Category: List

6 Must-Read Books to Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month honors the diversity and history of African-American culture. This selection of books is a mix of historical fiction, literary fiction, and biographies to kick off a month of celebration and legacy. Let’s dive into the titles.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

If you haven’t had a chance to read this bestselling YA novel yet, you’ll want to get your hands on a copy. This novel is packed with heartbreaking references that feel thoughtful and strangely familiar. In fact, The Hate U Give was just made into a movie that was released in October 2018 to critical acclaim.

The Hate U Give is a fiction story — but it’s a timely one and the book feels like was based on real events. The story follows a 16-year-old named Starr Carter, who becomes a young activist after witnessing a cop murder her childhood friend, Kahlil.

Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley

Roots was first published in the 1970s, and the wildly successful novel soon transformed into a very famous television miniseries in 1977. Beyond that, the final episode of the miniseries still holds the record for the third-highest-rated episode in TV history.

Why did it become such a phenomenon? Well, Roots was not only popular, but it was a monumental story.

Alex Haley grew up in Tennessee, where his grandmother told him stories about his family. In this case, her stories went back generations, all the way to Colonial America when Haley’s family was captured and forced over here from West Africa on a slave ship.

So Haley decided to embark on a decade-long detective search to trace the origin of his heritage, and this is the haunting story of his family.

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America by Ibi Zoboi

This anthology is a collection of short stories about black teenagers growing up in the US, but everyone can gain something out of reading it. These incredible stories share events that were shaped by many different upbringings and experiences growing up black.

You’ll find tales from the perspective of being biracial, gay, wealthy, and creative. There are struggles with mental health. Some are difficult to read because of the subject matter, while other stories are heartwarming. All of them are important.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

I saw the movie before I read the book, but I was eager to read this one and learn more about the untold stories of these women. If you haven’t heard of it yet, Hidden Figures is the true story of four black female mathematicians who worked for NASA during the Space Race and WWII.

These women did their calculations by hand as they were segregated from their white coworkers. And their contributions were largely ignored for over fifty years, until the release of this book.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Are you a fan of Trevor Noah from The Daily Show? This New York Times bestseller is a collection of eighteen personal essays that share his upbringing in apartheid South Africa to how he landed his role on The Daily Show today.

Born to a white father and a black mother in the midst of apartheid, Trevor Noah was considered a criminal act in South Africa. And his powerful memoir is a story you just can’t put down. It’s funny, moving, and surprising. There are moments that will horrify you… and moments that will touch your heart.

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

This haunting fiction novel takes place in the soul of Mississippi, where 13-year-old Jojo and his little sister have been raised by their grandparents.

Their mother, Leonie, weaves in and out of their lives due to her drug addiction. She’s haunted by the ghost of her brother who was murdered 15 years earlier — he appears when she uses. You get a glimpse into both of their minds, as the book shifts back and forth between the perspective of both Leonie and Jojo during a particular road trip.

February 4, 2019
6 Awesome Hobbies for College Students to Take Up This Semester

Do you have any hobbies outside of school? If you’re like most of us, our hobbies include Netflix and killing time online But what if there was a better way to relieve stress on the weekends?

It’s important to pursue your own interests outside of the classroom. Hobbies not only add joy to your life but they make you a more interesting person. And if you’re worried you can’t afford to start a hobby, don’t let the student budget get in your way.

Check out these 6 affordable and fun hobbies for college students…give one a try. What’s the worst that could happen? You might even find your life’s passion. 😊

1. Start a Blog

Instead of spending your weekends mindlessly scrolling on social media (we all do it), what about starting a personal blog? There are two major benefits to blogging while you’re still in school.

First of all, if your future job interviewer sees you’ve taken the time to build your own website, they’re going to be impressed. It takes initiative, creativity, and perseverance to run a blog. You can also earn some money on the side!

Blogging lets you have an outlet to express yourself, but you also have the chance to get direct feedback from people who have the same interests as you. Ultimately, it’s a growing experience. And if you’re thinking about how you can’t start a blog because you don’t enjoy writing? I get it. You don’t have to write. You can start a vlog on YouTube or a micro-blog in the form of Instagram. Pick one and go for it — you can start in less than 1 hour!

