5 Books I’m Adding to My Reading List

Happy Monday, sweet friends! How are you guys? I had a super productive weekend cleaning up the house, donating clothes that have been sitting around for months and cleaning my car. Since I’ve had a ton of free time this semester, I’m trying to get better about discipline in keeping my home tidy, daily devotionals and sleep. With a ton of books on my bookshelf and a ton in my shopping cart, I seriously need to start reading through several of these books. So, here are 5 books I’m adding to my reading list for the spring

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1| Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Description: In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of “outliers”–the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different?
His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing. Along the way he explains the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math, and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.

Why I want to read it: In the business world, or the world in general, you hear everyone saying all they want to be in life is successful. And while that’s a fun thing to sing along to, I can’t help but wonder: 1. What does “success” mean? 2. How have the most successful people gotten to where they were? I read another Malcolm Galwell book and loved his work, so this book just kinda fell into my lap when I wasn’t looking. Especially because I am in a season of trying to figure out what I want to achieve in life and what success would look like to me

2| I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan
Description: In  I Almost Forgot About You, Dr. Georgia Young’s wonderful life–great friends, family, and successful career–aren’t enough to keep her from feeling stuck and restless. When she decides to make some major changes in her life, including quitting her job as an optometrist and moving house, she finds herself on a wild journey that may or may not include a second chance at love. Georgia’s bravery reminds us that it’s never too late to become the person you want to be, and that taking chances, with your life and your heart, are always worthwhile.
 
Big-hearted, genuine, and universal, I Almost Forgot About You shows what can happen when you face your fears, take a chance, and open yourself up to life, love, and the possibility of a new direction. It’s everything you’ve always loved about Terry McMillan.

Why I want to read it: ‘Waiting to Exhale’ was my first Terry McMillan book and ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ was my second, and I loved them both. Even though both of these books are older, as old as I am, they felt like my first “adult” books that I read when I moved from home. Because of so, I’ve had a weird attachment to them and the author. I recently won this book and have had it on my list for the few months so since I have some time on my hands, I feel like it will be the perfect fun, flirty read for spring day trips.

3| The Immortal Life of Henrietta Locks
Description: Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.

Why I want to read it: Would you guys believe me if I told you this was my freshman class book? I actually didn’t read it (no surprise there) and I kept putting off the class we needed to read this for. It’s awful, I know, but I didn’t really appreciate or know the story at all. Since then, and thanks to media & Oprah, Henrietta Locks has become one of the most interesting people in my life. She was a poor, black women who had her cells taken, without her consent, and becoame the foundation of which several vaccines were created and medical breakthroughs were made. This book is also the #1 best seller in cell biology. If you’re interest in women’s health or cell biology or anything related, this would be a great book for you.

4| Move Toward The Mess: The Ultimate Fix for a Boring Christian Life by John Hambrick
Description: Some pastors preach boring sermons. Some church music is dull. But here’s the thing: If Jesus had been boring, the disciples wouldn’t have followed him and the Pharisees wouldn’t have killed him.

So if you’re bored, don’t waste another minute. If your church service feels like a failed pep rally that never leads to the actual game, then it’s time for you to follow Jesus onto the field where the opposition is real and the stakes are extraordinary. It will get messy. It won’t always be comfortable. But you’ll make a difference. And you’ll discover that nobody’s bored out there. Nobody.

Why I want to read it: I’m sure anyone, even those in faith, have heard people talk about how boring it must be to live by a set of “rules” and “restrictions”. Since I’ve been slowly learning, growing and expanding in my faith over the past years, I’ve been looking for more Christian books to get a deeper understanding of faith and how to see every day life through a faith-full lens. Once I finish this book, I’ll be doing a fun giveaway for you guys, so stay tuned!

5| Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley
Description:
“Early in the spring of 1750, in the village of Juffure, four days upriver from the coast of The Gambia, West Africa, a man-child was born to Omoro and Binta Kinte.”

So begins Roots, one of the most extraordinary and influential books of our time. Through the story of one family— hisfamily—Alex Haley unforgettably brings to life the monumental two-century drama of Kunta Kinte and the six generations who came after him: slaves and freedmen, farmers and blacksmiths, lumber mill workmen and Pullman porters, lawyers and architects…and one author.

A national and international phenomenon at the time of its original publication, Rootscontinues to enthrall readers with its masterful narrative drive and exceptional emotional power, speaking to us all with an undiminished resonance and relevance.

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage…. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning no matter what our attainments in life.”—Alex Haley

Why I want to read it: Honestly, I have no idea why I have never picked this book up. Even after the TV show and many special series on this story by Alex Haley, I kept this book on my list of books to read when I had ample time. Since we have bring break and other small holidays for the rest of the semester, I’ll be able to sit down and dig into this story.

Well friends, that’s all for me today! What are you currently reading? If you decide to read any of these, please let me know! I would love to share our thoughts and chat through other good books to read. If you’re ever looking for a good read, my reading list is always: here. Have a lovely Monday, y’all! -xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com