Team Brain Candy: Student Open-Choice

Sponsor(s): Kian Pejman (Gr. 9), Ms. Dousett (Ed Tech Coordinator)

Format(s): Any

Select your own Team Brain Candy title! It can be about ideas, innovations, inspiration, leadership, and/or habit-building....

If you need a title suggestion, ask your librarians or visit morvenlibrary.org.

Simple Wealth: Six Proven Principles for Financial Freedom by David Ash (2021)  

Sponsor(s): Mr. Wong (Math)

Format(s): print and Sora audiobook

Between skyrocketing inflation, post-pandemic chaos, and a sketchy job market, trying to figure out money feels like playing a game where the rules keep changing. Everywhere you look, there’s a new "get rich quick" fad or some conflicting advice from a "finance guru." Who do you actually trust?

Cut through the noise with proven principles you can use right now. This book breaks down why even geniuses make dumb money moves, how to spot a scam artist from a mile away, and how to crush self-sabotaging mindsets.

The best part? The author, David Ash, was a broke high school dropout who retired a millionaire. If he can do it, you can too—even if finance totally terrifies you. Stop letting debt or "jargon" rob your future and start building a wealthy life with confidence. No complicated charts required—just the ultimate financial glow-up.

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (2020)  

Sponsor(s): Ashwin Chaturvedi (Gr. 10), Armin Shafiey (Gr. 10), Ms. Gurman (Entrepreneurship)

Format(s): print and Sora e-book

We’re usually taught that money is all about math, spreadsheets, and complex formulas. But in the real world, your bank account isn't controlled by a calculator—it’s controlled by your head.

In The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel reveals that doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know; it’s about how you behave. Most financial choices aren't made looking at data; they’re made at the dinner table, fueled by ego, pride, and your own unique life story.

Through 19 short, mind-blowing stories, Housel shows you how to master the "soft skills" of finance. Whether it’s understanding why we overspend or how to stay chill when the market crashes, this book is the ultimate cheat code for one of life’s most stressful topics. It turns out, being "smart" with money is actually about being self-aware.

Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon by Rahul Jandial (2019)

Sponsor(s): Diana Anvari (Gr. 10), Ms. Dey

Format(s): print

Ever wish your brain came with a "pro mode" toggle? Dr. Rahul Jandial is a world-class neurosurgeon who spends his days performing literal brain surgery, and he’s distilled his expertise into a "brain rehab" boot camp for the rest of us.

In Neurofitness, Jandial cuts through the fluff to show you how to rewire your mind to work in a higher gear. Using wild stories from his own operating room and the latest science, he reveals how to boost your memory, crush stress, and unlock a level of creativity you didn’t know you had.

Forget boring textbooks—this is a high-performance guide to hacking your gray matter with quick daily exercises. Whether you want to level up your focus or just understand the "meat computer" inside your head, this book is your ultimate manual for maximum brain power.

Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis (1989) 

Sponsor(s): Henry Cubric (Gr. 10), Ms. Pagtakhan (Social Studies)

Format(s): print, Sora e-book, Sora audiobook

Fresh out of college, Michael Lewis landed a seat at Salomon Brothers, the wildest investment firm on Wall Street. In just three years, he went from a clueless trainee to a high-stakes bond salesman, riding the wave of a modern-day gold rush where millions were made (and lost) in seconds.

Liar’s Poker is the ultimate backstage pass to an era of pure "greed and gluttony." It’s a world of "frat-boy" energy, where ambitious traders gamble everything on a game of bluffing and deception. Lewis captures the chaotic, hilarious, and often cutthroat reality of a trading floor where "killer instinct" is the only thing that matters.

If you think The Wolf of Wall Street was intense, wait until you see the real-life insanity of the men who invented the game. It’s a wild look at how far people will go when there’s an outrageous fortune on the line.

Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Dr. Rob Rotella FULL

Sponsor(s): Acklin Dollinger (Gr.9), Bayan Hafezi (Gr.9), Griffin Lucke (Gr.9), Zeo Yassin, Mr. Alguire (Inclusive Ed)

Format(s): print, Sora e-book, and Sora audiobook

Ready to drop your score without changing your swing? Pick this up and change your game.

Think golf is just about having a perfect swing? Think again. In Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect, Dr. Bob Rotella—the legendary "Doc" trusted by pros like John Daly and Davis Love III—reveals that the secret to winning isn't in your wrists; it’s between your ears.

Forget dry textbooks and boring drills, Doc uses high-stakes anecdotes and a conversational style to show you how to build an unbreakable mindset. Whether you’re fighting for a spot on the senior team or just trying to outplay your friends this summer, you’ll learn how to handle pressure, stay focused, and—most importantly—have more fun.

Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf's Most Human Superstar by Alan Shipnuck (2026) 

Sponsor(s): Sohrab Adnani (Gr. 10), Noah Sadeghi, Mr. Williams (Teacher Intern Coach)

Format(s): print, Sora e-book, Sora audiobook

Rory McIlroy is basically the main character of pro golf, but he’s far from a perfect hero. He’s a guy who can dominate a tournament with "transcendent" talent one day and look completely lost the next. He’s part high-class ambassador, part trash-talking troll, and 100% human.

Coming from a working-class town in Northern Ireland to flying private jets and chilling with billionaires, Rory's life is a wild ride of contradictions. Unlike the robotic intensity of Tiger Woods, Rory wears his heart on his sleeve. When he finally hit the career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters, the world didn't just cheer—they cried with him.

From tabloid romances and messy business feuds to the ultimate triumphs on the green, this book goes behind the scenes of a superstar who is as vulnerable as he is elite. If you want to know what it’s actually like to chase greatness while everyone is watching you fail, Rory’s story is the ultimate deep dive.

Rise: My Story by Lindsey Vonn (2022) 

Sponsor(s): Ellington Norman-Thiessen (Gr.11), Ms. Weiss (Dean of Student Life)

Format(s): print

Lindsey Vonn is a total legend: 82 World Cup wins, 20 titles, and a career built on pure, unadulterated speed. But in her raw memoir, Rise, she reveals that being a "badass" isn't just about the gold medals.

Vonn takes you behind the scenes of a life lived at 80 mph, where she pushed her body past its breaking point and shattered barriers for female athletes everywhere. But the real story is the mental battle—her secret, decades-long struggle with depression and self-confidence.

It’s an honest look at the grit it takes to claw back from devastating injuries and the high price of greatness. If you’ve ever felt like the world expects you to be perfect while you’re just trying to survive, Vonn’s journey is the ultimate proof that your challenges don't have to define you. Success isn't just about the finish line; it’s about having the heart to get back up.