The holiday season typically offers many opportunities to settle in by the fireplace and catch up on the latest reads. Whether you like thrillers or travel stories, reading is a great way to improve your empathy and intelligence. In 2020, many forms of entertainment were put on halt due to COVID-19 health restrictions. People were not able to come together to film shows and movies. Thankfully, authors had an increased amount of time to let their creative juices flow to the pages. In this article, we will share six books that are great reads during your holiday season that we have certainly loved this year.
1. ‘American Dirt’ by Jeanine Cummins
If you are familiar with Oprah’s Book Club, you may remember that this book was listed as a recommended read earlier this year. Exploring the journey of migrants across the United States, this book tells the story of a family that faced insurmountable trials and losses. This book will give you a renewed empathy and appreciation for the life of a migrant.
2. ‘A Spark of Light’ by Jodi Picoult
From one of the most popular fiction writers in the world comes a powerful and provocative new novel about ordinary lives that intersect during a heart-stopping crisis. The Center for women’s reproductive health offers a last chance at hope – but nobody ends up there by choice. Its very existence is controversial, and to the demonstrators who barricade the building every day, the service it offers is no different from legalized murder. Now life and death decisions are being made horrifyingly real: a lone protester with a gun has taken the staff, patients and visitors hostage. Starting at the tensest moment in the negotiations for their release, ‘A Spark of Light’ unravels backwards, revealing hour by urgent hour what brought each of these people – the gunman, the negotiator, the doctors, nurses and women who have come to them for treatment – to this point.
The best-selling author tackles a complicated issue in this gripping and nuanced novel. How do we balance the rights of pregnant women with the rights of the unborn they carry? What does it mean to be a good parent?
3. ‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone’ by Lori Gottlieb
In a year where many of us need outside perspective, this interesting storyline helps us understand the complex nature of mental health, stability, and our own internal perspective. Journeying through the life of a therapist, her therapist, and their patients, you recognize many different aspects of human psychology. After reading this book, many people have gained an increased interest in seeking professional counseling services. Trillium Counselling is an incredible clinic that specializes in walking alongside individuals suffering from trauma.
4. ‘The Guest List’ by Lucy Foley
The Guest List is a modern day thriller set at a wedding off the coast of Ireland. As you watch the dynamics between old friends and new, you start to anticipate that something bigger may be happening. Filled with plot twists and unexpected storylines, this book will surely keep you on your toes until the last page.
5. ‘Transcendent Kingdom’ by Yaa Gyasi
This novel explores the livelihoods of Ghanian families. Highlighting the hardships of Ghanian immigrants, you watch brilliant individuals struggle through deep turmoil. Sorting through grief, loss, addiction, and love, you may begin to feel emotionally connected to these dynamic characters. If you are looking for a book that takes you deep into your emotions, consider embarking on a journey through Transcendent Kingdom.
6. ‘The Vanishing Half’ by Brit Bennett
The Vanishing Half follows the lives of two twin sisters that grew up incredibly close. As these children grew up to be beautiful black women, one decided to live in a white community while the other chose to raise her children in the black community that she grew up in. Following the storylines and complexities of this relationship, you get insight into many of the challenges and opportunities experienced by Black Americans.
2020 has come with many challenges and opportunities. In years where there are many decisions that must be made, it is important to take the necessary time to develop empathy and intelligence through reading. As you integrate self-care into your routine, consider reading as a hobby that takes you away from technology and renews your mind. Reading allows individuals to journey through complex stories that they may have not been aware of otherwise.
