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True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal--and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life

True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal--and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life

By Kevin Sorbo 296 pages Adult

Danny Says

I love inspirational stories, and if you can get through Sorbo’s autobiographical account of his journey from playing Hercules on television to battling a brain aneurism and multiple strokes (before the age of 40) without shedding a tear or two, you’re stronger than me. I have to admit that I’ve never seen his television show, but the strength and humor he shows in this book has made me a huge fan. 
Tenth of December: Stories

Tenth of December: Stories

By George Saunders 288 pages Adult

Danny Says

Finally! Waiting around for the next George Saunders collection of short stories is as frustrating as it used to be anticipating when the next episode of Lost would air. He is a terrific writer, and you’ll breeze through this book with a greater appreciation for what is becoming a dying art: the quirky short story. 
Ubuntu!: An Inspiring Story About an African Tradition of Teamwork and Collaboration

Ubuntu!: An Inspiring Story About an African Tradition of Teamwork and Collaboration

By Bob Nelson,Stephen Lundin 144 pages Adult

Danny Says

I have been doing a lot more speaking with associations and businesses lately about the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and Lundin and Nelson have created an easy-to-read parable based around a wonderful African philosophy. By the way – Bob Nelson gives a wonderful glimpse of this philosophy in his recent TEDx talk.
Blown Covers: New Yorker Covers You Were Never Meant to See

Blown Covers: New Yorker Covers You Were Never Meant to See

By Françoise Mouly 128 pages Adult

Danny Says

Subtitled “New Yorker Covers You Were Never Meant to See,” this wonderful book provides a glimpse into the art selection process of one of America’s magazine mainstays. The examination of current events is both entertaining and thought-provoking, as I have always thought that political cartoonists and satirists are perhaps society’s most influential catalysts of public opinion.
Eugenie Grandet, And, Ursule Mirouet: And Other Stories (Classic Reprint)

Eugenie Grandet, And, Ursule Mirouet: And Other Stories (Classic Reprint)

By Honoré De Balzac Adult

Danny Says

I’ve been reading a lot of Classics lately that I never got around to reading in high school. There is something about 19th century French literature that I find marvelously appealing. The writing is filled with wit, pain and social commentary that can be gripping and hilarious – sometimes within the same sentence.
America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great

America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great

By Ben Carson M.D. 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

I’m just going to put this out there: if you know Ben Carson, would you please introduce me to him? He is one of my heroes. Ever since I first read his autobiography Gifted Hands I have been inspired by this neurosurgeon who represents the American dream, as I see it. In a world fascinated by grief and darkness, Carson offers a vision of hope and prosperity. 
LARP: The Battle For Verona

LARP: The Battle For Verona

By Justin Calderone 210 pages Adult

Danny Says

“LARP” is an acronym for “live action role playing,” which, you might presume, is something of a hobby for “wannabes.” You would be right, and that is what makes the underdog heroes so appealing in this fast-paced adventure that has its share of laughs along the way.
Manuscript Found in Accra

Manuscript Found in Accra

By Paulo Coelho 208 pages Adult

Danny Says

Ever since reading The Alchemist I have found myself devouring Coelho’s books, as he is truly insightful in dispersing gem’s about how to live a meaningful life. 
The Greatest Salesman in the World

The Greatest Salesman in the World

By Og Mandino 128 pages Adult

Danny Says

My friend Forest Hamilton gave me a great quote: “Every time I want to learn something new, I read something old.” Embarrassingly, I had never read Og Mandino’s books before. As a speaker I have always heard about him, and now I understand why Mandino is considered one of the grand masters. In my ideal school this would be required reading. Want to know the others that would make that list? E-mail me via my website, www.dannybrassell.com
Bed Rest

Bed Rest

By Sarah Bilston 240 pages Adult

Danny Says

This book cracked me up! When a high-powered, under 30 lawyer discovers she has to spend the last three months of her pregnancy confined to hear couch, she begins her greatest adventure. I highly recommend you check this one out.
Murmurs from the Deep: Scientific Adventure in the Caribbean

Murmurs from the Deep: Scientific Adventure in the Caribbean

By Gilles Fonteneau 264 pages Adult

Danny Says

Why do schools require dry scientific texts, when instead they could intrigue the next generation of scientists with compelling stories like this one? Fonteneau, a successful businessman and colleague of Jacques Cousteau, takes a trip to the Caribbean. Along the way he measures the tectonics of a submerged island, translates fish talk and a bunch of other fascinating things that made me want to take an oceanography class and watch the Discovery Channel.
The Crying of Lot 49 (Perennial Fiction Library)

The Crying of Lot 49 (Perennial Fiction Library)

By Thomas Pynchon 192 pages Adult

Danny Says

I’m a sucker for Thomas Pynchon. While most of his books are much longer than this one, you will find yourself hooked by Pynchon’s brilliant satire. Afterward, you probably won’t even mind tackling his 750+ page Gravity’s Rainbow.
Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

By ZZ Packer 288 pages Adult

Danny Says

Now that summer has arrived, treat yourself to plenty of light reading. This wonderful collection of short stories detailing the trials of black girls in the South is something that you will enjoy and may even want to share with your teenagers.
Fish: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

Fish: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

By Stephen C. Lundin,Harry Paul,John Christensen 110 pages Adult

Danny Says

John Christensen also co-authored this bestseller, which I include here because I have been consulting with plenty of schools and businesses that could use a “shot in the arm.” This simple parable can be read by everyone in your organization in less than two hours, and its lessons – while simple – are worth replicating.
Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think

Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think

By Peter H. Diamandis,Steven Kotler 432 pages Adult

Danny Says

Don’t let Amazon fool you (it lists the book as 400 pages): the final 150+ pages are notes and references. This book, subtitled “The Future Is Better Than You Think,” will dazzle you with its positive outlook on the world’s state of affairs. Diamandis and Kotler have done their research and compiled a wonderful examination of the future of health care, education, technology and a host of other fields. I found this book to be so fascinating that my friends have grown tired of all the tidbits I have offered from this marvelous text.

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