Top 5 Tuesday: 5 Books I’m Glad I Read

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme was originally created by Bionic Book Worm, and is now hosted by Meeghan Reads. Here is a list of her Top 5 Topics for November.

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

This book shook me to my core. I’ve never read anything like it. It does start off a little rocky, but you’re totally rewarded for sticking with it. The basic premise is that we all have fractured selves – the things about ourselves that we hide from the public, and the things we chose to share with those around us. Why do we hide those parts? Is it for protection? Without giving too much away – the journey is best when you go in blind, I think – this book made me feel all the feels and I find myself thinking back on it often!

The Address Book: What Street Address Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power by Dierdre Mask

I had no idea that something I’ve never given a thought to could be so fascinating. Written in a highly relatable way, I learned everything there is to know about addresses and how they came to be. The simple number outside your house can tell so much about you – including your identity, race, wealth, an power!

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

This was the first book I read that really solidified the idea of privilege to me. It was a paradigm shift for me and gave me a completely new perspective about wealth, privilege, and elite athletes. Further, it impressed in me the importance of teaching our daughters how to be safe and how to protect themselves, but also (and arguably more important) how vital it is for us to teach our sons how to treat women. I think that aspect of the conversation always seems to be left out – we blame the victim, we believe the accused, and we ignore the fact that we must teach our boys what consent means. It was the most important book I read last year and remains that still today!

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Maybe I just have the Obamas on my mind – President Obama’s new book releases today and we just finished a crazy election that reminded people how a President should act – but Becoming is a book that really touched my heart. Michelle Obama has never been pushed to the back; she is a stong woman who commanded attention throughout her husband’s presidency. But I still didn’t realize the obstacles she had to overcome to be who she is. It was incredibly inspiring and it’s one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read (we’ll see how President Obama’s holds up compared to hers! 😉)

Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein

Another book that fit this election year quite well, I’m glad I read this book before Election Day. It wouldn’t have changed my vote – it’s not that kind of book – but it gave me a greater understanding of the division among Americans. It’s an exploration of the years leading up to now and all of the things that happened that split people into the two major sides we currently have. It was insightful and interesting and even gave some ideas on how we can begin to heal the divide.