Four Books to Read Over the Holidays

This is loosely based on a true story! Becky Farwell by day is a government employee in a small town in Illinois, but by night, she uses money she steals from the government budget to buy art and schmooze with gallery owners. I loved reading about her small town life as much as her art world life.

The tone of the book is so honest that you understand where Mariah came from and how iconic and massively talented she is. She had a tumultuous childhood and reading about her work ethic and talent is inspiring. It’s also fascinating to see how she came up with certain songs. The behind-the-scenes moments will make you feel nostalgic! Read this and listen to ‘All I want for Christmas is You’ to get you in the holiday spirit!

This book is easy to get into and it will change how you see the world. Fungi are not plants or animals, and they are more than mushrooms. They are connected to almost every aspect of how we live. From digesting disposable diapers and crude oil to complimenting garlic and a little olive oil in the kitchen, fungi does it all. Entangled Life is fascinating!

Arshay Cooper dives into the story behind America’s first all-Black high school rowing team. This book focuses on what it was like growing up as a Black man in Chicago combined with the power of friendship, teamwork and the impact of sports. Once you read the book, watch the incredible documentary here.