good reads: volume 1.

I wish I could show you a picture of my nightstand without getting embarrassed. But because it's messy and cluttered, I'll paint you a picture instead. On it you'll find a lamp, my glasses, a box of tissues, a bottle of lotion, some hair ties and bobby pins, my scriptures and Primary lesson book, and a tower of books. Books from the library, books I've bought on Amazon and eBay, and books borrowed from friends. Sometimes this tower of books gets so big that I have to strategically place the books so they don't topple over. Some of the books at the bottom of my pile have been sitting there collecting dust for a few months because I find new books that I'm really excited about. Eventually I'll get to them.

If you're like me and constantly on the lookout for new and interesting books to read, check out these books.

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Set in the Deep South in the early 60s, this book delves into the issues of racism and inequality through a young woman wanting to change the way things are. Meeting with maids behind the backs of their employers, she records their nitty-gritty stories in an effort to put together a book to bring attention to the issues at hand. You'll laugh at times and you'll cringe at times, but you'll want to keep reading through the night to soak it all in. Pretty sure I won't be able to look at a chocolate pie the same way again. ;)

2. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Yes, 14-year old girls across the country are probably dying over this book. I'll admit that I skimmed over the high school romance stuff in the book, and was more interested in the car accident and hospital stuff. This book posed some interesting questions and thoughts about comas and whether we get to choose if we stay or go when we're in limbo, and I couldn't stop thinking about it all for a few days after I had finished the book. I'd highly recommend this as a quick read for when you need to kill 2-3 hours (e.g., on a flight, waiting at the dentist, etc).

3. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
I found this book to be highly captivating since it's a true story. Susannah was fresh out of college and new to the workforce when people close to her noticed that she was acting less and less like herself. Starting with paranoia about her apartment being infested with bugs (even after an exterminator came out and found absolutely nothing) and escalating to being so out of it mentally, she was hospitalized with no diagnosis. Being passed around from doctor to doctor, and eventually to another hospital completely, she lived for weeks with a mental illness that continued to worsen. The book chronicles the experiences of her family and friends, as well as the security tapes from her rooms, and the faint memories that Susannah was able to hold onto.

Check out this page to see what else I've read lately. :)