🥇 Badge of the Month: Book Recommendations/ May

Miša Hennin

Good afternoon, badge collectors!

Welcome to May's Badge of the Month! As part of our Rewards Program, Badge of the Month gives you an easy way to connect with others, earn a new badge and get 10 points 😃.

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Badge of the Month: May 2024

This May, we're celebrating the magic of storytelling by inviting you to share a book recommendation with the community. Whether it's a beloved classic, a gripping thriller, a heartwarming romance, or an inspiring memoir, we want to hear about the books that have captured your imagination and left a lasting impression on you.

So, join us in celebrating the joy of reading this May. Share your favorite book and briefly explain why it holds a special place in your heart. Let's make May a month of literary marvels and shared stories! 📚✨

Rooster McNugget

Hi there…

Well, one of my favorite books is definitely "THE CAFÉ ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD" by John P. Strelecky. I'm sure a lot of you know it.

Spoiler Warning

When I read it for the first time it blew me away. At first I thought the book was about me. It's superbly written. The book made me really think about my life and the future for the first time. Where am I, am I right, am I doing the right thing and is this my path for the future.

I highly recommend this book. The two following books are also great.

Richard Vitaris

I love novels and my list of favorites is far too long. So I will tell you about "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt which is my favorite non-fiction book.

Why? For one it reads like a mystery/legal thriller, my favorite genre, describing a murder trial in Savannah, Georgia, in 1994. What is so special about this book is its evocative description of Savannah and its eclectic residents. Savannah is one of the best and most interesting small cities in the United States.

Berendt's description of Savannah's atmosphere and of the colorful personalities involved in the murder case is extraordinary which is why the book was on the New York Times bestseller list for over four years. It is a great, fun read.

The book's success and, to a lesser extent, that of the movie based on it directed by Clint Eastwood, has made Savannah a major tourist destination. I am lucky to live just a few hours away. It is one of my favorite spots in North America.

Lori K Aitken

I tend to spend what little free time I have gardening or crocheting, but a friend read this book and said that the whole time she was reading it, she could hardly wait to buy me a copy. I received it as a birthday gift last year. With a recommendation like that, how could I not drop everything and read a book?!
Finding the Mother Tree is fact-based, written based on the author's own experiences and discoveries (she is a scientist specializing in forest ecology). While at first glance, that might sound too "sciencey" or dry, she has written this very much as a story of discovery.
There's nothing I love more than a walk in a forest, and her story and this book have helped me understand why and made me love trees even more.
Enjoy!

Miša Hennin

@Rooster McNugget @Richard Vitaris and @Lori K Aitken,

Thanks so much for sharing! I'm a big reader and all of these sound great. Going on my list!

My recommendation is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It's about the opioid crisis in America and how it hit Appalachia.

I couldn't put it down. It completely took my breath away!

Best,

Joerg Koper

Hey @Rooster McNugget, I love Strelecky's books too. @Richard Vitaris, I have seen the film, but definitely have to read the book. Thanks for the recommendation @Lori K Aitken, I will read the book as soon as possible. I love being in the forest and nature in general. Wow, @Miša Hennin. After your recommendation of "Boy swallows Universe" this is again a very inspiring book.

My recommendation is "Life worth living" by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz.

"Life Worth Living" explores what makes life truly meaningful and fulfilling. The book draws from various philosophical and spiritual traditions to examine values, purpose, and the essence of a good life. It offers practical advice on aligning daily actions with personal values and encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and choices. Combining philosophy, spirituality, and psychology, it provides a comprehensive understanding of a life worth living.

Best, Jörg