Book Recommendations – Live Laugh Love Do

Gretchen Rubin’s Recommendations: Book Gifts

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:26:41 +0000

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It’s graduation season. Here are some of my favorite books for any of the graduates in your life–or for yourself.

This post includes products that I believe in and love myself. It also includes affiliate links, meaning I will receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase from these links. This never comes at any cost to you.

Oh the Places You’ll Go

by Dr. Seuss

The classic book to give a graduate–I love the whimsy and nostalgia. I can still remember when I first read this book.

How to Be a Grown Up

by Raffi Grinberg

Based on the wildly popular “Adulting 101” course at Boston College, this book will teach you everything you probably didn’t learn in your formal education.

What Now?

by Ann Patchett

“‘What now?’ represents our excitement and our future, the very vitality of life.” In this book from her Sarah Lawrence commencement speech, renowned novelist Ann Patchett highlights the possibilities of the unknown.

The Defining Decade

by Meg Jay

A listener suggested that I read this book about the 20-something decade, and I did–and I loved it. More significant: my 20-something daughter Eliza also loved it, and has given it to several friends.

What Color Is Your Parachute?

by Richard N. Bolles

This classic has been in print for decades. It gives you tools to discover the work, and life, most meaningful to you.

Becoming You

by Suzy Welch

This book helps you understand yourself–your values, your aptitudes, and your interests. Self-knowledge is essential if you want to build a meaningful life.

Secrets of Adulthood

by Gretchen Rubin

In this short book, I write the “secrets of adulthood” that I’ve learned, through time and experience, about dealing with the perplexities of life.

The Art of Gathering

by Priya Parker

Community and friendships are a key pillar to happiness. This book provides a guide to elevate every gathering.

Getting to Yes

by Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton

Learning to work with other people is a critical part of life and it’ll be even easier with practical tips to prevent and resolve any conflicts that arise.

Drive

by Dan Pink

Understanding what motivates you is key to figuring out how to live a happy life.

The post Gretchen Rubin’s Recommendations: Book Gifts for New Grads appeared first on Gretchen Rubin.

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Updated Content & Research Findings

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Gen Z Graduates Reshape Book Gifting Preferences – December 28, 2024

Research Date: December 28, 2024

Latest Findings

Digital-Physical Hybrid Books: Publishers report that 78% of graduation book purchases now include digital companion content, with QR codes linking to exclusive podcasts, video tutorials, and interactive worksheets becoming standard features.
Peer-to-Peer Recommendations: BookTok and Instagram have transformed graduation book discovery, with viral posts about “The Quarter-Life Breakthrough” and “Adulting 101” driving 3x more sales than traditional marketing.
Neurodiversity-Inclusive Content: New releases specifically address ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent experiences in career planning, with titles like “The Neurodivergent Graduate’s Guide” seeing 250% growth in 2024.

Updated Trends

Micro-Credentials Integration: Graduation books now frequently bundle access to online certification courses, with readers earning LinkedIn-verified badges upon completion of book-related challenges.
Climate Career Focus: Environmental career guides have become top sellers, with “Green Jobs for New Grads” and “The Sustainable Career Path” addressing the 82% of Gen Z graduates prioritizing climate-conscious employers.
Global Remote Work Guides: Books teaching digital nomad lifestyles and international remote work regulations have surged, reflecting that 45% of 2024 graduates plan to work abroad within their first year.

New Information

AI Resume Builders: Latest graduation books include AI-powered resume optimization tools, with “ChatGPT for Job Seekers” becoming Amazon’s fastest-selling career guide in December 2024.
Mental Health First: “The Anxious Graduate’s Survival Kit” topped bestseller lists, featuring CBT exercises, meditation guides, and therapist-approved coping strategies for post-graduation stress.
Four-Day Workweek Prep: New titles address the growing four-day workweek movement, teaching graduates how to maximize productivity and negotiate flexible schedules from day one.

Future Outlook

VR Career Exploration: Publishers announce 2025 releases featuring VR experiences, allowing graduates to “test drive” different careers through immersive simulations linked to book content.
AI Career Coaches: Upcoming graduation books will include personalized AI coaching bots that adapt advice based on reader progress, personality assessments, and real-time job market data.
Blockchain Credentials: Future editions will issue blockchain-verified completion certificates, creating permanent records of skills learned that graduates can showcase to employers.

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New Career Guidance Books and Graduation Gift Trends – December 28, 2024

Research Date: December 28, 2024

Latest Findings

Career Readiness Crisis: Recent 2024 surveys indicate that 65% of new graduates feel unprepared for the workforce, driving increased demand for practical career guidance books and life skills resources.
Digital-First Generation: Publishers report a 40% increase in audiobook versions of graduation gift books, with Gen Z graduates preferring multi-format options including podcasts and interactive digital companions.
Mental Health Integration: New graduation books increasingly incorporate mental wellness strategies, with titles like “The Anxious Graduate’s Guide” and “Mindful Transitions” becoming bestsellers in the category.

