SPONSORED: “Great Reads” is a regular roundup of books that the Orange County Public Library System thinks you should peruse that month.
Orange County Library System has launched a new tagline that we think says it all: Learn. Grow. Connect. These are the building blocks for life: the constant pursuit of knowledge, the desire to be better, and the community you need to do it. In honor of our slogan’s birth, we’ve selected some titles to help you do just that.
The Story of Arthur Truluv
BY ELIZABETH BERG
Berg will grow your heart at least two sizes with her novel, The Story of Arthur Truluv. Amazing things happen when two octogenarians and an introspective teen meet and chance to build friendships. To the casual observer, the three don’t have much in common, but upon closer inspection, they share a bond of longing for lost loved ones and fleeting hope. The Story is an encouragement to keep reaching, connecting, and loving even when it hurts.
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
BY CAL NEWPORT
In a world where technology is taking over our daily lives, Newport offers advice for learning to take back control in our tech saturated lives. With technology being neither good or bad, digital minimalism is the idea of knowing how much is enough to live a more focused life and Newport shares strategies drawn from a diverse pool of real-world examples for doing so.
The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life in Ten Minutes a Day
BY ANDY PUDDICOMBE
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed on a regular basis? Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, has developed a guided meditation program that can have you feeling less stressed with as little as 10 minutes a day. Offering simple meditation techniques, this program is perfect for individuals with little free time looking to improve both their mental and physical health.
Body Positive Power: Because Life Is Already Happening and You Don’t Need Flat Abs to Live It
BY MEGAN JAYNE CRABBE
At the heart of the Instagram star Crabbe’s new memoir is this simple message: Loving oneself is the first step to loving others, as well as the greater world in general. As she goes on to describe through personal reflections, however, getting to that point is not an easy task. She covers many sensitive issues throughout the book and gives helpful advice to readers who may need a little extra assistance in embracing their true, inner beauty.
The Path Between Us
BY SUZANNE STABILE
If you’re familiar with the Enneagram, this book is a great complementary resource. Stabile, coauthor of The Road Back to You, wrote The Path Between Us to specifically address Enneagram results as they impact our interactions with others. She offers advice for engaging with those who don’t think as we think or respond as we respond. This is a wonderful helper for those seeking more caring, nurturing, and healthful relationships.
Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance
BY EMILY FLETCHER
Everyone knows life can be stressful. But not everyone knows how to handle the stress. Luckily, Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation and author of the new book Stress Less, Accomplish More, is here to help those in need of a less stressful lifestyle. Pulling from years of experience in creating renowned meditation exercises and techniques, Fletcher knows how to guide eager learners to a successful and positive future path.
