Adult

I saw this ultra-long title and became curious. I was treated to one of the most engaging adventures I have ever read, and if a movie studio is reading this they should snag the rights, as it would make a great film. Memoirs of a kidnapped Igbo prince who discusses his enslavement in the New World, service in the Seven Years War with General Wolfe in Canada, voyages to the Arctic, Central America and Mediterranean and numerous other adventures. Almost like a real-life Forrest Gump. Tyler Perry, buy this book!

Great book for those who are having trouble getting to sleep. I am not a huge fan of Henry James, so I figured I’d recommend one of his shorter books (I believe it was his first big commercial success). Impress people at cocktail parties by discussing Daisy’s flaws abroad (she is like a 19th century sorority girl scampering around Europe). This short book is a tad less painful than some of the film adaptations of James’s other works.

Subtitled “The Brief, Remarkable Life of Danny Lewin, The Genius Who Transformed the Internet,” this book is a MUST READ. I could not put it down, and you won’t be able to either. Don’t believe me? Read the preface, one of the best prefaces I have ever read.

I was looking for titles related to the 4^th of July and stumbled upon this hilarious travelogue of Keeble’s misadventures across America, following his girlfriend’s rejection of his marriage proposal at Niagara Falls. This book makes for great quick reading by the pool and BBQ grill.

Yes, I dig short stories. What stands out about this collection is how each story deals specifically with one of the five senses, minus two (why Calvino left out sight and touch are a mystery to me – perhaps he passed away before getting to those). Still, this is a great quick read that will definitely intrigue your senses of sound, smell and taste.

I have to confess that I did not think Jimmy Fallon was very funny at first, but he has definitely grown on me. I admire a lot of the comedy bits he does, and this is one of those books where I constantly found myself laughing aloud. Perfect coffee table reading for when you are stuck waiting for someone.

In a society obsessed with pills, this book riveted me with a psychiatrist’s journey as she determines ways to assist her patients that often focus much more heavily on empathy than medicine. Reading this book solidified my belief that we have a lot to still learn about mental health. A very engaging read.

I had not realized that I had never included this beautiful book on a previous list. Thanks for the nudge from my friend Evan. This is one of the loveliest and most gratifying books that I have read. It was one of the few books that I read for pleasure in college as an undergrad. It was also made into a wonderful movie, for the truly lazy reader.

An inspirational memoir from former Heisman Trophy-winner and current Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow. The last time I found myself get through a memoir this quickly was with Lance Armstrong’s It’s Not About the Bike. Tebow’s story is one I’d love to share with all students.

The author of A Complaint Free World offers a practical guide to happiness, based on extensive recent research. If nothing else, this book will get you focused on making better choices and understanding that you are in control of your circumstances.

This is actually part of a series of Staying Sane books. I have not read any of the others, but I will. This is my kind of book, filled with collections of short stories from different authors describing their wedding trials and tribulations (and the occasional triumph). Funny and easy reading.

Shallenberger’s 12 principles of highly successful leaders, based on over 40 years working with some of the world’s finest leaders, is a must-read for those interested in making 2016 their best year ever.

April means the start of baseball season. While most of us are still excited about our teams (as most of our teams should still be in the race for the pennant by the end of the month), I figured I would include a great baseball book. Warning: this book is not exactly like the wonderful Robert Redford movie. I found that out the hard way when I first read the book in junior high school (yes, when I was young, we did not have middle schools).

Subtitled “A Snapshot History of America,” this coffee table book tells the history of America through the snapshots of regular Americans. Simple idea with powerful images.

I guess I cannot take credit for discovering this book, as it is a bestseller. All I can say is that this is one of the more interesting books I have read in the past year. A great look into the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the book follows a couple of Chinese peasants who escape misery through literature. Do you think you have one of the world’s worst jobs? Try carrying excrement up hills everyday (I understand that a lot of us think our jobs entail that, but the protagonists in this book literally carry excrement up hills everyday).