Open a Book, Open Your Mind
Whether you prefer to listen to audiobooks during your workout or commute, or you enjoy staying up late reading, there is no wrong way to enjoy books. We have some excellent recommendations for you, whether you prefer relatable stories or to be whisked away to another time and place.
“Annie Bot” By Sierra Greer
This novel, which comes out next month, was an unexpected delight. Part science fiction, part feminist, and part literary thriller, this stunning debut novel delves into the power dynamics of relationships, autonomy, AI, and ultimately, what it means to be human. Annie Bot, an AI robot, was created to be the ultimate girlfriend for her owner Doug, but as she learns more and more, her desires and thoughts become increasingly human. Unnervingly relatable, captivatingly intimate, thoughtful, and poignant, this is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
-Amanda Mactas
“The Wife Upstairs” By Rachel Hawkins
This read was the perfect mix of thriller and introspective into relationships, both with ourselves and with others. If you love psychological page-turners, filled with unexpected twists, this is the book for you. An inside look into the gruesome underbelly of the elite, infiltrated by the girl from “the wrong side of the tracks,” each of the main characters draw you in with their raw and riveting stories, laced with secrets that will keep you guessing until the end. A tangled web of lies, deceit, murder, and love, The Wife Upstairs is a thrilling take on the relationships we weave, our inner journey to self-acceptance, and of course, a modern-day murder mystery.
– Jennifer MacLellan
“HAPPY WOMAN HAPPY WORLD” By Beate Chelette
I really enjoyed this book about how to "do it all... just not at the same time. "It outlines a step-by-step way to focus on what is important in life from relationships to work to health. It shows how to recognize cycles, called ego-RHYTHMs, so you don't get overwhelmed. Makes it a lot easier to learn to love yourself and understand what you are going through, inspiring anyone to know that there’s a season for everything.
-Ruta Fox
“The Power of Understanding People: The Key to Strengthening Relationships, Increasing Sales, and Enhancing Organizational Performance“ By Dave Mitchell
I chose this book to start off 2024, because relationships are everything in sales and in business. This book talks about how to establish and develop effective relationships and gives you techniques to better understand the intrinsic needs of others. It also applies to marriages and partnerships.
-Lynette Barbieri
“Atomic Habits” By James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear is the perfect book to start your new year's resolutions with. This book takes you through the science behind developing good and sustainable habits. James has a conversational way of writing that is easy to follow and engaging. Atomic Habits displays the negatives of poor habits and how it affects all aspects of your life and keeps you from your ultimate goals. I personally have found it very interesting to test my discipline and try and stay on track of my new habits. I hope you enjoy!
-Isabella Alvarez
“The Biology of Belief“ By Bruce H. Lipton
The word belief has always been very powerful to me, so when I stumbled on this book in my home library “The Biology of Belief" by Bruce H. Lipton I had to jump right in! The book delves into the fascinating field of epigenetics and explores the impact of our thoughts and beliefs on our physical health and well-being. Drawing on his expertise as a cellular biologist, he reveals how our conscious and subconscious beliefs can profoundly influence our biology, shaping everything from our immune system to our relationships and overall success. As you dive into more self-love and self-care this year, this book opens new doors to understanding the power of our minds and provides empowering insights into how we can actively reshape our lives by changing our beliefs.
-Vanessa Coppes
“Out of My Dreams” By Mary Lou Irace
As busy fashion stylists and moms, we find it difficult to unplug and enjoy reading like we used to. However, we both just finished reading “Out of My Dreams” by Mary Lou Irace and we were totally captivated from beginning to end. This book is the first of the trilogy, The Kane Family Series. With multi-faceted characters and an interesting plot, readers will delight in this romantic tale with mystery and suspense. Mary Lou Irace has a magical way of charming her audience and we had a hard time putting the novel down. We can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
-Mindy and Paula, The Style Duo
Indie Author Spotlight: Kara Alloway
Kara Alloway Shares Exclusive Insight Into The “Most Hated” in Reality TV
Real Housewife of Toronto, former Allure Magazine editor, and reality TV show producer, Kara Alloway, is the go-to expert on reality TV. In her debut novel, “Most Hated,” Alloway dishes on what happens behind-the-scenes, with a first-hand portrayal of the industry. From the inside perspective of someone who has been the reality TV villain and survived, “Most Hated” details what happens when six women join the cast of a reality tv show to try to change their lives. For those behind and in front of the cameras on Talk of the Town, make-ups, break-ups, and manipulation are all in the name of great entertainment.
Alloway got her start in journalism as the assistant West Coast Editor for Allure Magazine, before becoming the editor-in-chief of Ingenue Magazine, which, thanks to her direction, has had the fastest growth in circulation among Canadian publication history. In addition to Ingenue’s unprecedented growth, Alloway has hosted a variety of daily fashion and beauty radio shows, with industry icons such as Stella McCartney, Laura Mercier, Phoebe Philo, Zac Posen, Diane Von Furstenberg, Bob Mackie, and Oscar de la Renta. She currently has three reality shows in development as an executive producer.
“I would have saved myself heaps of frustration if I had appreciated earlier in my adult life, my parenting career and my professional ventures, the concept that we pass through many seasons,” says Alloway. “When you look at life that way you can get through the difficulties because there’s an awareness that it’s all very transitory and a new season is always on the horizon. Appreciating the brevity of seasons in the big picture has really changed how I approach my day to day.”
