TOP 10

01

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I read this book, like most, in high school for the first time. Over the years, I've read this book more times than I can count. Each time I loved it a little more with my ever-changing perspective. This book inspired me to revisit high school required reads in 2019, unfortunately, the trip down memory lane reminded me why those books were in my past. If you haven't read The Giver in a while, I implore you to pick up a copy. 

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02

L’appart by David Lebovitz

One of my favorite books of 2019. As a self-proclaimed Francophile, I loved every moment escaping to Paris through the eyes of the author. I loved how every chapter ends with a recipe and I also picked up a few new "colorful" french words while reading. (See 2019's post if you'd like more information)

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03

Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl

This book changed the way I looked at food. Her experience working for Gourmet Magazine was exciting to follow and the skills she has to describe a simple bowl of mushroom soup will change your life... As a general rule, I strongly dislike mushrooms, which speaks volumes to her poetic ability to write about food. (See 2019's post if you'd like more information)

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04

Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen

This book helped me immeasurably at being a better communicator. Along with Quiet by Susan Cain, which I read in 2018, it made me realize how to understand people's intentions and become a listener - rather than a responder. Whether giving feedback or receiving it, this book is something I think anyone in a relationship should read even though it's geared towards business. (See 2019's post if you'd like more information)

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05

Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven

As someone who used to get yelled at by their grandma for not making their bed, this book makes me chuckle. It was powerful, clear, and concise. Little steps to success end up building into a mound of accomplishments. Plus, you never know when a Navy SEAL might come to your house and try to bounce a quarter off the corner of your bed. (See 2018's post if you'd like more information)

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06

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

I love books that allow me to learn through historical fiction, and that showcase the strength and reliance of the human spirit. This book is written in a beautifully punctilious way, the author clearly did her history homework. Following 3 very different women through WWII, the book made me feel as though I was a friend, a bystander, traveling along with them. I couldn't put it down. (See 2019's post if you'd like more information)

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07

She Said Yes by Misty Bernall

This book recounts the life of a Colombine High School student who died during the shooting in 1999. I read this book in high school when I found it in my sister's closet (sorry for snooping Hillary), shortly after we had an active shooter drill. As someone who has had their ups and downs with faith, especially in high school, this book was powerful and maybe a little traumatic, but I'm glad I read it and it still is meaningful to me today. 

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08

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

I simply loved this book. Though filled with statistics, it's all about focusing on the quality, not the quantity of life. One lesson that has stuck with me, is life should be about enjoying the process and less about the end result. This is exactly what making chocolate chip cookies is for me. I love the process, and a bite of dough too, but a lot of the time I never put the dough into the oven. The process of making the cookies is therapeutic to me since it's something I did with my mom when I was a kid when I had a tough day. It's not about the cookies, it's about the process. ​(See 2018's post if you'd like more information)

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09

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

I read this book in my high school World Affairs class and it really opened my eyes to the injustices around the world. As a teenager growing up in a privileged environment, it made me realize how different the experiences of kids can be, not just if you're born on the Southside of Chicago vs. the Upper Eastside of Manhattan, but in the US vs Sierra Leone. It also showed me the strength and resilience we all have within us, and the power of forgiveness. 

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10

All the Princess Diaries Books by Meg Cabot 

There is a season for everything, or so the bible verse goes. And in middle school and through high school, Meg Cabot was the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion. It was Meg Cabot season, so much so, I even left school early one day in 7th grade to go to her book signing at Borders Books. I never liked any of her other novels, only the chronicles of Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo and the 10+ books Meg wrote about her. With how much time I dedicated to reading her novels, I would be remiss if I left them off the list.

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