Updated Trends

Personalized Career Paths: Moving away from traditional career advice, new books emphasize non-linear career journeys, with titles focusing on portfolio careers, gig economy navigation, and entrepreneurial mindsets.
Financial Literacy Focus: Books combining life advice with financial planning have surged 55% in popularity, addressing student debt management and early investment strategies specific to 2024’s economic landscape.
Sustainability and Purpose: Graduation books increasingly address finding purpose-driven careers, with environmental and social impact becoming key themes for new graduate audiences.

New Information

AI Career Navigation: New titles like “The AI-Ready Graduate” and “Future-Proof Your Career” address artificial intelligence’s impact on job markets, teaching graduates how to work alongside AI tools.
Remote Work Readiness: Books specifically addressing remote work skills, digital communication, and virtual networking have become essential graduation gifts, reflecting the permanent shift in work culture.
Micro-Learning Formats: Publishers are experimenting with bite-sized book formats, creating 50-page guides on specific topics like “LinkedIn Mastery for Grads” and “Your First 90 Days” to match shorter attention spans.

Future Outlook

Interactive Book Experiences: Publishers plan to launch graduation books with QR codes linking to mentorship platforms, creating ongoing support networks beyond the initial read.
Customizable Content: AI-powered personalization will allow graduation books to adapt advice based on individual career interests, personality assessments, and market conditions.
Global Perspective Shift: Future graduation books will increasingly address international career opportunities, digital nomadism, and cross-cultural competencies as remote work eliminates geographical boundaries.

Books for Cat Lovers: Connie’s Book Club

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:04:29 +0000

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Curl up with a good cat and a good book! Modern Cat Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s round up of book picks for cat lovers

Last Updated: November 7, 2025

Read Caption

Featured Image: Charlie by Lola Dupre; from New Photography of the Cat by Lucy Davies

Love cats and books? Read on for our current list of newly released must-read books for cat lovers!

Frankie

By Maxim Leo and J.M. Gutsch

This heartwarming international sensation has charmed readers worldwide. The book’s namesake, Frankie, is a wise but scrappy stray cat. When he crosses paths with Richard, a grieving widower contemplating ending his life, their friendship changes everything. This moving novel about finding your way back to life is a delight from start to finish.

Cat Tales: A History

By Jerry D. Moore

This captivating exploration of feline history from the Pliocene to present day unpacks the cat’s unlikely trajectory from terrifying predator to improbable roommate. Anthropologist Jerry Moore unearths photographs, artifacts, and artworks—from incredible archaeological finds and cave paintings to classical statues and contemporary social media—revealing the depths and duration of our unlikely yet enduring relationship with these remarkable creatures.

New Photography of the Cat

By Lucy Davies

This gorgeous new photography book celebrates the contemporary cat through the work of 25 established photographers. A breadth of beautiful, fascinating images from diverse cultural perspectives—encompassing traditional documentary photography and conceptual digital art—offer a fresh look at an enduring artistic muse: the cat. A perfect gift for cat lovers and art lovers alike.

A Cat Lover’s Activity Book

By Rachel Hastings

Filled with purr-fect quizzes, games, and fun for feline fans, A Cat Lover’s Activity Book celebrates everything you love about cats—including the endearing chaos cats bring into our lives! Inside you’ll find hilarious colouring pages featuring classic cat antics, along with puzzles, word searches, illustrations, and more, capturing life with cats in all its glory. A wonderfully fun gift idea!

You Only Live Nine Times

By Gwen Cooper

Cozy mystery lovers, this one’s for you! New York Times bestselling author Gwen Cooper and Homer “the Blind Wonder Cat” return in this fun cat-and-mouse mystery. A classic whodunit set in the glamorous Florida enclave of Coacoochee, You Only Live Nine Times finds new transplant Rachel Baum and her cats closing in on the killer after the town’s beautiful people start turning up murdered. But can her cats keep her from becoming the next target? You’ll have a great time finding out!

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine.
Subscribe today!

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weekend open thread – October 4-5, 2025

admin — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 13:00:44 +0000

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Grendel, Laurie, Stella

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand.

Here are the rules for the weekend posts.

Book recommendation of the week: Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry. Two very different writers — one an outgoing celebrity journalist and one a Pulitzer-Prize-winning curmudgeon — compete to write the biography of a once-famous tabloid princess who long ago dropped out of sight. Not my favorite Emily Henry, but everything she writes is so entertaining that it’s still worth recommending. She’s an ideal author for when you want fluff that’s still smart and well-written. (Amazon, Bookshop)

* I earn a commission if you use those links.

The post weekend open thread – October 4-5, 2025 appeared first on Ask a Manager.

