Top 10 Books 2016

Below are my Top 10 book recommendations based on books I read or re-read in 2016. Whether it was discovering something for the first time, or reading a book 25 years later, there were some great stories that challenged and inspired me.  I have listed 5 non-fiction and 5 fiction titles below.  I hope you find something you enjoy.

Top 5 Non-Fiction

#5. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2014)

You know you have written an effective book when your last name becomes a commonly used verb used in households on cleaning days. I have always tried to live as a minimalist, so I agreed at the outset with much of what she says. But she gave me some new perspectives on decluttering and provided useful tools and tips that can easily be put into practice. I really love how my clothes now stand after being folded. We knew this had made an impact on our family when our 6-year old starting "Kondoing" her clothes on laundry day. 

#4.  10% Happier (2014)

This is the story of a journalist's discovery of mindfulness meditation after he had an on-air panic attack while reading the news on Good Morning America. I found it engaging that he brought a skeptical perspective to the story, and rather than just providing the science behind mindfulness (there are plenty of other books which do that), he integrates the topic with his journalistic work. I would recommend it to anyone searching to know what mindfulness meditation is and how it might be able to help them.  

#3.  A Fighting Chance (2014)

I love Elizabeth Warren. The senator from Massachusetts began her work as a lawyer and university professor. The story of her working to get those jobs is incredible in and of itself. In addition to a personal memoir, the book details her work on important issues for working families - namely advocating for proper bankruptcy protection, proposing affordable college education for students, & protecting vulnerable families from dishonest creditors. Her message is clear - she wants every working family to have a fighting chance to succeed in America and not be vulnerable to a larger system that is favored to protect corporations and the wealthy. The memoir is well written and interesting. It is compelling as it documents her family life, her academic life, and her political life. When my daughters are old enough, I will have them read this book. Warren is a role model and example of the kind of woman I would want my daughters to become. If they can be strong like her and stand up for what they believe, then they will part of the next generation to have a fighting chance.  

Post script: She also played a huge role in getting the Wells Fargo CEO to step down and forfeit 41 million dollars in unvested equity after the companies recent financial cross-selling scandal. It might not be as entertaining as Thor's video, but you can watch here as she interviews him and calls for accountability from the now former CEO.

#2.  Radical Acceptance (2000)

Tara Brach has an uncanny ability to clarify complex psychological concepts. Her integration of Buddhist meditation practices into psychotherapy is nothing short of revolutionary. If I weren't already a Mormon, I am sure I would be a Buddhist. I have integrated many of the ideas in this book into my clinical practice and teaching and I believe it has made a huge difference. 

#1. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989)

I was fortunate to read this book in 1990 when I was 20 year old. I read it several times that year and it shaped my philosophy of life in dramatic ways. Twenty-five years later, the book not only holds up, it may have gotten even gotten better. This is not your typical self-help book that proposes quick fixes to complex problems. Rather, the book advocates for the development of character through habits of effectiveness. Covey makes it clear at the outset that the road is not easy. Rather, it requires the virtues of discipline, awareness, understanding, and commitment. If you have not read this book, don't let the publication year scare you aware. This is one of my all-time favorite books. I give it my highest recommendation.  

Top 5 Fiction

#5. A Tale of Two Cities (1859)

I don't read a lot of classics, but I bought this as an audio book and decided to give it a chance. At first, I had a hard time appreciating it, but at the half way point, that all changed. 


Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton are now two of my favorite characters in any book. There is such a nobility to these men in the face of horrible circumstances. I was totally unprepared to feel dramatic tension in the book (if would have told me before reading it there would be suspense, I would have laughed). The only word I can use to describe the description of the French Revolution is chilling.  This is my first real foray into a true classic, and I was unexpectedly rewarded.

#4. Orphan Train (2013)

This little known chapter in US history is beautifully captured by the author. The story feels real and I was deeply moved by it. I especially appreciated that the author did so much research on this issue - every element felt genuine and authentic and the characters were beautifully painted. It was like I was there. I would recommend it to anyone.

#3. Ready Player One (2011)

This book is a fantastic nostalgic trip back to 1980s movies, video games, music, and television. The story was creative and smart. I found the characters incredibly interesting, and I loved the blurring of the lines between reality and virtual reality. I was engrossed from beginning to end. I continue to think about it often. I would especially recommend it to anyone born between 1965-1975 who loved pop culture in the 1980s. If that is you, you are in for a real treat.

#2. Everything I Never Told You (2014)

I loved the author's ability to create a complex family narrative that so eloquently captured the unique perspectives of all the members - father, mother, brother, two sisters. After the couple's 16-year old daughter is found dead (not a spoiler, it's the first sentence of the book), the story explores the aftermath of this tragedy for the family, as well as the histories of the father and mother leading up to that point. An essential component of the story is the theme of living in an interracial family in Ohio in the 1970s. The father is a well educated Chinese American man born of poor immigrant parents, and the mother is a White American woman who gave up her education to raise a family. At a time when interracial marriage was illegal in some states, the portrait of what it must have been like for the couple and for the children felt genuine and incredibly insightful. I was surprised to love the book so much. I was so impressed by Ng's ability to articulate the subtleties of interpersonal relationships. The story is a simple human drama that slowly builds to a very satisfying conclusion.

#1. The Book Thief (2006)

I have a habit of starting books, then stopping them if they don't hold my interest. In 2006, I started The Book Thief and then stopped after 50 pages. Ten years later, I am so glad to have read it. Zusak develops the character so completely that you feel as if they are your personal friends. And of course, you miss them when it is all over. The author also took a huge risk in having Death be the narrator of the book. In 2006, I didn't like that - it felt contrived. But this year, I saw it differently and felt that it worked amazingly well as a story-telling convention. This is my 15 year-old son's favorite book - he has read it many times. We got to listen to much of it together during our mornings together in the car.  I loved discussing it with him.  If you only read one book on this list, this would be the one I recommend.