Home Readers My Reading My Books Threads About

Current & Past Reads
Book Reviews
@tothemax2050

Current Reads - 3 Books

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J. K. Rowling
Published in 1998


(1)
The Life Impossible
by Matt Haig
Published in 2024


(2)
Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz
by The Good Life
Published in 2023


(3)

Past Reads - 435 Books
In reverse chronological order by finished date

The Stand
by Stephen King
Published in 1978


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(1)
The Little Liar
by Mitch Albom
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A WWII novel follows four characters—two Jewish brothers, a Greek girl, and a Nazi officer—through the Holocaust and the decades that follow, to post-war America. Narrated by Truth, the story centers on a boy who never tells a liar but transforms into a pathological liar, exploring profound themes of truth, lies, forgiveness, and redemption. An enticing opening, a well-crafted plot, and a dramatic ending. However, certain scenes and transitions between events could be developed further.
(2)
Catch-22
by Joseph Heller
Published in 1961


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller is a darkly satirical masterpiece. Set during WWII, it follows an Army Air Corps Captain John Yossarian, stationed on a Mediterranean island, as he navigates the absurdities of war and military bureaucracy. No conventional hero—his primary goal is simply to stay alive, against the war's senseless slaughter and the dehumanizing effects of endless contradictory rules. Catch-22 is now a common term for a no-win situation created by contradictory rules or conditions.
(3)
James
by Percival Everett
Published in 2024


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James by Percival Everett, a brilliant retelling of Mark Twain's original The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In James, enslaved Jim, the protagonist, is written in the first person. The story unfolds along the iconic Mississippi River, mirroring the original plot, but the journey is reshaped and the ending is entirely different. Packed with action, in just 303 pages, James explores deeper themes of race and humanity, family and friendship. Powerful, Gripping, Horrifying, also Humorous!
(4)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J. K. Rowling
Published in 1997


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997), is the first book of the Harry Potter seven-book series. Harry Potter is an orphan who discovers he is a wizard on his 11th birthday and embarks on his first year in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Alongside his friends Ron and Hermione, Harry fights the evil Lord Voldemort to protect the sorcerer’s stone. A perfect fantasy for readers of all ages. Loved to escape (and re-escape) into the unforgettable magical world.
(5)
Commonwealth
by Ann Patchett
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐
A family saga spanning over five decades. A realistic portrait of white, middle-class family life: marriages and divorces, birthdays and anniversaries, bad relationships and good friends. Many characters: couples, lovers, ex-partners, children, step-siblings. About love and support, also loss, disappointments and regret. The story jumps around in multiple time periods, shifting between California and Virginia; Then there is a novel in the novel. Small moments but not boring. Elegant proses.
(6)
How to Stay Married
by Harrison Scott Key
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key. The author claims it is the most insane love story every told. It is not. It is a memoir about his wife’s infidelity, the collapses of their marriage, and the difficult path he chooses to save it. A relatable, sad story that you might hear from a neighbor or a co-worker. Key is candid and the readers can draw lessons from his martial crisis. However, injecting humor and portraying his wife as the villain feel unfit with the seriousness of subject.
(7)
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
by Fredrik Backman
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7-year-old Elsa is quite different from her peers and her 77-year-old grandmother is her closest confidante and best friend. After her granny's death, Elsa is left with a series of letters addressed to people her granny has wronged, alongside a quest to resolve unfinished business in both the real world and a fantastical fairytale world. Heart-warming. Whimsical. Poignant. Sad. Hopeful. Witty. and FORGIVING. Loved all the characters, even the annoying Britt-Marie. It's Fantastical Ove!
(8)
Black Beauty
by Anna Sewell
Published in 1877


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Black Beauty, the Autobiography of a Horse is an 1877 classic by English author Anna Sewell. The novel is told from the perspective of a horse, named Black Beauty, chronicling his life through the hands of various owners, both kind and cruel. A horse can be well-treated by a kind and compassionate owner or easily tortured by a cruel and neglectful one. The author wrote it to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses.
(9)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Published in 1884


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mark Twain's 1884 classic is narrated by Huck Finn, a teen who escapes his abusive father by faking his own death. He encounters Jim, a runaway slave, and together they embark on a raft journey down the Mississippi River. Far beyond a mere adventure tale, it delves into profound themes such as slavery, racism, morality, and conscience. Much darker and complex than its Tom Sawyer prequel. Vivid characters, intricate plots, entertaining and thought-provoking. A true literary masterpiece!
(10)
The Road
by Cormac McCarthy
Published in 2006


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner by Cormac McCarthy is about a father and a son traveling along The Road, through a ravaged, burned America, to the coast in a post-apocalyptic world. Bleak, Dark, Depressing, Suffocating, Devastating. No chapters, No quotation marks, No names, No grammar, No Plot. Nothing matters. “What would you do if I died? If you died I would want to die too. So you could be with me? Yes. So I could be with you. Okay” The only light is the love the father has for his son.
(11)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain
Published in 1876


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mark Twain's 1876 novel is about the mischievous adventures of a boy, Tom Sawyer, young and carefree, growing up along the Mississippi River. Tricking his friends into whitewashing his fence, exploring caves, impressing girls, and even attending his own funeral. Lighthearted, humorous, insightful, also addressing serious issues such as morality, societal norms, and the loss of innocence during the transition to adulthood. An American literature classic. An enjoyable (re)read for all ages.
(12)
The Richest Man in Babylon
by George Samuel Clason
Published in 1926


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A 1926 personal finance book by George Clason, giving timeless principles for building wealth via a set of parables set 4000 years ago in ancient Babylon, told by a fictional Babylonian character, the richest man in Babylon. 7 Cures For a Lean Purse: -Start thy purse to fattening (Save 10% each pay) -Control thy expenditures -Make thy gold multiply (Invest) -Guard thy treasures from loss -Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment -Ensure a future income -Increase thy ability to earn
(13)
War and Peace
by Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1869


