Reading is an easy resolution to keep when you follow our monthly recommendations for books. This month our selections are guaranteed to help you avoid cabin fever when the temperatures drop and icy winds keep you inside.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – This ambitious debut novel reflects the author’s love of stories and storytellers. January Scaller spends her days wandering aimlessly through rooms filled with curious collectibles in her guardian’s mansion until she finds a special book. Its pages are filled with infinite possibilities and countless doors that open to wonderful stories of love and adventure.
The Dancing Girls (Detective Jo Fournier Book 1) by M.M. Chouinard – The killer took Jeanine Hammond’s wedding ring and left her body positioned like a ballerina. Days later, another woman’s body is found in the same position also with a missing wedding ring. Detective Jo Fournier discovers the link between the two cases and several cold cases and realizes she has a serial killer operating in Massachusetts. Now, if only her superiors and the FBI would believe her, she might live to solve the case.
Me: Elton John Official Autobiography by Elton John – This is Elton John… in his own words. From his days growing up in a London suburb dreaming of being a rockstar to his seemingly meteoric but painful climb to stardom. John reveals his struggles with his accepting his sexuality and his many years of drug addition before finding the love of his life, getting clean and sober and becoming a father.
Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King – an excellent biography of one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved citizens. Fred Rogers devoted his life to spreading kindness and acceptance and teaching children how to grow up and become confident caring adults.
The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines & Mark Dagostino – This is the story of how Chip and Joanna met, fell in love, started a family and built a business empire. Share their personal and professional ups and downs. Joanna speaks candidly about balancing family and career and her “aha” moment when designing homes for other people really started to click for her.
The Procrastination Fix 2 in 1: The Chronic Procrastinator's Guide to Break Your Bad Habits Once And For All by Patrick Magana – everyone procrastinates at some point in their lives. Some of us have refined and developed this ability to an art form. This book might just be your ticket to change. Figure out why you procrastinate and how to stop. This book is full of helpful tips and tricks to help you stay on track.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven - Admiral McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin and shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training. After his speech went viral (over 10 million views), he wrote this book with anecdotes from his own life and from the lives of people he encountered during his military service who faced adversity and hardship with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Filled with practical advice and words of encouragement applicable to any situation.
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson – Everything you’ve ever taken for granted about your body and things you didn’t know are explained factually and with humor.
The Art of Fully Living: 1 Man. 10 Years. 100 Life Goals Around the World by Tal Gur - The Art of Fully Living is dedicated to a year of focus by the author - socializing, fitness, freedom, contribution, love, adventure, wealth, relationship, spirituality, and creativity. Gur chronicles his ambitious attempt to achieve 100 life goals in only 10 years.
Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook: 500 Tasty Recipes to Reduce Inflammation by Elis Mars – If you are experiencing joint pain, stiffness or bloating, it might be time to change your diet. This cookbook has 500 recipes to choose from and based on consumer reviews most of the recipes can be easily adapted to suit your personal tastes and people on already on an anti-inflammatory diet are excited by the variety of dishes included in the book. I just purchased the Kindle edition because I had to change to an anti-inflammatory diet last year. It’s a work in progress feeding my family foods they like and adapting meals to my dietary needs. Fingers crossed this cookbook helps.