As resolutions go, the promise to read more books is pretty painless. In fact, it’s quite enjoyable. Here are some book suggestions, designed to uplift and enlighten, in these first weeks of the new year.
The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen R. Covey
An ageless book that offers a blueprint for being more effective in your both your personal and work life, The Seven Habits provides a simple and fairly straightforward set of directions for moving forward into the new year. The main message: principles over personality.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Looking for something more prosaic and allegorical? The Alchemist is a bestselling fable about an Andalusian shepherd boy who comes to learn what might be called the original law of attraction when he is told “when you want something, all the world conspires to help you achieve it.”
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
A number of successful people make a habit of every so often reading Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations. This collection of the great leader’s thoughts, beliefs, and personal struggles amounts to one of the first recorded self-help books. It’s also a classic.
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
Maybe you don’t want to think so deeply about your own life, but you still want to read an inspiring story full of greatness, intrigue, sorrows, and triumphs. Catherine the Great is a recent biography that reads like a novel and may even provide unexpected fodder for your own life.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes: All 4 Novels and 56 Short Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle
Is there a classic that you’ve been meaning to get to, but you just haven’t had the time? The Complete Sherlock Holmes offers the benefit of containing mostly short stories, while opening up the words and world of a master— Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A great read during cold months.
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
Like all the books on this list, Eat, Pray, Love isn’t for everyone. But for millions of readers interested in one woman’s search for escape, joy, and transcendence it’s been a phenomenon.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
If you’re not sick of seeing this book everywhere, and you haven’t read it yet, now would be a great time. A truly inspirational biography.
Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen
There are so many novels that we keep hearing about but haven’t read. Many of them are big bestsellers, ones so big that they’ve even been made into movies. You could rent the video, or you could order the book. Why not now?
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
Improving one’s health is at the top of most New Year’s resolution lists, and there are few books as inspirational about running as Born to Run. This is a great story full of fascinating characters.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Young adult books… they’re not just for young adults anymore. And this one may shock you with its adult storyline. The movie comes out in in March— if you’ve been thinking about reading it, or if you’re just wondering what the best of this YA craze has to offer, there’s no time like the present to get started on The Hunger Games.