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Leo Tolstoy's epic novel War and Peace, translated by Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsk. 1412 pages, 361 chapters. For me, 2 attempts in 3 years, over 2 months to finish. Stories of several Russian aristocratic families before, during and after the 1812 French invasion (and retreat) of Russia. A War book, a Romance book, a Philosophy and a History book. Virginia Woolf called Tolstoy "the greatest of all novelists". Gary Saul Morson referred to the book as the greatest of all novels.
(14)
Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Written by a professor of Biology and a member of Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the book is about the natural world: the plants & animals around us, who are our oldest teachers for us to listen and notice; Indigenous wisdom and science; Gratitude, reciprocity, and conservation of our earth. Poetic, scientific and philosophical. "I could hand you a braid of sweetgrass, as thick and shining as the plait that hung down my grandmother’s back. But it is not mine to give, nor yours to take..."
(15)
The Anthropocene Reviewed
by John Green
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet, by John Green. Written during the Covid pandemic, the book is a collection of 40+ essays, his reviews on 40+ human phenomena. At the end of each essay, Green rates each one on a scale of 1-5 stars. The phenomena include the song "You'll Never Walk Along", Air-Conditioning, Googling strangers, Indianapolis, Teddy Bear, Plague, etc. Hilarious, Factual, Thought-Provoking. While he gives Canada geese two stars, I rate the book five stars.
(16)
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Great Gatsby, written ~100 years ago, is one of the greatest American novels in history. The story was about a young man, Jay Gatsby, moving from Mid West to New York, to win back his lost love from a beautiful lady, Daisy Buchanans, who was already married. Elegant writing. Intriguing plot. Unexpected ending. A quintessential portrait of Jazz Age America. Loved the closing line: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
(17)
Starting a Business 101
by Michele Cagan
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐
As part of Adams 101 series, this book provides the basic knowledge and tips on starting your own business, covering all business aspects (e.g. business plan, marketing, budget, tax, etc.) in a short read. A solid primer on the subject.
(18)
Surrounded by Idiots
by Thomas Erikson
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A retell of the DISC personality training I took at work. The DISC are 4 personality styles: Dominance 🟥, Influence 🟨, Steadiness 🟩, and Conscientiousness 🟦. The absurd title was inspired by a CEO who said he was surrounded by idiots. In fact, they are not idiots, just different styles. The color-coded DISC framework can help us understand the "idiots" around us and communicate with each other effectively at work and in life.
(19)
The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Published in 2024


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A story about young women's experiences serving as nurses in the Vietnam War and then dealing with the aftermath after returning homeland. Learned about the controversial, lost Vietnam War, the forgotten veterans, and the women most of all. As a fan of Hannah, I was a little disappointed in the first half as the war narration feels dull and contrived. The second half gets much better: unexpected plot development and twists; very emotional towards the end.
(20)
The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and author's own childhood experiences, the 2017 YA novel exposes police brutality and systemic racism through the eyes of a 16-year-old African American girl, who lives in a impoverished black neighborhood and studies in an affluent white school. The girl witnesses the fatal shooting of her best friend, an unarmed black boy, at the hands of a white police officer. Sounds too real? Read this powerful novel!
(21)
Charlotte’s Web
by E. B. White
Published in 1952


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First published in 1952, Charlotte's Web is one of the best, if not THE best, children's books of all time. A story about a spider, Charlotte, saving the life of her friend, Wibur, the famous SOME PIG. The book teaches us about life, nature, friendship, self-love, and how to treat others. It also teaches us about loss and death as a natural part of life. A timeless classic for both children and adults alike! TERRIFIC, RADIANT, HUMBLE.
(22)
The Courage to Be Disliked
by Ichiro Kishimi, Fumitake Koga
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Japanese analysis of the theories from Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler, through a dialogue between an unhappy young man and a wise philosopher over 5 nights. Key ideas: 1. The past doesn’t dictate the future. 2. Take responsibility for your life tasks. Let go of the need for external validation. 3. All problems are interpersonal relationships. Build horizontal relationships. 4. Contribute actively to your community to gain a sense of belonging. 5. Live earnestly in the present moment.
(23)
Go as a River
by Shelley Read
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Go as a River, a debut by Shelley Read, is a historical fiction about a young woman's journey set in a small town of Colorado against the backdrop of Vietnam War. As the sole female in a family of reckless men, she flees from home in teens, single-handedly relocates her family's peach farm, and endures unbearable losses and hardship, with courage, hope and resilience. It's also about mountains, trees, and the flowing river. Beautifully written; intriguing opening; tantalizing closing.
(24)
Into Thin Air
by Jon Krakauer
Published in 1999


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A memoir of a journalist-mountaineer's account of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster, in which 8 climbers were killed. The 2-month expedition to/from the 29,028 ft was led by experienced guides and sherpas. A classic battle of Man vs. Nature (extreme high altitude & low temperature, oxygen depletion, wind/snow storms, and exposure). Meticulously researched on the history of climbing. “With enough determination, any bloody idiot can get up this hill, ...The trick is to get back down alive.”
(25)
The Bridges of Madison County
by Robert James Waller
Published in 1992


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller is a 1992 classic romance fiction. A romance of a photographer who visits a rural IOWA town for work in the 1960s and falls in love with a farm wife who has a girlhood dream. Narrated as a true story but entirely fictional, it's well written with a simple plot (under 200 pages), evoking strong emotions. About love and responsibility, not sex or erotism. A bestselling book of the 20th century, with 50 million copies sold worldwide.
(26)
Prophet Song
by Paul Lynch
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prophet Song is a dystopian tale of a mother of four (infant to teens) attempting to hold her family together after Ireland descends into totalitarian control and then a civil war. Chaotic, sad and upsetting throughout; Violent, dark and heartbroken in the end. Unique writing style: long chapters (30+ pages each) with no paragraph breaks and no quotation marks for dialogues. Suffocating to read, just like the story. Winner of the 2023 Booker Prize. Poignant, powerful, and prescient.
(27)
My Friend Anne Frank
by Hannah Pick-Goslar
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A memoir of Holocaust survivor Hannah Pick-Goslar, who chronicles her life during and after the war. Anne was her friend & neighbor when both families fled Nazi and lived in Amsterdam. In 1942, Anne disappeared into hiding. In Feb 1945, they reunited as the prisoners at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. At 93, Hannah died in Jerusalem. The book is published posthumously, just like Anne Frank's diary. This beautifully written, moving story is as much Hannah's story as it is Anne's.
(28)
The Woman in Me
by Britney Spears
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Britney Spears' 2023 memoir chronicles her journey from childhood in poverty to her found womanhood: Music and dancing is her escape; the biggest pop star of her time; her relationship with Timberlake; Marriage, divorce, and losing custody to her sons; 13-year conservatorship run by her father; #FreeBritney movement; and the freedom. In her 2001 song "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman", she sings "I'm just trying to find The Woman in Me". A beautifully crafted, emotional roller coaster!
(29)
A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Court of Thorns and Roses is the 1st book in the 5-book YA fantasy series of the same name, a retelling of the fairy tale Beauty And The Beast. It is about the adventures, struggles, love and hate of a 19-year-old human huntress (Feyre, Beauty) and one of the seven High Lords (Tamlin, Beast) in the fantasy land of Prythian. The first 2/3 is very predictable if you know fairy tale. The last 1/3 is gripping and action packed. The writing is mediocre. The book could be shortened by 1/3.
(30)
Dissolution
by C. J. Sansom
Published in 2003


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A historical detective novel set in 1537’s England during the dissolution of the monasteries. Sent to solve one brutal murder case, King’s commissioner Shardlake uncovers sexual misconducts, embezzlements, treasons and other corruptions in the monastery; One murder turned into FOUR murders. Exciting plot full of suspense and twists; vivid portrait of the era; raw and dark characters; accurate historical facts of the clash between reformers and catholic churches. A true masterpiece!
(31)
Elon Musk
by Walter Isaacson
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐
A biography reads like science fiction! With 2+ years' of shadowing Musk and 100+ interviews, Isaacson chronicles Elon's journey from South Africa to America; unfolds the events with SpaceX, Tesla, Neurolink, Starlink, OpenAI, & Twitter; reveals the struggles with his dysfunctional father, Asperger's, and risk-taking addiction; underpins Steve Jobs' quote "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do". Just felt laborious with the Twitter chapters.
(32)
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
by Oscar Wilde
Published in 1888


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A 1888 collection of 5 short stories. Loved Wilde’s simple, clear, yet expressive & imagery writing style. The morals: 1. The Happy Prince: sacrifice self and help those in need. 2. The Nightingale and the Rose: love is sacrifice. 3. The Selfish Giant: better be generous and kind. 4. The Devoted Friend: true friendship is reciprocated. 5. The Remarkable Rocket: not be arrogant, pride and delusional. The fairytales that everyone should read!
(33)
Five Little Pigs
by Agatha Christie
Published in 1942


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A detective fiction from the Hercule Poirot series. A grown daughter asks Poirot to investigate a 16 years old case: her mother was sentenced to life (and died shortly after in prison) for poisoning her philandering dad. By interviewing 5 suspects (5 little pigs), Poirot manages to uncover the truth from their weary memories, using subtle clues and his keen understanding of human psychology. Loved Agatha's simple sentences, sharp dialogues, memorable characters and intriguing plots!
(34)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐
Like other stories from Neil Gaiman, this novella feels magical and whimsical with strong evocative imageries. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood country home in Sussex, England, and relives the forgotten horror events of a seven-year old boy. It's about searching self-identity by reconnecting to one's childhood. The story has "the delicate horror of the finest fairytales" (Terry Pratchett). I only wish it could be longer so the characters and plots could be developed further.
(35)
Learned by Heart
by Emma Donoghue
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A historical fiction about forbidden love of two school girls in early 19th century of York. One girl is an Anglo-Indian orphan heiress banished from India, and the other a brilliant and vibrant tomboy. The story is based on the five-million-word coded journal by English diarist Anne Lister, known as the first modern lesbian. Fascinating characters; easy-to-follow plot; deeply researched facts; Poetic writing. The portrait of boarding school life is vivid but just a little too long.
(36)
Finding Me
by Viola Davis
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An inspiring memoir of Viola Davis, her journey from childhood poverty and trauma to her success in Hollywood. From her deepest fear “I’m the little girl who would run after school every day in third grade because these boys hated me because I was ...not pretty. Because I was ...Black” to her coming to terms with her true identity as a black female artist, fighting against misogyny and racism. It's about finding meaning in life; also about love, relationship, parenting & forgiveness.
(37)
Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes
Published in 1966


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A story of a lab mouse and a mentally disabled boy. Both undergo a brain surgery to increase IQ and become a genius, albeit briefly. What an emotional roller coaster about love, friendship, and what really matters in life! From a series of progress reports written by the boy, you'll learn the transformation and also feel it evidenced in his writing ability. The ending "P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard." brought me to tears. A true classic!
(38)
The Paris Housekeeper
by Renee Ryan
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐
It is a moving WWII story of three resilient women during the German occupation of Paris: a French chambermaid of a world famous hotel in Paris, a wealthy American widow who is a longtime resident of the hotel, and a young Jewish woman who is also employed by the same hotel. I loved the premise but I felt I have read other WWII novels with more thrilling plots and depths.
(39)
Rich Dad Poor Dad
by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Published in 1997


