3 books that will restore your faith in humanity

The entire globe is mourning right now for Paris and Beirut. The lives of those lost in the terror attacks last week should be front of mind and honored, not forgotten. But it’s also important to remember the good in the world. Keep following the developing news of what is happening in Paris, but also, reach for one of these books that will remind you that the world isn’t all bad.

“I Will Alway Write Back” by Caitlin Aliefirenka and Martin Ganda

When Caitlin Aliefirnka was 12, she started writing to a boy living in Zimbabwe as part of a class project. But the two kept writing to each other long after the school year ended and developed a bond that changed both their lives forever. Written from both points of view, they share just how differently their lives were from each other and what the letters meant for them. For Martin Ganda, they literally saved his life. This book serves as a reminder that a small act can make a huge, life-changing difference.

“A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah

This true story about what it is like to be a child soldier in Sierra Leone will break your heart, but it will also remind you that human beings areresilient. Ishmael Beah tells his story of when rebels attacked his small village when he was just 12 years old, forcing him and his family to flee, not knowing where they were going. He became a child soldier at 13 years old and the horrors he saw are unimaginable. But he got through it and escaped, and now he’s sharing his inspiring story with the world.

“I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai

If you still haven’t read Malala Yousafzai’s incredible memoir about standing up to the Taliban in support of girls’ education in Pakistan before heading to the theaters to see the movie version. Seeing how one ordinary girl’s bravery sparked global change will encourage you to live more boldly, too.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence