16 Inspiring Books You Should Read in 2016

Maybe being vulnerable isn't our biggest weakness, but rather, our greatest strength. Daring Greatly argues that vulnerability is at the root of our most difficult emotions, yet the most accurate measure of courage.

An Uncomplicated Life is essentially a love letter written by a father to his larger-than-life daughter with Down syndrome. Readers could learn a thing or two from her spirited approach to living.

Emergence revolves around introspection, stressing the idea that there's no need for change when the answers are already within us. Our full potentials are simply waiting to be tapped into.

Theodore is fascinated by death; Violet lives for the future. In All the Bright Places, the two characters come together and make important discoveries about themselves. This one's for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell.

Want to simplify your life but don't know where to start? Spark Joy is a road map to decluttering and organizing, providing guidance on everything from kitchen tools to cleaning supplies to hobby goods.

Ana Jurić is a college student in Manhattan who can't seem to escape the haunting memories of the war she dealt with as a child in Croatia. Girl at War moves back and forth through time and beautifully displays how history transforms an individual.

As a food blogger, Andie Mitchell struggled with body image issues and food addiction. It Was Me All Along recounts her emotional journey of losing weight when the situation felt too far gone and finding self-love during the process.

Fish in a Tree tells the tale of Ally, a troublemaking dyslexic girl who cleverly hides her inability to read from her schoolmates. One life-changing teacher helps to release Ally from her shame and grow in newfound confidence as the bright and creative kid she is.

If 2015 was the year we recognized "mansplaining" for what it is, may 2016 be the year we stop it in its tracks. "It gave me the courage to stand up and not let people silence me," wrote one reviewer about Men Explain Things to Me.

In Trail of Broken Wings, Indian-American photographer Sonya returns to the family she'd left years ago after her father falls into a coma. Buried secrets of a horrid past float to the surface, and Sonya, her sisters, and her mother must come to terms with their own demons. This book highlights the power of speaking and owning the truth.

In How Not to Die, leading nutritionist Dr. Michael Greger shows readers what lifestyle changes to make in order to prevent chronic disease and live longer. This doc's advice is eye-opening and supported by strong scientific evidence.

In Our Souls at Night, an elderly man and woman come together in their loneliness to grapple with the events of their lives and find hope for the future. "In spare, unadorned yet poignant language, [author Kent Haruf] gets right to the heart of things, capturing succinctly what makes us feel most human," wrote one reviewer.

If you're all about Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, or Grey's Anatomy, check out Shonda Rhimes's Year of Yes, in which the TV mogul motivates you to be your own person.

Lane led a normal life . . . until he's diagnosed with tuberculosis, and now he's stuck in a sanatorium. But perhaps all is not lost, as he finds rich companionship in fellow patient Sadie. Extraordinary Means is heartbreaking yet hopeful.

From the author of Wild comes a collection of inspiring quotes in the form of Brave Enough. Her humor, wisdom, and tough love are perfect for the reader looking to be just a little bit braver.