9 of My Favorite Books
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When was the last time you were truly invested in a good book? Like, can’t put it down, stay up ‘til 2 in the morning invested? I LOVE that feeling. I’m currently reading 1984 by George Orwell and it’s still scarily prevalent today.
Not only is reading a wonderful form of escapism from a topsy-turvy world, research shows that reading books has a plethora of benefits. A few of these include: strengthening the brain, increasing empathy and reducing stress, building vocabulary, preventing cognitive decline, aiding sleep, alleviating depression, and even lengthening your lifespan! (Source) Dang. I’m out of breath just typing that.
Because I love a good novel as much as you do, I thought I’d share 9 of my favorite books.
I was about the age of a first year student at Hogwarts (11-12 years old) when I started reading Harry Potter. As a young girl who didn’t know where I fit in, it was an exhilarating form of escapism. A magical world in which the different kids belong?! Enticing. The series covers magic, love, family, prejudice, corruption, and death.
My husband and I have “always” tattoos to signify our love for each other and our family, but also to signify the special place HP has in my heart. ;) I will always cherish the Harry Potter Universe and what it meant for lil' outsiders like myself.
In a few years, we will read it as a family with our son. It’s something I’ve looked forward to since I first became pregnant.
Holy mac. This series has everything. Fantasy, romance, sex, girl power, transgenerational trauma, redemption, AND author Sarah J. Maas even managed to sneak in a short lesson on mind-stilling, AKA meditation. There is something relatable and lovable about each character and they have all touched my soul.
I don’t know what to do with my hands now that I’m finished... Whatever Maas releases involving this universe and these characters, I am all the way in. Giggity.
When Katniss Everdeen's young sister gets chosen to fight in The Hunger Games, a battle amongst kids where they must fight until death, she volunteers to take her place. She's amazing with a bow and been a survivor her entire life.
The series includes a dystopian society, girl power, sisterly love, a love triangle, and so much more. And it is a multi-film phenomenon.
When this came out, I couldn’t put it down. You can’t help but root for our heroine, Katniss, as she becomes the face of the revolution in this beautifully written series.
This painfully beautiful novel follows Amir, a wealthy Afghan boy, and Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. Tragedy strikes when the boys are 12 years old, and our protagonist, Amir, struggles with the fallout into adulthood.
Redemption and forgiveness are the main themes of this story that will leave you in tears. My mom, sister, and I have read it multiple times, and even attended the stage production on Broadway in New York City.
5. Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids by Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE
Parenting is hard. Really hard. Nobody gets it perfect and we are constantly learning new habits and unlearning old. This book offers guidance on mindful parenting and instilling confidence and independence in our children.
There is no shame in the parenting game and you have to go easy on yourself! With hands-on exercises such as “Keep Track of Your Triggers” and “What are Your Needs”, Hunter Clarke-Fields helps us realize that we have to work on ourselves in order to better parent our children.
A review by Shauna Shaprio, PhD, states “Raising Good Humans is a loving and honest road map that teaches parents ways to skillfully navigate challenges, as well deepen joy, connection, and love with our children.”
At an inappropriately young age, Silence of the Lambs became one of my favorite movies. My mom and I have watched it together probably hundreds of times. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins set the standard for acting in a psychological thriller.
A few years ago, I read the book that the movie was based on and per usual, it was even better than the movie! You learn so much more about our young protagonist, Clarice, and the suspense is palpable. The prequel, Red Dragon, also by Thomas Harris, is a slam dunk as well.
When Lily meets Ryle, she believes she’s found the one. However, Ryle isn’t all that he seems to be and as it usually happens, Lily’s unresolved childhood trauma creeps its way into her adult life. We learn of her abusive father as well as her great teenage love, Atlas. Will Lily continue down the path of being mistreated, or will she break the cycle as a strong, independent woman, unafraid to start over?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Colleen Hoover has released several hits of late. The sequel to It Ends With Us, called It Starts with Us, follows Lily, Ryle, and Atlas as they navigate their complicated relationships.
8. What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Oprah Winfrey
The incredible Oprah Winfrey and American psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry worked together to release this extremely informative and interesting book on how your childhood experiences affect your brain development, your personality, and the way you behave as an adult. As Dr. Perry states “Trauma permeates all aspects of life: it echoes through the generations, across families, communities, institutions, cultures, and societies, and it does so in very complex ways.”
With personal stories and wonderful insight, I found this book extremely enlightening. Every human has experienced trauma and heartbreak, and after reading this book, I am able to look at others with more empathy and grace. We don’t really know a person until we know what happened to them.
I came upon this book whilst finishing up my 200-hour yoga teacher training. While it is on the more spiritual side, I found it inspiring. In a world where tragedy seems constant and we have no control, The Universe Has Your Back reminds us to focus on what we can control by being kind and loving each other.
Gabrielle Bernstein teaches readers how to transform their fear into faith and as she states “My commitment with this book is to wake up as many people as possible to their connection to faith and joy. In that connection, we can be guided to our true purpose: to be love and spread love. These words can no longer be cute buzz phrases that we merely post on social media. Rather, these words must be our mission. The happiness, safety, and security we long for lies in our commitment to love."
So, there’s 9 of my favorite books! Whatever you’re into, research shows that reading is great for your physical and mental health. Find your genre and dive in!
** When I originally posted this blog, it was titled "10 of My Favorite Books." I included a novel I enjoyed as a young girl, And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie. However, upon learning during Black History Month that the original title was extremely racist (source), I promptly removed it from my list. I'm sorry for my ignorance.
Happy to see you’ve now included a blog to go along with your YouTube channel; we have very similar taste in books and I PROMISE, one day, to read The Kite Runner….when I’m up for a good cry😢 Keep up your good work and look forward to watching and reading more! 🍒🔔