Top 10 Reads For National Book Month
To celebrate National Book Month throughout October, I compiled a list of some of my favorite reads from over the last few years. Some are fiction, some are for professional development, and some are just pretty to look at. Take a look!
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Genre: Romance/Thriller/Fiction
Review: 5 stars
Have you ever read a book all the way through and then wish you could read it again for the first time? Verity is that book for me. It’s so well-written with an intriguing storyline. I stayed up late and woke up early to finish this one. I am a sucker for a good romance storyline, but I love a dark edge, too. Colleen Hoover ushered into the thriller genre with her signature romance novel flare. This is a must-read.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Genre: Mystery/Fiction
Review: 4 stars
This one loses a star for a pretty slow start, but once it gets going, it’s hard to put down. There is a lot of character depth along with narration from multiple points of view. There were some really great twists and turns that put me on the edge of my seat. If you like a good mystery, you’ll want to add this to your list.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
Genre: Romance/Fiction
Review: 4 stars
If you need a very easy read that is 100% certain to make you blush, this is the one. It’s like a Hallmark movie written into a book, and the pages fly by. I loved the characters in this one, and the various points of view are a nice touch with a satisfying ending.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Genre: Romance/Fiction
Review: 5 stars
This book lives up to the hype. It definitely helped that the ever-perfect Blake Lively will be playing the main character in the movie adaptation, but I digress. This story has some of the best writing I have read in fiction. It’s a non-typical love story with incredibly detailed description that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of it and that the characters are your friends. Colleen Hoover does it again!
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Genre: Autobiography/Humor
Rating: 4 stars
I laughed out loud (literally) at this book. If you’re a fan of Mindy’s TV writing (The Office, Sex Life of College Girls, Never Have I Ever, The Mindy Project) then you’ll want to dive into this read. You’re immediately immersed into the voice and thoughts of Kaling making her feel like one of your close girlfriends. I admire the story of her start in her career, and it’s a wonderful lighthearted read.
Rising Strong by Brene Brown
Genre: Self Help
Rating: 5 stars
It pained me to write “Self Help” in the genre section, but Brown’s work is not focused on high-level, catchy nuggets of wisdom. It is based on research and interviews with various people. In Brown’s motivating lineup of books, Rising Strong helps the reader learn how to overcome adversity by dealing with your emotions and rising stronger after having a fall in life. I read this book almost 6 years ago and still use the tools I learned from this book. 10/10. I also recommend The Gifts of Imperfection.
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
Genre: Christian
Rating: 4 stars
As a woman of faith, this book was a huge milestone for me on my faith journey. It’s a deep, but easy to understand read. Nouwen uses Rembrandt’s painting as well as the biblical story of the Prodigal Son as an eye opening spiritual guide. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is looking for a compelling spiritual read.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Romance/Fiction/Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
I LOVED this read. This novel is heavier on the storytelling than the romance, which I prefer. The characters are set in modern day while telling stories about the past. The writing is captivating, and the plot is as intriguing as the title. If you want a great binge read, this is it.
Stories that Stick by Kendra Hall
Genre: Self Help/Professional Development
Rating: 4 stars
This is not a beach read, but it’s definitely a great read for professionals in sales, marketing, or really any kind of business. Hall dive into the power of storytelling moves the needle in business and grows the most loyal customer base. The wisdom I learned in this book I have carried with me in each of my roles. If you need a good read that is both engaging and educational, this is my top recommendation.
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
Genre: Professional Development/Self Help
Rating: all the stars
Working Genius has transformed my professional and personal life. Lencioni breaks down the story of how he and his team developed Working Genius and how it applies in his work. Separate from Myers Briggs, Enneagram, DiSC, and other assessments, Working Genius created an assessment that brings to light particular geniuses, competencies, and frustrations when it comes to the workflow process. In consulting or freelance work that I do, this has been one of the best tools to help teams understand one another’s strengths, identify weaknesses, execute better meetings, and recruit better. 10 out of 10!
