I do not know how long it took me to read it, but I do know that I have always had a book or two that I was in the middle of, at my bedside, or in my backpack. Right now, I am in the midst of two books. I just alternate between them, based on my mood. Usually, one is a novel and one is non-fiction, and I generally finish them at the same time and move on to two new books. If you like to read, too, then this is the blog post for you! I have eclectic tastes in pretty much everything, so I will share a few good reads, and I hope there is something for everyone on here! Some of these are older books, but they’re still worth a read!
1. Everyone, Always by Bob Goff. This book is life-changing. It is all about choosing to actively love everyone, all the people, regardless of their beliefs, actions, or backgrounds. Goff is a phenomenal story teller who shows you how life can be whimsical, fun, and full of love. You can choose to be bitter and angry or you can choose to love those who are difficult to love and you can make your own world better in the process. It’s a great book for those moments when you feel down about the human race. Bob will give you many reasons to be optimistic.
2. Mindhunter by John Douglas. This is an incredible true story of the world’s first criminal profilers and their work in interviewing serial killers around the country. If you’ve caught the show on Netflix, then you will enjoy the book it was based on. The book is an interesting look behind the research on all things criminal. What’s wild is a few short decades ago, we didn’t even have the term “serial killer” and that was during the decade we had more serial killers than ever. When people think about “the good old days” this book reminds me how they weren’t all that great. Thankfully, Douglas and his colleagues came up with innovative ways to apply the art and science of profiling to help catch criminals and prevent future crimes of similar nature. It’s a great read on an interesting topic!
3. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. I’m a huge fan of Ruth Ware. She’s only written a few books, but I love them all. This book is a mystery in which the main character is poor, in debt to a loan shark, and on the brink of unthinkable actions when she receives a letter saying she is the heiress of a small sum. She’s sure it’s incorrect but desperate, so she plays along and goes to the will reading. The rest is a mystery. Who are these people? Why is she here? Why is she in the will? Will she survive the night? It’s a great summer read!
4. Love Does by Bob Goff. Sorry, I had to. Goff is such a great writer and his books make me feel so good, I had to include his first book here, too. Goff is incredibly amusing and uplifting. This is his first book and in it he shares amazing stories, like how he got into law school by sitting near the dean’s office for two whole weeks before school started, just waiting to hear, “Go buy your books,” when he didn’t actually get in because his grades were awful. There’re plenty more wild stories wherever Bob goes and this is a must-read.
5. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. If you’ve ever felt crazy and wanted reassurance, this is your book. It’s about the true tales of Jenny Lawson and her quest to make sense of her physical ailments and mental illness. It’s sad, it’s funny, it’s crazy. I really enjoyed this book and shared it with everyone when I first read it. If you’ve never heard of it or read anything by Lawson, you need to check it out. I have never laughed out loud so many times as I did reading this book.
6. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Actually all of her novels are great, but reading this will get you ready for the second season of the show by the same name on HBO. It’s a story about a murder and a mystery of sorts. It follows the stories of several “mums” in Australia (although the TV series is set in California) and shares the secrets of each family and how they all try to keep up appearances, even when they’re drowning in their own worries. It’s well written and an interesting portrayal of life as a mother.
7. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. You may have seen the Netflix movie by the same name and it’s based on this book, the true story of a young woman who seems to go crazy in a short amount of time. Doctor after doctor seems to dismiss her symptoms as a variety of mental illnesses until she becomes unable to speak or move or care for herself in any way. In fact, she is dying. Finally a doctor finds out the truth and helps her. It’s a fair movie, but the book is really good. An amazing journey to find answers to a medical mystery, you’ll be glued to the book until the end.
8. My Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston. Here’s another true story, the memoir of Breaking Bad Star Bryan Cranston. He’s such a great writer and the stories he tells are hilarious and fascinating. He’s equal parts extraordinary and ordinary and that makes this book so great. Even if I weren’t a fan of Cranston, I’d love this book because of the way he shares his struggles and triumphs. Did you know he used to be a security guard? That he married people for a living as a very young man? He tells great stories about his life and shares his vulnerabilities in a very down to earth way. I hope he decides to write another book! His number one fan wants more!
9. F*ck Feelings by Dr. Michael Bennett and Sarah Bennett. This book is a hilarious self help book for those not easily helped. I loved it. It’s funny, direct, and to the point. Dr. Bennett takes issue with many of the “Dr. First Name” doctors we see on television who teach everyone to blame others for their problems, to never take responsibility, and to just feel their feelings and not do any real work. This doctor wants you to know that no matter what happened to you as a child, no matter who wronged you, you have choices to make and feelings have nothing to do with it. It’s not for the easily offended and isn’t a book for those who enjoy placing blame on someone not looking back at them in the mirror. My favorite advice is when he states that Judge Judy gives what everyone needs- a dose of reality and a wake up call. (I happen to love Judge Judy...and he’s not wrong!)
10. O Great One! A Little Book About the Awesome Power of Recognition by David Novak. This book is an easy read and a fun one! It’s a fable of a man who is taking over a failing company and he discovers an employee about to retire who has never heard all the wonderful things his fellow colleagues thought of him, until a week before he will no longer be there. A bunch of recognition follows and a company on the brink of being shut down is saved. This book inspired me to be more grateful in my everyday life, and inspired me to create ways to recognize others at my workplace. I really recommend this read! You can also visit the OGO website for ideas on how to recognize those in your life!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition of things I love! Next week I’ll be back with a few more faves! What topics should I hit in future blog posts? Until next time!