How To Start A Profitable Authority Blog In Under One Hour: Write About What You Love, Create A Website, And Make Money

2. Cooking for Newbies

Why should you learn how to cook? After all, you have a dining plan and instant noodles to get by on, right? Here’s the truth. Once you graduate, you’re going to be on your own in the world. There are plenty of people who get by on takeout and frozen convenience food. While you have the option to eat any food you enjoy, you’ll get a lot more out of learning how to cook for yourself.

For one, it’s WAY cheaper. Second, we don’t have to tell you how much healthier it is for you. And lastly, once you learn how to become a decent cook, you’ll find out it tastes so much better than fast food!

I know it’s tough to cook in college, where both the space to cook and the funds are limited. Check out this 5-ingredient cookbook created just for students who are new to the kitchen:

The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook: Easy, Healthy Recipes for the Next Four Years & Beyond

3. Brush Up on Your Trivia

Have you always been naturally curious? Then trivia is the perfect hobby for you; people who are great at trivia have a deep love of learning. They never stop absorbing knowledge. Likewise, you’ll become awesome at winning Jeopardy.

There are trivia nights on campus but you’ll find them at bars off campus too — these are usually themed AND offer prizes.

Ultimate Book of Trivia: The Essential Collection of over 1,000 Curious Facts to Impress Your Friends and Expand Your Mind

4. Camping for College Students

Camping is the ultimate hobby for students. Why’s that? It’s an affordable way to get an escape. Quality time with your friends + relief from the hectic life on campus = win-win vacation. Not only do you get a chance to learn new skills, but you gain an appreciation for nature. Nothing brings you more peace than gazing at a star-studded sky with your friends by your side.

Likewise, you’ll have an excuse to chow down on amazing campfire treats… like s’mores. This cookbook below has incredible recipes for cooking outdoors (and sections that let you choose recipes by your cooking style).

The New Camp Cookbook: Gourmet Grub for Campers, Road Trippers, and Adventurers

5. Pick Up an Instrument

If you’re a music lover, then this hobby is definitely worth giving it a shot. You don’t need to hire a teacher or buy a brand spanking new instrument either. You can teach yourself! In fact, some of the worlds greatest musicians were self-taught, like Jimi Hendrix and Prince. Even Paul McCartney was mostly self-taught.

And now we have YouTube to help us out. You can choose any instrument out there, but the guitar is a good place to start when you’re a student living in a small space. You can easily get a used guitar at a music store or off Craigslist.

Guitar: The First 100 Chords for Guitar: How to Learn and Play Guitar Chords: The Complete Beginner Guitar Method

6. Learn a New Language

Whether you’re already learning a foreign language in school — or studied one in high school — there are tons of benefits to taking up a new language! For starters, bilingual graduates gain a more competitive edge in the job industry.

And if you think you’re no good at linguistics? You can still learn. A friend of mine became determined to teach herself Japanese. Most of us didn’t take her seriously until she switched her major to Japanese studies. Today, she’s a full-time teacher who lives in Toyko, Japan.

Plus, studying a new language can actually make your brain sharper. And like everything else, you’ll only get better with practice. If you’ve been thinking about learning a new language, try to teach yourself the very basics before committing to a full course. You can use one of the Living Language books for a jumpstart.

Living Language Italian: Beginner to Advanced Course

January 2, 2019
25 Inspiring Quotes from Books to Motivate You

Ever noticed how some books stay with you long after you’ve read them?

Remarkable books are enchanting. Think about the last captivating book that you read. What made it so unforgettable?

These are books that draw you and let you escape into another world. You can’t bring yourself to put it down. They have the power to entertain, teach, and inspire us.

Sometimes a sentence jumps out at you because it sheds insight into your life. Here are 25 memorable quotes from books about life — for the times when you need a little extra inspiration and motivation.

25 Quotes from Books to Motivate and Inspire You

1. People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.

— Harper Lee from To Kill a Mockingbird

2. “Work hard, know your shit, show your shit, and then feel entitled. Listen to no one except the two smartest and kindest adults you know, and that doesn’t always mean your parents. If you do that, you will be fine.”

— Mindy Kaling from Why Not Me?

3. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.

— Chuck Palahniuk from Diary

4. “Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it.”

— Daniel Kahneman from Thinking, Fast and Slow

5. All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.
— Mitch Albom from The Five People You Meet In Heaven

6. Everything is possible. The impossible just takes longer.
— Dan Brown from Digital Fortress

7. “Our words have power, but our actions shape our lives.”

