People aren’t lying when they say Outliers is a life-changing book.

But it’s not life-changing in the way you might expect-- it won’t tell you what career to pursue or which hobby to pick up. Instead, Malcolm Gladwell highlights patterns of success that you’ll start to recognize in the world around you. You’ll begin to see that high-achieving colleague in a different light. And rather than asking what they do, you’ll start asking how they got there.

Definitely worth a read. Gladwell’s commentary is thoughtful and best appreciated by diving into the book yourself.

In my opinion, the best romance novels are the ones that offer commentary on the culture we live in, and no one does that better than Sally Rooney in Normal People. This isn’t a novel made for a traditional romance reader, but rather for someone who, like me, enjoys romance for the social insight it provides.

Connell and Marianne will make you question your own values and reflect on the decisions you made as a young adult.

If you’re looking for something fast-paced and full of passion, this probably isn’t the right choice. But if you’re seeking a reading experience that makes you think, about class, mental health, and what it means to come of age, then give this one a read.

I never grew up with a particular affinity for shoes, but if I had to pick one brand I associated with them, it would be Nike. So reading this memoir by Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, was incredibly engaging. Knight recounts how, at 24, he chose to start his first shoe company, Blue Ribbon, rather than settle for a stable 9-to-5 job. He navigated the challenges of scaling a business and ultimately builds what is now the iconic Nike brand, valued at over $88 billion today.

At every stage, Knight offers detailed insights into how to consistently push yourself as a business leader. As someone just beginning my career, I found it to be a powerful read. Anyone seeking a book that helps them ask more purposeful questions of themselves will enjoy this memoir.