5 good reads for November

A book celebrating life’s little victories and another on saying “yes” to situations out of one’s comfort zone are two of the reads recommended for this month.

Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com

New York--A book about celebrating life’s little victories and another on saying “yes” to situations out of one’s comfort zone are two new releases on Goodreads this month that could benefit business owners.

“Little Victories” by the WSJ’s Jason Gay and television producer Shonda Rimes’ “Year of Yes” are two of the books highlighted in this month’s book suggestions.In Little Victories, author Jason Gay uses humor to talk about how the little moments in all aspects of life can be celebrated, while Year of Yes follows television show creator and producer Shonda Rimes as she aims to push herself into uncomfortable situations in an effort to grow personally and professionally.

The following list includes these two, as well as three other potentially good reads for November, including one recommended by a National Jeweler editor.

1. Little Victories: Perfect Rules for Imperfect Living
Jason Gay

In this book, Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay provides a collection of essays on topics such as marriage, travel, style, children, sports and life in general, doing so through a humorous and sometimes heartfelt way that reminds the reader to celebrate all “little victories.” This book is 224 pages.

2. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person
Shonda Rimes

Author Shonda Rimes currently is the creator and producer of some of the most popular shows on television today--Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. But even as she writes about bold characters not afraid to speak their minds, Rimes herself is an introvert. At the beginning, she hired a publicist to help avoid public appearances and even had panic attacks before media interviews. After turning down invitations and instead burying herself in work, she was given a wake-up call in 2013, after which she decided to say yes to everything that scared her for one year. This memoir explores her life both before her “Year of Yes” and after, and how it changed her outlook. It is 336 pages.

3. The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy
Rainn Wilson

After playing Dwight Schrute in the TV series The Office and subsequently creating one of America’s favorite workplace characters, Wilson went on to start a website and media company called SoulPancake that eventually turned into a bestselling book of the same name. In The Bassoon King, Wilson tells his own story of how

Banner will be right here …

he developed his unique sense of humor and perspective on life, as well as how he reached both personal and professional achievements. This book is 320 pages.

4. My Adventures with Your Money: George Graham Rice and the Golden Age of the Con Artist
T.D. Thornton

He was born Jacob Simon Herzig in 1870, but later changed his name to George Graham Rice as he became one of the most successful swindlers in American history. Starting out with only seven dollars to his name, Rice turned a chance horse racing tip into millions, then lost and gained his fortune several times over. Using his knowledge of “sucker psychology” to bilk the public in any way possible, he made enemies of the rich like J.P. Morgan and attracted the attention of gangsters at the same time. This book is 304 pages.

5. Editor’s Pick: Just Kids
Patti Smith

In Just Kids, legendary American singer-songwriter Patti Smith offers a glimpse into her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, from romance to friendship, and their adventures and struggles as the two relied on each other as they established their own footing and identity in 1960s and 1970s New York City. It is 304 pages.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.