Welcome to Featured Favorites, a special feature with a goal of highlighting the diversity of thought and interest on the Yeske Buie team and in the Yeske Buie community at large.

One of the core values at Yeske Buie is Learn Big, which is founded on a belief that learning fuels potential. Having a shared appreciation for learning, it’s not surprising that there are more than a few book worms on our team. We enjoy reading as a group (affectionately called YeBu U) and we have our own individual reading interests, as well.

For this edition of Featured Favorites, we asked our team the following question:

Talk about diversity – the team’s answers ranged in so many ways and included genres from personal development to science fiction to a picaresque novel! As you read through our favorites, keep in mind that we want to hear from you! Which of these books have you read? What would you share as your favorite read? Share your thoughts with us at the bottom of this post so we can add your suggestions to our reading lists.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

This was the only book on our list to receive two votes as team members’ favorites! Sydney Woodward’s reflections on the book are as follows: “My favorite book is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I first read the work during a time when I was mainly focusing on the past and the future, and the book allowed me to really focus on the present moment!” Similarly, Rachel Shin shared, “This book has helped me become more conscious, self-aware, and present in my life. I have always struggled with being present as I let myself get wrapped up in the past or obsessed with what the future will hold. This book opened my eyes to see the importance and the beauty that comes with being aware and to live fully in the present moment.”

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer

Yusuf Abugideiri shared this book as his favorite read and called it “transformational” for him as a child. Here’s a brief synopsis from the book’s Wikipedia article: “The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm is a children’s science fiction novel by Nancy Farmer. It was awarded a Newbery Honor. The novel is set in Zimbabwe in the year 2194, with a strong theme of Afrofuturism. Combining elements of science fiction and African culture, the book depicts the struggle of a notorious general’s three children to escape from their kidnappers in the technologically advanced and crime-infested capital of Zimbabwe. “

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Cole DeLucas shared this book as one of his favorites and noted, “The book opened my eyes to investing in a different way. It sparked the entrepreneurial side of me.”

By the way, if you need some money-reading motivation, check out these five popular finance books that have a reputation for helping people better understand money matters.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Lauren Stansell calls this fictional thriller one of her favorite reads. She shared, “It’s an intriguing (love) story involving quantum mechanics. I find it to be a surprisingly approachable and enjoyable read.” Need an additional endorsement for this book? Several members of the Yeske Buie team have read this one including Dave Yeske and Lauren Mireles, among others.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Lauren Mireles was introduced to this book by a good friend in 2020. She’s since read it twice, watched the movie (in Swedish), and read a few more of Fredrik Backman’s books including Anxious People. Here’s what Lauren has to say about this book and about Backman’s work as a whole: “I find Fredrik Backman’s work to so fully and honestly reflect the challenges of the human experience. A Man Called Ove shares the story of a man who’s currently experiencing severe heartache and loneliness until he begins to form unexpected relationships with his new neighbors. The book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me appreciate the highs and lows of humanity.”

The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

This seven book, +4,200 page series is Mila Lavoie’s favorite read – she can’t pick just one! In reflecting on the series, Mila said, “This series is my all-time favorite as I feel it never gets old. I can pick up any of the books at any time and I instantly escape into the magical world of wizardry. And what makes it even more magical is that the movies are almost as good as the books!”