New Year decorations and book ()
It’s officially 2023 and maybe the past few years have made you tread carefully. Like you might want to set expectations low for this year. But there’s no time like the present to get wrapped up in a good book! We have compiled a combination of books that are meant to inspire, teach or simply, entertain you. No matter if you have set lofty personal goals or just want to try to fit in something for yourself, there is something on this list for you.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney (2017)
It’s New Year’s Eve 1984 and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish goes on a walk to reflect on her life in New York City. She spent her early life climbing the career ladder, rare for a woman of that era. Join her on her walk as she recalls how work, marriage, children and divorce shaped her life against the backdrop of the ever-changing culture of New York City from the Jazz Age to the Great Depression to the rise of Hip Hop and the AIDs epidemic.
“Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe” by Yumi Sakugawa (2013)
For those seeking inspiration with fewer words than a traditional book, this collection of ink illustrations accompanies nine metaphysical lessons with instructions. If you’ve got something to let go of or a challenge to overcome, this is the book for you.
“A Doll's House” by Henrik Ibsen (1879)
A staple on high school required-reading lists, it might be time to re-assess this classic play with new eyes. (No homework required.) Nora examines her life as a middle-class housewife in the Victorian era when her husband is up for a promotion in the upcoming New Year.
“Shante Keys and the New Year's Peas” by Gail Piernas-Davenport and Marion Eldridge (2007)
This is a great book to read aloud for the entire family. It brought me back to my youth as I for-went good luck for the entire year with my refusal to eat black-eyed peas. Shante learns all about New Years’ traditions around the world including Chinese New Year and Diwali.
“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear (2018)
If you are trying to form new good habits or break bad habits, Clear provides small and simple solutions to help you succeed. This is great for companies looking to instill habits among everyone or for the individual looking to quit smoking or reduce stress.
“Bridget Jones's Diary” by Helen Fielding (1996)
Read the book that started the film trilogy phenomenon. Bridget is convinced her life would be better if she could just lose weight, quit smoking and “develop Inner Poise.” (I mean, weren’t we all convinced of this at some point?) Spend the year with Jones as her weight fluctuates, she only gets two of the winning lottery numbers and attempts to go to the gym three times a week.
“Own It: The Power of Women at Work” by Sallie Krawcheck (2017)
This is the book for women looking for innovative ways to kickstart or rejuvenate their careers. Whether it be through technology, non-traditional career paths or entrepreneurship, there is something in here to help women take their careers to the next level.
“New Year's Eve Murder” by Leslie Meier (2006) For the mystery lovers reading this, here is a Manhattan murder mystery for you to try and solve before the last page. Lucy and Elizabeth have won free makeovers, but their mini retreat is halted when fashion editor Nadine Nelson gets a mysterious illness and dies. There were plenty of suspects out to get Nadine, but tensions only rise when Elizabeth develops some of the same symptoms as Nadine. Will Lucy solve the case in time?
“Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles (2011)
Katey Kontent is spending New Year’s Eve 1937 in a second-rate Jazz bar when she comes across Tinker Grey, a wealthy banker who changes her life. She spends the next year navigating the inner workings of the upper echelon of New York Society. Will Katey find her happily ever after and what does that even mean?
“Why Not Me?” by Mindy Kaling (2015)
“The Office” fans will love this insight into Kaling’s life. Everyone will be inspired by this collection of essays that touch on topics of weight fluctuation, not fitting in, attempting to make friends, workplace romances and attempting to succeed in an environment where no one looks like you.
