Five Books I Recently Read & Recommend

 

My this year's reading challenge is 125 books and as of today I have read 54 books (one of them I have read twice, so does that make it 55?). Life has been a little bit hectic and I have been a little bit lazy so I haven't reviewed any on Insta-Stories in last two months. However, a few recent reads  have resonated with me a lot. Either because they have provided me with tools to improve my skills and help me continue walking on the path I have already chosen, or shown me an alternative way of thinking which has changed and enriched me. 

[ Related: How Books Have Changed Me ]

Below are the five books I highly recommend: 

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

by Mark Manson

"People who become great at something become great because they understand that they’re not already great - they are mediocre, they are average - and that they could be so much better."

This book provides support for someone who wants to live in reality, someone who doesn't want to buy into a capitalist mindset that life is about chasing one high after another. This book encourages you to embrace conflict, to be comfortable feeling uncomfortable, and to be confident in finding out what you truly believe in, then standing up for it.

Atomic Habits

by James Clear

“Habits do not restrict freedom. They create it. Building habits in the present allows you to do more of what you want in the future.”

Atomic Habits is a useful book. It’s a practical guide to identifying and changing your habits. It’s something you can actually put into practice in your life. I like that the book is simple and straightforward. James Clear doesn’t bog you down with a lot of conceptual material. He starts each chapter with an example, gives you the concept plainly, and then gives you concrete actions to apply the concept in real life. I read it twice in one month just because I wanted to make sure that I retain the information.  

The Other Einstein

by Marie Benedict

I am always up to learn about the hidden historical figures. Marie Benedict’s novel is about the wife of Albert Einstein. Benedict offers an interesting mix of fact and fiction in this succinct piece, which is sure to entertain and educate the reader in equal measure. Benedict does well to capture the reader’s attention throughout this book, straddling the line between telling a story and recounting the life of a lesser-known historical figure. Mileva was a fascinating woman and learning about her, even if some of it was just theories, was fun. I would recommend this book for those who like books about women that were ahead of their time.

Becoming

by Michelle Obama 

I was on a waitlist for this book at my library for almost six months. And now I understand the hype!

Her memoir is more about how she created her life, once she discovered she had followed other people's expectations instead of figuring out what she wanted. She is honest and open, more than I would have expected, and I liked hearing how she reconciled living with someone messy (haha), gave up her work for a while, and how she navigated the frustrating world of "optics." I listened to the audio read by the author. I found the book fast-paced, interesting, and touching.

Eleanor & Park

by Rainbow Rowell

This book was everything. It has become one of my favorite books in no time. This is an endearing tale of the power of friendship and our first love. A beautifully told story of two unlikely friends in a cruel and hateful world. The characters were well-developed, believable and relatable. Eleanor and Park is well-written, cute, and made me cry probably more than I have in recent times. 

Oh man that ending though!

[ Related: Five Reasons Books Are My Best Friend ] 

Location - Mexico City, Mexico

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