CLASSICS
These books and short stories are at the top of my list – they are classics and cannot be replaced because they have made such an impact on my life.
The Bible (Life)
Ceremonies of Dark Old Men: A Play by Lonnie Elder III (Live for today)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou (Overcome obstacles)
The Story of Civilization by Will and Ariel Durant (Knowledge)
- The Age of Faith
- The Reformation
- The Age of Napoleon
I Write What I Like – Steve Biko (Determination)
A Rose for Emily – William Faulkner (Perception and acceptance)
When and Where I Enter – Paula Giddings (Knowledge and respect)
Hannibal – Man of Destiny – M. Taleb (Incredible history and courage)
The Ministers Black Veil – Nathaniel Hawthorne (The perception of secret sin)
Desert Flower – Waris Dirie and Cathleen Miller (Foreign deprivation and appreciation)
READING LIST 2009-2010
Thomas Jefferson said it best, “I cannot live without books”. I love biography, history and anything nonfiction, inspirational or motivating. I am a “shoe-in” for anything on leadership and war heroes with great strategies. I read fiction when it is recommended and I am a magazine junkie. I simply love to read. Therefore, I cannot list every book that I have read since 2009. The books listed are books that stand out. Of course, being on my list does not mean they were published the year I read them. Although some of the books listed on both list may be out of print, I own them and they are on my bookshelf. However, I encourage you to follow the list and read as many as you can.
Blink – Malcolm Gladwell
The Disorganized Mind –Nancy A. Ratey
The Seat of the Soul – Gary Zukav
The Richest Man Who Ever Lived – Steven K. Scott
Inner City Miracle – Judge Greg Mathis
Whose Child is This – Bill Wilson
When She Was White – Judith Stone
The Power of Vision – Myles Monroe
Begging for Change –The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive -Robert Egger
The Struggle of Love – Sharon D. Johnson
Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life – Rethinking Ministry to the Poor – Robert D. Lupton
Next Generation Leader – Andy Stanley
Aging with Grace -What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier and More Meaningful Lives – David Snowdon,Ph.D.
Choosing to Cheat : Who Wins when FAMILY and WORK COLLIDE- Andy Stanley
Too Small to Ignore – Why the Least of These Matters Most – Dr. Wess Stafford with Dean Merrill
Holding Her Head High-12 single mothers who championed their children and changed history – Janine Turner
20/20 Thinking – 1,000 Powerful strategies to sharpen your mind, brighten your mood and boost your memory – Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, Ph.D.
Small Change -Little Things Make a Big Difference-Susan Terkel/Larry Terkel
Excellence-Inspiration for Achieving Your Personal Best – Edited by J. Pincott
Starting from Scratch-When You’re Single Again – Sharon M. Knudson/Mary Fran Heitzman
January 2011
The Teacher who couldn’t read – One Man’s Triumph Over Illiteracy – Excellent true story
Everyday Survival -Why Smart People Do Stupid Things- Great book on everyday wisdom
February 2011- May
2011
Biography of the Dollar – Craig Karmin
50 Secrets of the World’s Longest Living People – Sally Beare
The Pursuit of Happyness – Chris Gardner
The Blind Side – Michael Lewis
Who Switched Off My Brain – Dr. Caroline Leaf
The Supernatural Ways of Royalty – Kris Vallotton & Bill
Johnson
June – August 2011
Peace from Broken Pieces – Iyanla Vanzant (WOW)
There ‘s No Traffic on the Extra Mile (Lessons on the Road from Dreams to Destiny) – Rickey Minor- music director American Idol
He talk like a white boy – Joseph C. Phillips
Is Bill Cosby Right? – Michael Eric Dyson
Brain Surgeon – A Doctor’s Inspiring Encounters with Mortality and Miracles – Keith Black, MD (combination bio and educational/very good book);
The Other Wes Moore – One Name, Two Fates – Wes Moore
Becoming myself -Reflections on growing up female – Willa Shalit
An Ordinary Man- Paul Rusesabagina with Tom Zoellner – autobiography that inspired the movie Hotel Rwanda
September – October 2011
How We Decide – Jonah Lehrer- very good book – insightful
Love is a Verb – Gary Chapman – good book -easy reader – religious view point
Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove – Jeff Henderson -Read this over the summer – His interest in cooking helped save him from drugs and the streets-very good book.
January -February 2012
Fighting Fear – Winning the War at Home – Edie Melson
Basic Brown – My Life and Our Times – Willie Brown
Mandela – A Biography – Martin Meredith
Catherine the Great (e) - Robert Massey (Excellent book!)
Vintage Baldwin – James Baldwin – Book of essays and short stories -very insightful
The Conversation – Hill Harper – Male view on relationships…
The Necessity of an Enemy – Ron Carpenter, Jr.
A Chance in the World (e) – Steve Pemberton
March – April 2012
The Cracker Queen – Lauretta Hannon (Poverty in the white world)
The Age of Miracles – Marianne Williamson
Hannibal – Theodore Ayrault Dodge (I have three books on Hannibal-this was a reread)
Bone to Pick - Of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Reparation and Revenge - Ellis Cose
May – July 2012
Once Upon a Secret -Mimi Alford
Who Owns History? – Eric Foner
Intruder – Naturally kicking Out Cancer – Reschelle Means
Decisions and Consequences – Kevin Rasberry
The Color of Love – Gene Cheek
Related articles
- Independent Literary Awards – Update (leeswammes.wordpress.com)
Now I want a reading list!
Hi Ree:
Thanks so much for the feedback. Please keep me updated on your new possibilities and the books your daughter reads. There are so many great books out there to be read. I
am also open to recommendations. If you read something new that is not on my reading list – please share.
Hi Ree:
Thanks so much for the feed back. There are so many great books out there! Please keep me posted on your endless possibilities and the books your daughter reads.
Also, I am always open to suggestions on good books. If you find another to recommend – please let me know.