Bored This Summer? Pick Up One of These Books!

Summertime sadness is REAL y'all. Like Lana BEEN knew. And maybe it's because this is a time of transition for some or for me, I just don't know what to do with free time. Here are some books I am currently or just finished reading that I enjoyed. Most of them can be found at a bookstore, on Amazon or at a library.

THE HATE U GIVE by ANGIE THOMAS

This book will make you bust out laughing and bring you to tears. Ultimately, you will gain more perspectives and hopefully some empathy for victims of police brutality.

Side note-- it is WILD to me how many people try to justify police brutality. Police always assuming someone has a weapon is dangerous for everyone.

HEART TALK by CLEO WADE

Heart Talk is one of those feel good, transform your perspective on life and yourself kind of books. I first heard of Cleo Wade from her Ted Talk called "Want to change the world? Start by being brave enough to care." If you have 11 minutes, pls pls go watch it right now: https://www.ted.com/talks/cleo_wade_want_to_change_the_world_start_by_being_brave_enough_to_care. (Fun fact: this years New Year's Resolution was to listen to a Ted Talk a day and I did it until March but then got too busy with school, work, and graduating college!)

I was awed by her style and wisdom and then saw her keep popping up on Elaine Welteroth's Instagram stories talking about her book Heart Talk! (My 5 min of fame includes Elaine quote tweeting me TWICE!!! Historic. Evidence is below. Also, ask me about my idea to have a female friendly taxi service with mirrors so you can do your backseat beat and hype music and compliments to pump you up for work)

Then my friend Laken (an amazing human and future editor-in-chief of a magazine) suggested it and I bought it. It is such an amazing book. My favorite quote is "It is never too late to become the person you have always wanted to be."

OVERRATED: Are we more in love with the idea of changing the world than actually changing the world? by EUGENE CHO

Eugene Cho is a social justice minded pastor in Seattle and one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter. He contributes some wisdom from his own shortcomings of his efforts to change the world. He pledged to donate one year's salary to One Day's Wages over the course of three years. He tackles how we may say we want to change the world, but our actions do not match our words. It is hard it is to be self-sacrificing, but the world won't change unless we are willing to give up a lot of our own luxuries.

GENEROUS JUSTICE by TIMOTHY KELLER

So imma be honest with you. I have not finished this book. But it is really a great book that dissects the bible and how it revolves around social justice. When you read it, it just makes sense. It addresses systematic poverty and institutionalized racism and the church. Highly suggest.

RELATIONSHIP GOALS by MICHAEL TODD

Okay, so I know that this isn't a book. But this sermon series has been so freeing for me. Seriously transformational. Whoever you are, I HIGHLY encourage you to watch all 8 parts. It is liberating and if you want someone to debrief it with, feel free to reach out!!

Please comment some of your favorite books and a short description! I am always looking for more books to read!