Books are the building blocks for becoming a well-rounded person. When you read, you improve your brain connectivity, increase your vocabulary and comprehension, and become more knowledgeable. These are the top 10 must-reads that help you become the person you want to be.
1. The Modern Guide To Stock Market Investing For Teens By Alan John
This book is great for young investors who are nervous about the stock market but want to invest and become financially secure in the future. This book is written by a teen who has been in the same shoes as many teens when first learning about stock investments. Alan John goes through many topics like personal budgeting and making money while using real-life examples from successful investors. He wrote, “As the author, I wrote this book so investing can change other's lives as it changed and continues to change mine. No matter who you are, no matter your age and no matter the amount of money you have, you can invest, and this book will help you do just that”. If you are a young investor or a teen wanting to learn more about the stock market, this is the book for you.
2. Atomic Habits By James Clear
Atomic Habits is by James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation. It is a self-help book for those who struggle with discipline and want to change their lives, one day at a time. In the book, it is said, “If you are having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system”. This book teaches you how to change your system using knowledge from biology, psychology, and neuroscience. This book teaches people how to tackle roadblocks that come their way when trying to change habits, work environments for success, and developing good habits. Atomic Habits by James Clear is a must-read if you want to change your life!
3. The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook By Joanie Zisk
Does cooking intimidate you? Is this your first time living alone and cooking meals is stressing you out? The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook is a great place to start, offering 175 easy recipes. These recipes range from Shrimp and Prosciutto Pasta to Lemon Blueberry Scones. This is a great book to teach you some flavourful meals and get you to be familiar with the kitchen!
4. To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
This book is a well-known classic that has been taught in many high schools but not all, so if you have not read it; it is recommended that you do. This book is about a lawyer named Atticus Finch who agrees to defend a black man who was accused of raping a white woman. The story is from the point of view of the lawyer’s daughter, Scout. Although this book is fiction and written in the sixties, it explores racism which till day is a problem.
5. The Diary Of A Young Girl By Anne Frank
This non-fiction book is the diary of Anne Frank, a 13-year-old Jew hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Although this book was originally written in Dutch, this book has been translated into over 70 languages. Her diary gives an intense and candid depiction of what life was like for the Jews during World War II. It is definitely a must-read as many readers felt that the book put them in the mind space of Anne Frank and was a very accurate way to understand what it was like for the Jews to be under the Nazi regime.
6. Science: A Brief History Of Time By Stephen Hawking
This book stays true to its title, as it gives a brief history on several topics that include the big bang, light cones, black holes, and many more. It discusses many theories and is very educational for those interested in the concept of time, especially the science behind it. This book will broaden your knowledge of the science of time.
7. Think and Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich is a self-help book that focuses on reaching goals and changing your mindset throughout the process. It significantly changes your mindset towards money but also addresses relationships, events, and beliefs. This book leaves you in a better state of mind and changes how you perceive your experiences in life.
8. Freakonomics By Stephen D.Levitt and Stephen J.Dubner
This book explores the hidden side of everything. It discusses the truth behind social issues, drugs, crime by applying the economic theory. This insightful book opens up your brain to the social constructs of the world and breaks down the many reasons for the hows and whys. An important part of the book is how incentives are the cornerstone of modern life. If you are interested in wanting to know the hidden truth, this is the book for you.
9. The Scarlet Letter By Nathanial Hawthorne
This book focuses on the theme of shaming and social stigmatizing and teaches strong messages that everyone should acknowledge. The Scarlet Letter is the story of a woman named Hester Pryne, who has a daughter out of wedlock and conceals the father of her child’s identity. In the book, she is punished for sin and secrecy. The Scarlet Letter is a must-read classic!
10. Milk and Honey By Rupi Kaur
Milk and Honey is a book of poetry divided into four chapters of growth; hurting, loving, breaking, and healing. Rupi Kaur explores themes of womanhood, abuse, silence, family, and more. Its beautifully written poetry gives comfort to those with a healing heart. It is deep and meaningful and is poetry that makes you feel at peace. If you are new to poetry or have trouble expressing how you feel, this is a great place to start and gather your thoughts.
These were just ten books to get yourself started and hopefully become more knowledgeable and in a better state of mind at the end of each book. For more, Good Reads has posted a 100 books to read before you die list that is recommended for those who enjoy reading or want to start reading more!
Resources
Clear, James. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results. New York, NY: Avery, an Imprint of Penguin Random House, 2018. Print.
Frank, Anne, Otto Frank, Mirjam Pressler, Susan Massotty, and Anne Frank. The Diary of a Young Girl. London: Puffin, 2019. Print.
Hawking, Stephen. A Brief History of Time. New York: Bantam , an Imprint of Random House, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC, 2017. Print.
Hill, Napoleon, Joel Fotinos, and Napoleon Hill. Think and Grow Rich: The Complete Original Edition with Bonus Material. New York, NY: St. Martin's Essentials, 2021. Print.
John, Alan. The Modern Guide to Stock Market Investing for Teens: How to Ensure a Life of Financial Freedom through the Power of Investing. Alan John, 2020. Print.
Kaur, Rupi. Milk and Honey. Andrews McMeel, 2014. Print.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B Lippincott &, 1960. Print.
Levitt, Steven D., and Stephen J. Dubner. Freakonomics. Rearsby: Clipper Large Print, 2007. Print.
Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter. Tickner, Reed and Fields, 1850. Print.
Stanborough, Rebecca Joy. "Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health." Healthline. Healthline Media, 15 Oct. 2019. Web. 26 Apr. 2021.
Zisk, Joanie. The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook: 175 Super Easy Recipes Made Just for You. New York: Adams Media, 2019. Print.
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