Must-Read Books to Ring in the New Year

It's Beauty & Books week here on Zeena Uncovered, and something tells us this might become an annual tradition! With New Year's just around the corner, there's no better time to refresh your winter personal care routine with tips and tricks from certified cosmetologist, Zeena COO Amany Jondy (In case you missed them, head over to our IGTV page on Instagram to watch all of our beauty videos, including how to create the perfect winged eyeliner). Today on the blog, we're sharing a few good books to add to your stack just in time for the holidays. Our team has put together a list of our favorite titles that will help you slide into 2020 relaxed, refreshed, and reminded of just how good it feels to snuggle up with a page turner.

Books We Love

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood - Trevor Noah | Insane and hilarious -- this is everything you would expect from an autobiography about The Daily Show's comic host. Packed with plenty of personal anecdotes and laugh-out-loud family narratives, hurry and grab yourself a copy before the movie comes out!

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen | The story that inspired a thousand romantic comedies, P&P narrated by Rosamund Pike ("Jane" from the 2005 movie) is a timeless classic best served with a spot of tea. The Audible version is effortless and magical, a perfect soundtrack for a long road trip or a lazy evening at home.

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens | With echoes of Nell seeping through the pages, you'll sink into this lovingly written murder mystery surrounding Kya Clark, the "Marsh Girl" who lives alone with nature in 1950's North Carolina. A coming of age romance with picturesque descriptions, an eerie landscape and intriguing characters, this NY Times Bestseller is an easy read for anyone in need of an escape.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo | What do a brave shepherd, the ancient pyramids, and buried treasure all have in common? Find out in this inspirational, world-famous fable about self-discovery and following your dreams.

Ayesha At Last - Usma Jalaluddin | If you're a fan of Pride & Prejudice (like we are!), you'll fall in love with this lighthearted interpretation featuring Ayesha and Mr. Darcy...ahem, Mr. Khalid.

Seedfolks - Paul Fleischman | An abandoned city lot transforms into a bustling garden when one little girl plants a seed on a cold spring day and unexpectedly unites a community. Written from the point of view of a dozen diverse characters, Seedfolks is a pocket-sized book with only 69 pages that beautifully illuminates the power of even the smallest acts of kindness.

The Wedding Dress - Rachel Hauck | When Charlotte Malone visits an estate sale, she stumbles upon a mysterious wedding dress and finds herself entranced by the stories of the previous owners -- three vastly different women from different walks of life who are all linked by a spiritual connection.

On Our Wishlist

Becoming - Michelle Obama | Former First Lady Michelle Obama tells her story of becoming one of the most influential women of her time in this compelling memoir.

The Politics of Veil - Joan Wallach Scott | Religious expression is complicated in France, where hijabs -- or any "conspicuous headcoverings" -- are banned in public schools. Politics of the Veil explores this topic and makes a case against the idea that Islam is opposed to modernization.

The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story - Aya Khalil | An adorable family read we know our kids will love, Aya Khalil beautifully illustrates the story of a young schoolgirl who learns how to take pride in her heritage.

Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt - Arthur C. Brooks | Being progressive often means being the nice guy in the room. Brooks explains how learning how to bridge divides and mend toxic relationships is not just good for your personal success, but that of our entire country.

Make Time - Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Learning how to focus on what matters each day is easy for some and a daunting task for others. Hopefully, a little advice on improving clarity and weeding out distractions will help make us all more productive with our time.

Late Bloomers - Rich Karlgaard | Maybe taking it slow isn't such a bad idea? In a world that praises early achievers, Karlgaard crafts a stunning argument supporting those who find their wings later in life.