I’ve had the pleasure of reading a lot of good books lately. Thank you Pasadena Public Library (especially for your ebook collection)! Since people will from time to time ask me for book recommendations (clearly everyone knows that my only real hobby is reading), I figured I’d curate a little list here. Because reading is known for making people better. #science

Trying to divide these books into a reasonable number of categories was a real challenge, but I persevered and this is the result.

First, here are some books that you really just have to read. They’re a mix of books that will either help you learn something about the world or experience empathy, and plenty of them do both!

learning empathy 1

learning empathy 2

Next up we have books that are just fun. That could mean “fun” in terms of light and a good, quick read. Or it could be “fun” in the sense that they are just amazing and will change your life and you have to read them but they didn’t quite fit into the category above.

for fun 1

The “Best Writing and Character Development and Some Could Potentially Change Your Life” Types:

Really Good and also True:

Funny, Light, Quick, Suspenseful, or Just Plain Good:

for fun 2

Last, but certainly not least, we have books that are important if you have any interest in personal growth. And I hope that you do.

personal growth books