For the past few years, Barack Obama has blessed us with his annual lists of his favorite books, movies, and songs. After reading his list, I decided that for 2019 I will be reading one new book every month.
With social media taking over our lives, I felt that I was being consumed by Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat for hours a day. Instead of senselessly scrolling through my feed I have taken Barack Obama’s list along with some research of my own to create a 2019 list of must read books.
The list includes classic books that might (hopefully) sound familiar, empowering books, or simply just books that will distract you and take you through an unexpected journey.
An American Marriage- Tayari Jones
Becoming by Michelle Obama
1984- George Orwell
Lord of the Flies- William Golding
Crime and Punishment-by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. COvey
The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus
Watching You by Lisa Jewell
Educated by Tara Westover
Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani
There There by Tommy Orange
Washington Black by Est Edugyan
American Prison by Shane Bauer
Frederick Douglas by David W. Blight
Literature has always been the perfect way to forget about reality and dive into unimaginable stories. It is also a way to enrich yourself and open up your mind to ideas and concepts that can guide you through life. I hope this list encourages you to use that hour that you would be on your phone and read instead.