When was the last time you went to your local library?
I used to only go to the library to borrow books for my uni classes. I like to own books so I would to go book fairs or second-hand book shops to buy books that I want to read for fun. As I wasn't able to actually buy books I decided to visit my local library often to pick a book that has been sitting on my to-be-read pile for way too long.
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March was quite an interesting month when it comes to books. I've picked up some books that I never thought I would read and those I wanted to read for such a long time. I was surprised when I realized that in March I read 6 books. I'm happy that I'm staying on track with my reading goal of 52 books.
6 BOOKS WORHT PICKING UP FROM LIBRARY
Good Me, Bad Me by Ali Land
"Good Me Bad Me is dark, compelling, voice-driven psychological suspense by debut author Ali Land.
How far does the apple really fall from the tree?Milly's mother is a serial killer. Though Milly loves her mother, the only way to make her stop is to turn her in to the police. Milly is given a fresh start: a new identity, a home with an affluent foster family, and a spot at an exclusive private school.But Milly has secrets, and life at her new home becomes complicated. As her mother's trial looms, with Milly as the star witness, Milly starts to wonder how much of her is nature, how much of her is nurture, and whether she is doomed to turn out like her mother after all.When tensions rise and Milly feels trapped by her shiny new life, she has to decide: Will she be good? Or is she bad? She is, after all, her mother's daughter. "
When it comes to genres of books I usually stick to contemporary, romance, philosophical, and self-help books. I never really liked horror or thriller books. This year I wanted to expand my reading horizon and try reading genres I never did before. Good Me, Bad Me is definitely the kind of book I would never pick in the past but I'm so glad I read it now. It was so thrilling and interesting to read. The characters are so well developed and the storyline is well written. I wanted to know what will happen next after every page.
- GET YOUR COPY HERE
The Unaborted Socrates by Peter Kreeft
"Is abortion a woman's right? When does human life begin? Should we legislate morality? What would happen if the Socrates of old suddenly appeared in modern Athens? Peter Kreeft imagines the dialog that might ensue with three worthy opponents--a doctor, a philosopher and a psychologist--about the arguments surrounding abortion.
Kreeft uses Socratic technique to strip away the emotional issues and get to the heart of the rational objections to abortion. Logic joins humor as Socrates challenges the standard rhetoric and passion of the contemporary debate."
This is a book I read for my uni class. For those who don't know, I am a philosophy student. Abortion is one of the most delicate and controversial topics. Most people try to avoid it by all means. What I love about my university is that we discuss those hard but important topics and try to look from different perspectives. I was very impressed by the writing style and the clearness of this book. It has around 130 pages and it's written as dialog so I read it quite fast. I really recommend it for anyone who wants to read about abortion in a very logical but also easy to understand way.
- GET YOUR COPY HERE
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
"Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.
At the heart of his theory, known as logotherapy, is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. Man's Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books in America; it continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living."
Man's Search For Meaning is one of those books I wanted to read since I first heard about it. Although the situations written in this book are very emotional and hard to even imagine, the way that Frankl writes makes it easier to understand what went through the mind of those who lived in Nazi death camps. This book definitely put things we take for granted into perspective. This book is also quite short but full of valuable information.
- GET YOUR COPY HERE
How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by John C. Maxwell
"Gather successful people from all walks of life -- what would they have in common? The way they think! Now you can think as they do and revolutionize your work and life!
A Wall Street Journal bestseller, How Successful People Think is the perfect, compact read for today's fast-paced world. America's leadership expert John C. Maxwell will teach you how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking. You'll learn how to capture the big picture while focusing your thinking.
You'll find out how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and derive lessons from the past to better understand the future. With these eleven keys to more effective thinking, you'll clearly see the path to personal success."
After listening to Ikigai in February, in March I decided to give another audiobook a go. I listened to How Successful People Think. I've heard so many amazing things about this book. I must say that it was not as great as I thought it would be. I definitely want to reread it in the future as there is some great advice in this book. As a philosophy student, there were a lot of things that I already heard about and agreed with.
- GET YOUR COPY HERE
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
"What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name—by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun.
With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. Throughout, she draws extensively on her own experiences—in the U.S., in her native Nigeria, and abroad—offering an artfully nuanced explanation of why the gender divide is harmful for women and men, alike.Argued in the same observant, witty and clever prose that has made Adichie a bestselling novelist, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman today—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists."
When it comes to feminism I always like to be careful as this term has so many different connotations. I heard about the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie TED talk but never actually read it. After looking for what book to read next on Pinterest, this one popped up and I decided to go to my local library and read it. As I said I didn't watch the talk so I wasn't sure what kind of approach Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I was positively surprised when I started to read this book as I could tell that her perspective on feminism and mine are quite similar. I really recommend this book to those who are not sure what feminism is and in what kind of situations it shows how women are perceived.
- GET YOUR COPY HERE
A Pocket Guide to the Meaning of Life by Peter Kreeft
"The meaning of life. You can't buy it, steal it, borrow it.
You have to discover it.Best-selling Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft has written a short, thoughtful guide to help you on your journey. Kreeft lays out God's answers to your questions with a simplicity and directness that will help you find that meaning, and share that meaning with others. God's answers are not complicated or secret. They simply need to be accepted and made your own. This pocket guide will help you do just that."
The last book I read is another Peter Kreeft book. This is also a book I picked up for my class but also because I was interested to read more of Kreeft's books after reading The Unaborted Socrates. I was a little bit shocked when I saw how tiny this book is although it does say that it is a pocket guide. This book has 67 questions and answers about the meaning of life. This book is theological so I really recommend it to those who are religious but also to those who are not but want to know more about the catholic perspective on the meaning of life.
- GET YOUR COPY HERE
Have you read any of the books mentioned?
When was the last time you went to the library?
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