I hope you don't mind how much I post about books. To be honest, books have really been the best kind of "therapy" for me in terms of what relieves stress and reduces anxiety. I get most of my inspiration from books, my motivation from books, my entertainment from books. I find friends within the pages and find myself so deep in the stories that, sometimes, I get completely lost within the book. (Those are the best kinds, right?)
Because I love sharing my favorite books and getting book recommendations from friends, I decided to do a sort of round up. I emailed a bunch of my friends and asked them to share their favorite book or a book that they found to be influential to their life in some way! Receiving the responses was quite exciting. The books are all totally different, but they each sound amazing in their own way. (I've read a few of them and they top my favorite lists as well... So I can't wait to read the others!)
1. CAITLIN FLEMMING
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
"This was a memoir I could not put down! It recaps the story of a woman who lived through a rather tumultuous upbringing and the way she turned her difficult childhood into her adulthood success. It’s inspirational, thought provoking, and truly an unforgettable story. I highly recommend reading Jeannette Walls other books - they were equally as good."
2. ROXY OWENS
The Best Loved Poems of the American People
"This book has been in my personal library since I first discovered it in my middle school's library at 12 years old. The collection of poems speak to love, happiness, friendship, even sorrow and have gone with me through so many stages of my life— revisiting its worn, dog-eared pages is always such a comfort!"
3. KATIE EVANS
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
"Mindy Kaling is one of my favorite female actresses/comedians. She is just so real and tells it like it is. Her book made me laugh out loud and I agreed with so many of her points about guys, life and shaping your career."
4. AMY STONE
IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA
"After completing my internship at the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), I was asked to stay on and assist with the production of their 50th anniversary coffee table book. IMPACT serves as an American fashion bible, capturing and celebrating 300+ designers who have influenced the way the world dresses. From Ralph Lauren to Lilly Pullitzer and everyone in between, this is a must-read for fashion lovers. Did I mention it's hot pink?"
5. MARISSA KRAXBERGER
The Circle by Dave Eggers
"If you are obsessed with social media and all things digital, this is a great read. At first it may seem a little fantastical and extreme, but then you think about it and think about it some more and it really makes you think about your online persona. How much privacy do you have and do you even care? What if you had to share everything and it was a full transparent society… what would that really mean?"
6. MACKENZIE HORAN
Lessons of a Lipstick Queen by Poppy King
"This is a fantastic read if you're thinking about starting a small business. Poppy tells the story of her unlikely start building a cosmetics brand and asks a lot of great questions to inspire your thinking for your own new venture!"
7. INSLEE HAYNES
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
"The sweetest, funniest story of coming of age and falling in love and how your heart may surprise you in the end. The last sentence is 'I love you I love you I love you'.... need I say more?"
8. LESLIE ZAIKIS
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
"I simply couldn't stop reading this book about a boy chosen to save the world. The stories and lessons about friendship and teamwork are extraordinary, and have dramatically shaped my view of how to be an excellent leader."
9. MAXIE MCCOY
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
"Very few books have shifted the way I see the world like this one. It pushed me to love deeper, to live more open, to push farther into joy and above all, to live my life as fully, vulnerably me."
10. VICTORIA STULGIS
Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
"An incredible story about a British South African boy growing up in South Africa in the 1940s- I'm no boxing fan (the protagonist Peekay's goal is to become welterweight champion of the world), but this book is one of those page-turners where you really learn to love all the characters. Much of this book's richness and beauty is deeply rooted to South Africa's cultural and political tensions."
11. F.E. CASTLEBERRY
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
"The children's book conveys in the simplest of ways the complexity of human relationships. I discover some facet of truth every time I revisit it."
12. CHASSITY EVANS
Emily Post's Etiquette by Emily Post
"Because the world can be a tough place. We could all use a gentle etiquette nudge every so often. 'Manners are like primary colors, there are certain rules and once you have these you merely mix, i.e., adapt, them to meet changing situations.'"
Please also share your own in a comment– would love to hear from you!
xoxo
