Whether you feel like your whole life is stuck in a rut, or you just want to pick up a few new hobbies, these books will help you jump into the shiny new year with a shiny new attitude.

H is for Hawk, by Helen Macdonald

When Helen Macdonald’s father died suddenly, she found herself completely at sea. Not sure how to process her overwhelming grief, Macdonald turned to her old love: falconry. Ordinary falcons wouldn’t do this time, though, so Macdonald resolved to raise and train a goshawk, one of the fiercest predators that nature has to offer. H is for Hawk is a poignant and humorous memoir about dealing with grief, hawks, and self-discovery. It’s also the perfect read for anyone who’s looking to give themselves a bold new challenge this January.

Why Not Me? By Mindy Kaling

Reinvention doesn’t always have to involve devastating loss or birds of prey. Mindy Kaling’s second memoir, Why Not Me? is a delightful ode to finding your own self confidence without the impetus of tragedy. Kaling shares insights on her successful career as a TV writer, as well as plenty of juicy gossip and polarizing opinions on romantic comedies. Her wit and humor are infectious, like staying up all night to talk to your very best friend. By the end of the book, you’ll stop saying “I’m not good enough,” and start saying, “Well… why not me?”

Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie received a letter from a friend a few years ago, asking how to raise her baby daughter to be a feminist. Dear Ijeawele is her answer. Equal parts fierce and funny, this essay is a powerful reminder that we can all do more to treat everyone in our lives with respect. Adichie is here to remind us of simple realities, like the fact that everyone matters and no one gender is inherently better at cooking. Most of these fifteen suggestions are just as helpful for adults as for babies, for men and for women, for Americans and Nigerians alike. You’ll read this book in about a day, but its lessons will stay with you all year long.

Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit

If you’re trying to go into 2018 with optimism, read Hope in the Dark. Rebecca Solnit makes the case for radical hope in the face of despair. Solnit isn’t suggesting that we all shove down our fears and pretend to be happy, but she does encourage everyone to celebrate small victories and to avoid giving up, even when the future looks grim. After all, the positive effects of our actions are not always seen right away.

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person, by Shonda Rhimes

Whether you’re already a huge Shondaland fan, or only vaguely aware that Shonda Rhimes makes some kind of TV show, you should pick up Year of Yes. This book is an account of a year-long challenge that Rhimes took on: she would start saying “yes” to everything. For one year, at her sister’s request, she reluctantly agreed to accept all invitations and take on all unexpected projects. The result was transformative. Even if this book doesn’t inspire you to set off on your own “year of yes,” you’ll certainly be tempted to try out some new experiences in 2018.