Every year, I challenge myself to find new books to read that will help me get my resolutions in gear. I love finding new inspirational heroes and stories, and rereading ones that have motivated me in years past. These are the top five books on my list to start 2016 on the right page.
1. "Yes Please" by Amy Poehler
This memoir is as bold and witty as the comic herself. It is a pithy guide on how to make 2016 my year. In this memoir, Poehler tells the journey of her career, how she fell in love with comedy and never looked back. Taking on the role of Hillary Clinton in "Saturday Night Live," starring on "Parks and Recreation," having two children, getting a divorce, becoming one of the strongest female voices of the generation, Amy Poehler is an inspiration to all strong, determined women (and men).
2. "To Kill a Mocking Bird" by Harper Lee
I will never get tired of Atticus' sound advice and Scout's coming-of-age narrative. Its themes serve as an important parallel to some of the issues of today. This is one of my favorite books of all time because I learn something new, not only about the characters or the plot, but also about myself every time I read it.
3. "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss
This one might sound cheesy, but I'll never be too old for Dr. Seuss. His rhymes are catchy and create a good mantra for the upcoming year. Plus, it's a nice reminder that, while I've come a long way, there is still so much more for me. A new year is a chance to see what places I can go.
4. "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed
This book has been on my to-read list for a while now, and I fully intend to check it off over the course of 2016. "With nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone." It shows me that no matter how lost and alone I felt in 2015, I can always find myself, by myself, in 2016.
5. "Modern Romance" by Aziz Ansari
This New York Times Bestseller was deemed "A hilarious, thoughtful, and in-depth exploration of the pleasures and perils of modern romance from one of the generations sharpest comedic voices." Realistically, 2016 will probably not be the year I find eternal romance, but I can appreciate the humor Ansari finds in the confusing texts, social media and the quest for a soulmate.
