I have recently indulged in sooo many great books, and today I reflect on six captivating books that broadened my horizon and challenged me to think deeper. From memoirs about the struggles of the human experience to stories about the most incredible adventures, I was genuinely inspired by the stories I encountered. Some of the books I’ve been meaning to read for months and even years, and some, I just stumbled upon. So here are my thoughts on each of the books I’ve read in the past 5 weeks:
“Open” by Andre Agassi
Words cannot describe how much I loved this memoir. It’s a candid and revealing look into the life of one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Funnily enough, I never saw any of his games. First, I was too young, and then I was just not interested in tennis. However, I was impressed by Agassi’s honesty, and his vulnerability particularly struck me when he talked about his struggles with tennis (he hated it, as he says over and over again), his family of origin, and himself. By the end of the book, I wanted to be Steffi Graf and be loved by this man as profoundly as she must be. 😉 A must-read for tennis fans (which I am not) and anyone looking for an inspiring story of perseverance and self-discovery.
“Spare” by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
But of course, I read it. I had to, didn’t I? I first became aware of Prince Harry when he walked behind his mom’s coffin on September 6th, 1997, when we were on vacation in the South of France, watching Princess Diana’s funeral on a big TV. I am several years younger than him, but even then, I hurt for him and can still feel the empathy I held seeing this young boy who had just lost his mom. In his book, Harry reflects on his life and experiences as a royal. It’s an honest and candid account of his struggles with mental health, being a royal, and dealing with the media. Of course, it’s just one side of whatever happened behind closed doors, but I still think it shines a critical light on what it’s like to be born into a family where free will doesn’t exist.
“Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
This is one of the books that’s been on my list for a while, but I was hesitant to dig into it because, well, as funny as it is, it’s a rough one. Noah shares what it was like to grow up in South Africa during apartheid and post-apartheid. I laughed out loud several times but felt sick and sad just as often. Noah shows us the importance of embracing our differences and finding our voice in a world that constantly tries to silence us. An interesting and eye-opening book on race, identity, and having the most kick-ass mom anyone could ever want, or not?
“Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall
I will read this book over and over as it takes us into the world of ultramarathon running and the secrets of a legendary tribe called Tarahumara, who are renowned for their incredible endurance. McDougall dives deep into the science and philosophy of running, world history, and even anthropology. It shows that the impossible is possible and that we should never limit ourselves or our potential—a must-read for runners or anyone in need of an adventure.
“Hello, Molly” by Molly Shannon
I heard about this book from sooo many people, but I’d never heard of Molly, so I kept pushing it back for other books that sparked my interest more at the time. The memoir opens with the saddest of all experiences and breaks my heart in the first few pages. It’s a book about imperfect people and how we all deal with our destinies in different ways. It’s funny and touching; it’s sometimes utterly annoying but oh so inspiring. It’s a celebration of creativity, perseverance, and self-discovery. Shannon shows us that our fears and doubts can be overcome through her struggles and triumphs and that we should always be true to ourselves.
“What My Bones Know” by Stephanie Foo
This memoir is a moving and personal account of Foo’s journey to uncover the truth about her childhood, her parents’ abuse, and her struggle with CPTSD. Foo’s writing is intimate and powerful, and her quest for healing and living a free, powerful, and full life deeply moved me. A must-read for anyone interested in family history, healing from abuse, PTSD, and the search for identity.
How about you? What are some books you read and loved recently? What have you learned? What have you discovered about yourself and your life?