— Rachel Hollis from Girl, Wash Your Face

8. “Forgiving isn’t something you do for someone else. It’s something you do for yourself. It’s saying, ‘You’re not important enough to have a stranglehold on me.’ It’s saying, ‘You don’t get to trap me in the past. I am worthy of a future.’”

— Jodi Picoult from The Storyteller

9. “No man should judge unless he asks himself in absolute honesty whether in a similar situation he might not have done the same.”

— Victor E. Frankl from Man’s Search for Meaning

10. “No one can tell what goes on in between the person you were and the person you become. No one can chart that blue and lonely section of hell. There are no maps of the change. You just come out the other side. Or you don’t.”

— Stephen King from The Stand

11. “There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed.”

— Kate Douglas Wiggin from New Chronicles of Rebecca

12. “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”

— John Steinbeck from East Of Eden

13. “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

― Paulo Coelho from The Alchemist

14. “We study history not to know the future but to widen our horizons, to understand that our present situation is neither natural nor inevitable, and that we consequently have many more possibilities before us than we imagine.”

— Yuval Noah Harari from Sapiens

15. “Maybe life doesn’t get any better than this, or any worse, and what we get is just what we’re willing to find: small wonders where they grow.”

— Barbara Kingsolver from Small Wonder

16. “The opposite of fear is love – love of the challenge, love of the work, the pure joyous passion to take a shot at our dream and see if we can pull it off.”

— Steven Pressfield from Do the Work

17. “You may be born into a family, but you walk into friendships. Some you’ll discover you should put behind you. Others are worth every risk.”

— Adam Silvera from They Both Die At The End

18. “It was impossible to feel alone in a room full of favorite books. I had the sense that they knew me personally, that they’d read me cover to cover as I’d read them.”

— Riley Redgate from Noteworthy

19. “The only way we will survive is by being kind. The only way we can get by in this world is through the help we receive from others. No one can do it alone, no matter how great the machines are.”

— Amy Poehler from Yes, Please

20. “Most enjoyable activities are not natural; they demand an effort that initially one is reluctant to make. But once the interaction starts to provide feedback to the person’s skills, it usually begins to be intrinsically rewarding.”

— Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi from Flow

21. “And it occurred to him that there were two parts to being a better person. One part was thinking about other people. The other part was not giving a toss what other people thought.”

— Mark Haddon from A Spot of Bother

22. “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”

— Dale Carnegie from How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

23. “What you do for yourself dies with you when you leave this world, what you do for others lives on forever.”

— Ken Robinson from The Element

24.“Read, learn, work it up, go to the literature. Information is control.”

— Joan Didion from The Year of Magical Thinking

25. “Brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you go on even though you’re scared.”

— Angie Thomas from The Hate U Give

November 27, 2018
Becoming Michelle Obama: 5 Details Revealed in Her Memoir

Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming just dropped onto bookshelves a couple of days ago, but it’s already become a #1 national bestseller. In fact, the highly anticipated book grabbed the most pre-order sales of any new release since 2015.

So, what will you discover in the former first lady’s intimate book?

Let’s take a peek inside the pages. Here are five personal details from Michelle Obama’s life before and after her time in the White House — all revealed inside Becoming.

1. Michelle once snuck out of the White House.

With her daughter Malia by her side, Michelle snuck out of their presidential home after the Supreme Court made the decision to legalize gay marriage. Why? They wanted to see the White House displayed in rainbow lights. The only problem was they couldn’t get past the locked doors until some staff members helped them find an exit.

2. She has some opinions about President Donald Trump.

Michelle shares several thoughts on Donald Trump, including the one thing she’ll never excuse: questioning Barack Obama’s birth certificate. “Donald Trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my family’s safety at risk. And for this, I’d never forgive him,” she explains.

3. What wearing that custom-made Jason Wu gown to the inaugural ball meant to her:

“The dress resurrected the dreaminess of my family’s metamorphosis, the promise of this entire experience, transforming me if not into a full-blown ballroom princess, then at least into a woman capable of climbing onto another stage. I was now FLOTUS — First Lady of the United States — to Barack’s POTUS. It was time to celebrate.”

4. Michelle opens up about her painful struggle to have children.

In her memoir, Michelle writes about the difficulty she faced in becoming pregnant and the IVF process that followed.

