5 Books You Should Read in 2019 | Day 20/30

I’m assuming you are here because you’re actively developing a reading culture and wouldn’t mind another bookish post to explore or you’re trying to come out of the throes of a massive reading rut. 

How many books have you read so far this year? Are you looking for something to kick off with? How many have you bought even after promising to beat the Collector’s Fallacy? Does your unread bookshelf keep piling on? Is there room for 5 more books on our TBR list? 

I have 5 books that I think you should dive into this year if you haven’t.  

 

How I got out of my Reading Rut

 

1. An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake

Srinivas Rao is one of my favorite writers and podcasters who muses on creativity in our everyday lives. In this book, he shows what it means to write for yourself first before anyone else. To create work for your own pleasure, without any care who gets to see it, read it, listen to it, love it, hate it, share it. 

This seems pointless especially in the current climate we are deeply immersed in, where virality and online validation is deemed a measure of success and where passion has been monetized for livelihoods. It’s all about the numbers, the end results, the high expectations for audiences, Many have, unfortunately, ‘lost their souls’ in the process. 

Srinivas talks of how David Bowie stayed true to his creative work until death. No matter the fame and recognition, he put himself first and the success followed naturally. Create because you enjoy doing it and not because you expect something out of it. There’s hardly a dull moment in this book. 

 

2. The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children

Parenting keeps you on your toes. You want the best for your child – a life you most likely didn’t have privilege over while growing up. You want to be intentional with everything you do with them, to be consciously present and aware and in the process of unlearning and learning, to empower the child with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate life.

Dr Shefali Tsabary is pretty much a genius. Any Parenting book from her is a gem because it’s not a how-to guide but rather a philosophical (and often times spiritual) view of the parenting journey. It’s perfect for first-time parents, to-be parents, and those in the advanced stage who want to unlearn some beliefs, foster deeper connections with their children.  Gift it to an adult child as well, they’ll better understand their childhood struggle. 

 

3. How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up

I was conflicted on whether I should add this to the list because it somewhat goes against the ‘focus on one niche’ narratives that have become our way of life. But then I thought of the one person morphing between identities who might gain from this book and not beat themselves up for not having one true calling, not’ fitting in’ or not having a well-set career at a certain age. 

Emily Wapnick (perhaps the most positive person around) offers that we should embrace our many passions more. Multipotentialites as she calls them are people who have multiple interests, projects and curiosities in life. Feed into them and see what happens. It’s a light book. For a deeper understanding of this topic, I would recommend accompanying it with Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher. 

 

 

4. Angie Martinez: My Voice – A Memoir 

Memoirs are usually hit or miss so this is one of those books I kept postponing to read. Until I finally did and I could see why it got rave reviews from Hip hop circles. 

She candidly delves into Hip-hop culture in the 90s, her journey in media, her childhood, stories of every other big name in hip-hop and invaluable life lessons that leave you inspired and empowered. Always use your voice to impact something. 

What’s your take on the rising number of on-air personalities who have ventured into book writing? 

 

5. I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

Anne Bogel is the founder of the popular blog Modern Mrs Darcy that reviews books in such a fun and informative way and is home to a large number of bibliophiles, host of the Podcast What Should I Read Next, and author of several books. Her recommendations are the best. 

I’d rather be Reading is the book you’d rather be reading right now ha. It’s a collection of 21 anecdotal essays written specifically for book lovers. She nails the life of a book lover to a fault. You’ll enjoy more if you don’t listen to her Podcast since she rehashes some of her life experiences narrated on the Podcast here. 

 

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