Gangster Reads: Our Memorial Day TBR List

Gangster Reads: Our Memorial Day TBR List

Summer is the perfect  time to kick your feet up and finally knock out that stack of books you've been meaning to read. Whether you plan on lounging on the beach or your couch for the upcoming holiday weekend,  we're sharing  some of our team's favorite summer reads to add to your TBR list. From Tupac’s poetry to words of wisdom by Elizabeth Gilbert, there's something for every spiritual gangster:

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, shows us how to face what we fear in order to achieve what we want. Gilbert discusses habits, attitudes and life approaches that help tap into your creative life. Whether you are looking to write a book or find new ways of expressing your creativity, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear is the gangster read for you.

The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac

The Rose that Grew from Concrete is a compilation of Tupac’s intimate thoughts and personal poetry written from the time he was nineteen. This poetic book captures his positive essence and illuminates a powerful message of hope before he reached fame. Filled with passion, anger and Tupac’s illustrations, this book gives readers an authentic look into the mind of one of the music industry’s most influential rappers.  

Explorations of a Cosmic Soul by Allie Michelle 

Written by one of the most beautiful souls we know, Explorations of a Cosmic Soul is a collection of 88 poems that unravel the different layers of consciousness. Allie's poems explore what it means to be human, why living in the present is crucial and what it means to form an authentic connection with yourself, others and the universe. 

Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing by Caroline Myss
Curious about the impact of your body’s energy? Caroline Myss presents a bold presentation of how every illness corresponds to a pattern of psychological and emotional stresses, beliefs and attitudes. By teaching you about the inner workings of your body and a deep analysis of the chakras, this book provides you with tools for spiritual development and emotional awareness.

Photo: @18chelseamews


Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Hesse’s book, Siddhartha, is a novel that explores a man’s journey to self-discovery and enlightenment. Readers embark on Siddhartha’s journey, gaining honest insight of the highs and lows of life’s challenges and the journey to total consciousness. This book urges reader’s to identify with the beauty world and self-reflect; it’s the perfect gangster read for those looking to embark on a spiritual journey.

How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Critically known as one of the best-selling books of all time, Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, is known as the “grandfather of all people-skills books.”  This book emphasizes the fundamental techniques of interpersonal communication and how to win people over; this book literally lives up to its title. If you’re interested in learning how to make people like you, how to win people over and how to change people without arousing resentment, this book is the perfect fit.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty 

Author from the #1 New York Times bestseller, Liane Moriarty, has written an engaging piece of fiction, perfect for anybody who’s ever found themselves surprised at where their life has lead them. Moriarty’s novel follows twenty-nine year old, Alice, who’s forgotten nearly a decade of her life. Forced to piece together why she’s getting a divorce and why she no longer has a relationship with her sister, Alice must decide if forgetting a decade of her life is a blessing in disguise. If you’re looking for a wildly adventurous book that forces you to reflect upon the choices in your life, What Alice Forgot, is your summer read.

The Future by Al Gore

The Future, written by former US Vice President, Al Gore, explores political, economic and social issues. Topics of globalization, climate change, poverty and the internet are discussed in hopes of creating dynamic conversations about the future of the world. Interested in exploring the six critical drivers of global change? This is your summer read.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

Manson’s book,  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, is a self-help guide that cuts through the BS of always maintaining a “positive” mindset. This book doesn’t shy away from the fact that life can be a unfair at times and it’s not always your fault. If you’re looking for a summer read mixed with ruthless humor and profound insight, this is your book.

Photo: @coach_d_cpt