Good Reads & Views

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Louie Zamperini was an amazing track star, breaking record after record running in the 1936 Olympics. Once WWII broke out, he became a bombardier assigned to the Pacific theater. During one of his missions, his plane went down over the ocean. He and two other crewmembers survived. They were captured by the Japanese and spent the next 2+ years enduring brutal mistreatment before finally being freed at the end of the war--something that left Louie adrift and struggling to find his purpose in life.

Why you might like it: A tragic yet redeeming story advocating the value of human life, and how its multitude of struggles help define each one of us, for better or worse.

You might also like: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

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In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This book is divided into three parts depicting Yeonmi' s family's life in North Korea, Yeonmi and her mother's time in China, and then their life in South Korea. This is a well written account that cultivates a greater awareness through a great deal of personal insight and experience.

Why you might like it: This book allows for a greater understanding of the experiences of people from North Korea and what they have endured and continue to endure.

You might also like: The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya 

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Dead Man Walking by Helen Prejean
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: Sister Helen Prejean is a Catholic nun. I anticipated this book would be very one sided based on her religion. I didn’t become interested in the book until after I saw the movie. The movie combines the two executions included in the book into one death row inmate story. Sister Helen Prejean does an amazing job of exploring the topic of capital punishment through the role of a spiritual guide.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy being deeply drawn into a story that you feel as though you’re there witnessing all of it, then you’ll appreciate Sister Helen Prejean's writing style.

You might also like: American Prison by Shane Bauer.

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The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: The Zookeeper's Wife is an astonishing story of the courage and selfless actions of the people of Warsaw during the Second World War who rescued and hid, at great personal danger, the hundreds of Jews who were hunted by the Nazis.

Why you might like it: The Zookeeper’s Wife is a true story set in Warsaw, Poland at the onset of WWII, and is both a horrifying and endearing story.

You might also like: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. 

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Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman 
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This was a very touching, first person account of a very shielded young girl moving away - first emotionally, then physically - from a restricting religious environment into an unconventional free-thinking world. You struggle with her as she tries to make herself conform and cannot.

Why you might like it: It is written from the raw perspective of a young woman caught in a world where she does not belong.

You might also like: The author's other two books: Exodus & Überbitten. 

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The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown 

What it’s about: This book contains so much insight about understanding various behaviors and thought patterns that hold us back in life. While it is clear, as with all books by this author, that she is an experienced and highly skilled researcher, her gift for story telling radiates through even stronger. She authentically connects with the reader by disclosing her own “imperfections” and life experiences.

Why you might like it: If you have ever struggled with "should-ing" yourself, this book can be a spiritual awakening that will help you get past whatever you “should” yourself for.

You might also like: Rising Strong by Brene Brown. 

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Daring Greatly by Brene Brown 
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This book unearths our deepest feelings and motives. As social beings, it is deeply rooted for us to seek acceptance. As a result, our fear of rejection impels us to behave in ways we’re not always proud of, creating a cycle of shame and self-doubt. This book explains all of that and how to break that cycle.

Why you might like it: The agonizing nature of feeling vulnerable and exposed is something everyone struggles with. Brené does a superb job of including stories from her life, her research, and then bringing it all together with results you can clearly understand, relate to, and implement into your life.  

You might also like: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. 

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Haunted by James Patterson
Fiction

What is it? James Patterson came thru again with a splendid story of love, family and crime. Set in small town Maine, but concludes in small town USA, the shattering drug culture is claiming the promising youth. This book tells a story that may hit close to home.

Is it for you? The authors wrote this book with such talent that I felt the magnitude of Bennett's emotions along with him. If you are looking for books that you can't put down, this book and the entire series will keep you entertained and busy. Also, don't miss Alex Cross and The Women’s Murder Club series too.

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The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Fiction

What is it? The idea that "No one knows what goes on behind closed doors" is played out in this story. As secrets continue to be revealed, you quickly realize how fragile life can be and how badly we want to preserve our “image." This is a non-stop book of excitement, gasps, and heartache. 

Is it for you? This is the first book I’ve read written by Harlan Coben. I love this book and now can’t wait to read another one by him! If you’d like to read a suspenseful thriller that might make you think about your answer to the question, “How far would you go to protect your family?” then you’ll want to read this book!

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Boundaries for Leaders by Henry Cloud
Nonfiction

What is it? Henry Cloud uses a great mixture of neuroscience, years of first-hand experiences, and tangible steps to guide leaders into lasting strategies for success. Readers will be primed to lead their business, their teams, and themselves in a way that will energize and strengthen them, not deplete them.

Is it for you? Also addressed in this book are the deep-seated issues of why and how people deal with their decision-making process. Every one of us have filters that we sort out information through. If we process through our past hurts and failures, we will make faulty decisions. This book encourages us to keep the big picture in focus while dealing with ourselves and others.

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