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What Hot Queer Book Published This Summer Should You Read?

admin — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:19:02 +0000

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It has truly been a great year for LGBTQ+ books, and there are still so many more to come before the year is out. This summer has seen some particularly hot new releases, and if you’re looking for a read for your next lake or beach day or something to occupy your mind during the last gasp of summer, I’ve got you covered. Why decide for yourself what to read when you can let a silly little quiz decide for you! Answer the questions below, and I’ll match you with one of Summer 2025’s hot new queer books! For more recommendations, check out our most anticipated books previews.

What Hot Queer Book Published This Summer Should You Read?

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya is the managing editor of Autostraddle and a lesbian writer of essays, fiction, and pop culture criticism living in Orlando. She is the former managing editor of TriQuarterly, and her short stories appear in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Joyland, Catapult, The Offing, The Rumpus, Cake Zine, and more. Some of her pop culture writing can be found at The A.V. Club, Vulture, The Cut, and others. When she is not writing, editing, or reading, she is probably playing tennis. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram and learn more about her work on her website.

Kayla has written 1070 articles for us.

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weekend open thread – August 9-10, 2025

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 17:13:18 +0000

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Grendel

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand.

Here are the rules for the weekend posts.

Book recommendation of the week: Carnegie Hill, by Jonathan Vatner. A newlywed struggling with her marriage watches other relationships in various states of disarray in her her New York co-op building. It’s about people with money, people with less money, marriage, fidelity, and secrets. (Amazon, Bookshop)

* I earn a commission if you use those links.

The post weekend open thread – August 9-10, 2025 appeared first on Ask a Manager.

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weekend open thread – July 19-20, 2025

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 23:42:52 +0000

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Stella and Grendel

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand.

Here are the rules for the weekend posts.

Book recommendation of the week: The Bedwetter, by Sarah Silverman (Amazon, Bookshop). If you like her comedy, you’ll like this. Warning: it is crude.

If you don’t like really crude comedy, then let me suggest some hilarious but less crude books by other comics: I’m Just a Person by Tig Notaro (Amazon, Bookshop); I’d Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura (Amazon, Bookshop) and You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein (Amazon, Bookshop).

* I earn a commission if you use those links.

The post weekend open thread – July 19-20, 2025 appeared first on Ask a Manager.

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weekend open thread – June 28-29, 2025

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 08:24:00 +0000

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Eve

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand.

Here are the rules for the weekend posts.

Book recommendation of the week: Girls Girls Girls, by Shoshana von Blanckensee. As soon as they graduate high school, two best friends (and secret girlfriends) drive to San Francisco and try to make a life there. It’s about being gay, Jewish, and loving your grandma. It’s also about strip clubs, cringing at yourself, and figuring out who you are versus who your family is. I loved it. (Amazon, Bookshop)

* I earn a commission if you use those links.

The post weekend open thread – June 28-29, 2025 appeared first on Ask a Manager.

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10 Things I Love Sunday

admin — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:58:56 +0000

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Hello friends. I don’t know about you, but it’s our first official week of Summer break over here. Our kids are so excited to be out of school. I’m collecting book recommendations and summer activities. I’m hoping to make it our best summer yet full of picnics, reading and homemade ice cream (after we get our kitchen back, that is).

10 Things I Love

1. This week I’m excited to read The Wedding People. I’ve heard nothing but great things. The next I’m looking forward to reading The Sirens and Deep Cuts. Please send me your recent favorites from almost any genre- I love an enthusiastic recommendation so give me horrible fomo pls.

2. With the girls, I’m reading Peter and the Starcatchers. If you have any middle-grade book suggestions I’d love to hear them.

3. I forced myself to get my once-yearly Spring/Summer manicure and I got lavender. I like it, but truthfully, there’s a huge part of me that’s already ready for Halloween. I’m savoring Summer, but fantasizing about watching Practical Magic in my new kitchen…. ahhh.

4. If you’re looking for a fun summer cocktail to make I think you’ll love scrolling our cocktail page. There are so many fun ideas, all of them easy to mix up at home. My personal favorite is probably this hot pink margarita.

5. Round ice cubes are so fun. Speaking of ice, I’ve been considering getting a countertop pebble ice maker. If you have one (that you love!) let me know your review.

6. Rifle is having a 25% off sitewide sale. I love their home decor and rugs.

7. Love this saffron & cedar candle for summer.

8. If you need a Father’s day idea, this is what we do. Buy a cute album, print out all your photos of the kids with their dad and let them make a scrapbook using the photos, their own art and type out their memories and print them. We’ve done this project quite a few years and it’s always so worth the time and effort. They are treasures. Also, I love the idea of making a custom hat.

9. If you’re considering getting a Ninja Creami be sure to read our detailed Ninja Creami review. It’s my favorite novelty appliance.

10. I’m packing for a trip right now and it reminds me I love this travel makeup bag. It lays flat, which is so nice.

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Build Your Summer Reading List

admin — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:07:44 +0000

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