I know some of you think that I only read children's books....which is mostly true. If you are looking for some good end of summer reads before school resumes or life gets crazy then here are some of my favorite "adult" books.
Travel:
In a Sunburnt Country, Bill Bryson
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a deep love for this kind of chubby, kind of dry, kind of rambling, completely amazing writer. He has a way with words that makes sense to me. If you walk into a library and see anything by him-you will not be disappointed…if you are then you should go see a doctor because your sense of humor is not in working order.
Non-fiction:
Microtrends: The small forces behind tomorrow’s big trends, Mark Penn
This is a fascinating book about trends that are affecting politics, commerce, and other landscapes in America. It provides short vignettes about different trends of less than three million people that can and do have great impact on society.
Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, Paco Underhill
You will literally never go into a store without thinking about some of the basic concepts that my friend, Paco (ok…we’ve never met but I think we could be friends) discusses. As you can tell I love consumer trends (even though I hate shopping…enigma aren’t I) and this book is the one that started it all for me.
Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy, Martin Lindstrom and Paco Underhill
This book I read just because Paco wrote it and I was very impressed. It uses vignettes to map the neurology of buying and what certain brands make us feel on a biological level.
Freakenomics, Steven D. Leviitt
Oh gosh! This might be one of my favorite books of all time. It you think economics is boring then you are as wrong as Richard Simmons in sweat pants! All I can say is READ IT…you will love it-unless you are Richard Simmons and then all bets are off.
A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson
This book is not short but it does cover nearly everything. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK…you need to listen to it on cd. If you do not heed this warning and start reading this book then you will be overwhelmed. It also has a pretty extreme evolutionary bent so if you get riled up about that then do your blood pressure a favor and read something else. It is a comprehensive history of scientific progress and worth the listening time especially if you have a long commute.
Lies My Teacher Told Me; Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, James Loewen
A great book for teachers. Read it with an open mind…think upon the things presented and let it give rise to being aware of prejudices and biases. It has a really good chapter on poverty and every teacher should read that chapter at least.
Rethinking Globalization, Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World
This book has short non-fiction stories from around the globe about different topics related to globalization and what it is doing to cultures, people, and places.
Fat Land; How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, Greg Critser
Don’t read this if you ever want to enjoy a donut or potato chips for a while. It is very similar to Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me in the sense that it explores a lot of the politics and things behind the national food scene. It is an extremely honest look at food and how Americans relate to food.
Mouse Tales: Behind the Ears Look at Disneyland, David Koenig
This is by far the best 10 cent book I have ever purchased at a used book sale (and I have bought a lot of used books). The expose book has chapters about deaths, practical jokes, behind the rides, history, and even the lawsuits that have taken place at the Happiest Place on Earth. If you like Disneyland, or even if you are ambivalent like me, this is an interesting read! Plus it will give you more things to discuss at awkward social gatherings...believe me sometimes you need to state how many people have died while riding the Matterhorn to break the ice (the number is 2 in case you were curious).
Biographical/Auto-biographical:
Across the Wire: Life and hard times on the Mexican border, Luis Alberto Urrea
By the Lake of the Sleeping Children: The secret life of the Mexico border, Luis Alberto Urrea
These books are hard to read but are extremely well worth it. Luis documents his time working with the people who live in the dumps of Tijuana. He describes with both shocking honesty and refreshing humanity the lives of the people who change his life.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson
This book on CD is read by the author and I suggest listening to it. Bill (he’s my friend like Paco) relives his childhood growing up in small town America in the 1950’s. He is a delightful writer who shares his stories with wit and wonder.
Shakespeare: The World as Stage, Bill Bryson
A great look at how William has changed the English language and the influence he had on writers, theater, and culture.
Etymological:
Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language and How It Got That Way, Bill Bryson
The only thing I love more economic books are books about the history of words!!! This is a great book about how Americans have ruined, improved, and change English.
Alphabet Juice, Roy Blunt Jr.
An alphabetical look at words that are rich in history or funny in the way in which they came to be. A good bathroom book…a little daunting to read all in one shot.
Word Wizard: Super Bloopers, Rich Reflections, and Other Acts of Word Magic, Richard Lederer
Short stories about language and the way in which it is used, misused, and sometimes abused. An excellent book to read if you are a social misfit because then at parties instead of standing awkwardly by the French onion dip you can entertain the other guests with stories of obscure words and expressions…it works for me ☺
Short Stories:
Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros
The author goes above and beyond in her short stories of women. She does an amazing job of connecting the stories with great writing, a whole lot of heart, and a true representation of women throughout their lives, ages, and cultures.
House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
This book is half poetry, half short stories but completely amazing. I absolutely love the figurative language. Cisneros writes about her life growing up in the barrio and gives glimpses into a child’s life that are both humorous and heart wrenching.
Religious
Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennen Manning
If you are going to read one religious book (apart from the NKJV) hands down it should be this one. This book is an amazing reflection of what could be if people chose to live their lives as if it is indeed God’s grace that makes us worthy of love. If you are unsure, undecided, or just plain fed up with organized religion this book makes a strong case for getting back the basics.
What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey
Another great book that gives vignettes about what it means to be gracious, graceful, and be forgiven by grace. If you are interested in the application of grace in and through your life it is worth a read.
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