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Happy Book Lovers Day! Memoirs and young adult and self-help, oh my! August 9th is Book Lovers Day, and we are sharing our favorite summer reads! Summer reading lists always seem to get top-billing - and rightfully so! What’s more enticing than preparing a light, healthy picnic lunch, grabbing your beach chairs and towels, and heading straight to the beach for some R&R (rest and READING)?
We are a highly collaborative team at Ellie, and part of the reason for our easy synergy is the fact that we have a range of interests, ideas, and perspectives. The same goes for the choice of books we tend to pick up to read. We’re excited to share some of our favorite, stand-out books with you:
The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life's Direction and Purpose by Oprah Winfrey
My motivation for picking up this book, was to help me find my life’s purpose – which is something I’ve been struggling to identify. But instead of reading the book, I decided to listen to the audio version - because I just knew that hearing from Oprah herself, in her quintessential voice, would really improve the delivery, meaning, and power of the messages that were being shared. I really enjoyed hearing Oprah’s personal experiences, along with the plethora of others who were interviewed; it provided depth and carried greater weight to hear wisdom and guidance from a variety of luminaries, versus just one. There were so many “aha moments” for me, that I decided to listen to it a second time, to help ensure I wouldn’t forget all the great takeaways! - Melissa
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
My father gave me this book to read before starting college. While some of the principles seem like common sense, it provides great insight into developing key relationships with people, and useful tips on having successful interactions with others. Keep in mind, this book was published in 1936, so you will have to take some of the material and think about it in terms of what society is like today. - Randall
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
I admit, I love to read YA (Young Adult) novels, as they tend to be quick, easy, and fun reads - it helps me take a relaxing break from the stress of my every day. The Gilded Wolves is the first in a new fantasy series; it's a heist tale set in 1800s Paris with a dreamy, magical feel to it. The characters are interesting, the world is immersive, and the plot wasn't a dead giveaway that kept me engaged. - Laura
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
This is one of those books that stays with you forever. I wouldn’t call it light reading, but it does leave you feeling lighter. The opening chapter explodes with Michael’s transformative meditation practice, and I was left in awe of his experience. It’ll help you take a step back from yourself, explore consciousness, and inspire you to soar to new heights. If you’ve ever questioned who you are, or wanted to explore the depths of self, this book is a good starting place. - Angela
Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds by Ping Fu
This book is an inspirational memoir about a strong female entrepreneur named Ping Fu. The book flashbacks between her childhood during China’s Cultural Revolution, the struggles and accomplishments during her arrival in the United States, and the start of her 3D-graphics software development company. Her stories walk you through a life full of fortitude, and the growth and healing of a person who went through so much trauma. It was inspiring to learn about a woman who had already gone through so much in her life, take on a male-dominated field and build an amazing company! - Iris
Our summer reading list is packed with inspiration, insight, and adventure. With a little more laid-back down time this season, we’re thinking you can get through several of these book picks - especially between beach time, road trips, and lounging around the pool! We have a feeling you’ll be sharing them with your friends!