Enough already with the heavy reading. Let’s lighten it up a bit with these books that will enhance your beach, hammock, or rocking chair time this summer.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo – If you ever look around your home and wonder why you have so much stuff, here’s a book that will help you thin out a bit. Sometimes corny and ethereal, yet there’s no question why this one has sold millions of copies worldwide: with tough love, Kondo makes us admit we don’t need most of what we own.
The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore – This one tells the story of the two men who share a name and troubled upbringings in Baltimore. The author becomes a Rhodes Scholar, the other Wes Moore a murderer. This is a gripping read that forces the reader to address the randomness of it all – and it’s flat-out heartbreaking.
The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks – Hendricks addresses what he claims is “the only problem we need to solve” as professionals, namely the Upper Limit Problem. At issue is stunted growth and being blind to the potential for success in the future. And while his Zone of Genius theory is pretty goofy, you’d have to be a hardcore cynic to not benefit at least a bit exploring it.
Room, Emma Donoghue – Read Donoghue’s novel if only to appreciate how perfectly she captures the voice of five-year-old Jack, born illegitimately to a mother held captive in a backyard tool shed. While perhaps the heaviest topic covered on this list, it’s brilliantly crafted and hard to put down. Step 2: Rent the movie to see why Brie Larson won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Ma.
The Big Short, Michael Lewis – In this case, see the Oscar-nominated film first. Even with Lewis’ highly entertaining prose and ability to clearly explain the most complicated financial instruments, it’s easier to absorb when picturing the real-life characters played by Steve Carrell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. Just be prepared to be pissed off at what you’ll learn. Completely maddening.
Dear Mr. You, Mary-Louise Parker – Written by the television actress perhaps best known as a drug-dealing mom in Weeds – and who knew she had this in her? A collection of a few dozen letters written to men that have helped shape her (some without actually having met), it is both brutal and beautiful to climb inside Parker’s mind to try and understand her damaged-goods perspective.
Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, Elvis Costello – And speaking of didn’t-see-this-coming examples, Costello’s memoir – clocking in at just under 700 pages – is quite the revealing look into the singer-songwriter-composer’s entire history. If you’re a fan of his music and would enjoy seeing the song & poetry craftsmanship of a deeply flawed human, this one is a can’t miss.
Sick in the Head, Judd Apatow – The guy behind some great television (Freaks and Geeks) and movies (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) broke into entertainment by interviewing comedians as a teenager. Lifelong obsessed with writing jokes and performing in the face of the toughest crowds, Apatow collects the wisdom shared by everyone from Jerry Seinfeld to Roseanne Barr to Chris Rock to Amy Schumer. No rotten tomatoes here.
Sick in the Head is indeed a great read! Three others I highly recommend:
– The Road to Character by David Brooks
– Originals by Adam Grant
– Double Cup Love by Eddie Huang
Just had Originals delivered a couple weeks ago, Howard. Can’t wait to dig into that one soon… and will check out those other two. Thank you!
Great list Chris. Thanks!
Hope you enjoy one or three of ’em, Bill! 🙂