book suggestions

I strongly believe that everyone should read books all the time. Usually I fail at this and only read online articles some of the time, but I regret every chance I have to read a book that I pass up. So since spring break is next week, and since I think everyone should be reading over break, here are some of my top suggestions!

• Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. Though it's by an economist, it's really by a behavioral economist, so it's more like it's by a psychologist. If you liked Freakonomics or just like understanding more things about why people do what they do, this is the book for you!
• Guyland by Michael Kimmel. This explores the sociological side of "guys" (that is, being not a boy nor a man) and has some really interesting things to say about our generation. I just think everyone should read it!
• Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. If you've struggled, like me, to keep your sanity about you when you're running around doing school, making friends, keeping up with your family, running events, showering, etc. then this is a great, refreshing, practical book that addresses some major issues and will help you take a breath and get organized. Perfect for spring break!
• Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger. If you're looking for a bit of good literature without much commitment,  short stories are for you! Don't make the mistake of picking of something tricky like Hemingway when you can get just as much depth and intrigue in Salinger. Also perfect for people who loved Catcher in the Rye like me.
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Intrigued by the clips of the movie that you saw at the Oscars? This is a fun and light read, but also a deep and philosophical story, and it's about zoo animals on a boat...come on, you're intrigued. I read it in oneish sitting.

Also I'm the sort of person who doesn't usually believe in "beach reading" in the traditional escapism/light reading sense, so if you're looking for more classics why not go big and read A Tale of Two Cities? (I read this on the beach. No regrets. Just some funny looks from strangers.)

Also also, if you're looking for something requiring more commitment or if you have more than a week you'd like to spend reading, I would highly recommend both The Cost of Discipleship and The Divine Conspiracy, both of which I'm working my way through currently. Both of them dig into the Sermon on the Mount and its implications for the 20th/21st centuries so if you're not Christian you'll likely find them accessible and if you are then you'll probably learn a lot of new things as well. Great food for thought!