What better way to spend the days in between Christmas and New Year than hibernating with a good book? Whether they were gifted to you, from you, or as a treat to yourself; those lost couple of days when the presents have been unwrapped and the turkey has been eaten are the perfect time to put on your comfiest outfit, relax and catch up on some reading! Below are Sassy’s picks for the best reads 2016 offered us…
Written by the lifestyle vlogger Estee Lalonde, Bloom is about discovering who you are and how you interpret that through the lifestyle choices you make. Described by the author as “not a book about living the perfect lifestyle, it’s about giving you the confidence to find the lifestyle that is perfect for you” – this is the ultimate read for any Sassy Girl.
Written almost 10 years ago, but still the book I will recommend to anyone who will listen. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” tells the heartbreaking story of two very different women growing up in Afghanistan from the early 1960s to the early 2000s. As their paths intertwine, they truly display the strength of women and the lengths they will go to to protect the ones they love.
In her second book “Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded“, the hugely popular YouTuber stirs up tales from her past with a collection of narrative essays about family, faith, love, sexuality, self-worth, friendship and fame. Hart mentions that she “always found comfort in the stories shared by others”, so put her own tales to paper in a hope to bring some comfort to her readers as well. With the tagline “buffering is just the time it takes to process” – this is an honest account of self-discovery, which any reader will be able to draw parallels with!
If you were hiding under a rock this summer (or have just been too busy to read it yet!), “The Girl on the Train” was one of 2016’s most talked about psychological thrillers. A page turner that will have you hooked until the last word, it’s not one to be missed. Plus, once you’ve finished reading it, be sure to check out the film!
In a world where woman should be a certain size and are rarely seen as funny, West bravely shares with us her memoirs – from a painfully shy childhood, to battling adversity in her career, and ultimately learning how to weather hatred, loneliness, harassment, loss, and walk away laughing. “Shrill” is honest and, at times, considered shocking, but is definitely a must read for any feminist!
A classic, and one that always makes me feel festive (though this might come from watching the movie every year with my mum!), the novel follows the lives of four sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood. If you’ve never read “Little Women“, there’s no better time than the Christmas season to get cosy and dive into past – you may be surprised by how relatable the characters still are!
If you loved “Girl on the Train” this is also a must read! Moriarty is renowned for slowly building suspense in her novels and “Truly Madly Guilty” is no different; keeping you guessing until the last minute, as she takes on the foundations of marriage, sex, parenthood, friendship and the impact of guilt on these relationships…
A beautifully written novel, that anyone will struggle to put down. “A Little Life” follows four friends from college through to middle age, describing the trials and tribulations of everyday life and exploring the true meaning of friendship. As the novel follows the four friends over a long time-span, Yanagihara ensures that the reader feels a closeness and empathy for the characters, making their stories stick with you, even after the last page has been read.
Whether you’re a self confessed OCD clean freak or a little more on the messy side, this book is a must read. Japanese cleaning consultant Kondo promises that if you properly simplify and organise your home once, you’ll never have to do it again! Remember, a tidy and organised space creates a more relaxed environment, which can help to de-stress and aid productivity – so what are you waiting for? There’s a reason for Kondo’s three-month long wait list!
As the chief operating officer of Facebook and ranked on Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, Sandberg is one inspiring woman! Through “Lean In”, she explores the reasons behind the lack of progression for women to leadership roles and offers solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential – in and out of the workplace – and to challenge the, still very common assumption, that “men run the world.”
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