The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Most of us could stand to devote more time to reading. We make room in our busy schedules for the latest seasons of our favorite TV shows, but we don't put aside enough time for books.

If you're looking for something to keep you occupied before bed or on your commute to work this July, we suggest checking out Amazon's Best Books of the Month, a section of the site wholly dedicated to new releases in literature and fiction, nonfiction, history, and more.

You'll find a spotlight pick (this month's is "Spoonbenders" by Daryl Gregory) along with nine other books that Amazon's book editors loved this month.

For anyone looking for a book to read at the beach or on your couch, this list is a good place to start your search.

Captions have been provided by Erin Kodicek, editor of books and Kindle at Amazon.com.

SEE ALSO: The best Amazon Prime Day deals members can get starting today

"Spoonbenders" by Daryl Gregory

The title of this hilarious and heartfelt summer read harkens to the protagonists, a family of (mostly) physics, whose unique gifts don’t guarantee a perfect life.  

Buy it here >>

"Goodbye, Vitamin" by Rachel Khong

This impressive debut is the story of a young sonogram technician who quits her job to take care of her father who has Alzheimer’s. Sound like a drag? It’s quite the opposite.  

Buy it here >>

"Sting-Ray Afternoons" by Steve Rushin

A colleague referred to this one, very affectionately, as "summer reading for dads," but I am decidedly not one and very much enjoyed this fun and funny homage to the 1970s.

Buy it here >>

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• Traveling doesn't have to be a hassle. Having a great suitcase can be the difference between an amazing trip and a bad one. After much research, we found that the Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard is the best piece of checked luggage you can buy for long trips.

I love almost everything about traveling; that includes hanging out in the airport. Yep, you read that correctly. Long lines, hectic check-ins, overstuffed airplanes — they don’t really bother me because I’m usually giddy about getting away; in addition, I’m in full-on people-watching mode. But I do dislike packing. Mostly that’s because I can’t decide what to bring. But sometimes it’s because of my suitcase. I admit that I’ve been embarrassed once or twice at the baggage carousel by stepping up and pulling off that suitcase. I’ve also cursed out a suitcase several times — once when I was zig-zagging through crowds at Heathrow desperately trying to catch my flight home and one wheel snapped right off.

There are, of course, many other things that can go awry with your luggage. Sometimes the airline misplaces it, or the zipper breaks as you are headed out the door, or you arrive home to find that your carefully-wrapped souvenirs have been smashed to smithereens. And who among us hasn’t, at some point, wondered if your non-locking suitcase was rifled through — did I leave that new scarf in the hotel room or did someone take it?

Buying the right piece of luggage can help eliminate or at least lessen the chance that you will encounter many of these problems. There are thousands of different brands and styles of luggage to choose from. No one suitcase is right for everybody. It depends on many factors including how frequently you travel, what you are packing, and your budget. We've done all the research to find the best pieces of checked luggage you can buy, but first, here are some things to look out for in a good piece of luggage.

What to look for in a good piece of luggage

According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, most consumers think these two factors are, by far, the most important when buying a suitcase: wheel-ability and durability. With that in mind, here are some of the most important things to consider before purchasing a new piece of luggage:

• Two wheels or four wheels? Many travelers assume that luggage with four wheels that can turn 360-degrees is clearly the best option. After all, you can push and pull your suitcase in virtually any direction. So, what’s the downside? There are a few. First, the luggage can more easily roll away if you find yourself on even a minor incline. In addition, the wheels on four-wheelers are usually externally attached, meaning that they are more liable to break off than their two-wheel counterparts.
• Hard or Soft? Hard luggage has many benefits. First, it clearly protects fragile items better. Hard luggage is also sturdier and more theft-proof because it can’t easily rip or be slashed open with a knife or other tool. It’s often rain-proof, too. ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is the lightest and cheapest kind of plastic used for the outside of hard suitcases, while polycarbonate is a little more expensive, but much more durable. Aluminum is the most durable shell material, but it is also the heaviest. Downsides of hard-shelled suitcases include that they get scuffed up fairly quickly and they are unforgiving if you need to try to squeeze them into a compartment on a plane or even to store them in a small apartment.
• Materials and durability: If you want to opt for a soft-sided piece of luggage, there are still many materials to choose from. Polyester is the cheapest choice. Ballistic nylon is durable and easy to clean. Cordura nylon is both softer and lighter than ballistic nylon. It also takes dye better, so if you’re looking for a brightly-colored bag this is the ideal choice. If durability is your main concern, make sure to check the denier rating which indicates the fiber thickness of the fabric. The higher the number, the thicker the fabric. Most experts suggest that for checked luggage that will be used fairly frequently you buy something in the 500-2,000 denier range.
• Weight and size: Weight is also a concern when buying a new suitcase. Not only are many travelers concerned about having to wheel a heavy suitcase around the airport, as well as city streets, but most domestic and international airless have imposed a weight limit of 50 pounds for checked bags. 

