In the Books: Schwartz Media Strategies’ Top 10 Reads

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While some books fade from our memories, maintaining more value as coasters than spaces to lose ourselves in, other books stick around. These hard-to-come-by page-turners are read and re-read, excessively chatted about and explored repeatedly. Evidently, these books have defined the reality from which we live.

Etched into our minds for various reasons, be it new laws to lead by, the warm embrace of relatability, or a deep dive into another perspective, the pages reflecting the inspirational creativity of these authors shape who we are. From mind-bending non-fiction accounts, history-making novels, and thought-provoking tales of trials and triumphs to influential blueprints outlining how to access true fulfillment, take a skim through Schwartz Media’s top 10 books of all time.

The Year of Dangerous Days 

By Nicholas Griffin 

“This non-fiction work explores three seemingly unrelated events during the same year, 1980, which had a seismic impact on my hometown of Miami right around the time I was born.”

Aaron Gordon

Nicholas Griffin weaves a chronological narrative built around the Mariel boatlift that brought thousands of Cuban immigrants to South Florida, the riots sparked by the acquittal of four police officers who murdered Arthur McDuffie, and the influx of Colombian drug lords who brought their violence (and cocaine) to Miami streets. Griffin offers readers a gritty, journalistic account of a community whose aspirations of becoming an internationally relevant city were threatened by deep racial and ethnic tensions.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

By Brene Brown

“Reading this book gave me the blueprint to let go of self-limiting beliefs, show up whole-heartedly and explore life by daring greatly.”

Corinne Frankel

The New York Times bestseller written by a world-renowned research professor explores the society-driven idea of never “being enough” and how to break the self-limiting belief spiral. Through her years conducting pioneer research in shame, vulnerability, and leadership, Brown found that a person’s level of fulfillment is directly correlated with their vulnerability. “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.”

Many Lives, Many Masters 
By Dr. Brian Weiss 

“The juxtaposition that we know so little about our existence yet face a cosmic test to identify and overcome unresolved karma – and only then will we reach a higher level of consciousness – was not only thought-provoking and inspiring but also freeing.” 

Jessica Goswami

Written by Dr. Brian Weiss, an ivy-league psychotherapist, and steadfast conservative, Weiss performs hypnotherapy on a patient who cannot overcome her crippling anxiety and reoccurring nightmares. As a scientist, he finds himself bewildered as she vividly, yet inexplicably, recalls detailed memories from past lives that unlock the causes of her current traumas. 

As the patient’s lifelong fears subside and she finds peace through regression therapy, the disciplined Dr. Weiss is unable to refute the empirical evidence pointing to reincarnation. The book explores the realm between scientific reason and the transcendental pattern of a patient’s karmic debt.   

The Dream Daughter 

By Diane Chamberlain

“I read this book at the beginning of the pandemic and loved picking it up and getting lost in it.”

Jen Schwartz

This profoundly moving page-turner by New York Times bestselling author Dianne Chamberlain explores the trials and challenges of parenting. A beautiful story, spanning from the 1970s to the present day, follows a young woman’s journey through motherhood. Although it is fiction, the book includes historical events such as the Vietnam war and 9/11.  

Pride & Prejudice

By Jane Austen

“As an avid lover of English literature, something would be amiss if I didn’t mention the first book to introduce me to the genre and an all-time classic.”

Victoria Cela

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was ahead of its time. The classic tale following the story of the intelligent and quick-witted heroine Elizabeth Bennet transports readers to the Romantic era, where a hot and cold relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy would launch the framework for a little-known show called Bridgerton.

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

By Don Miguel Ruiz

The world-renowned book inspired by the ancient culture of the Toltecs offers a robust code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives into new experiences of sovereignty, true contentment, and love. By exploring the impact of society-driven limiting beliefs, Ruiz uncovers a path to becoming genuinely undomesticated.

It Ends With Us

By Colleen Hoover

“This book really impacted me a few years back. Although it’s a romance novel and not my typical read, a friend talked me into falling in love with the way this author writes.”

Paola Colberg

“It Ends With Us” touches on the abusive cycle some women get into when raised in an abusive home and then following the same pattern when choosing their partner. The ending is genuinely inspirational and would be especially impactful to women and their daughters.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

By Eckhart Tolle

“Let me tell you about the book that my brother gifted me that has changed my life.”

Maria Hernaiz

Of course, while we all have problems, this book helps us see and approach them differently. Not only a guide but a journey into happiness and how to solve daily “problems,” the book Tolle teaches us about the way we look at problems and how they are truly nonexistent because they come from the level of thought for the most part. We are in the NOW and always will be.

Catcher In The Rye 

By J. D. Salinger 

“It was my first introduction to YA novels, and I was so into the angst of it all.” 

Jenna Bernstein

The renowned 1951 novel detailing two days in the life of native New Yorker Holden Caufield explores the post-World War II alienation of the main character through his point of view. Although it was initially intended for adults, the book is often read by adolescents for its themes of angst, alienation, and critique of superficiality in society. 

More Myself: A Journey

By Alicia Keys

The part autobiography, part narrative documentary of the iconic multi-talented artist, explores Alicia Key’s journey through life on an intimate level. From her start hustling in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen to her current state of grace, the book follows Key’s ebbs and flows through fame in a relatable and inspiring light.

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