Have you ever been reading a book (for example: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), and you get really into the topic and want to learn more about it? Well, look no further than our Teen book display in the lobby full of teen fiction and nonfiction books paired together just for you!
Here are a few you’ll see on the display, but make sure to come check it out for more!
The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+: Winning Strategies to Make Your Money Last A Lifetime
by Suze Orman
4 stars
So, you have just turned 50. You’ve worked for decades, saving money away, planning for that special time that is retirement. Are you worried? Have I saved enough? Should I sale my house and live on a boat? What if I get sick? How can I make my money last? Suze Orman’s book provides a wealth of information on personal finance that can help guide you through the myriad of questions that comes with retirement. What will retirement look like? Suze tell us to plan for retirement to last twenty to thirty years and to have multiple streams of revenue to cope with the ever changing landscape of retirement. Then, using easy to understand language, she begins to explain the various types of investments – IRA, Roth IRA, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Orman just makes it easy! She talks about how taxes and adult children will affect our retirement accounts and I thought who thinks about that? She tells us to start laying out all the various pieces for retirement at age 50 to build a cohesive plan and she does counsel if all of this seems daunting to seek out a qualified financial planner. It’s not a crime to not understand. She calls us warriors! I love that she just brutally says, “Who cares about your money more than you do? The answer is no one. What happens to your money directly affects the quality of life” “The only way to conquer fear is through action” Her practical examples and stories from her own life are so interesting. Recommend!
Read alikes:
Retirement 101 by Michele Cagan, CPA
How to make your money last: the indispensable retirement guide by Jane Bryant Quinn.
Answers to 100 frequently asked questions about social security retirement benefits by John Weber
I tend to be one of those people who often question when something is getting a lot of hype. Is it really as good as everyone says? The Broadway musical Hamilton was no exception for me. A few years ago I saw that the soundtrack was available through hoopla for free (sadly it doesn’t seem to be anymore), so I decided to see what all the hype was about. I have to say, I was blown away! I’ve been a HUGE fan of the show ever since.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of the recording of the original Broadway cast of Hamilton, and I’m so excited it’s being released today on Disney+! The mix of American history with modern music, and references to issues such as immigration and racial equality are wonderfully done and make for a memorable show. I highly recommend listening to the soundtrack if you haven’t already. If you’re already a fan, like me, I’ve put together a list of nonfiction books, fiction books, and musical soundtracks that you may enjoy.
Nonfiction Books
Alexander Hamilton
by Ron Chernow
This is the book that inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to write the musical, and definitely the one most recommended for fans of the show.
Washington’s Immortals
by Patrick K. O’Donnell
The little-known story of the Washington-led “Immortal 400” who found in several battles during the Revolutionary War.
Louisa: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams
by Louisa Thomas
A biography of Louisa Catherine Adams, the wife of John Quincy Adams.
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
by Sarah Vowell
A humorous and insightful account of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette.
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation
by Joseph Ellis
A look at the intertwined lives of the founding fathers – John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.
Hamilton: The Revolution
by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter
A look into the creation of the musical, including emails, photographs, and notebook entries.
Fiction Books
America’ First Daughter
by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
A historical novel about Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter inspired by original letters.
The Hamilton Affair
by Elizabeth Cobbs
A fictional account of the love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
Alex & Eliza
by Melissa de la Cruz
Young adult novel following the tale of Hamilton and Eliza.
The Traitor’s Wife
by Allison Pataki
An historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, wife of treasonous Benedict Arnold.
New York
by Edward Rutherfurd
Spanning centuries, this novel explores the history of the city of New York.
Musical Soundtracks
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway debut.
A cultural icon of a show that has a controversial history while delivering some solid rock numbers. Both Hamilton and Jesus Christ Superstar are narrated by the sympathetic antagonist.
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
While not rap, this show uses modern music to tell a historical tale, much like Hamilton.
Like Hamilton, this show tells the story of an underdog who rises in success and fame only to make a big mistake.
Lin-Manuel Miranda actually directly quotes this show including the line “nobody needs to know.” Both shows have a theme of infidelity.
Plus, if you haven’t already watched the documentary on the making of Hamilton, be sure to check out Hamilton, One Show to Broadway, which is available on hoopla.
We live in a very polarized society. It seems like everyone has an opinion, and very strong ones at that about the social and political topics that have been in the news. I found a great resource for how to engage with others, especially those that have differing opinions. Celeste Headlee, a journalist and author, gives a very short TED Talk, 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation. It is from a few years ago but it is just as relevant today as it was in 2015. Good conversation is key to all aspects of our lives, be it social, political or just every day relational.
Click here to view this video on the Ted Talk webpage.
If you’d like to learn more, check out Celeste Headlee’s book We Need to Talk : How to Have Conversations That Matter which we have here at GPL.
Girl, Wash Your Face
by Rachel Hollis
4 stars
New York Times bestselling author and founder of a multimillion-dollar media company, Rachel Hollis pours her heart out to inspire moms to never settle and to create goals in this light Christian read. Go-Girl-chase your dreams. She is straight-talking and often humorous with her mommy/wife stories. Every chapter is named “The Lie; there are 20 of them. Like The Lie: I am defined by my weight and The Lie: I don’t know how to be a mom. At the end of each “Lie” chapter, she offers a list of things that helped her.
I could easily relate to her struggles which felt real and tangible. Hollis takes you through her life struggles from grade school, dating, her brother’s suicide, marriage, kids, adoption struggles and her media company that she built from the ground up. Rachel’s message and goals are for any women who needs to overcome the feeling she is not doing a good job handling everyday life. I did check out her website called, “TheChicSite.com”
I enjoyed listening to the author narrating her book on audio and I chose this book because of the title. I felt like I was sitting with her in home. While I give this book 4 stars, the author writes about her life and she under age 40. Kudos to the author for putting herself out there. No judgement please!
Read-alikes
Braving the wilderness by Brene Brown
The happiness project by by Gretchen Craft Rubin
There are no grown-ups by Pamela Druckerman
In the Heights
Jesus Christ Superstar
Dear Evan Hansen
The Last Five Years