These are the best pieces of checked luggage you can buy for long-haul trips where even the best carry-on bag just doesn't cut it.

If you travel a lot, you'll also want to check out our many travel pieces including the best carry-on bags you can buy, the things we won't travel without, our favorite travel bags, the things we always pack when we travel, 10 must-have travel tech accessories, and more recommendations on Insider Picks.

Although the Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard 26-inch Luggage is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Delsey Helium Aero 25-inch Hard Case Luggage, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner Luggage, the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior 32 Duffle-Style Luggage, and the Raden A28 Check-in Smart Luggage.

SEE ALSO: The best carry-on bags you can buy

The best luggage overall

Why you'll love it: The Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard 26-inch Luggage is lightweight, affordable, and the top choice for the airline pros.

Travelpro invented rolling luggage when founder and pilot Bob Plath got tired of carrying his bags through busy airports. The company has been well-known for innovation ever since. The Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard 26-inch Luggage may not be the snazziest piece of luggage on the baggage carousel, but this easy-to-use and durable polyester piece is lightweight at 5.6 pounds and very affordable with its sale price of around $100.

The Maxlite 4 comes in black or blue, and if you buy the 29-inch option, you get a few more colors, including red and purple. The two high performance, ball-bearing in-line wheels, with protective crash guards last a long time and help you navigate many surfaces. The expandable handle has two stops: 38-inches and an extra-tall 42.5-inches, so you can roll it along at any height. Unzipping hidden compartments expands the storage space to suit your needs.

The Maxlite 4 has a limited lifetime warranty, so you should be covered if anything happens to your bag. User reviews on Amazon are mostly positive, with many verified purchasers touting the lightweight and simple, yet sturdy suitcase.

“This is a great suitcase,” wrote one reviewer in May 2016. “I am pretty sure this suitcase is at least 5-7lbs lighter than our broken one and when traveling with two kids, those 5-7lbs can make a huge difference.” Adds another consumer in March 2017: “What a great suitcase —travel pro quality for a low cost. I travel internationally at least 6 times per year. This suitcase stands up to the abuse, with excellent zippers, wheels, and hardware. Rolls real smoothly too!”

Around the web, professional reviewers, including those from Outdoor Gear Lab, Apartment Therapy, Luggage on Tour, and the Covet List give high marks to the Travelpro Maxlite 4.

Pros: Very affordable, lightweight, durable, easy to maneuver

Cons: No interior pockets, only one exterior pocket

Buy the Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard 26-inch Luggage on Amazon for $108.79 (originally $320.00)

Buy the Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard 29-inch Luggage on Amazon for $124.99 (originally $360.00)

The best hard case checked luggage

Why you'll love it: The Delsey Helium Aero 25-inch Luggage is an affordably-priced, hard-shell standout that's constructed with high-end materials.

The Delsey Helium Aero 25-inch Luggage is a highly rated suitcase, made by the respected French company Delsey. It is constructed out of 100 percent lightweight polycarbonate with a glossy finish. To be clear: most luggage in this price range is made of a flimsier ABS-polycarbonate blend. 

Available in four colors, including black, brushed charcoal, emerald green, purple, and titanium; this luggage relies on four twin spinner wheels that roll in all directions and put no weight on your hands. The sturdy, ergonomic comfort grip handle is composed of industrial-grade aluminum and snaps up and down with the push of a button.

The simple interior has two basic compartments: one with straps to secure your clothes, and another with a mesh bag ideal for laundry. A zipper-based expansion system can provide an extra two inches of packing space. Finally, the three-dial combination lock, approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), keeps your belongings safe.

User Reviews on Amazon are highly positive, with verified users singing the praises of this durable, lightweight luggage. “We love them. Sturdy. Well made - exterior and interior. Plenty of room. No complaints. Recommend,” wrote one reviewer in June 2017.

Around the web, professional reviewers, including those from The Wirecutter, Best Reviews, and Luggage On Tour recommend this durable piece as an exceptionally good buy.

