Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

My Bookshelf 📖- books that have changed my brain chemistry or how I see the world

Closed Book emoji 9 items
List of my all time favorite books! Each book whether fiction or autobiographical, holds a special place in my heart and mind.
Sections
2
 
 

📕Autobiographical novels that have inspired me

Novels based on the author's life and experiences. I enjoy reading about individuals that have lived extraordinary lives or have overcome adversities. 

 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
This story has stayed me with me months after reading. The juxtaposition of a child's innocence during a difficult journey to reconnect with his parents really highlighted Javier's endless hope, love, and wonder against the harsh conditions of the en...
Solito: A Memoir
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
This provides a glimpse into the mind of controversial figure, Malcolm X. Reading about his life and circumstances that brought X to the Nation of Islam and projected him into pages of U.S. History was an eye opening experience. A must read for anyon...
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
Beautifully written book detailing McCurdy’s upbringing, childhood stardom, and navigating the grief and guilt that follows the death of an abusive parent. Despite the heavy context of her life story, McCurdy handles her subjects with care. I found m...
I'm Glad My Mom Died: McCurdy, Jennette
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
After years of being trapped in an unethical conservatorship, Spears finally has her voice back. Reading about her life, in her words, felt like the least we could do after the justice system and society has failed her all this time. Spears details h...
The Woman in Me
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
A beautiful love letter from widowed husband, Chris Perez to his late wife, Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Perez details his start with the young band, Selena y Los Dinos and his love story with Selena who will become a global icon before her life was tra...
To Selena, with Love

📗Fiction novels that have left an impact

While not based on real life stories, fictional literature can serve as a reflection of the human condition. Through literary devices and narrations, we can take away different lessons that stay with us long after we have set the books down.

 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
My favorite Amy Tan novel! As most Tan novels, this story also chronicles the lives of a mother-daughter pair. The characters are complex and well-written. “For Tan, the true keeper of memory is language, and so the novel is layered with stories that...
The Bonesetter's Daughter
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
A beautiful quick read on the American Dream and the perils that come with it. Between the flawed characters and an unreliable narrator, the story is a great contrast of what is typically promised of America and its endless opportunities.
The Great Gatsby
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
A thrilling novel that warns the reader of one of the seven deadly sins; vanity. The themes of societial pressure and superficiality still ring true today. One could argue that social media is the modern day portrait, reflecting our desires and chara...
The Picture of Dorian Gray
 
Steph Sanchez profile picture
A touching story on girlhood and the sisterhood between the two main characters. While the Netflix show is true to the book, I highly recommend reading the novel first to get a deeper understanding of Kate and Tully.
Firefly Lane