We live in a world where an endless stream of content and overflowing media distorts your relationship with reality. In times like these- times of failed reading goals- we mindfully choose quality over quantity. Picking books that speak to your soul and offer valuable advice is the need of the hour.
With that in mind, I present to you five books that a new year would go incomplete without. From the ideals of utopian reality to the tales of flamboyant showgirls in Manhattan, each book has something unique to take away from them.
Elizabeth Gilbert- City of Girls
You might have first heard of Elizabeth Gilbert as the writer of Eat, Pray, Love. However, the City of Girls carves out a mark of its own.
As a reviewer described, the book is "like a tray of champagne cocktails." Vivian, our narrator, ranks 361 out of 362 students in her class; thus, her life begins. When sent to Manhattan, she opens herself up to many experiences, sentiments, and observations. This book isn't just historical fiction; it dances on the edges of almost every genre.
The book is carried by characters who are larger than life itself. There are moments of realism and mistakes, leading to a bigger takeaway. What makes this book stand out is how brutally human it is. The plot doesn't just have twists and turns. It's practically a paradoxical spider web.
City of Girls isn't just entertaining. It is enlightening.
Malcolm Gladwell- Outliers
Lawyers, entrepreneurs, rock stars, and even writers have all been used to embody the ideal of "individual success." Throughout Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell works to dispel that myth. Using Canadian youth hockey as an example, he states that nobody succeeds independently. The example-based approach of this book, as well as his artful chapter names, make this an enriching read.
The book introduces us to the 10,000-hour rule— 10,000 hours of work must be devoted to mastering any skill. Who are the outliers, though? Geniuses are positioned as the ultimate outliers.
Yet again, we're introduced to historical events proving that intelligence does not equal achievement. Though the book is, in a way, an objective analysis of success, it also emphasizes the power of community.
"Her community does not give her what she needs. So what does she have to do? Give up her evenings and weekends and friends—all the elements of her old world—and replace them with KIPP." — Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell
Sally Rooney- Normal People
Normal People isn't just a love story. It's a subdued extension of a real-life existential crisis. The most striking thing about this book isn't the characters or the plot- it's the writing style.
The reason why this book is called such is because it truly depicts people being normal. Pining for someone is normal. Feeling out of place in a social situation is normal. This book is a compilation of all the little things- the fights and the make-ups- that embrace normality.
From a personal perspective, this book creates a personal bubble, a headspace covering just you and the words. You begin to root for Marianne and Connell and feel seen. Moments like feeling hopeful before entering university and then getting your hopes dashed.
The book is emotional and emotionless, a hug and a shove— all at once.
Morgan Housel- The Psychology of Money
The biggest takeaway I'd be able to give you from this book is that money isn't all about money. It's about your behavior and how you regulate yourself. Morgan Housel has a writing style that would make reading even numerical tables interesting. Examples of epic downfalls in history and the pitfalls of people who flew too close to the sun don't just serve as reminders.
Instead, we are presented with bite-sized takeaways and an accurate depiction of spotting when things go wrong. Financial decisions are made inside your head, and the psychology of your being governs your finances. The book capitalizes on that exact ideology and executes it masterfully.
Finance is often a misunderstood subject both by the public and even by financial experts. Reading this book is getting ten steps ahead in your journey to financial literacy. It's also a book with a writing style that people of all ages— from teenagers to adults- can enjoy.
Plato- The Republic
The Republic is more than just Plato's ideas of what regulations should look like. Put short, the wordings make you think. When you read the book, you don't just look at somebody's viewpoint.
You begin to ponder about censorship and justice. You either agree or disagree- but at the end of the day, you think. The book doesn't just ask questions; it presents the right questions.
In certain passages, like the ones dealing with writing- there's also a hidden undertone of irony. This adds another dimension to your overall reading experience. While it's unrealistic for everybody to agree with Plato's ideas, it's no secret that his propositions are undoubtedly insightful.
The book presents Plato's ideals in a Socratic dialogue of an ideal state and the ones ruling it. Philosophy is a constructive endeavor— the endpoint is developing a positive theory together.
Reading this book is essential because it puts you into a state of thinking that lies in an intellectual landscape of its own. It helps you develop concrete opinions about abstract ideas and situations.
Conclusion
One of the most important things to do before picking a book up is to gauge it. If a book truly speaks to you, no matter the genre, then it has the power to shape your thinking. Which was your favorite out of the five? Have you read any of these before?
Happy reading!
