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5 Books You Need to Read Before the New Year Begins

Soak up every minute of that indoor weather.

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5 Books You Need to Read Before the New Year Begins

It’s already December, and we cannot believe how much faster the year flies by every. time. Our picks for our monthly book club are just what you need to say goodbye to 2017 and motivate yourself for the New Year. We’ve got some self-help goodness in there to help relieve those seasonal blues and boost your career plans; we’ve also tossed in a little romance and time travel, for some page-turning entertainment to get you through a snowy cold night.

 


Laurel Pantin

Call Me By Your Name 

Before I could see the movie I’m most excited about this year (have you seen the house in Italy it was filmed in?!), I had to read the book. It’s every bit as sweet, romantic, heartbreaking, and brilliant as I thought it would be. If you haven’t heard the story, it’s about a teenage boy living with his parents in a seaside town in Italy when a young scholar (played by Armie Hammer) comes to stay for the summer. The two start a relationship that shapes the rest of both of their lives. It’s just so beautiful. Cor Cordium forever.

 

Samantha Sutton

A Wrinkle in Time

When I say I am excited for A Wrinkle in Time to hit theaters this March, I really mean Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, and newcomer Storm Reid were enough to get me to revisit this assigned reading from middle school. I remember not fully understanding what the heck was going on in this book (probably because I rushed to read each chapter each night, then write about it for homework), so I’m enjoying getting to know the story again as an adult. There’s time and space travel, a strange, earth-like (but so not earth-like) planet, quirky magical guides (that’s where Oprah comes in), a mission to save a scientist dad, and some super smart kids. My imagination is already going wild wondering how these worth-reading-past-bedtime pages will play out on screen!

 

Katie Becker

You Are a Badass 

’Tis the season of self-help books! If you’re battling the mid-winter blues or planning ahead to have the best 2018 possible, author Jen Sincero’s book is the CliffsNotes of all self-improvement programs for motivation and self-confidence. She’s tried all the things—meditation, therapy, spiritual exploration, travel—and this is her synthesis. As she says in the intro: “If I can save one person from having to talk to her inner child, I have done my job.” The book has been out for a few years, but is a good one to keep on the shelf when you need a pick-me-up.

 

Okay, guys, I know, I’m late to the game. But as Drake says, better late than never. I couldn’t agree more. This time of year my brain always wants to slow down and kick up its feet (anybody with me?), and so I turn to books to keep my motivation up. I figured Phoebe Lovatt’s would be perfect for this. The book is full of career advice from some of the best (hi, Elaine Welteroth!), actionable tips, and how-to sections. Sounds like everything I need to push me into the new year.

 

Sri Rain Stewart

The Sun and Her Flowers

Rupi Kaur is one of my favorite contemporary poets—a talented young woman who speaks from experience and knows how to address the hardest subjects surrounding love, abuse, expatriation, and identity. I was a huge fan of Milk and Honey, and though I overall prefer it, there are still some standout poems in this October release. I don’t relate to every experience Kaur writes about, but I can strongly empathize. Kaur’s ability to make you feel her pain or inspire you to rise above it like she does is a rare talent.

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