⭐⭐⭐⭐
Based on Kiyosaki's personal experiences with his two dads: his biological, educated dad (poor dad) and his best friend's dad, an entrepreneur (rich dad), the key idea is Do not work for money, make money/assets work for you, by investing on real estates and stocks. Kiyosaki explains financial jargons in simple words that everyone can understand. However, investment is not as simple it sounds. Still an eye-opening, personal finance book.
(40)
Shuggie Bain
by Douglas Stuart
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A debug novel about a young boy growing up with his alcoholic mother in the 1980s Glasgow. The 2020 Booker Prize for Fiction is based on Scottish-American writer's own childhood experience. It's horrifying, anguish, sad throughout, and without a real hope. A tiny bit of hope kindled in the middle of the book then was squelched quickly. Stuart stated "It was a difficult process" to write the book. It's even harder to read but it makes you think!
(41)
Babel
by R. F. Kuang
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A perfect blend of historical fiction and fantasy. The story is set in 19th-century England during the global colonization and liberation in all parts of the world. Four foreign students are sent to study in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation (Babel) and discover the secret ways the British Empire uses the power of silver bars to maintain its supremacy and plots the Opium Wars against China. The book is both epic and magical!
(42)
Tom Lake
by Ann Patchett
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's a story of a mother telling her secret past to her three grown daughters on a farm. The stories of her "glory" teens into 20s as an actress, dating with a movie star, the trips, her love, loss and drama. The plot is simple; its development is slow; and the writing is beautiful. It reads like a meditation book of love, family and life.
(43)
The Call of The Wild
by Jack London
Published in 1903


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(44)
Recursion
by Blake Crouch
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(45)
Hang the Moon
by Jeannette Walls
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the best historical fictions I’ve ever read. It’s about a woman’s journey to independence in the Prohibition era of 1920s rural Virginia. The characters will stay with you for a long time. The plot is complex and so is the history. The writing is beautiful. A book I’d recommended for slow reading.
(46)
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Four light, poignant stories about friendship, family, love and loss, weaved around the time travel trips to the past and future in a cozy cafe.
(47)
Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
Published in 1997


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(48)
The Gift of the Magi
by O. Henry
Published in 1905


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(49)
Where Love Is, There God Is Also
by Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1885


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(50)
Tiny Beautiful Things
by Cheryl Strayed
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(51)
Christmas at Red Butte
by L. M. Montgomery
Published in 1909


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(52)
A Christmas Dream, and How It Came to Be True
by Louisa May Alcott
Published in 1908


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(53)
Sharp Objects
by Gillian Flynn
Published in 2006


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(54)
IT
by Stephen King
Published in 1986


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(55)
Yellowface
by R. F. Kuang
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(56)
Mad Honey
by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(57)
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
by Oliver Burkeman
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(58)
The Perfumist of Paris
by Alka Joshi
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(59)
The Poisonwood Bible
by Barbara Kingsolver
Published in 1998


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(60)
An Immense World
by Ed Yong
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(61)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
by Gabrielle Zevin
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(62)
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music
by Dave Grohl
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(63)
11/22/63
by Stephen King
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(64)
Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(65)
Four Seasons in Japan
by Nick Bradley
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(66)
Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days
by Chris Guillebeau
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐
(67)
A Lesson Before Dying
by Ernest J. Gaines
Published in 1993


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(68)
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive
by Stephanie Land
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(69)
The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein
Published in 2008


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(70)
Under the Whispering Door
by TJ Klune
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(71)
Demon Copperhead
by Barbara Kingsolver
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(72)
Our Missing Hearts
by Celeste Ng
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(73)
The Christie Affair
by Nina de Gramont
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(74)
How to Stop Time
by Matt Haig
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(75)
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
by Robert Kolker
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(76)
The Art of War
by Sun Tzu
Published in -500


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(77)
The Catcher in the Rye
by J. D. Salinger
Published in 1951


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(78)
The Dictionary of Lost Words
by Pip Williams
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(79)
Taste: My Life Through Food
by Stanley Tucci
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(80)
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(81)
The School for Good Mothers
by Jessamine Chan
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(82)
Run, Rose, Run
by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(83)
David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens
Published in 1850


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(84)
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith
Published in 1943


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(85)
The Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka
Published in 1915


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(86)
I'm Glad My Mom Died
by Jennette McCurdy
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(87)
Finding Chika
by Mitch Albom
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(88)
Lord of the Flies
by William Golding
Published in 1954


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(89)
Gather Together in My Name
by Maya Angelou
Published in 1974


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(90)
The Sun Also Rises
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1926


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(91)
Spare
by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
Published in 2023


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(92)
Sea of Tranquility
by Emily St. John Mandel
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(93)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
Published in 1969


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(94)
The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Published in 1850


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(95)
The Glass Hotel
by Emily St. John Mandel
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(96)
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
by Michelle Obama
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(97)
Book Lovers
by Emily Henry
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(98)
Indian Camp
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1924


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(99)
Big Two-Hearted River
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1925


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(100)
A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1933


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(101)
The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1936


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(102)
Hills Like White Elephants
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1927


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(103)
The Island of Missing Trees
by Elif Shafak
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(104)
Letters from Father Christmas
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Published in 1976


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(105)
Norwegian Wood
by Haruki Murakami
Published in 1987


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(106)
Forget Me Not
by Ellie Terry
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(107)
The Bluest Eye
by Toni Morrison
Published in 1970


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(108)
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
by Robert B. Cialdini
Published in 1984