“We were trying to get pregnant and it wasn’t going well. We had one pregnancy test come back positive, which caused us both to forget every worry and swoon with joy, but a couple of weeks later I had a miscarriage, which left me physically uncomfortable and cratered any optimism we felt.”

5. Her marriage takes work too.

Even though they might look like the perfect couple from afar, the Obamas are proof that every marriage has its ups and down. Michelle digs into the details about how she attended marriage counseling with her husband to work through some of their issues. Initially, he was against seeing a therapist and thought it seemed dramatic.

But as Michelle tell us, it later turned out to be an incredible turning point in their relationship.

It turns out they’re more like us than we thought.

You might be wondering if the former first lady addresses her future in politics. Will Michelle ever run for the presidency? Well, if you’ve been waiting for a Michelle in 2020 campaign, we have some bad news to tell you.

According to the Washington Post, “I’ve never been a fan of politics, and my experience over the last ten years has done little to change that. I continue to be put off by the nastiness,” she stated.

In the meantime, you can pick up a copy of Michelle Obama’s memoir right here at Textbook Nova.

November 15, 2018
5 Famous Memoir Books Worth Reading (At Least Once)

Why should we read memoirs in the first place?

Because they connect us. Hearing the true experiences of people and cultures–many are vastly different from what we know in our lives–broadens our perspective.

Memoirs are gritty, messy, and don’t always come with a happy ending. But they can help us understand each other better. Here are five memoirs to check out the next time you need to flip your outlook on life.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb

This is the autobiography of Malala Yousafzi, and what happened after her hometown of Swat Valley, Pakistan, was taken over by the Taliban. The youngest person to ever win a Nobel Peace Prize, Malala risked her life for the right to be educated.

She was shot in the head at point-blank range by a terrorist on her way home from school one afternoon. No one expected the 15-year old to survive the brain injuries sustained from the attack. Malala’s story is eye-opening but full of hope and insight.

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

What happens when one twenty-something woman decides to stop shopping for an entire year? This is the story of Cait Flanders, who threw out half of her belongings and vowed to quit spending money for 12 months.

During this year-long challenge, Cait discovers what creating a meaningful life is really about. She runs into lessons about toxic relationships, the cycle of Netflix binges, and finding joy in our careers.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), by Mindy Kaling

Looking for a book you can’t put down? Mindy Kaling’s memoir is full of laughs and authenticity. Her charismatic story makes you feel like you’re sitting down with an old friend, no matter what age you are.

Even if you don’t know of Mindy’s work or you’re not a fan of her tv shows, this book is worth a read. She tells things like it is, with an inconvenient (but relatable) tendency to blurt out whatever is on her mind at any given moment.

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

Jesmyn Ward’s intensely personal story of race, poverty, and growing up in rural Mississippi is unforgettable. She wrote this memoir while grieving the death of five men in her life in less than five years.

She weaves the stories of this five men in between her own. The result is raw, heartbreaking, and more timely than ever during the Black Lives Matter movement.

Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala

December 26, 2004, would change Sonali’s life forever. That’s when Sri Lanka was struck by an earthquake and tsunami so devastating, it’s still named one of the top-ten deadliest natural disasters in history.

This memoir is not an easy read by any means. It’s downright painful to get through many parts of the book. Sonali lost her parents, her husbands, and her two children in the tsunami. Somehow, she survived.

November 9, 2018
Top 5 New Fiction Book Releases in October 2018

Fall is now in full swing. October brings us flannel weather, pumpkin-flavored everything, and gorgeous fall leaves. And you know what else? Some of the most highly anticipated books releases of the year dropped this month.

It’s time to cozy up with your favorite hot drink and dive headfirst into the pages of a brand new novel.

Check out these five new fiction book releases in October 2018:

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

What would you do in this scenario? Let’s say you’ve been dating someone for 5 months, and they propose to you on the jumbotron at a Dodgers game. That’s what happens to freelance writer Nicole Patterson.

When she very publicly tells him no, the rejection becomes an embarrassing video that goes viral across social media–turning into the proposal that is literally heard around the world.

Family Trust by Kathy Huang

If you’re a fan of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, you’ll want to check this one out. This story tells the saga of a Taiwanese-American family meets Silicon Valley. When the wealthy Stanley Huang is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his family is anxious to learn what they stand to inherit.

In this tale of death, family, and expectations–you’ll find plenty of entertaining characters caught up in family drama along the way.

