Here at JTN, we firmly believe that this time of year should be spent relaxing, spending time with your loved ones, and finding undemanding activities to do while you digest.

One such activity, which compliments the semi-horizontal position that many of us assume whilst doing this ‘digesting’, is reading.

We love having the time to nestle down and get stuck into a really great Book.

Which is why we asked Felix, Melissa, and Beth to put together a quick list of Holiday reads—in case you’re on the look out for something to keep the brain box polished between now and the new year.

They’ve specifically picked 3 books that are perfect for just this—books which they know are interesting, digestible, and absorbing enough to ward off the food-coma nap (for a bit).

In the video below, Felix and Melissa tell us a bit about their choices…

First up on the list is…

Holiday Reads #1: The Originals, by Adam Grant

Spanning politics, sport, business, and entertainment, this book explores what sets original thinkers apart.

Felix loves this book because it gives you an insight into the minds of non-conformists who have changed the world, highlighting how they are actually just like all of us, but with an interesting (and clearly effective) approach to making their ideas happen.

As the book says, ‘all of us can learn to be Originals’, making it the perfect holiday read if you want to start tomorrow off by being better than you are today.

Next up is…

Holiday Reads #2: Everybody Writes, by Ann Handley

With short chapters that you can read in about 6 minutes, Melissa recommends this book as a holiday read because it’s the perfect pick-up-and-go book. 

Whether you’ve got 15 minutes to spare while you wait for your family to arrive, or 5 minutes peace while everyone is relaxing, this book will deliver useful tips on how to conquer a blank page and write seriously good content.

And lastly, because we recognize that sometimes you just want to switch off from learning and read a good story…  

Holiday Reads #3: How To Get Filthy Rich In Rising Asia, by Mohsin Hamid

‘Isn’t this the definition of great fiction, that even when it begins with a character . . . who’s nothing like you, by the end you are convinced that it really is about you?’ (Salon)

This book tells the story of a young man who manages to pull himself out of poverty by selling water to an emerging middle class.

But this isn’t the classic rags-to-riches tale that you expect. Written like a self-help book, this novel evades character and location names in order to create a feeling that Hamid might actually be writing about you.

To Beth, this book is the epitome of a great holiday read; absorbing, intelligent, and eye-opening.

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So there you go, Melissa, Felix, and Beth’s ‘holiday reads’ recommendations and why.

If you do end up reading any of them, or have already read one (or all) of them, we’d love to hear what you think.

Let us know by getting in touch, or sending an email to [email protected]

Till next week, happy holidays from the JTN Team!