With January finally here, everyone seems to be making changes and setting new ambitions! If you’re stuck for inspiration, reading is a fantastic way to discover your passions and goals for the year ahead! Whether you’re a fiction lover or prefer thoughtful self-help reads: this is a list of captivating, powerful and occasionally funny books to get stuck into after the holidays. Explore people’s lives from every culture and corner of the globe, switch up your viewpoint, and seize the New Year’s possibilities with a fresh mindset!
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
by Adam E Grant.
The perfect book to have by your side for any poli-sci or law major! This guide is all about being open to others’ perspectives. It’s a steep learning curve, but it could be essential to your success. It’s often easy to identify when others are stubborn and frustrating, but how often do we really challenge our own point of view? This book explores social psychological research to uncover why it’s so hard to admit when we’re wrong! Grant incorporates actionable advice for accepting your faults and becoming a better colleague and leader.
The Strangers
by Katherena Vermette.
A testament to the lives of those living on the margins, this is the second work of adult fiction from Metis writer Katherena Vermette. Fans of her previous book “The Break” will find this story equally compelling, painful and emotionally wrought. Cedar is torn away from her mother and sister and taken into the foster care system. The story spans decades, documents intergenerational trauma and the strength of family, as each of the women struggles to survive in a system that pretends to offer them success but sets them up to fail. This novel will bring those issues to the surface in poignant style, a brilliant reflection of real-life institutional failures towards Indigenous people. Despite the darkness, the characters demonstrate awe-inspiring strength, get ready for some serious emotions!
Glimpses of Utopia: Real Ideas for a Fairer World
by Jess Scully.
This debut from curator Jess Scully highlights models for addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from housing crises to protecting digital communication. The author uses real stories of people refusing the status quo and making concrete action towards change. The stories in this collection will uplift and inspire you, revealing all is not lost! Discover radical US bankers funding climate change initiatives or people turning poverty-stricken areas into safe havens in Kenya.
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed
edited by Saraciea J Fennel.
This anthology collection of essays and autobiographical stories gathers together the voices of fifteen Latin American writers exploring what it means to live in the US diaspora. Tackling myths, stereotypes, and adversity – every story illuminates a slightly different experience and perspective. The inclusion of family dynamics, racism and LGBTQ+ rights makes for sometimes challenging but very worthwhile reading. It is a must-read for anyone struggling with their identity, whose own memories may resonate.
You Can’t Be Serious
by Kal Penn.
Kal Penn’s self-penned memoir is a refreshing take on finding your path: demonstrating that life is rarely straightforward and often hilarious! Penn has had an incredibly diverse career. The son of Gandhian Freedom Fighters turned television actor (House and Designated Survivor), before becoming a white house aide during the Obama administration. Penn’s memoir is a humorous, insightful look at a very unconventional past and a reminder of the value of being fearless and willing to accept change.
Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life
by Katie Sturino.
A book all about being kind and compassionate to your body and refreshing your perspective on all things biological. With all New Years diet talk and gym offers, sometimes we need to fight back with a little bit of acceptance for where we are right now, whatever our goals are. From influencer and entrepreneur Katie Sturino, this volume encourages you to replace negative messages with a little bit of kindness, using fun affirmations, activities and illustrations spiced throughout. Think Lizzo-style content and beautiful graphics. It’s a fun volume to keep returning to when you require a self-esteem boost.
Each year, I set the goal to read more (I’m aiming for 12 books in 2022). Hopefully these recommendations will inspire you to also pick up one of these books and challenge your views. If you have spare time, you can even create your own New Year book list tailored to your goals!