As the events of COVID-19 have led us to quarantine ourselves, we have a lot more free time on our hands. Personally, I have been unwinding from the stress of school and keeping busy by reading new books.

The first book I am reading during this time is The Sun Is Also A Star by one of my favorite authors, Nicola Yoon. This story is about two teenagers, Daniel and Natasha, whose paths unexpectedly cross in New York as they both simultaneously try to solve and decide their future with a clock ticking. Natasha, a Jamaican immigrant (along with her family), tries to stop her family’s deportation but encounters Daniel on his journey to save his family. Daniel, college-bound, needs to decide whether he will seek approval of his parents and attend the college of their choice or will he follow his dreams. In the midst of Natasha’s fight to stay in the USA and decisions regarding Daniel’s future, Daniel, a true romantic, is convinced that he can make her fall in love with him. If only given a day to prove so. Was he successful? 

Another book I have read is a self-help book by Brené Brown called Daring Greatly. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment to be vulnerable in a world where everyone wants to be looked at as courageous and brave. By accepting this lifestyle of vulnerability, your mindset will change for the better. I really enjoyed reading this book because it did not “sugar-coat” the truth. Usually, self-help books try to appeal to the audience and their current lifestyle by applauding them instead of trying to help the reader improve. Although Brown commends the reader for his/her achievements, she also encourages a healthy change to better himself/herself.

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This is the photo of the cover of the book chosen by Brown. Brown chose this because she wanted to emphasize the simplicity of the ability to be vulnerable and dare greatly. Courtesy of Google.