Pros: Lightweight, durable, affordable, dent-resistant

Cons: Easily shows dirt/dust, hard-to-read numbers on the wheel locks

Buy the Delsey Helium Aero 25-inch luggage on Amazon for $113.00  to $139.99 (price varies based on color)

The best high-end luggage

Why you'll love it: The Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner Luggage is well crafted, expands to suit your needs, and boasts a lifetime guarantee.

The Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner Luggage is one of the best checked bags you can have with you on your many trips around the globe. The shell on this sturdy bag has a unique composition of 95 percent nylon, three percent aluminum, and two percent rubber. But it is the ballistic nylon that keeps it moisture and dirt-free. 

Four durable double swivel wheels make it easy to navigate the bag anywhere, no matter how much you have packed into it, and you can pack a lot. The huge interior is perfect for long trips. The company's patented CX expansion-compression technology increases the space inside the luggage up to 26 percent by simply pulling on a lever. One push will compress the suitcase back down to its original size.

Briggs & Riley, a Long Island, New York-based company founded in 1993, is well-known for its “Simple as That” Lifetime Guarantee. Not only will the company repair your bag free of charge if it is ever broken or damaged, but it will do so even if the problem was caused by an airline. You don’t have to show proof of purchase or even that you are the bag’s original owner.

User reviews on Amazon are mostly positive with verified purchasers raving about the lifetime guarantee and the ease of use. “These spinner bags roll around so easily you'd think NASA made the wheels. It honestly saves a tremendous amount of physical stress on one's legs, back and arms compared to the older 2-wheel roller bags,” wrote one reviewer in August 2016. “It combines innovative design with sturdiness and the guarantee of lifetime repair,” wrote another reviewer in June 2016.

Around the web professional reviewers, including those from The Wirecutter and Outdoor Gear Lab, give the bag high marks. In fact, The Wirecutter calls the Baseline Large Expandable Spinner, “The most satisfying packing experience money can buy.”

Pros: Very sturdy, user-friendly and unique features, lifetime warranty

Cons: Expensive, heavy

Buy the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner Luggage on Amazon for $629.00

It's common practice for high-end condo buildings to tout all kinds of amenities to attract buyers. But 443 Greenwich, a luxury building in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York, claims to have an entirely different perk: it's apparently "paparazzi-proof." 

While the building's management can't comment on the identity of its residents, it has been reported that the building's "paparazzi-proof" architectural features — such as its lower-level parking and interior courtyard garden — have proved attractive to clients who value their privacy.

Recently, actor Jake Gyllenhaal is said to have purchased a $8.63 million three-bedroom unit in the building, joining rumored neighbors like actress Rebel Wilson, singer Harry Styles, and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. Other big names like Jennifer Lawrence, Ryan Reynolds, and Blake Lively have reportedly also bought property there. Earlier this year, actor Mike Myers purchased a $14.65 million loft in the building, but just a week later, he put it back on the market. It later sold for $14 million.

As for the eight penthouses, one is still available for $55 million. Prices for the available lofts range from $3.9 million to $14.5 million.

Ahead, take a look inside one of the building's gorgeous four-bedroom condos.  

SEE ALSO: Stunning vintage photos show how Americans in every state spend their downtime

Built in 1882, the 443 Greenwich building was originally a book bindery. Today, it's a landmarked building with 53 residential condominiums, including eight penthouses.

Calling itself "paparazzi-proof," the building's privacy has been a big draw for celebrity buyers. Actress Rebel Wilson is said to have recently purchased a two-bedroom unit for $2.95 million.

Source: WWD

One of the building's major privacy-geared benefits is its lower-level lobby and parking space, guarded by wrought-iron gates. The building has on-site valet parking.

Coming back from a magical vacation isn't much fun.

One minute, you're lounging by the sparkling, blue sea without a care in the world. The next, you're back in your gray cubicle, jet-lagged and sunburned.

But your transition back to the office doesn't have to be a total nightmare. In fact, there are certain steps you can take on your first day back that'll make the whole process much easier.

With some simple strategizing, you'll get back into your usual work groove in no time:

DON'T MISS: 12 signs you desperately need a vacation from work

DON'T MISS: 7 things successful people do the night before a vacation

Get an early start

If you want to ease back into work, you've got to prepare.

"Get to bed early the night before, and get in a little early," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," tells Business Insider. "That will mitigate the workload avalanche and give you a head start, sans distraction."

Don't stretch yourself thin

Don't schedule a ton of meetings and deadlines during your first day back. That'll just leave you feeling overwhelmed and behind on your work.

"Ideally, try and keep your first day back schedule-free from any meetings or appointments — keep it as open as possible so that you have the entire day free to catch up and not feel overwhelmed,"Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage," tells Business Insider.

