8 Books to Read in the New Year for Any Type of Reader.

A new decade is here. Whether new year resolutions make you feel like you could leap tall buildings or want to leap off of them, (it’s both for me) it’s hard to argue with the idea we should all read a little more.

So, no matter if you’re a serious reader, just want a good laugh or fall somewhere in between, I’ve come up with some inspiration to help you turn off the Netflix and find something good to read…
    

1. 1. If you’re a book club type of reader: Where the Crawdads Sing  
   
   Remarkably this is author Delia Owens' first foray into fiction and when I read the bookjacket, I wasn’t sure it was for me. However all the way through this lush story about an isolated girl who finds education and solace in nature, I found myself sobbing and staying-up way too late. Against the backdrop of the North Carolina swamplands, Owens manages to brilliantly mix a coming of age story with elements of a murder and a love triangle—all while immersing the reader in the strange life of the “swamp girl.”  This book felt like a warm cup of soup and your favorite sandwich on a cold day—just right and so satisfying.
   
   
2. If you’re a Sci-fi/Horror fan:  Mr. Mercedes 
   
   Whether you’re a Stephen King groupie or just like a little macabre on your nightstand, Mr. Mercedes will have you quaking under the covers. While King’s fear factor is usually packaged as paranormal, the villain here is perhaps even more chilling because the evil comes wrapped in the everyday form of sociopathic computer techie. The book follows the detective and is a good old-fashioned race-against-time thriller, but King’s protagonist is so wonderfully unsettling I found him creeping into my thoughts long after I finished. Pick it up if you love a good scare or just want to completely forget about your own life for a while.
   
   
3. If you’re a serious reader: The Secret History
   
   If you like your books to have a little more literary beef to them, check out The Secret History by Donna Tartt (of Gold Finch fame). Set in New England, this book tells the story of a closely-knit group of classics majors at an elite Vermont college. Though it explores the complexities of class, privilege and isolation, its real girth stems from the author (and characters') preoccupation with Greek mythology, history and philosophy. By the end of the first chapter, the reader can expect to be introduced to both complex quotes in Latin and Greek and a murder. It’s by no means an easy read, but at the end you’ll be glad you did the heavy lifting.
   
   
4. If humor or nonfiction is your jam:  The World’s Largest Man
   
   If you appreciate a good memoir or just want to laugh, Harrison Scott Key’s debut book fits the bill. The memoir reads more like fiction and follows this Savannah local through a hilarious romp of his childhood as a not-so-typical southern boy. Harrison’s quirky writing style keeps both the jokes coming (often out of nowhere) while still managing to explore his relationship with a larger-than-life father.  
   
   
5. If you’re a mystery lover:  Dear Wife
   
   Do you love a good mystery or an expected twist? Dear Wife, the newest offering from bestselling author, Kimberly Belle, delivers both. About a woman on the run from her husband, the book takes several twisty turns while still managing to deliver a realistic exploration of modern marriage. I almost missed carpool because I couldn’t put this one down and you will feel the same. 
   
   
6. If you're creative or stuck in a rut:  Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
   
   Most readers are familiar with Elizabeth Gilbert from her mega best-seller, Eat, Pray, Love but this book is a bit different. Part celebration of the creative life, part kick-in-the pants, Gilbert outlines her own creative process using her trademark frank and endearing writing style. An easy read, the book provides the “why” and “how” to get out of your comfort zone and by the end, she feels like your biggest cheerleader. It’s a perfect pick  for anyone looking for that “thing that takes you out of yourself and opens you up to wonder and joy.”
     
7. If you love southern fiction or a beach read:  The Prince of Tides
   
   It’s the worst of clichés and many of you have probably already seen the movie, but the book is SO. MUCH. BETTER. I’ll admit I’m an embarrassingly passionate, unapologetic, uber fan of Pat Conroy, but this book is full of crazy and eccentric backstories the movie never went near. (i.e. did you know the main character, Tom Wingo, had a caged tiger?)  As always, Conroy’s portrayals of coastal life are as startingly beautiful as they are intuitive, and though I would not rate The Prince of Tides as a simple read, it’s a must-add for any self-respecting Southerner.
   ​
8. If you're an entrepreneur:  Profit First: Transform your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
   
   If you often make a beeline for the business section at the book store or are thinking of starting your own side hustle, check out Mike Michalowicz's, Profit First. This business and budgeting book is a clever balance of conversational tone, storytelling, analogies and behavioral psychology. While business books are not high on my own list, this pick comes highly recommended from small business owner, Kelly Coulter of Coulter Web Pros who has put its theories into practice.
   
   

Your turn! What books are on your list for 2020? Or what have you recently read that you loved and want to share? I want to know—like and comment!

---