Top Reads (from etiquette to crime)

After reading my post Goal Setting in My Technicolor Dreamcoat, a few readers decided to join me in my personal goal to read 20 pages of a book each day. It’s a great idea! One reader wrote. But what do I read?

In response to this question, I’ve created a collection of six, diverse books that should tickle nearly anyone’s fancy. Are you a crime novel enthusiast? A WWII buff? A fashionista? I’ve got you covered.

I have included a brief description of each book, a personal note, and an estimation of how long the book takes to read. (Note: This estimation is based off an individual who reads approximately 20 minutes a day.)

You Are Worth it: Building a Life Worth Living For by Kyle Carpenter
- About: Kyle Carpenter details his experiences before and after his life-altering act of service in Afghanistan. (An act of heroism that later earned him the Medal of Honor in 2010.)
- Personal note: While a short read, this book is one of the most influential I have read. It emphasizes the importance of discipline, servitude, and struggle.
- Estimated Reading Time: 2 weeks
Modern Etiquette for a Better Life by Diane Gottsman
- About: Etiquette is not dead (*praise). Gottsman queues the reader into modern etiquette every person should know: break and boardroom etiquette, business meal manners, and even unspoken social media rules.
- Personal Note: This book is a must for any young professional.
- Estimated Reading Time: 1 week

*Sneakers are always appropriate. Especially with a dress.*

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
- About: Metaxes details the remarkable life of Lutheran theologian Detiriech Bonhoeffer.
- Personal Note: Bring your pen. You’ll be underlining. A lot. If you want a book that makes you think, this is it.
- Estimated Reading Time: 1-2 months (I got some fun looks reading this bad boy in the cafeteria. You look smart reading a 600 page book about a martyr.)
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini, PH.D
- About: Professor of psychology Robert Cialdini explains the seven key principles of persuasion. This book is said to be the ultimate guide for those in marketing and sales.
- Personal Note: I have begun to apply a few of these persuasion principles at my retail job. Guess what? They’re working.
- Estimated Reading Time: 1-2 months

Red Notice by Bill Browder
- About: Bill Browder details his shocking, thriller-like experience of accidentally leaving his comfortable life on Wall Street to become Putin’s number one enemy.
- Personal Note: This book opens your eyes to reality, reads like a crime novel, and is impossible to stop reading. It has been a favorite of mine since I read it in 2017.
- Estimated Reading Time: 2-3 weeks
Dior by Dior
- About: Dior gives the reader a peep into the word of Paris couture in the 1940s. From the process of building a couture house to the backstage culture of Parisian runway shows, this book is a must for any fashion lover.
- Personal Note: This book enhanced by appreciation for the art of fashion. As a fashion student, the jargon and history has proved essential.
- Estimated Reading Time: 1-2 weeks.