Elevation by Stephen King

Legendary storyteller Stephen King is back. His latest novel shouldn’t be missed. Elevation is more of a short story that was expanded into a novella, but make no mistake: it packs a big punch. You’ll get through this one in a couple of hours (mostly because you won’t be able to put it down).

Want a sneak peek? If you click here, you can read the entire first chapter on Amazon.

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

Are you ready to get lost in a mega romance novel? Nicholas Sparks, the author of our favorite love story The Notebook, is back. This time, the story is centered around a 36-year old woman named Hope. She’s been dating her boyfriend on and off for the last 6 years, and she’s ready to get married.

Plagued by doubts that her boyfriend Josh will ever want to fully commit, Hope decides to take a trip down to her family’s beach house after the couple gets into a fight. When she gets down to the North Carolina beach, she accidentally begins a close friendship with a man named Tru. Is this the end of her relationship with Josh?

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

In the sequel to the number one New York Times bestseller The Five People You Meet in Heaven, we find out what happens to Annie, one of the main characters in the first novel. If you haven’t read the original, I strongly encourage you to check it out.

But be warned: Mitch Albom has a gift for heartwarming and emotional storytelling (in the best way possible).

October 31, 2018
7 Classic Books That Are Still Relevant Today

What makes a book a classic? Who decides what books become essential reading? To me, a classic novel is a story that stands the test of time.

I’ve read many of the iconic classics in my lifetime (though it wasn’t always by choice). While I was an avid reader even as a young child, my mom wanted me to explore books outside The Rugrat Files or Twitches. So, she started picking up some of the classics for me.

Some I fell in love with. Some bored me, and I only pretended to read them. Many of them took a little time to really get into. But nonetheless, I’m grateful that my mom and our English teachers still encourage us to read these pieces of literature.

There’s a reason these stories last (even if the style of language can be hard to follow a few novels that go way back).

Here are a few of my favorites and why I think they’re still important today:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

We’ve come a long way since the 1960’s when it comes to race, but we still have a long way to go when it comes to inclusion. Whatever progress we’ve made doesn’t change the fact that we are still a divided world.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kensey

Written in 1962, this novel was turned into a popular movie in the 1970’s. The reason it resonated with people is a topic that still applies more than 50 years later. This novel is told from the view of living in a psychiatric ward and, to many, represented the struggle of resisting against ineffective authority.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 is another classic set in a hedonistic future. But this time, the plot is focused on the idea of toxic censorship. Books are banned and burned. The people living in this world don’t read–they spend their free time on pure entertainment. It’s not hard to see how this future feels eerily close to today’s world.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I read this coming-of-age story about growing up in the inner city when I was 10, but I didn’t really appreciate it until I re-read a few years later. It doesn’t feel like a novel that written over 100 years ago. It’s about struggling in poverty and how that experience compares to living in privilege. I think it applies to modern life and how we compare ourselves to each other on social media.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This one was assigned reading in my sophomore English class, but it was a book I couldn’t put down after starting to read it. Written during the Great Depression era, it tells the gut-wrenching story of two men who are struggling to reach their dream of someday owning a piece of land. (Note: This book is controversial due to offensive language and slurs)

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Set in the future (more than 500 years from now), a Brave New World takes place in a dystopian society where technology is used to control society. As technology changes faster than ever, this classic has never been more important than it is today.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Based on the true story of a young teen who was murdered in the 1970’s, this story is a fictional tale of grief, the afterlife, and the experiences that make us human. Death is something every human on earth faces. The perspective of life on earth shown in the book is touching and gives you a lot to think about.

What are some of your favorite classic books? How do you think they relate to us today?

October 23, 2018
6 Fascinating YA Novels You Might Have Missed

From the high school romances to coming-of-age discoveries to teenagers surviving sci-fi futures, there’s something about a good YA novel that gets us every time.

If you’re a YA fan, you’ve probably already read popular titles like The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. In this blog post, we’re sharing some amazing young adult novels you might have missed.

6 Interesting Books for Young Adults (That You Might Have Missed)

American Panda by Gloria Chao

American Panda by Gloria Chao is about Taiwanese-American MIT freshman, Mei, as she navigates her two cultures and the beginning of her independence. Many parents would be thrilled to have their child at MIT, but Mei’s parents want more.

They’ve planned a nice, stable medical career for her. Regardless of whether she’s interested in medicine or even able to stomach any of the work. Between secretly dancing and secretly dating a Japanese-American classmate, though, Mei might be setting her own path.

