Bill Gates just released a blog post called “5 great things to read or watch this summer.” As far as I know, I don’t have a lot in common with the tech whizz (For love nor money, I could not get Microsoft Word to cooperate this morning, thanks Bill), but I still enjoyed reading his run-down. It’s fun to see what others are inspired by.
So, today I’m sharing my list of what I’m reading! Perhaps we share some literary interests, and maybe not, but I hope you’ll find something in here to pique your interest.
And if not, you can always use the list as ammo to tease me for my awful reading taste. I have no shame. Have at it!
In no particular order, here are five books I’ve been enjoying this spring. We’ve got:
Three self-help books, one narrative non-fiction (as in, a real story, but told as if it was a novel), and one novel (a made-up story) that I guarantee will surprise you. I’ve included descriptors below, but these are unofficial, completely-guessed-at-by-Liz categories.
One which was only released a few weeks ago, a golden oldie from 1990, and the rest from in between.
All fantastic books. I pinky promise.
Let’s do it.
1. Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message by Tara Mohr
Category:
Non-fiction, self-help and personal development.
My take:
This one challenged me in all the best ways. It got me thinking about what is possible in my life and what I want to achieve. There were some chapters I re-read because they resonated so deeply and included ideas I’ve never heard before (and I literally read self-help books for my job—I thought I’d heard it all).
If you feel the nudge to do something bigger, more meaningful, more impactful with your life, read this. Plus, it’s written for women, which is nice because we have some challenges with playing big that the dudes don’t wrestle with; Mohr doesn’t sugar coat, but also doesn’t let us off the hook. (And if you’re a dude who wants to check it out, I promise not to tell!)
Find out more here.
2. Challenger by Adam Higginbotham
Category:
Narrative non-fiction, astronomy and science, history and culture. (Yes, the 1980s now count as historical. Boo.)
My take:
Hot off the press, this book was released in May 2024. It’s a chunky boy (the audio comes in at almost seventeen hours), but I finished in three days flat. I didn’t want to stop reading!
I have no particular interest in the space shuttle Challenger or why it crashed, which is what this book explores. I don’t care about aeronautics or NASA or space exploration, but I was still gripped by this story. You know how none of us cared about illegal tiger zoos, but we all devoured that documentary Tiger King? Samsies. Random subject, gripping storytelling.
Find out more here.
3. We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
Category:
Non-fiction, financial advice and personal development.
My take:
I find this title provocative. Should we all be millionaires? Don’t get me wrong—I’d like the cash, but it sounds somewhat entitled to me. Yet I found the book inspiring. And engaging and smart and actually impactful on my money mindset.
If you’d like more moolah but don’t believe it’s possible for you, this is worth a read. And particularly so if you’re a woman or person of color. Rodgers, a Black woman and a self-made millionaire, speaks to the unique financial challenges impacting people who have traditionally been ignored in the financial literacy conversation. Which is a lot of us.
Find out more here.
4. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
Category:
Non-fiction, arts and creativity, personal development.
My take:
This was required reading for a course I’m studying. I wouldn’t normally reach for this because I don’t think of myself as “creative.” People say that’s odd since I write books for a living, but I feel my process is rooted in logic and puzzles more than abstract creativity. So I was surprised that I truly enjoyed this book. Plus, it’s legit useful for anyone trying to create.
It contains inspiration and practical steps to being creative in any form. Tharp is a ballet choreographer, but she speaks to all forms of art, including writing. She’s witty, pragmatic, and engaging. I’m so impressed with how she thinks profoundly about the creative process, and I’m sure I’ll be coming back to this in future years.
Find out more here.
5. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Category:
Fiction, thriller.
My take:
And here’s my surprise inclusion! I love the Jurassic Park movies and rewatch the whole lot every year, but I only just discovered the original book has rave reviews. And deservedly so! It’s a fast-moving, engaging thriller that’s juicy with details included in the first three movies, plus more that makes it feel like a behind-the-scenes treat.
It has some surprisingly modern takes for having been written in 1990. One character—the stodgy suit guy auditing the park—assumed Dr. Statler was a man. When he finally meets her in person, he says, “You’re a woman.” She replies, “These things happen.” Indeed they do.
Find out more here.
Final thoughts
What are you reading this spring? Shoot me an email and share. I’d genuinely love to geek out about books with you.
Whatever you’re reading (or watching!), I hope you’re finding some inspiration, enjoyment, escape, comfort, or whatever else your soul needs. Entertainment is so often seen as “extra,” but it’s essential to keeping us happy, balanced, and human.
Here’s to all the entertainment!
Thanks,
Liz “Quiet Please, I’m Reading” Green
Editor and Book Coach
Green Goose Writing
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