8 Books I Recommend – February 2025
“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here are 6 nonfiction books, 1 novel, and 1 children’s book that I recommend from my recent reads.
[See previously recommended books here]
NONFICTION
1. Advice for Future Corpses (And Those Who Love Them)
A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying
by Sallie Tisdale
I hope this doesn’t sound creepy, but this book about death and dying was fascinating to me. Tisdale’s experience as a nurse in palliative care brought a wise perspective on what to say and not to say to a dying person; how the last few weeks of life can look; what options are available for the body after death; and how to grieve for the death of a loved one or your own future death. Death is a given for each of us, so why not be better informed about it. Highly recommend!
2. Tranquility by Tuesday
9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters
by Laura Vanderkam
Another winner from Vanderkam! She offers nine strategies you can implement in your daily life, giving you a better perspective about time. I’ve already been implementing some of her suggestions and thus feel like I have more time to do the things I want to (even though the hours in a week haven’t changed). This is not a traditional time management book though. It’s about becoming more intentional about what you want out of life.
3. Stand Your Ground
A Black Feminist Reckoning with America’s Gun Problem
by Roxane Gay
My online book club discussed this thoughtful essay from Roxane Gay—a Black feminist who has “no fondness for guns”—yet who nonetheless decided to purchase one after receiving death threats. She writes about the questions she had to ask herself (such as, “Would I actually be able to pull the trigger on a flesh and blood person?”) and the lessons she learned along the way. I appreciate her honesty and vulnerability as she explored the complexity of gun ownership.
4. Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better
by Pema Chödrön
I always learn truth from the wisdom of Pema Chödrön. This book is from a commencement speech she gave when her niece graduated from her university. Pema’s advice is to embrace failure as a path to growth and self-discovery instead of shame and hopelessness. It’s a small book but a powerful read for navigating uncertainty among our missteps.
5. The Heart of Nonviolent Communication
25 Keys to Shift From Separation to Connection
by Kristin K. Collier
I’ve taken a deep dive into learning more about Marshall Rosenberg’s transformative approach to honest, compassionate communication. This book gives lots of real-life examples and practical insights about 25 distinctions to reframe how we communicate and view situations and relationships. I read this one slow and steady to allow it to really sink in. It was definitely worth the time.
6. Fierce Love
A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World
by Jacqui Lewis
I heard Jacqui Lewis speak a few times last month, and could feel her sincerity and energy that she writes about in this book. She is on a mission to unite people from all walks of life to create a more loving world for everyone. This book shares her personal stories and encourages us to love more fiercely ourselves.
FICTION
7. Rez Ball
by Byron Graves
This is an engaging young adult novel about Tre Brun, a teenage basketball player on the Red Lake Reservation. The plot centers on Tre and his teammates working to make it to the state championship game, but along the way you learn what reservation life can be like for young Indigenous people.
CHILDREN’S BOOK
8. I Am the Spirit of Justice
by Jemar Tisby
This is an encouraging children’s book to show that the better nature of humans is to find equality for all. And that this better nature has been present throughout the history of the United States if we know where to look for it. This age-appropriate telling of a hard history is embedded with the arc that bends toward justice.
[Read my review here of I Am the Spirit of Justice]
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- The Guest List
by Lucy Foley - Too Much and Not Enough
Sacred Thoughts Said Out Loud
by Karen Shock - Nexus
A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
by Yuval Noah Harari - How to End Christian Nationalism
by Amanda Tyler - The Nocebo Effect
When Words Make You Sick
by Michael Bernstein
What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
You always find such interesting books to share with us, Lisa. Thanks!
Thank you, Lisa, for these recommendations. I’m definitely putting Tranquility by Tuesday on my wishlist.
Hi, Lisa – I continue to be inspired by your book recommendations. Thank you for your excellent reviews and write-ups!
You always find such interesting nonfiction! I’m looking forward to checking out Advice for Future Corpses, Tranquility by Tuesday, and The Heart of Nonviolent Communication!
I definitely need Tranquility by Tuesday, and probably should read Advice for Corpses.
You always find the most fascinating sounding non-fiction books to read. I am determined to read more non-fiction this year. It frustrates me though that so many of the ones you read that I know I’d love to read are never available through our local library (which is connected to nearly every other public library in our state!).
I’m sorry your library doesn’t have many of these, Joanne. That’s such a bummer because I get most of these from my library (I buy very few books). The game changer for me was when I found out I was within range to set up an account with the Nashville public library system for $10/year. They have SO many more ebooks than my local library, and since I read mainly ebooks, it doesn’t matter that their library is a couple hours away and out of state.
I always appreciate your book recommendations, Lisa. The first two from today’s selections particularly piqued my interest. They’re going on my TBR list! I just finished Rod Dreher’s book, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age–a thought-provoking book if ever there was one. I highlighted many insightful statements, but also wrote a few question marks in the margins. ‘Would make a great book club choice, I think. Lots of potential for discussion.