You don’t actually need a tiger mom to relate to this story of family expectations, first love, and identity.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

In One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus, five disparate students find themselves in detention. One of them is brutally murdered before their eyes. This is where the Breakfast Club similarities end and a page-turning murder mystery begins.

Perspective shifting, although popular in a lot of recent YA novels, isn’t usually my favorite narrative style. But it works here. The other four students in detention take turns telling their truths (and let readers get closer to what actually happened that day).

Everyone in this story has something to hide. Fans of Pretty Little Liars will love the twists as the truth gets closer.

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu covers high school gossip, sexuality, and reputation in small-town Texas. While nasty rumors fly about slutty Alice Franklin, the reactions of her classmates reveal more about themselves than about Alice.

Many YA novels lean on the unsympathetic parents as stock characters, but this novel showed layered, complex relationships between teens and parents. This is a sympathetic story of peer pressure, teenage relationships, and finally independence in a small town.

Perennials by Mandy Berman

Is Perennials sophisticated young adult fiction…or is it adult fiction about teenage characters?

It turns out, it doesn’t matter. This summer camp story has maturing friendships, teen romance and realizations for the YA fan, as well as more adult themes of social class and consent.

As little girls returning to camp go from crafts and ponies to beer and boys, they discover more about themselves and their families. Recommended for your friend who needs a little nudge to fall deeply in love with YA fiction.

Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill

Fans of The Hunger Games trilogy or even The Handmaid’s Tale shouldn’t miss Louise O’Neill’s Only Ever Yours.

Although the characters are all teenage girls, this is dystopian sci-fi with a hint of feminist satire.

In the future, girls are born, raised, and modified to be pretty and compliant male playthings. Then they’re sent into a competition with each other to attract the best mate. However, the voluntary suicides at the ancient age of thirty aren’t even the most disturbing thing in this novel.

(Were you annoyed by the Very Special Heroine tropes of Divergent and similar novels? Rest assured. When the dystopian world Only Ever Yours has a rule, it’s not broken for our heroine.)

I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo is a sweet YA novel, especially for fans of Korean dramas. Clumsy overachiever Desi sets out a plan to attract the handsome new student. She decides to use all the tactics from her father’s beloved K-dramas to draw him in.

While the romance is central to the story, Desi’s two closest friends and her relationship with her Appa are also intriguing. You get all the fun, funny, and awkward beats of a K-drama story set in an American high school.

What are your favorite undiscovered YA gems? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us!

October 8, 2018
5 Books That Change Your Perspective on Life

What makes a great book, anyway?

Think back to the most memorable books you’ve read. They’re gripping. You experience intense reactions as you read them.

And most of all? They change you.

Here are 5 books that will change your perspective on life. If you’re looking for a fresh read that’s motivated and uplifting, check these books out.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Have you ever felt like your life lacked meaning? You don’t necessarily feel hopeless, but some days it feels like you’re unsure whether or not your life counts for something.

We all seek fulfillment in the world, whether it’s unconsciously or not. This memoir by Viktor B. Frankl shares that perspective from inside a Nazi concentration camp — and it’s considered to be one of the most influential books in the world.

The idea that a book on the Holocaust leaves you feeling positive and inspired seems counterintuitive, but a Man’s Search for Meaning does exactly that.

The author was a former psychiatrist imprisoned in a concentration camp. He describes the terrifying experiences they endured to share how his fellow prisoners adapted their mindset to cope with the awfulness.

Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Change is tough. Even when we seek out a change in the future, it’s scary.

Think about your first day of college. You could be counting down the days until move-in, but when the day finally comes? You get pretty nervous.

So why is change such a nerve-wracking experience? That’s the question the Heath brothers seek to answer in the book Switch. Their vision is simple: In order to motivate change in your life, you have to understand both sides of your brain.

We have a logical type of brain and an emotional type. Using a simple metaphor, the authors of the book explain how you actually change your behavior.

Congratulations, By the Way by George Saunders

Think back to your graduation. Do you remember the speakers?

Commencement speeches can be hit or miss, but the really great ones leave you feeling encouraged. They move you.

This book is an extended version of George Saunders speech at Syracuse University in 2013 — it’s perfect for recent college graduates or anyone in need of a pick-me-up. It’s an easy, short read. His main point might sound a little corny but it’s an excellent reminder of what’s really important in life.

Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht

What’s your dream job?

Aliza Licht is a top publicist in the fashion industry and a career mentor for young graduates just getting started in their industry. Her book spills the insider secrets of her experience in PR and offers a straightforward guide for getting ahead in today’s professional world.

But it goes a lot deeper than the fashion industry. Her lessons apply to every industry — and it’s not just for women.

Aliza fully embraces social media. She shares advice on building your personal brand, how to communicate, and the social etiquette inside the corporate world.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

You might have already seen the movie and that’s okay. I still believe the book is worth reading at least once.

If you don’t know the premise yet, here’s a little backstory. Hazel is a 16-year-old girl battling thyroid cancer when she meets Augustus in a cancer support group. Augustus is currently in remission after years of facing bone cancer.

I won’t give away the ending, but this novel deals with oodles of tough topics like death, cancer, love, and the afterlife. Sounds kinda depressing, right? However, The Fault in Our Stars is equally heartwarming and inspiring too.

September 24, 2018
Why is Crazy Rich Asians Important? Here are 5 Reasons to Read the Novel.

It’s already crushed tons of records over the last month, but Crazy Rich Asians shows no signs of slowing down its box office domination yet.

The mainstream rom-com has become the biggest summer hit in this genre since 2015. Why all the buzz? Why is Crazy Rich Asians important? Well, it’s significant for two reasons. In the first place, Crazy Rich Asians is the first Hollywood studio film with an all-Asian cast in over two decades.

Not to mention, it’s an opportunity for us regular folk to indulge in the lush, over-the-top fantasy lifestyle of the mega-rich.

How can you pass that up? It’s pure, fun escapism.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch the movie, go see it! Meanwhile, you should also check out the bestselling novel by Kevin Kwan. If you enjoyed the movie, you’ll love reading the books. Just be warned: they’re highly addictive.

If you aren’t familiar with the novel yet you probably want a little backstory, right?

The plot follows a young couple, Nick and Rachel. They’ve been dating for two years in the States, but Nick wants to bring Rachel to stay with his family in Singapore for the summer. When they arrive in Singapore, Rachel discovers her boyfriend is crazy rich.

Here are 5 reasons why you should read Crazy Rich Asians (and the rest of the trilogy).

1. RICH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

There are a bazillion characters to keep track of in this book. But they’re highly entertaining! Nick comes from a huge family, but as you get further along in the book you start to recognize everyone by their personality and how they’re all connected.

The novel digs deeper into the character development–it really fills in those gaps that weren’t fleshed out in the movie. While I personally enjoy Nick and Rachel’s love story, his family members are what make the story hilarious.

2. YOU’LL GET SUCKED IN BY THE DRAMA

If you think your family is out there wait until you meet Nick Young’s circle of relatives. They’re unwelcoming toward Rachel, to say the least. Nick’s family believes she’s in it for the money– they refuse to accept her because she’s an American. This leads to a whole lot of drama and entertainment from everyone.

And if you have trouble keeping up with the zillion characters in his family? There’s a family tree to help you follow along.

3. PEEK INTO ANOTHER CULTURE

The author, Kevin Kwan, includes snippets of Malay language throughout the book. This is one reason why I highly recommend the print version of this novel: He offers translations via footnotes throughout the book. On the Kindle version, these notes can appear of out of order.

Not only is the book rich with language, but you get to look at another culture. One that I didn’t previously know much about. Crazy Rich Asians lets you imagine the beautiful landscapes, mouth-watering food, and designer clothing of the wealthy elite in Singapore.

4. RICH AND DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS

Crazy Rich Asians paints an impressive portrait of opulence and culture. Seriously, you’ll be dying to taste all of the food he describes. You can see the exotic, vivid landscapes come to life across the pages. The glitz of luxury makes this book the perfect escape.

5. IT’S AN EASY AND LIGHTHEARTED READ

Whether you need a break from the whirlwind of school or just want to read something amusing, this novel is a breeze to get through. You could easily read this in a day. Between the fantasy and drama, I couldn’t put it down.

It’s perfect to take along as a vacation read or you can save it for a rainy Saturday. And once you finish? Trust me, you’ll have questions. It gets even better with the sequels, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems.

So what are you waiting for? Check out the movie while it’s still in theaters and grab a copy of the book today!

September 3, 2018