What our Team at ModernWell is Reading Right Now
As all of us are navigating this uncertain time, we are looking for positive outlets and activities to allow our minds a bit of respite from the stress around us. Our team at ModernWell loves to read and we are grateful to be utilizing some of our extra time at home to spend more time reading. We checked in with our team members and gathered a list of what everyone is reading right now and here is what they said about their current reads (the hyperlinks all direct you to local bookstores, which are hurting right now so every book sale is appreciated):
Julie:
Jen Gotch’s “The Upside of Being Down”. Jen’s candidness, sense of humor, and resilience are so inspiring to read, especially right now. Her book is relatable and uplifting even though it deals with the difficult topic of mental illness. It is a gift to anyone who has struggled or is close to someone struggling with mental illness.
On audiobooks, I am listening to “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller. I am about a quarter of the way into this memoir in which Miller, known as Jane Doe for almost five years writes about her being sexually assaulted by a Stanford University student and the subsequent trial People v Turner. Hearing Miller tell her story in her own voice makes her story even more powerful. I love that she decided to let herself be seen and was brave enough to share her truth with the public.
Laura:
I am currently re-reading the entire Hunger Games series. I’m on a bit of a kick in honor of the NEW PREQUEL coming out right around my birthday in May! This extra time at home has made it a lot easier to read all of the books again and binge-watch the movie series, too! (Multiple times, and that’s all I want to say about that!) In case anyone wasn’t aware that a new HG book is being released, here is a link for “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. I’ve been feeling a little down in the dumpies since March Madness was canceled, and binge-reading YA dystopian-future novels is just what the doctor ordered!
Bre:
“Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America” by R. Eric Thomas. I’ve been on an essay kick the last year, thanks to all of the wonderful authors that have passed through the ModernWell doors. This happened to be a “must-read” recommendation by Mary Laura Philpott (I Miss You When I Blink) and I was excited to have it in hand for a couple of upcoming flights. Fast forward a couple of weeks and I now have no set travel plans, but I have been consuming Thomas’ writing like there is no tomorrow. His collection of essays focuses on his career as a columnist for Elle, love, and heartbreak and is what is keeping me going in this time of uncertainty. You’re bound to laugh, cry, and possibly snort (oh wait, that might just be my thing) while reading this book.
Other books I am currently reading:
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (attempt #3)
Mikaela:
I’m reading a couple of books right now: “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell and “God is Good” by Bill Johnson. As long as the books aren’t too similar, I generally read more than one at a time 🙂 It’s too hard for me to pick just one! I’ve read other books by both of these authors and couldn’t recommend them enough!
Maya:
I am currently reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People” written by Dale Carnegie. It is a classic and fantastic book about how to treat others and win friends in the right way. It looks at all of the great leaders from the past and dissects their personal successes and what made each so influential. It is a perfect read for me as I am a soon-to-be college grad and off to the working world! It is a must-read book for anyone in any part of his or her life though, I highly recommend it.
Kira:
I am currently reading “A Good Time For The Truth: Race in Minnesota”. I was introduced to this book due to a class I am taking and have found the few chapters that were assigned to be extremely compelling as it demonstrates the real experiences of people of color in Minnesota. The book itself consists of many essays written by several talented authors, and I was also fortunate enough to attend a panel session with one of the authors, where she was able to expand on her thought-provoking work. This book thus far has informed me about the racial disparities in Minnesota, a place I have lived most of my life and had associated with little prejudice. Reading this book has indeed been an eye-opening experience, and I would recommend this book to everyone, seeing it is essential we understand the stories of others to grow as a community.
We’d love to hear from you on what you’re reading right now. Please share your book recommendations with us on Instagram and be sure to tag us so we see it!