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(109)
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(110)
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(111)
The Body: A Guide for Occupants
by Bill Bryson
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(112)
The Maid
by Nita Prose
Published in 2022


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(113)
Crying in H Mart
by Michelle Zauner
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(114)
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(115)
American Gods
by Neil Gaiman
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(116)
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois
by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(117)
The Cask of Amontillado
by Edgar Allan Poe
Published in 1846


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(118)
The Black Cat
by Edgar Allan Poe
Published in 1843


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(119)
The Tell-Tale Heart
by Edgar Allan Poe
Published in 1843


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(120)
The Secret Keeper of Jaipur
by Alka Joshi
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(121)
The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath
Published in 1963


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(122)
The Power
by Naomi Alderman
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(123)
And Then There Were None
by Agatha Christie
Published in 1939


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(124)
Why We're Polarized
by Ezra Klein
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(125)
The Old Man and The Sea
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1952


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(126)
To The Lighthouse
by Virginia Woolf
Published in 1927


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(127)
The Henna Artist
by Alka Joshi
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Set in the 1955’s India, a nascent nation of independence, the story is about a girl who chooses her own life path, escaping from her abusive husband and becoming an accomplished henna artist.
(128)
A Room of One's Own
by Virginia Woolf
Published in 1928


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(129)
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
Published in 1817


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(130)
A Game of Thrones
by George R. R. Martin
Published in 1991


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(131)
Wish You Were Here
by Jodi Picoult
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(132)
Klara and the Sun
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(133)
The Lincoln Highway
by Amor Towles
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(134)
Men Without Women
by Haruki Murakami
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(135)
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
Published in 1847


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(136)
The Joy Luck Club
by Amy Tan
Published in 1989


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(137)
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Published in 1908


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(138)
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(139)
The Return of the King
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Published in 1955


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(140)
Cloud Cuckoo Land
by Anthony Doerr
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
The author’s previous novel All the Light We Cannot See is a masterpiece. The high bar has not been reached again. Still a good book, but not great. The plot is intriguing but a little overly complicated and scattered. The ending is a surprise but feels too contrived.
(141)
Looking for Alaska
by John Green
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(142)
The Two Towers
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Published in 1954


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(143)
Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius
Published in 170


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(144)
Room
by Emma Donoghue
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(145)
East of Eden
by John Steinbeck
Published in 1952


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(146)
The Stranger in the Lifeboat
by Mitch Albom
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(147)
And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseini
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(148)
The Rose Code
by Kate Quinn
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(149)
Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck
Published in 1937


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(150)
Beloved
by Toni Morrison
Published in 1987


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(151)
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle
Published in 1962


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(152)
The President's Daughter
by James Patterson, Bill Clinton
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(153)
The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(154)
Year of Wonders
by Geraldine Brooks
Published in 2002


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(155)
Hidden Figures
by Margot Lee Shetterly
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(156)
Dune
by Frank Herbert
Published in 1965


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(157)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(158)
The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger
Published in 2003


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(159)
The Martian
by Andy Weir
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(160)
Life of Pi
by Yann Martel
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(161)
First They Killed My Father
by Loung Ung
Published in 2006


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(162)
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Published in 2009


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(163)
The Reading List
by Sara Nisha Adams
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(164)
The Last Thing He Told Me
by Laura Dave
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(165)
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(166)
Rich People Problems
by Kevin Kwan
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(167)
An Elegant Defense
by Matt Richtel
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(168)
China Rich Girlfriend
by Kevin Kwan
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(169)
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Published in 1954


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(170)
Cilkas Journey
by Heather Morris
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(171)
Keep Sharp
by Sanjay Gupta
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(172)
Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(173)
Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens
Published in 1861


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(174)
The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The mystery of a female apothecary in the 18th century London and the murders she committed through her poisons. The victims were always men. Her customers were always women. The only link to the mystery was a vial with an etching of a bear, unearthed from River Thames by a present-day woman. En route to solving the 200-year old mystery, she also resolved her own marriage dilemma. What an intriguing story!
(175)
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
Published in 1843


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(176)
Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne
by Ben Hills
Published in 2006


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(177)
A Spark of Light
by Jodi Picoult
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A suspension (gunshot), buried from the very beginning, unearthed at the very end with multiple surprises. It’s a well-researched book, an outcome of hundreds of interviews with women who sought abortions, medical practitioners, and pro-life & pro-choice activists, and researches by shadowing doctors performing abortions at different stages of pregnancy. I loved the author’s approach to explore this contentious issue by dissecting the arguments, without judgement, layer by layer from each side. Ultimately it is about understanding, not convincing the other side.
(178)
The Overstory
by Richard Powers
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A novel about trees. Really, it is a novel about people, and their relationships with trees. The lives of several families, across multiple generations, were woven together by the trees. I am in awe of the author’s broad knowledge of plants, literature, gaming, and technology. I can guarantee you will never look at trees the same way again after reading this book.
(179)
Crazy Rich Asians
by Kevin Kwan
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(180)
Circe
by Madeline Miller
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A plethora of characters (gods and mortals) and stories from Greek mythology, woven together by the Goddess Circe. It was the first book I read about Greek mythology and I loved it. Full of adventures, wonders, and love; also sorrows, pains, and hate. The author accentuates the women’s voice and power with her tender, beautiful writing.
(181)
The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Published in 1947


