Our readers share their current books to help us through the coronavirus

I was preparing the community calendar of events this week and saw many events are being postponed because of the coronavirus crisis. Looking at the cancelled library events made me think of books. 

By Anita Widaman

Our Metro Voice subscribers are avid readers.  I contacted a few to see what they would recommend to you since we are spending time at home.   Below are a few recommendations. You can get these wherever you get your audio books.

If you would like to contribute your favorite book, browse your bookshelves and  send your recommendation to my email. We will  provide another reading list in a few weeks. 

Here’s the picks of our readers from across the nation

Joy from Lee’s Summit recommends Atomic Habits by James Clear. We all have habits that we want to break. Ready for a system to make it happen? Atomic Habits will show you how to start good habits and break bad ones. Clear leans on biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create a system for you to be successful.

Cindy from Charleston, South Carolina praises Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover which is on my book club’s list. Tara, born into a survivalist home, begins her formal education at 17 and is able to enter Brigham Young University. Her education extends to Harvard and Cambridge. It is an inspiring story of how one woman was able to change her future.

Shawn from Harrisonville endorses The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel as a great read. Are you looking for meaning in modern life? Heschel views the Sabbath from a Jewish perspective. It is a book that requires reflection and rereading. You will contemplate the nature of God and your relationship with Him.

Jama from Lee’s Summit loves Renovating Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck. Have you ever remodeled a house? The young mom starts a remodeling job and finds that television remodeling reality shows lies.   On top of that her mother in law moves in, her sister comes for a visit, work gets stressful, and more. Can she fix it all?

Dan from Greenwood enjoyed Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Are you a follower or a fan? Do you want to be a fan of Jesus that receives the all the benefits but not willing to sacrifice anything? Not a Fan will ask you to examine your relationship with Jesus. Are you willing to follow Jesus wherever, whenever, and whatever?

Kathleen from Seattle knows you will spend the midnight oil reading Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone. Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed person. After another disappointment, he moves his wife and 13-year-old daughter to Alaska. The mother and daughter are in danger and engaged in a fight for survival.

Fabian from Lenexa suggests the classic How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Carnegie’s wisdom will improve your personal and professional life. Tips on how to get people to like you, change their way of thinking, and change without causing resentment. The advice is timeless and sensible.

–Anita Widaman is the publisher of Metro Voice and an avid reader herself. She encourages everyone to follow the CDC guidelines for containing the spread of coronavirus.