It's time to clear your weekend schedule because you have reading to do! Hundreds and hundreds of you sent in your favorite, most inspiring, thought-provoking book recommendations. One thing I loved is seeing the sheer breadth of topics and genres, from bestsellers to gripping tales about forestry. There's no way we could have included them all, but please know it was a joy to read through them, and we might include some in the Good Stuff throughout the season. Surely, there's something here for everyone, so cheers to a well-read summer!
If there's something you'd like to see here, drop us a line. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do. |
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| The Good Stuff Summer Book List |
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Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner Korean cuisine and memories of her heritage help a woman come to terms with her mother's death. "I don't usually read memoirs but this came highly recommended by several friends. I was pleasantly surprised. A story of a mother/daughter relationship." — Donna R Green Lights by Mathew McConaughey Described as a "mashup of Anthony Bourdain and Ernest Hemingway," the actor reflects on living well through a series of poems, prayers and other writings. recommended by Jerry S and others Distant Skies by Melissa Priblo Chapman A woman embarks on a cross-country trip on horseback, weaving a tale of growing up in the great outdoors. World Piece by Beth Howard A pie baker explores the world, its cultures and its people, one pie at a time. "Her story is a kind of Waitress meets Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown —though some think of it as Eat, Pray, Love with pie." — Dee S. |
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge Packed full of history and emotion, a man reminisces on the time he drove two giraffes to the San Diego Zoo in the 1930s. recommended by Deborah B. and others Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Funny and charming, the story follows a chemist in the early 1960s who takes an unusual approach to cooking -- and love. recommended by Diana A., Jan B., Bette P. and others A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles A former aristocrat spends some of the most tumultuous decades of Russia's history confined by house arrest in a luxury hotel. recommended by Lisa L. and others Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny This beloved traditional murder mystery series (18 books so far!) contains little to no sex or violence, but plenty of intrigue and surprises. recommended by Mary B. and others |
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman A look at the last 200,000 years of human history through a powerful, simple lens: What if people really are good at heart? recommended by Janine K. |
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett The stories of nobles, builders and people of faith play out over decades as a great cathedral rises, brick by brick. recommended by K. Westwood The School Teacher of Saint-Michel by Sarah Steele An emotional story of friendship and bravery during World War II. recommended by Tracy L. Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly The lives of a Union nurse, a young enslaved girl and a plantation mistress cross paths during the Civil War. recommended by Susie S. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein A Young Adult thriller that unites three young people trying to solve a code during World War II. recommended by Kirsten N. |
Charming and inspiring fiction |
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt A grieving woman forms a remarkable friendship with a grumpy and very intelligent octopus. recommended by Barbara B. and others The Spoon Stealer by Lesley Crewe A woman leaves her family to start a new and unique life, but must return to her childhood farm one more time. recommended by Maggie K. The Vibrant Years: A Novel by Sonali Dev A humorous and heartwarming tale of three generations of Indian women. recommended by Stephanie T. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein A dog wants to come back in a new life as a human, and has much wisdom for his owner, an aspiring race car driver. recommended by Maggie K. |
The Moment of Lift; How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates "My new favorite book of all time!" — David S. The Well Lived Life: A 102 yr old Doctor's 6 Strategies for Happiness at Any Age by Gladys McGarey recommended by Alice D. First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey through Anxiety by Sarah Wilson |
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer A boy who lost hist father on 9/11 goes searching for his final secrets. recommended by Sonja P. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult A teenage girls sets out to find her missing mother, who disappeared after an incident at an elephant sanctuary. recommended by Donna R. Dear Martin by Nic Stone Written during a period of racially-charged events, the story follows an Atlanta high schooler trying to make sense of life as a Black teenager. recommended by Julie S. The Chosen by Chaim Potok Two Jewish boys from differing ideological backgrounds explore questions of faith and tradition while forging an unbreakable friendship. recommended by AJ |
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary Three strangers are stood up on Valentine's Day -- by the same man. recommended by Tracy L. Indigo by Beverly Jenkins An Underground Railroad conductor marked by her time as a slave meets a mysterious and notorious fellow abolitionist. recommended by AJ The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid Jenkins An aging Hollywood icon reveals the truth about her glamorous, scandalous life -- and her many marriages. recommended by Chris C. |
Classics worth revisiting |
Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery recommended by Claudia P. The Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason recommended by Joe B. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë recommended by Beth G. and Betty D. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen recommended by Rebecca S. The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow If you can't sate your Austen fix, try a new novel that follows that oft-forgotten Bennet sister, Mary. recommended by Karen M. |
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi A cafe in Tokyo serves its customers a chance to go back in time. recommended by Tracy L. Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells A part human, part robot develops emotions, friendships, and other inconvenient human connections. recommended by Kristin The Martian by Andy Weir A science fiction backed by a lots of research asks the question: What would it really be like to survive on Mars? recommended by Claudia P. The Broken Earth Series by N.K. Jemisin Set on a faraway planet, this is an iconic trilogy by one of fantasy's most iconic writers. recommended by Lorna IQ84 by Haruki Murakami A "real" version of the year 1984 plays out next to a parallel one, and one woman tries to discern what's real and what's not. recommended by Glenda T. |
How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith An exploration of shared memories, monuments and familiar landscapes reveals a powerful, emotional account of American slavery. Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman "Fascinating history of the late 1880s as two female journalists race around the world." — Adrienne C |
Stories about the environment |
The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant A true tale of forestry, activism and obsession centered around a sacred Sitka spruce in British Columbia. recommended by Carol P. Soaring with Fidel by David Gessner An eloquent account of osprey migrations, from Cape Cod to Cuba and beyond. recommended by K.P. |
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave A woman thinks she's found the love of her life -- until he disappears. recommended by Barbara B. Conclave by Robert Harris Cardinals gather to select a new pope amid corruption, secrets and betrayal. recommended by Mary B. |
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CNN Hero Brandi Tuck volunteered at a homeless shelter during her junior year of college in 2004. The experience didn't just change her life, it opened the door to changing other lives as well. In 2008, she started a nonprofit, now known as Path Home, that provides shelter, support, and a host of services to families experiencing homelessness in Portland, Oregon. The organization has since helped more than 10,000 parents and children. In recent years, her organization was able to buy a church and convert it into a new kind of shelter that seeks to eliminate some of the clutter and chaos of traditional shelter options. Tuck hopes new environments like these will help families recover mentally as well as physically. Read the full story here. |
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Books are the friends of solitude. They develop individuality and freedom. In solitary reading a man who is seeking himself has some chance of finding himself.
- Georges Duhamel, French author |
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Rec of the week Brought to you by CNN Underscored |
Actress Tia Mowry lists her hair and skincare must-haves Tia Mowry may be known for her onscreen characters, but she's also an accomplished entrepreneur. Between her busy work schedule, Tia chatted with CNN Underscored about the products that make her feel amazing. From her favorite $10 shampoo to the app she uses to center herself, shop her favorites. |
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Shameless animal video There's always time for cute animal videos. That time is now. |
When you need a break from that great new book, perhaps a dip in this dog-filled pool is in order. (Click here to view) |
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A newsletter for the good in life | |
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