Looking for graduation gifts?
From inspiring voices to lessons in leadership, this encouraging list of books will help guide your grad through their next chapter.
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Be a Work in Progress: And Other Things I’d Like to Tell My Younger Self by John Cena; Illustrator Valeria Petrone
A beautifully illustrated book of encouragement from the beloved entertainer and #1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena.
“Each day, try to become a little less perfect and a little more brave.”
For years, John Cena has been using his popular Twitter feed to uplift his followers with his unique brand of positivity. Now, he collects his favorite words of wisdom on the benefits of being bold and open-minded, embracing discomfort, and making the most of every opportunity.
Follow @JohnCena on Twitter.
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Dear Grad: Words of Wisdom and Encouragement for Your Next Journey by Potter Gift
Timely and inspiring advice for graduates entering their next phase of life in today’s uncertain world, featuring remarks from iconic cultural figures and celebrities alongside student voices.
Drawing upon the YouTube Originals “Dear Class of 2020” commencement celebration, Dear Grad brings together inspirational speeches and quotes from a galaxy of luminaries including former president Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, Bill and Melinda Gates, BTS, Stephen Colbert, Malala Yousafzai, Bono, John Green, and more in a lively and beautifully illustrated collection.
The book also includes timeless words of encouragement from Alicia Keys, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, former secretary of defense Robert Gates, Hasan Minhaj, Jack Black, and Jimmy Kimmel, among many others, as well as the moving voices and stories of a diverse range of students from across America, offering graduates words of wisdom on how to build resilience, embrace possibilities, and give back to their communities as they embark on the next chapter of their story.
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Click to Watch the YouTube Original: “Dear Class of 2020.”
Grow Through It: Inspiration for Weathering Life’s Seasons by Dani DiPirro
A colorful, illustrated guide to learning how to adopt a more positive mindset, even when your life may seem gray and stormy, from a wildly popular Instagram artist.
Beautifully illustrated and heartfelt, this little book shares big insights about how to stay positive in an increasingly negative world. Artist Dani DiPirro started her Instagram, PositivelyPresent, after she realized that positivity, like all self-care, is an essential skill that needs to be practiced daily. She began posting her bright and bubbly illustrations, sharing the ups and downs of her journey to positive thinking.
In Grow Through It, Dani shares never-before-seen content to take us through the seasons, and she shows us how to pick out the positives on both sunny days and snowy ones. She also reminds you to take breaks for self-care, to stop comparing yourself to others, and to grow at your own pace. No matter what the circumstance, this book shows you how optimism is always an option!
Follow Dani DiPirro on Instagram @PositivelyPresent.
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Mine!: How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Control Our Lives by Michael Heller
A hidden set of rules governs who owns what—explaining everything from whether you can recline your airplane seat to why HBO lets you borrow a password illegally—and in this lively and entertaining guide, two acclaimed law professors reveal how things become “mine.”
“Thought-provoking . . . Mine! sets out to change the way we think about what we own, which is often decidedly at odds with reality.”—The New York Times Book Review
An Adam Grant Spring Book Pick • Finalist for the Next Big Idea Club
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening Edited by Tim Shriver and Tom Rosshirt; Epilogue by Maria Shriver
From some of our most prominent spiritual and religious leaders, poets and thinkers, singers and writers, a book of wisdom to light our way in dark times.
Featuring stories and insights from Bishop T. D. Jakes, Elizabeth Gilbert, Van Jones, Amy Grant, Dr. Rheeda Walker, Pastor Rick Warren, Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Jewel, Deepak Chopra and many others, The Call to Unite offers readers a book of wisdom to turn to in hard times—filled with prayers, poems, spiritual insights and lessons to live by that will stand the test of time.
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
My Inner Sky: On Embracing Day, Night, and All the Times in Between by Mari Andrew
From New York Times bestselling author Mari Andrew, a collection of essays and illustrations, divided into phases of the sky—twilight, golden hour, night, and dawn—that serves as a loyal companion for life’s curveballs.
“There’s something about Mari Andrew’s words and illustrations that make you feel at home. My Inner Sky reminds readers of the shared grief, joy, and sorrow that we experience throughout life—and how to cope with it.”—Marie Claire
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Run to Win: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World by Stephanie Schriock and Christina Reynolds; Foreword by Kamala Harris
From the president of EMILY’s List, a playbook for women changing the world in politics, business, or any arena, with a foreword from Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I have long believed that women who dream big, work hard, and get back up after they get knocked down can do anything; Stephanie Schriock is one of those women. I’m so glad her thoughtful guidance is now available for women everywhere.”—Hillary Rodham Clinton
“Run to Win is an antidote to anxiety and a welcome call to action. I encourage every woman (and a few good men) to dive into Run to Win and take your turn at saving the world.”—Stacey Abrams
An Amazon Best Nonfiction Book of the Month • 10 Books to Pick Up for a Better 2021—San Francisco Chronicle • A 2021 Book to Pre-Order and Thank Yourself Later—Marie Claire
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything by Michio Kaku
The epic story of the greatest quest in all of science—the holy grail of physics that would explain the creation of the universe—from renowned theoretical physicist and author of The Future of the Mind and The Future of Humanity.
“The God Equation dazzles . . . Kaku, a consummate storyteller, provides an engaging, unvarnished account . . . His book presents cutting-edge ideas in theoretical physics, and primes readers to be ready when the next major breakthrough occurs.” —The Wall Street Journal
Available in Hardcover, eBook, Audio, and Large Print Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Letters to a Young Poet: A New Translation and Commentary by Rainer Maria Rilke; Translated Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy
A fresh perspective on a beloved classic by acclaimed translators Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy.
German poet Rainer Maria Rilke’s (1875–1926) Letters to a Young Poet has been treasured by readers for nearly a century. Rilke’s personal reflections on the vocation of writing and the experience of living urge an aspiring poet to look inward, while also offering sage wisdom on further issues including gender, solitude, and romantic love. Barrows and Macy’s translation extends this compilation of timeless advice and wisdom to a fresh generation of readers. With a new introduction and commentary, this edition places the letters in the context of today’s world and the unique challenges we face when seeking authenticity.
Coming June 1st!
Soon to Be Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Inspiring Listens:
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