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Since you were introduced to the entire YBC® team last week, I thought it’d be fun to do a group post - and what better way to get to know them even more, than by doing a YBC® Book Club. For this virtual book club, each team member chose a book and genre, and put together a quick description of their reads, and how it’s motivating them (or not) after they put it down. Lauren, our Marketing Director, has been hard at work putting the final touches on the Fall Namaslay® Workshop so she’s sitting this one out. Speaking of which, there are still spots available for Dallas, Chicago, Vancouver and Denver, so don’t forget to reserve your spot!
What great books are you enjoying? We’d love to know, so please let me know in the comments below!
Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah
Reader: Candace Cabrera Moore, Owner of YBC®
YBC Expert on: Ha, you know what they say! Jack of all trades, master of none! That’s sort of how I feel :)
Book and genre selected: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, Memoir
Why she chose this particular read: Honestly, it was a gift from my boyfriend! People always tease us because I swear all we do is hang out and read. I’d heard about the book here and there and one day he showed up with a “just because” gift and I opened it up and couldn’t put it down.
Synopsis still leaving some mystery: Trevor Noah, a name you may recognize because he is the Daily Show host, grew up in South Africa during apartheid. The book essentially takes you through his childhood and what is was like to grow up during apartheid. It especially hit home for me because I had a friend in college who was from South Africa, and every time we’d see an interracial couple walking to class holding hands, his mind was blown. "Even though apartheid is over,” I remember him saying, “you would never see that where I am from.”
The best part: Psh, the whole thing is great. The humor with which he tells the stories of his youth are woven beautifully throughout. I could not stop laughing at the absurdity of the situation in which he poops on a newspaper!
Makes her want to: Learn more about South Africa.
Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery
Reader: Dan Tavino, YBC Concept Coordinator, + Strength/Conditioning Coach
YBC Expert on: All things fitness related; building strength and gaining confidence in the gym. Also, video/podcast editing and production.
Book and genre selected: Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery, Non-Fiction, science.
Why he chose this particular read: While in Santorini at my favorite book store, Atlantis Books, I saw this on the staff recommended table. I have had my eyes on it for a while but always ended up leaving empty handed. Eventually it sucked me in (pun intended).
Synopsis still leaving some mystery: A first person point of view of a researcher being able to interact with various octopuses (yes, that is correct). How far will she go to study these creatures??
The best part: Honestly, there weren't too many 'best parts' but I enjoyed when they described the intelligence of the octopuses and how they change colors and move their arms.
Makes him want to: Go scuba diving and see they way an octopus moves in its natural habitat.
What if It Does Work Out, by Susie Moore
Reader: LG, YBC Editorial Director, guest blogger, and Strength/Conditioning Coach
YBC Expert on: All things blog content, and creative story-line conception, as well as providing strength and conditioning support to our Namaslay® YTT yogis.
Book and genre selected: What if It Does Work Out, How a Side Hustle Can Change Your Life by Susie Moore, non-fiction, Business and Entrepreneurship.
Why she chose this particular read: I recently left my job as a member of the Foreign Service with the U.S. Department of State because it left me feeling unfulfilled and uninspired. I was faced with leaving my son Teddy in daycare to go back to that job, or figuring out a side hustle to allow me to stay home with my son, and work to earn an income doing something I love. I happened upon Susie in a podcast interview and the timing was perfect!
Synopsis still leaving some mystery: Susie tells of how she left a six-figure job, without a college degree, to follow her passion and to cultivate and grow her side hustle. She, and other industry leaders she interviews, discuss how failure, fear and passion can lead you to tap into your greatest potential.
The best part: Susie provides a step-by-step plan of action for finding your passion, setting your goals, and making money. She also includes ‘homework’ to get you started at the end of each chapter. And who doesn’t love inspiring quotes from industry leaders that started from nowhere?! I wish I’d read this book right after college when I stood there with an English Lit degree in my hand and no idea what I wanted to do with it.
Makes her want to: Lace up my shoes and chase my dreams!
Till Death Do Us Tart, by Ellie Alexander
Reader: Allison, YBC Food Writer
YBC Expert on: Creating delectable recipes and sharing enticing food finds!
Book and genre selected: Till Death Do Us Tart, by Ellie Alexander, part of The Bakeshop Mystery Series
Why she chose this particular read: I was given this book as a gift, but its depiction of the culinary world, coupled with vivid imagery of a picturesque section of Oregon and the mysteries swirling within it, kept me hooked with each chapter. In this currently crazy world, it’s nice to find a novel that is escapist and fun to read.
Synopsis still leaving some mystery: Jules Capshaw runs a thriving bakery in Ashland, Oregon. She has many things on her plate - both literally and figuratively - as she and many members of the community are putting together a surprise wedding ceremony for her mother and soon - to - be stepfather; she is concurrently dealing with renovating her business and the return of her estranged husband, Carlos. An attempt on her life via a glass of poisoned wine sends Jules into detective mode on top of everything else. When it rains, it pours!
The best part: There are many recipes in the book, from pastries to poultry! Ms. Alexander was able to describe the food and beverages showcased throughout the novel in lush detail. I swear, I could smell pastries baking and taste the coconut cold brew as I turned each page! I appreciate an author that can elicit such a visceral response.
Makes her want to: Bake, what else? The Triple Berry Coffee Cake recipe showcased at the end of the novel certainly whet my appetite!
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Reader: Katie, YBC Love and Relationships Writer
YBC Expert on: Fighting the good fight out in the dating world… and how to keep going when you take a loss (or 7).
Book and genre selected: The Paris Architect, by Charles Belfoure, historical fiction
Why she chose this particular read: You get it all - the battle of good versus evil, secrecy, loss, danger, heart pounding suspense, unanticipated romance (YAS), and hope.
Synopsis still leaving some mystery: Set during World War II, a French architect reluctantly agrees to build hiding spaces for Jewish people on the run in Nazi-occupied Paris. What starts out as a risk taken purely for financial gain at a time when employment was hard to come by, eventually unfolds into a full-blown double life… and you’ll have to read the book yourself to see how it all turns out!
The best part: Watching the protagonist, an opportunist and character I wasn't a huge fan of initially, evolve into a man deeply invested in using his talents to save complete strangers from the Nazis, despite the risk to his own safety.
Makes her want to: Pay it forward for those that aren't as fortunate.