I recommend the novel There There by Tommy Orange because it’s an interesting look at the lives of modern Native Americans in the US and offers a perspective we often don’t hear. The book follows twelve characters living in Oakland, California, each dealing with their own challenges, including questions of identity and connections to their heritage, and their individual stories are told in short chapters. As the novel progresses, all of the characters are drawn toward the Big Oakland Powwow for their own personal reasons. It’s a powerful story about community, history, and the search for belonging in today’s society.

I’m a huge fan of Nassim Nicholas Taleb. If you’ve read The Black Swan, you must read Antifragile. In a world dominated by extremes and randomness, how can you become stronger, antifragile? Nassim suggests a mental model that will make you stronger and.. happier. Taleb should get a Nobel for his work.

The Let Them Theory” is one of those trendy books I never thought I’d enjoy, but I ended up devouring it on vacation because it’s such an easy read. As someone who tends to overanalyze and overthink everything, I found it to be a genuinely helpful tool for learning to put things into perspective. This book especially helped me accept that some things are simply out of my control, and that it’s perfectly okay.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is a gripping read that stayed with me. The Alaskan setting is both beautiful and dangerous, brought vividly to life by Hannah’s writing. Strong, complex characters make this story truly memorable.

I recommend Dear Zari: Hidden Stories from Women of Afghanistan because it offers an unfiltered glimpse into lives and struggles we rarely hear about. As someone long intrigued by Middle Eastern culture, I stumbled upon this book and couldn’t put it down- tears, goosebumps, everything. It’s a powerful reminder that countless realities exist beyond our line of sight, and that what we think we know about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

This isn’t your classic recommendation, but I wanted to share something that’s close to my heart and a little different. The Salad Pizza Wine cookbook captures the spirit of one of Montreal’s most beloved neighborhood restaurant, Elena. It’s become a staple in my own kitchen and their kale Caesar salad has been on repeat in my household. I find myself turning to their recipes whenever I’m craving comfort food that still feels fresh and thoughtful.

Tarek, an Egyptian doctor, leaves Alexandria alone for Montreal in the 1980s. Haunted by solitude and secrets, he struggles to rebuild as his past resurfaces.It’s a moving exploration of identity and memory that resonates even with readers who have never experienced exile.

I worried that because I am not a chef (or even close to resembling one), I would have trouble relating to or even understanding this book. But Bourdain has a way of making every story, whether inside or outside the kitchen, feel approachable and interesting – even if they are mostly unrelatable or even downright alarming. I picked this book up on a bit of a whim, but I enjoyed every second of it. Anthony Bourdain has a way of writing that makes you feel like a trusted confidant, a friend even; he makes you feel as cool as Anthony Bourdain. A few hot tips I learned upon reading: get yourself one great kitchen knife (and sharpen it), you should never eat fish at a restaurant on Monday, and “Specials” are typically just leftovers.