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The dairy of a 13-year old Jewish girl during the two years hiding behind a bookshelf in a warehouse building in the Nazi occupied Netherlands during WWII. She wrote about her thoughts, feelings, ideals, dreams, and hopes. She wrote about her relationships with her mother and father, sister, and boyfriend. Many of her dreams were not realized as she died in a concentration camp in 1945. But her father, the only survivor in the family, fulfilled her one dream to be a writer, after publishing her diary in 1947. Her passage on 4/5/1944: Will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer? I hope so, oh, I hope so very much, because writing allows me to record everything, all my thoughts, ideals and fantasies. She certainly was one of the greatest diarist in history.
(182)
The Guest List
by Lucy Foley
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So many hidden, dark secrets were revealed one at a time at a “perfect” wedding, on a remote island. The story has a slow start with two dozen characters, all the wedding guests, and finally it bursted out with a murder. If the reader can get over the slow buildup, the ending is worth it.
(183)
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by TJ Klune
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Loved all the magical characters in the story. It’s a charming and heartwarming tale, at a remote island in the cerulean sea. We shall all accept and embrace the differences in our children, and adults alike. We shall fight against prejudice, one step at a time. We shall all cherish our own uniqueness and strength. A fantasy, also a classic.
(184)
The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a heartwarming memoir by Jeannette Walls! Throughout the book, I was captivated by the beautiful and candid writing of her love for her family- the flawed parents, four siblings. Her father was alcoholic; mother was selfish; life was hard with a nomadic family of six without stable jobs. However, the love was salient. The father-daughter relationship was tenderly written. Jeanette was the champion of her journey. Thanks the author for sharing the journey with readers.
(185)
Dark Matter
by Blake Crouch
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(186)
Nomadland
by Jessica Bruder
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(187)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
by V. E. Schwab
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(188)
The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck
Published in 1939


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(189)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain
Published in 1876


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(190)
How to Win Friends & Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
Published in 1936


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(191)
Mexican Gothic
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(192)
All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(193)
Under a White Sky The Nature of The Future
by Elizabeth Kolbert
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(194)
The 4-Hour Workweek
by Tim Ferriss
Published in 2007


⭐⭐⭐
(195)
The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
Published in 2003


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(196)
Shoe Dog
by Phil Knight
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(197)
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
by Heather Morris
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(198)
The Shining
by Stephen King
Published in 1977


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(199)
The Dutch House
by Ann Patchett
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(200)
The Comfort Book
by Matt Haig
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(201)
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
by C. S. Lewis
Published in 1950


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(202)
Homegoing
by Yaa Gyasi
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(203)
Think Again
by Adam Grant
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(204)
The Boys in the Boat
by Daniel James Brown
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(205)
Sycamore Row
by John Grisham
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(206)
Walden
by Henry David Thoreau
Published in 1854


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(207)
Unbroken
by Laura Hillenbrand
Published in 2010


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(208)
A Time To Kill
by John Grisham
Published in 1988


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(209)
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
Published in 1988


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(210)
Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden
Published in 1997


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(211)
10% Happier
by Dan Harris
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(212)
Just Mercy
by Bryan Stevenson
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(213)
A Man Called Ove
by Fredrik Backman
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(214)
A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini
Published in 2007


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(215)
Born to Run
by Christopher McDougall
Published in 2009


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(216)
The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(217)
A Time for Mercy
by John Grisham
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(218)
The Alice Network
by Kate Quinn
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(219)
American Dirt
by Jeanine Cummins
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(220)
The Library Book
by Susan Orlean
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Library is an enchanted place.
(221)
Anxious People
by Fredrik Backman
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(222)
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(223)
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(224)
Digital Minimalism
by Cal Newport
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(225)
Dear Girls
by Ali Wong
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(226)
The Story of My Life
by Helen Keller
Published in 1903


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(227)
Born A Crime
by Trevor Noah
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(228)
Everyday Mindfulness
by Beryl Bender Birch
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(229)
Meditation for optimum health
by Andrew Weil, Jon Karat-Zinn
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(230)
The Hobbit
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Published in 1937


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(231)
Mindfulness for beginners
by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(232)
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
by Bill Gates
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(233)
A Promised Land
by Barack Obama
Published in 2021


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(234)
Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(235)
Know My Name
by Chanel Miller
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(236)
Sense and Sensibility
by Jane Austen
Published in 1811


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(237)
Thrive
by Arianna Huffington
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(238)
Hillbilly Elegy
by J. D. Vance
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(239)
The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(240)
Me
by Elton John
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(241)
The Vanishing Half
by Brit Bennet
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(242)
The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(243)
Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1878


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(244)
Dare to Lead
by Brene Brown
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(245)
The Stranger in the Woods
by Michael Finkel
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(246)
The Giver of Stars
by Jojo Moyes
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(247)
Eat That Frog!
by Brian Tracy
Published in 2007


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(248)
The Power of Now
by Eckhard Tolle
Published in 1997


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(249)
Eleanor Oliphant is completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(250)
Atomic Habits
by James Clear
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(251)
Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(252)
Love Yourself First!
by Marc Reklau
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(253)
The Path Made Clear
by Oprah Winfrey
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(254)
Where The Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls
Published in 1961


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(255)
Make Your Bed
by William McRaven
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(256)
Everything is F*cked
by Mark Manson
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(257)
How to be an Anitracist
by Ibram Kendi
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(258)
Me and White Supremacy
by Layla Saad
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(259)
Animal Farm
by George Owell
Published in 1945


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(260)
The Prince and the Pauper
by Mark Twain
Published in 1882


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(261)
The Time Machine
by H. G. Wells
Published in 1895


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(262)
Caste
by Isabel Wilkerson
Published in 2020


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(263)
The Year of Less
by Cait Flanders
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(264)
A Gentleman In Moscow
by Amor Towles
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(265)
Switch
by Chip & Dan Heath
Published in 2010


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(266)
Everything Happens for a Reason
by Mira Kirshenbaum
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(267)
As A Man Thinkth
by James Allen
Published in 1903


