World Book Day is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to promote reading.

Holly’s Picks

Love Does by Bob Goff: I have had the pleasure of hearing Bob Goff speak at our church and loved listening to him tell his stories. He is funny, intelligent, and an amazing human being. Bob's life lessons are nothing less inspiring.

Tell No One by Harlan Coben: This is my all-time favorite thriller. A friend dropped it off many years ago for me to read and I let it sit on my coffee table for months. I randomly picked the book up and didn't stop until I reached page 60.  I forgot I was in the middle of making dinner.  I made dinner, put the kids to bed, and yes, I finished the book. If you love a thriller, you are going to love this one.

The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman: I followed Todd Herman for a while a few years ago and learned about his new book from the do it scared podcast by Ruth Soukup. I ordered the book immediately. Todd reveals how his sports and entertainment clients create personas to overcome their fears and mental obstacles. This process works in business and everyday personal life like parenting.

The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel: I enjoyed this book on my phone while on vacation. I'm a sucker for historical fiction and romance. This is a great story about love during prohibition.

A Man Named Ove by Fredrik Backman: This is the perfect read for summer or even a pandemic. You can't help but fall in love with this curmudgeon, Ove. This story reminds me that you just never really know your neighbor. This book is also a movie and available on Amazon Prime. 

Madi’s Picks

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling: I think this is the very first and possibly only book I have read in a (long) weekend. I love Mindy Kaling and got this book around the time I graduated from college. I was broke and hadn’t found a job yet but my loving aunt took me to Florida with her for spring break. She is a serious beach reader like she will sit on the beach reading for hours and not utter a single word. I knew I had to be prepared to also read so I packed this book. It was such a great book for a relaxing ocean/poolside. Kaling talks about her upbringing, what she was like as a kid and young adult. She explains her life in college and what lead her to be on The Office. If you watch her shows you know she has a wicked sense of humor and I think you’ll enjoy her books too.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling: This is Kaling’s follow-up I guess you could say to her first book, I remember reading this one relatively fast too, but that’s not saying much for me. However, this was another great, easy read. This book explores more of Kaling’s adult life, forming relationships both romantic and platonic, and other stories from her experiences. She delivers the same wit and charm from her the first book and all I can say is that I really want her to publish the third book.

Over The Top by Jonathan Van Ness: Full disclosure, I am only like 20-30 pages into JVN’s memoir, but I know it’s going to be good! I brought this along on our honeymoon to Mexico and laughed out loud while reading it on the beach. Van Ness is known for his optimism and realness, this book delivers both along with what it was like for him to grow up as a gay kid in Quincy, Illinois. I can’t wait to get out into the sun this summer and finish this book, from what I already know he is brutally honest in the telling of his life so far and I cannot wait to learn more about this fabulous human.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume: Another first for me, this is the first and only book I have ever read twice! I typically don’t see the purpose in reading a book more than once, but something about this one drew me back years later. I read almost all of Judy Blume’s children’s books as a kid so I think this was a natural fit once I got a little older. I remember my mom recommended Summer Sisters to me and being engrossed in it! It’s definitely a coming of age book and since I was about 16 it struck a nerve. The story follows two female characters from childhood to adulthood, I remember being captivated by their friendship so much so that a couple of years later I wanted to meet them all over again.

Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry: I am halfway through Broke Millennial and so far I have really enjoyed it. I think Lowry does a great job speaking to Millennials about a topic that can be incredibly confusing. She uses everyday language to discuss a myriad of topics like explaining your credit score and why credit cards are so important to it, budgeting methods, paying down debt, how to negotiate salary, investing, student loans and so much more. She also came out with a second book, Broke Millennial Takes On Investing: A Beginner's Guide to Leveling Up Your Money. This may not be a poolside book for the summer but it is a great resource for your favorite Millennial or even a new college graduate.

Thanks so much for reading our top 10 books. I (Holly) used to be an avid reader, I would read one book after another for both pleasure and business and usually at the same time. My life has changed dramatically over the years and I am lucky to squeeze in three to four books a year. I set a goal last summer to read three books and enjoyed them all. I think I will shoot for six this year since the pandemic has elongated our summer break.

Please offer up your suggestions below in the comments. We want to hear what you have read and enjoyed and what you have on your wish list to read.