My favorite books
Nothing warms the soul like a good book..
Some of my favorite times are on the beach with a book, or cuddled inside reading with a cup of tea. My earliest memories are my mother and grandmother always reading, and encouraging my siblings and i to. We used to have a designated reading hour during the day, naturally I hated it at the time, but i’m so happy we did. It is a cozy memory I cherish. I always told my dad I should write a book, I would be a millionaire. I have one wild life. He laughed and said, or in jail. I think we can all get a good laugh out of that.
Reading strengthens your brain, increases your ability to empathize, builds vocabulary, and the list goes on. Sometimes its just a nice escape, or a juicy romance! (duh) Let me tell you, no one reads more sexy romance novels than my grandmother. Probably while wearing her silk night gowns around the house. A day in the life, am I right.
Also reading can you bring you back to areas of your life you have lost, or to a specific moment, and connect you to so much more. The inspiration can be endless. I love a good book that can make me cry, a real cry, or see people and the world so different. Also all the silly ones in-between. I vividly remembering being a die hard Twilight fan, I still am ofcourse, and my mom wouldn’t let us go see the midnight premiers at the movies until every last page was read. Ofcourse we had matching t-shirts made, team Jacob. There is no better feeling than having a friend recommend a good book, or seeing a stranger in a coffee shop and you ask them what there reading. My best friend Hayley always recommends me the best books, like what a fun little trade to do. There’s nothing like sitting in Central Park on a sunny day, at a cute little bench, with your book. Lets do it more.
I think we can all agree we need more favorite book lists. Anyyyywayyyy, lets get to my list, I have some good ones.
// BOOKS //
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck - Written by Mark Manson
When I tell you I love this book, I LOVE this book. Everyone needs this in there life. I have had strangers stop me at the pool while reading to tell me how much they loved this one as well. This book is well written and raw from the heart. Its in your face and honest about finding happiness in sometimes painful places. In one part of the book he talks about the disappointment panda, a superhero he would create. He would go around and tell people harsh truths about themselves that they needed to hear but didn’t want to accept.
He writes :
“He would go door to door like a bible salesmen and ring doorbells and say things like, “Sure, making a lot of money makes you feel good, but it won’t make your kids love you” or “if you have to ask yourself if you trust your wife, then you probably don’t” or “what you consider friendship is just your constant attempts to impress people”. Then he’d tell the home owner to have a nice day and saunter on down to the next house.”
I love it. I am definitely that friend and truthfully I think we all need more people like that in our lives. After all, the greatest truths in life are usually the most unpleasant to hear.
My favorite part from the book, he was young and he lost his best friend. Time went by and he had this dream. He said he coudln’t remember it word for word, but they were sitting in the hot tub and he remembers him looking him in the eyes and saying something along the lines of “why are you so sad I died, your afraid to live.” He woke up from his dream in a sweat. I remember reading this line for the first time and feeling this in my soul. It was so personal, and raw and real. Truly, thats what life is. Not just being alive, but truly living.
I love this book, and I have the audiobook on my phone. I will skip to random parts and listen for a half hour occasionally. I highly recommend!
The Alchemist - Written by Paulo Coehlo
I re read this book every year, and each time I learn something different. This story is about a young shepard named Santiago. He is traveling out to find a treasure he saw in his dream. On his way he faces lots of hardships, but he never gives up. He meets lots of people on his journey who guide him towards his destiny. At some points he had no money, but he had trust and that trust led him to his treasure. This book ended so beautifully.
After reading this you gain valuable lessons about life, but the most important is to follow your heart. When you listen to what your heart says, you learn to live with strength. The only thing restraining you from moving forward is fear. This is written in a lyrical style that transports you into Santiagos world so clearly. This book encourages you to pursue your dreams and live in the present moment, in a soft pure way.
The Glass Castle - Written by Jeannette Walls
One you start reading this book its not being put down. This book is written in such description I could see, taste, and feel what the characters experienced. The humorous story telling definitely makes you laugh, which is necessary among the ugly truths about addiction, poverty, and mental illness. I hope to read more by this author. You won’t regret it, my mom made our whole family read this.
Tuesdays with Morrie - Written by Mitch Album
This book has touched my heart so much its hard to put into words. Every chapter in this book is full of meaningful lessons. Incredibly inspirational and insightful. Morrie was sunshine in human form, his warmth radiated anyone he ever met and reading his life wisdoms felt like he was talking to me. It made me happy, questioning my own life, and made me cry all in one. I can’t recommend this book enough.
The five people you meet in heaven - Written by Mitch Album
( I swear anything this man writes is gold. I don’t know what he ate for breakfast, but I need some as well )
Oh my, I have not read this one in a very long time, and I see it happening in the near future. My mother gave me this book, and can I ever vouch for how great it is? Literally no. I didn’t want it to end! It was a mix of bittersweet tragedy, heartbreak, but in the end it gave Eddie the insight he needed to continue on to be one of the five people. Ugh….. I could gush over this book, Eddie was so compassionate with such a large heart. It was so beautiful to see his characters evolution. So much suspense, and so many plotwists I did not expect. It was an amazing experience reading this book. Its a cryer, keep the tissues nearby.
50 Shades of Grey, The Trilogy - Written by E. L. James
IMMEDIATLY yes. You can read this book single, dating, or married. You will have fun. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t read it in public, because you can’t look a stranger in the eye after reading how this book makes you feel. I am blushing and giggling while writing this. The detail in this writing. ( i’m still laughing ) I think I read the first book in 2 days. People who say they don’t want Christian Grey as there boyfriends are liars. Just like people who say they don’t like McDonalds. Get this book.
The Twilight Saga - Written by Stephenie Meyer
Absolutely yes. Definitely a silly girly drama, and honestly I couldn’t get enough of it. I still want to be a vampire low-key.
Material Girl, Mystical World - Written by Ruby Warrington
This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I was pleasantly surprised. A sophisticated level-up on cosmic thinking , from healing crystals to doing dharma, for women with two thousand dollar shoes in there closet who can coexist with a much deeper meaningful life. This book gives a colorful journey to the path of enlightenment to many areas of life- love, sex, and relationships, to health and wellness, and beauty and fashion. My kind of book. Definitely pairs well with a dirty martini + bleu cheese stuffed olives, and a cheese tray.
IT - Written by Stephen King
My youngest brother got me this book for my birthday. Incredibly well written. The characters are intricate and the description is so clear you can see it.
I have yet to read another Stephen King novel, that is how many nights I did not sleep after reading this. I couldn’t put it down, it was that scary you want more of, very enticing. This book most definitely takes a certain reader. I also never want to see a clown again in my life.. Great read!