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(268)
An American Marriage
by Tayari Jones
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(269)
Man's Search For Meaning
by Viktor Frankl
Published in 1946


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(270)
Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
Published in 1991


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(271)
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
by Lori Gottlieb
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(272)
Everything Happens for a Reason
by Kate Bowler
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(273)
To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Published in 1960


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(274)
Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
Published in 1953


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(275)
Prodigal Summer
by Barbara Kingsolver
Published in 2000


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(276)
Being Mortal
by Atul Gawande
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(277)
The Art of Work
by Jeff Goins
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(278)
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(279)
Extreme Ownership
by Jocko Willink
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(280)
The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(281)
The Element
by Ken Robinson
Published in 2009


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(282)
The German Midwife
by Mandy Robotham
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(283)
Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(284)
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Published in 1813


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(285)
12 Rules for Life
by Jordan Peterson
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(286)
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Published in 1989


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(287)
Find Your Passion
by Henri Junttila
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(288)
It's Not About You
by Tom Rath
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(289)
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Published in 1911


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(290)
The Austistic Brain
by Temple Grandin
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(291)
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
Published in 1868


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(292)
Before We Were Yours
by Lisa Wingate
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(293)
The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood
Published in 1985


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(294)
The next person you meet in heaven
by Mitch Albom
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(295)
The five people you meet in heaven
by Mitch Albom
Published in 2003


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(296)
Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(297)
Battlefield of the Mind
by Joyce Meyer
Published in 1995


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(298)
Have a little faith
by Mitch Albom
Published in 2009


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(299)
The Purpose Driven Life
by Rick Warren
Published in 2002


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(300)
Present Over Perfect
by Shauna Niequist
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(301)
Talking to Strangers
by Malcolm Gladwell
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(302)
The Art of Thinking Clearly
by Rolf Dobelli
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(303)
Small Great Things
by Jodi Picoult
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(304)
The life-changing magic of tidying up
by Marie Kondo
Published in 2010


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(305)
Smarter Faster Better
by Charles Duhigg
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(306)
Origin Story
by David Christian
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(307)
The President is Missing
by James Patterson
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(308)
Where The Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(309)
The Book of Joy
by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(310)
Normal People
by Sally Rooney
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐
(311)
Becoming
by Michele Obama
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(312)
The Moment of Life
by Melinda Gates
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(313)
A New Earth
by Eckhart Tolle
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(314)
Creativity, Inc.
by Ed Catmull
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(315)
A Full Life
by Jimmy Carter
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(316)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
by Mark Manson
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(317)
The Sixth Extinction
by Elizabeth Kolbert
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(318)
Range
by David Epstein
Published in 2019


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(319)
I am Malala
by Malala Yousafzai
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(320)
Emotional Intelligence
by Daniel Goleman
Published in 1995


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(321)
Bad Blood
by John Carreyrou
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(322)
Heads Up Philosophy
by Marcus Weeks
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(323)
Long Walk To Freedom
by Nelson Mandela
Published in 1994


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(324)
Good Vibes, Good Life
by Vex King
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(325)
Finding Your Own North Star
by Martha Beck
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(326)
Everything I Never Told You
by Celeste Ng
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(327)
Your Life On Purpose
by John Forsyth
Published in 2010


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(328)
The Sun Does Shine
by Anthony Ray Hinton
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(329)
Let Your Life Speak
by Darker Dalmer
Published in 2009


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(330)
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
by Yuval Noah Harari
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(331)
The Sleep Revolution
by Arianna Huffington
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(332)
The untethered soul
by Michael Singer
Published in 2007


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(333)
Educated
by Tara Westover
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(334)
Originals
by Adam Grant
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(335)
Sigmund Freud
by Catherine Reef
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(336)
The Power of Intention
by Wayne Dyer
Published in 2004


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(337)
Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Published in 2006


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(338)
Elon Musk
by Ashlee Vance
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(339)
Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(340)
Blink
by Malcolm Gladwell
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(341)
The Plant Paradox
by Steven Gundry
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(342)
The Science of Getting Rich
by Wallace Wattles
Published in 1910


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(343)
Sapiens
by Yuval Noah Harari
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(344)
You are a Badass
by Jen Sincero
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(345)
Wild
by Cheryl Strayed
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(346)
Less
by Andrew Sean Greer
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐
(347)
A Brief History of Time
by Stephen Hawking
Published in 1988


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(348)
Think and Grow Rich
by Napoleon Hill
Published in 1937


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(349)
How Soon Is Now
by Daniel Pinchbeck
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(350)
The Girl On The Train
by Paula Hawkins
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(351)
When Breath Becomes Air
by Paul Kalanithi
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(352)
The 5000 Year Leap
by W. Cleon Skousen
Published in 2007


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(353)
The Message BIBLE
by Eugene Peterson
Published in 1993


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(354)
Fort Riley
by Jerry Hanel
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐
(355)
The Bookseller
by Cynthia Swanson
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐
(356)
Ikigai
by Albert Liebermann
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(357)
Tuesdays with Morrie
by Mitch Albom
Published in 1997


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(358)
Every Note Played
by Lisa Genova
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(359)
The Righteous Mind
by Jonathan Haidt
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(360)
Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin
Published in 2002


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last Train to Istanbul by Ayse Kulin. A dramatic WWII rescue journey from Paris to Istanbul through the perilous war zone. An engrossing and uplifting tale with well developed characters. A master piece from one of Turkey’s most beloved authors. The translation by John W. Baker was great!
(361)
Black Box Thinking
by Matthew Syed
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(362)
A River in Darkness
by Masaji Ishikawa
Published in 2000


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(363)
The Power of Meaning
by Emily Esfahani Smith
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(364)
Factfulness
by Hans Rosling
Published in 2018


