If you sometimes find yourself desperately craving alone time, you'll find Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan highly relatable. Pan sets aside her naturally introverted personality in this amusing yet incredibly insightful memoir to try being an extrovert for a year. Alone in London after growing up in America, she throws herself into experiences that would typically make her cringe, including conversations with strangers and solitary travel.
Pan doesn't fully convert to extroversion and still values spending time alone. However, this book explores the power of saying yes and how being open to new things can be life-enhancing — perfect for inspiring transformative New Year's resolutions.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is the ideal novel for anyone questioning taking a new path in life. First published in 1988, this feel-good book encourages readers to grab opportunities for development and explore what really fulfills them.
The story follows a boy called Santiago as he sets out on an epic journey to find his fortune. On the way, he discovers treasures far more precious than physical riches. The tale can help inspire seniors to follow their dreams at any stage of life (and possibly visit some of the incredible places featured in Santiago's journey).
Whether you've been a Christian since childhood or found faith later in life, the New Year is the ideal time to reaffirm your beliefs by learning more about the life of Jesus. In The Case for Christ, investigative journalist Lee Strobel examines the evidence for Jesus through fascinating interviews with theological experts.
During his cross-examinations, Strobel leads readers through his journey from atheist to believer in an entertaining, fast-paced format you'll be tempted to devour in a single sitting. The book uses a mind-boggling range of sources, including archaeology, psychology and eyewitness accounts, to create a comprehensive and compelling picture of the basis for Christian faith.
Upsetting news stories and global conflicts can make it all too easy to lose faith in the goodness of people. Humankind by Rutger Bregman is an effective tonic to pessimism and despair. Through a series of stories exploring the most famous events in human history, the Dutch historian presents a convincing argument that we're not so bad after all.
Humankind isn't just a superficial history of human decency. It also seeks to explain why selfishness and cruelty sometimes flourish and provides insights into how we can work together to achieve a fairer, kinder society.
It's human nature to wonder whether your life has meaning, but The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a wonderful reminder that everyone has an impact on those around them. Eddie, the central character, is 83 years old and believes his life is entirely ordinary. However, his perspective changes when he dies suddenly trying to save a girl during a fairground accident.
If this sounds like a gloomy start to a novel, think again. Eddie ascends to heaven, where he meets five people who explain how he touched their lives. These individuals recount Eddie's life story from cradle to grave, finally allowing Eddie to see the meaning in his apparently unremarkable existence.
A Man Called Ove contains a lesson relevant to everyone, whether you're struggling with grief or trying to understand the perspective of someone who's lost a loved one. After the death of his wife, Ove becomes known as a grumpy old man who appears to ooze bitterness. However, everything changes when a cheerful couple and their children move in next door.
What follows is a hilarious yet moving tale of Ove and his neighbors as they learn to live with, and eventually love, each other. The gentle pace of the narrative makes it an enjoyable read while revealing to readers that friendship can be found in the most unlikely places.
Often cited as one of the most beloved and inspirational books exploring the Christian faith, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis takes readers on an entertaining and faith-affirming journey through the principles of belief in Christ. Lewis explains big topics such as the acceptance of God, spiritual development and sin through imaginative and funny metaphors, encompassing telescopes, vegetables and even dentists. Despite its serious subject matter, Mere Christianity is a cozy read that will leave you feeling spiritually refreshed.
