Reading is my favorite pass-time. I feel like I can become completely immersed in the world of the characters- a beautiful, energizing, and sometimes terrifying experience. I don’t particularly have a favorite genre, I am open to any kind of book.
These are Char’s top six reads of 2016 (that you should totally try too):
This book is a riveting account of Susannah Cahalan’s own experience with an unknown illness that caused her to lose her mind. Anyone with an interest in psychology or psychiatry would enjoy this book, but it is accessible to all readers. Ultimately, Cahalan’s message is to never give up on yourself or your family- do your research and do not let an institution control your outcome. Brain on Fire is proof of the unpredictability and incredible power of the human brain. You will not be able to put this book down.
The Lake Season is the perfect beach read. To be completely honest, I don’t feel like I gained a lot from this book, so I feel a little guilty about including it as one of my favorite books that I read this year. On the other hand, sometimes reading should just be about relaxing and enjoyment- not necessarily acquiring knowledge. This book does just that; it allows you to sit back, unwind, and indulge in a funny, dramatic, and sexy story. McKinnon does not make you drowsy, though! She keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you are reading.
Asking For It is not an easy read. The topics that it covers are controversial, devastating, and very real. Written and set in Ireland, it helps to brush up on the history and current situation of that country in relation to reproductive rights and other such issues to fully understand the situation of the characters- but not completely necessary, because these are global struggles that everybody can relate to in some way. This book is helpful in being insightful about your own self; O’Neill will make you question your every value and moral.
Warning: this book may cause extreme cases of wanderlust and the urge to quit your job to become a flight attendant. Mandy Smith shares unbelievable stories about life in the air; you will laugh til you cry and gasp in shock. I literally read this book on a plane during a flight to Punta Cana, and almost never came back. I am still inspired every day by Smith’s story and if all else fails, I am becoming a flight attendant, no questions asked.
Sold is another challenging read. This book does not resonate well with everybody, as it is written in poetry and deals with another very real issue: child sex trafficking. McCormick is trying to make readers aware that this actually happens in the world. Unlike O’Neill’s Asking For It, Sold has a happy ending, which unfortunately is a little less true to life, these young girls usually do not have a happy ending. Sold is a powerful book that everybody should read.
Classic rock lovers, this one is for you. Mick Fleetwood’s autobiography is hilarious, exciting, and unimaginable. The wild antics this man got up to are beyond belief. I am a little biased because Fleetwood Mac is my all-time favorite band, so I would undoubtedly love this book anyway. However, Play On can be enjoyed by anybody, even if you’re not a huge classic rock person. Mick is a smart and insightful man; the messages he shares are uplifting and inspiring and encourage you to achieve your goals, no matter how crazy they might be.
All of the images used in this post come from Goodreads. We hold no ownership or credit for the images, credit belongs to their rightful owners. I love using Goodreads to track my reading goals and maintain a list of books I want to read. You can follow Char on Goodreads here.
What were your favorite books this year? We want to add some great books to our list! Let us know your favorites in the comments or on our social media.
Happy reading!
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