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(365)
Do No Harm
by Henry Marsh
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(366)
Finding Gobi
by Dion Leonard
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(367)
Superhuman by Habit
by Tynan
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(368)
Hear All Creatures
by Karen Anderson
Published in 2015


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(369)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephen Covey
Published in 1989


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(370)
Lean In
by Sheryl Sandberg
Published in 2013


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(371)
Option B
by Sheryl Sandberg
Published in 2017


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(372)
Still Alice
by Lisa Genova
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(373)
Rewire
by Richard O'Connor
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(374)
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I did not attend an American high school to read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, as this book was in the English curriculum of nearly half of the high schools in the States. The Great Gatsby, written about 100 years ago in the setting of New York City and Long Island, was regarded, and deservedly so, as one of the greatest American novels in history. The language is elegant, the plot is intriguing. The story was about a young man, Jay Gatsby, moving from Mid West to New York, to win back his lost love from a beautiful lady, Daisy Buchanans, who was already married. Jay was rich and bought a mansion in the fictional town West Egg, Long Island, held extravagant parties for five years just to get a chance to meet Daisy again. He lied about his past, and he almost succeeded in his pursuit, the ending was unexpected as he was killed in his own mansion. Reading The Great Gatsby is like reading American history, as the story took place after after World War I, with population moving from Mid West to New York to grab the opportunities in the financial sector. The nation at the time was obsessed with the materials - money, drug, alcohol, and sex. It’s also interesting to read about Park Plaza, Central Park of Manhattan in the historic setting of 1920’s. Another connection to the area is that author Scott Fitzgerald had attended Princeton University and wrote for the Princeton Tiger. However he did not earn a degree. I loved some great quotes from the book. The intros: Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had. The ending: So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. I enjoyed the reading and hope you do too.
(375)
Getting Things Done
by David Allen
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(376)
Brain Chains
by Theo Compernolle
Published in 2014


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(377)
Personal Kanban
by Jim Benson
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(378)
Men Are from Mars, Women Venus
by John Gray
Published in 1992


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(379)
Grit
by Angela Duckworth
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(380)
A Dog's Purpose
by W. Bruce Cameron
Published in 2010


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(381)
A Dog's Journey
by W. Bruce Cameron
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(382)
Drive
by Daniel Pink
Published in 2009


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(383)
Good To Great
by Jim Collins
Published in 2001


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(384)
Moonwalking With Einstein
by Joshua Foer
Published in 2011


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(385)
Ping
by Stuard Gold
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(386)
Create A Life that Tickles Your Soul
by Suzanne Zoglio
Published in 2010


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(387)
Search Inside Yourself
by Chade-Meng Tan
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(388)
Deep Work
by Cal Newport
Published in 2016


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(389)
The 100 Simple Secrets of The Best Half of Life
by David Niven
Published in 2005


⭐⭐⭐⭐
(390)
Quiet
by Susan Cain
Published in 2012


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(391)
Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
Published in 1818


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(392)
All Creatures Great and Small
by James Herriot
Published in 1975


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(393)
The Last Lecture
by Randy Pausch
Published in 2008


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(394)
Winnie the Pooh
by A.A. Milne
Published in 1926


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(395)
A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson
Published in 2003

(396)
A Clash of Kings
by George R. R. Martin
Published in 1998

(397)
Blackout
by Marc Elsberg
Published in 2017

(398)
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Published in 2021

(399)
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
by Bret Witter, Vicki Myron
Published in 2008

(400)
The Man Who Invented Christmas
by Les Standiford
Published in 2008

(401)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
by Stephen King
Published in 2000

(402)
Leonardo da Vinci
by Walter Isaacson
Published in 2017

(403)
The God of Small Things
by Arundhati Roy
Published in 1997

(404)
The Red Tent
by Anita Diamant
Published in 1997

(405)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J. K. Rowling
Published in 1998

(406)
One Hundred Years of Solitude
by Gabriel García Márquez
Published in 1967

(407)
We Were Never Here
by Andrea Bartz
Published in 2021

(408)
Homo Deus
by Yuval Noah Harari
Published in 2015

(409)
Mary Shelley
by Frankenstein
Published in 1818

(410)
Zen in the Art of Writing
by Ray Bradbury
Published in 1992

(411)
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte
Published in 1847

(412)
Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier
Published in 1938

(413)
There There
by Tommy Orange
Published in 2018

(414)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
Published in 2008

(415)
The Maidens
by Alex Michaelides
Published in 2021

(416)
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
Published in 2015

(417)
Blood Meridian
by Cormac McCarthy
Published in 1985

(418)
For Whom the Bell Tolls
by Ernest Hemingway
Published in 1940

(419)
The Dead
by James Joyce
Published in 1914

(420)
The Wee Free Men
by Terry Pratchett
Published in 2003

(421)
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
by Fredrik Backman
Published in 2013

(422)
The Life Impossible
by Matt Haig
Published in 2024

(423)
Good Omens
by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
Published in 1990

(424)
Firefly Lane
by Kristin Hannah
Published in 2008

(425)
A Little Princess
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Published in 1905

(426)
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
by Michiko Aoyama
Published in 2020

(427)
Steve Jobs
by Walter Isaacson
Published in 2011

(428)
The Genius of Birds
by Jennifer Ackerman
Published in 2017

(429)
A Suitable Boy
by Vikram Seth
Published in 1993

(430)
Turn Words Into Wealth
by Aurora Winter
Published in 2021

(431)
The Bullet That Missed
by Richard Osman
Published in 2022

(432)
101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think
by Brianna Wiest
Published in 2018

(433)
Moby-Dick
by Herman Melville
Published in 1851

(434)
Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz
by The Good Life
Published in 2023

(435)

My Top 3 Tweets

Connect with me on Threads or Twitter

About