Cozy up this holiday season to some good old wholesome books that we at the Clog think everyone should try reading. Some of these books will move you, some of them will impress you, but most of all, all of these books will make you feel wholesome.
- “The Book of Joy” by Desmond Tutu, the 14th Dalai Lama and Douglas Carlton Abrams
This book is a meditation, not on happiness, but on joy. Douglas Carlton Abrams travels to Tibet to meet with the world’s leaders in cultivating joy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, to explore what it means to be joyous and how to remain joyous throughout our lives. This book is perfect for when you’re feeling unsure, insecure and maybe a little down. It actively guides you through different mindsets that can help you strengthen relationships with those around you and yourself.
- “An Invisible Thread” by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
“An Invisible Thread” is a memoir about Lara Schroff’s unexpected experience creating a friendship with a disadvantaged child she met on the street. What started off as a small, but significant gesture, turned into a relationship that changed the direction and course of both these individuals’ lives. Throughout this book, you will find sources of compassion within yourself and become more aware of the impacts of your everyday actions and interactions with others. Scenes illustrated within the book are intensely moving and emotional but will have your heart feeling warmth, empathy, and love.
- “Tuesdays With Morrie” by Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom is a master storyteller in this famous memoir. Through “Tuesdays With Morrie,” Albom is able to communicate with his readers the process of aging and dying, as well as the idea of reconnection with old friends and figures in your life that were important to you. In busy times, it is often easy to let relationships naturally relax and eventually fade, but this memoir shows that sometimes, reconnection can lead to happiness in unexpected periods of life, even in death.
- “The BFG” by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is always able to create sweet and wholesome stories. Though this is traditionally a children’s novel, we at the Clog don’t see why we can’t go back and read these books at an older age. This book will have you grinning alongside the magical illustrations, vivid imagery and wacky storyline. In the end, we’ll all wish we had a friend as loving as the Big Friendly Giant. And hey, it might even make us realize we have some BFGs in our lives too.
- “A Simple Act of Gratitude” by John Kralik
Sometimes, saying “thank you” is enough to change your perspective and therefore the course of your life. John Kralik’s memoir shows how a simple phrase can lead others to treat you with more kindness, and you, in turn, exude kindness to others. It’s a poignant reminder to be grateful of those who contribute joy to your life.
If you need a little pick-me-up during these trying times (aka the last few weeks of the semester), consider picking up one of these books. They will surely make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
