Having free time to read is a gift I have mostly taken for granted the first 21 years of my life. This summer I found myself at home, bored out of my mind with three younger sisters to chauffeur around and entertain. My solution? The library. There are books, there is free Wi-Fi and there is an enforced quiet rule. Genius. Although I have no lack of things to be doing on the internet (ha), it got pretty old checking emails and refreshing Facebook every two seconds. As a future educator, I was a little ashamed of my lack of enthusiasm for books. So I vowed to read as much as a wanted to for fun (who knew this was a thing??). But really, most reading is fun. How on earth could I teach kids to love reading if I didn’t myself? So, I started off with some books I acquired over the school year but really never had time to read and moved on from there. Here’s my list with very short descriptions.

Find Your Extraordinary by Jessica DiLulo-Herrin

This was one I acquired from a conference I attended and actually got to see Jessica speak about her business, herself, her history and her family. Seeing her electric speech and then being able read her elaborations on those thoughts was phenomenal and inspiring. I may not start a business, but I felt good about myself.

The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan

This was another acquired book from the conference. Janice was a lovely speaker but I was a little hesitant to pick up this book because I didn’t know what to expect. Honestly, I thought it was going to be pretty cheesy. But, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adore this book. Gratitude is huge and the research paired with real life stories in this book made that come alive for me in something as nourishing for my brain as it was the soul.

I Am Malala: Young Adult Edition by Malala Yousefzai

I am a future educator. I missed being in school and I knew a little about her, and when the library had this on display I had to pick it up. I didn’t realize it was the Young Adult version, so I don’t know what I missed, but this was a phenomenal story written by a phenomenal lady with a story that makes my heart grow. We are so lucky to have this author and activist in our world.

1984 by George Orwell

It’s a classic. I somehow haven’t read really any classics. This book was slow and eerie to start and I found my heart racing throughout the rest of it shortly after. Such a brain teaser, such a mystery, and I am a bit more thoughtful after reading it.

One Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

WOW! This book stunned me. It made me uncomfortable but also made me recognize the privilege I hold in the world. I was rooting for the women in this story, and I most definitely cried several times.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The author was too wonderful for me to not read this book next. He stunned me again and helped me look through a window into a culture I really don’t understand. I highly recommend this to everyone.

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

It’s about a college girl trying to find love so obviously I was into it. Not only did that story entail this all too familiar quest, but also a love triangle, world traveling, religion, scientific research, depression, annoying siblings, and an overall raw, surprising and moving story. Loved this.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

If you really want a workout for your brain, read this immediately. Jennifer Egan kicks butt with this unique writing style, connecting completely different and compelling stories to one another through characters.

After reading through that random list, you may be judging me on my literary choices. To that I say, I DON’T CARE. You may be judging me on how few I read. To that I say, I REALLY DON’T CARE. I took the time to enjoy these books, and am happier and a better reader for it. If you have 10 minutes a day to get lost in a book, do it. I know from now on I certainly will.