One of my New Year’s resolutions is to take the time to read more books in 2017. Books are a way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, allowing us to dive into another world. Or books can serve as an inspiration, a motivator, or a new perspective on life. But it can be hard to find the true gems amid the selection of almost 130,000,000 books that currently exist in the world today. So we thought it would be a good idea to start a blog series designed to help everyone find the next book to add to their reading collection: we call it “WOYS”, short for What’s on Your Shelf. Each blog post in this series will list three book recommendations from our staff members. Some will be “meat and potatoes” (adding something to our lives) and some will be “candy” (pure entertainment). Watch as our collection grows! We would love to hear book recommendations from you as well.

I will start us off…

 

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
by James Loewen

They say those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it. Through “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong”, Loewen examines 12 popular American history high school textbooks and attempts to humanize our heroes while offering a more complete picture of American history. If you are like me, you will find yourself saying, “really?”, I have never heard that story throughout. Beware, questions raised while reading this book will likely result in additional hours of internet research.

 

The Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead

It’s not an easy challenge, introducing fantasy into history, particularly when dealing with subjects we struggle to discuss as the best of times. Colson’s remarkable novel does just that, telling the story of a renovated store in an America where the Underground Railroad is a real railroad—complete with engineers, train cars, and fluctuating schedules.

I read it in one weekend, totally taken in by the book’s universe. Fair warning, this is not an easy read. Awful things happen with regularity in this story. It’s worth the journey, but it is not a joy ride.

 

Murder on the Orient Express
by Agatha Christie

How did I miss Agatha Christie in my formative years?

The oversight was pointed out to me upon the news that Murder on the Orient Express would be released on the big screen (for the second time) in the Fall of 2017. Having remedied the situation, I plan on loading my reading list with more Christie. It’s smart, fun summer reading at its best. You’ll zip through this one and immediately want to download your next Agatha Christie.