Whether you prefer e-books, paperbacks, board books or audiobooks, today is a day to celebrate. For World Book Day, the ExcelinEd team is sharing some of our recent (and recommended!) reads.
Browse your home bookshelf or head down to your local library to explore these and other great reads.
Governor Jeb Bush recommends Factfulness by Hans Rosling.
“This book challenges the way you look at data and causes you to question your natural instincts about progress being made in the world.”
Christy Hovanetz recommends Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille.
“The book is part of the John Corey detective mysteries series that feature historically significant tragedies or realistic threats with fictional accounts of investigating the case. It’s clever and suspenseful–a great alternative to television.”
Jess Langhaim recommends Where the Sidewalk by Shel Silverstein.
“I am currently reading this book out loud to my daughter. I enjoyed these poems so much as a child, and am excited to be sharing them with her. The whimsical pages are filled with new and interesting words!”
Susan Rehwinkel recommends Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.
“Despite sacrifices and disappointments in his life’s journey, President Mandela never gave up working to make a difference for good in the world. Although over 600 pages, it is interesting and thoughtfully written–I can hardly put it down!”
Patricia Levesque recommends Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt by Arthur Brooks.
“In his new book, Arthur reminds leaders to look for the bridges and opportunities to mend relationships that will take us out of the ‘culture of contempt’ so prevalent right now. This is something we can all work toward in our daily lives.”
Alice Neira recommends A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway.
“Hemingway is one of my favorite authors. Throughout this autobiographical work, he mentions visiting with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso. It’s interesting to see how some of the greatest artists of that time influenced one another.”
Kim Preston recommends The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
“I read a LOT of historical fiction and seem to gravitate toward books focused on World War II. I think this book is now my all-time favorite (so far).”
Debbie Stephens recommends Population One: Autism, Adversity and the Will to Succeed by Tyler McNamer.
“This is a first-person account by a young, high-functioning autistic man of what the world looks like from his perspective. It is a compilation of several short chapters, arranged in an order logical only to Tyler. It is thought provoking and eye opening.”
Joe Follick recommends Florida by Lauren Groff.
“In this collection of short stories, the author does a great job of creating strong, complex female characters to share scenes from the real Florida that most residents recognize. It’s a great example of fiction often being a more accurate way to describe reality than non-fiction.”
Kristin Lock recommends The Serpent by Claire North.
“This fantasy novel is set in Venice, Italy, which I visited last year. I really enjoyed reliving my trip through the narrative. Plus, it’s a quick read!”
Jennifer Diaz recommends Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
“A mentor and former communications colleague recently told me how this book inspired her to do her part to help transform the lives of women and girls in developing nations. I found similar inspiration and hope in the stories of the women profiled. Despite acts of violence and oppression committed against them, with a little help, encouragement and education, these women did great things and serve as an example for us all.”
Nathan Hoffman recommends the memoir The Education of Eva Moskowitz.
“This memoir blends Eva Moskowitz’s life growing up and time on the New York City Council with her pursuit to build and scale Success Academy. Truly a great read for people looking for inspiration and motivation to keep fighting the good fight to empower more families with high-quality schooling options.”
Ryan Mahoney recommendsTiamat’s Wrath by James S.A. Corey.
“This is book eight in The Expanse series. I’ve been listening to the audiobook (narrated by the fantastic Jefferson Mays) while I drive around my region. I got into the series through the Syfy show, and as with most such things, the books are even better.”
Kassandra Elekes recommends The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.
“It was fascinating to learn more about habits in general, how some business leaders have reinforced organizational habits, and how personal habits are created and changed.”
Ann O’Dea recommends The Kennedy Debutanteby Kerri Maher.
“This was my book club’s pick for the month. I don’t know that I would have selected it myself, but I am enjoying it. The older I get, the more I enjoy historically-based or non-fiction v. my usual legal thriller.”
Brandi Brown recommends Shoot for the Moon by James Donovan.
“Donovan’s book is a very readable history lesson on the Apollo missions and those that prepared NASA for the historic endeavor. It’s an interesting read for our current time considering President Trump is challenging our space industry in a way similar to President Kennedy in 1961.”