Kerr recommends strategizing before you begin your day: "Take several minutes to plan your day before diving in, focus on priorities, and don't be afraid to ask for support."

If you're facing an avalanche of work, try prioritizing your tasks, Taylor says:

"Handle emergencies first. Decide what's most important to your job, your boss, and your project list. Look at the big picture, not what comes to you sequentially. Learn to say 'no' to low priority items hurled your way."

Get caught up

Before diving back in to individual emails and projects, Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of "Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad," tells Business Insider that it's important to get a broad idea of how things were while you were gone.

"Figure out if there were any major events or changes that occurred," he says. "This way, you'll be generally up to speed before diving in deep into the day-to day details of your work."

What we know about this Peter Parker/Spider-Man

The Battle of New York

How Tony Stark/Iron Man fits into the picture.

Wage growth has been sluggish for some time now.

But some jobs are seeing more gains than others.

Glassdoor, an online jobs and careers community, recently released its latest monthly Local Pay Report, which takes into account anonymous salary reports for specific job titles, industries, and over 600,000 employers.

The report breaks down which occupations saw the fastest pay growth this past year.

Here are the nine jobs with the fastest pay growth:

SEE ALSO: The 25 tech companies everyone wants to work for right now

9. Pharmacy technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists, dispensing prescription drugs to patients.

Percent wage growth from June 2016 to June 2017: 4.5%

Median base pay: $30,696

8. Maintenance worker

Maintenance workers repair and maintain machines and systems.

Percent wage growth from June 2016 to June 2017: 4.8%

Median base pay: $44,018

7. Warehouse associate

Warehouse associates work in warehouses, managing and stocking inventory.

Percent wage growth from June 2016 to June 2017: 4.9%

Median base pay: $41,442

The INSIDER Summary:

• We've rounded up the top 10 superfoods you should be adding to your diet this summer.
• Pineapple is hydrating and contains an important cancer-fighting agent.
• Grilled corn is not only a great summer treat, but its also high in antioxidants and potassium-rich.

The warmer days are here, and while the most important thing you can do for your body is to drink lots of water, there are other things you should stock your fridge with to have a happy and healthy summer.

We rounded up the top 10 summer superfoods according to nutritionists, including in-season produce and lean grilled proteins, that are chock-full of vitamins and nutrients.

From pineapple to grilled corn, these superfoods will keep you healthy and hydrated. 

Avocados are an abundant source of good fats.

Here's your excuse to eat guacamole all summer long: "The oleic acid found in avocados can reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol – the healthy kind," Frida Harju, nutritionist at Lifesum says. "The pro-inflammatory omega-fats in avocados are also shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease."

Summer berries are heart-healthy.

Berries like strawberries and blueberries should be the first ingredients in your fruit salad this year: "Berries are packed with powerful phytochemicals [like antioxidants]," says Sharon Palmer, the Plant-Powered Dietitian. "Berry consumption is linked to good heart health, diabetes management and prevention, and even cognition."

Cherries can help reduce inflammation.

Nothing says "summer" like a bowl full of dark, pitted cherries. Natalie Allen, dietitian and clinical instructor of dietetics at Missouri State University, recommends eating cherries (particularly bing cherries) to reduce inflammation thanks to an abundance of antioxidants. 

Everything around us is becoming connected. As a result, we are seeing shifts in investments and returns. There is already a great demand for network expansion, cyber security and insurance. And generally, the prices of hardware will fall as IoT becomes less of a novelty.

All of this opens up a huge opportunity for everyone to make and save a lot of money. We will invest $6 trillion in IoT between 2015 and 2020, which will yield $12.6 trillion ROI over the next decade. Enterprise will make up the majority of the investment dollars, followed by government and consumer.

BI Intelligence has created a slide deck exploring the most disruptive trends in IoT. To get a more detailed view of the progression, landscape and projections of the Internet of Everything, access the complete slide deck by clicking here.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The market drivers for the IoT.
• Forecasts for the IoT market.
• A breakdown of how many industries are utilizing IoT devices.
• A look at how governments are using the IoT to revolutionize their cities and defense.
• An examination of the smart home and connected car market.
• And much more.

Below are 8 sample slides from the 60-page deck. Want the full deck? Access it here for FREE >>

Want the full 60-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>

Want the full 60-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>

Want the full 60-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>

The INSIDER Summary: 

• Celebrities like to celebrate the 4th of July just like the rest of us.
• Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard stole the show in their adorable matching flag-striped pajamas.
• Kate Upton and Christina Aguilera also wore flag-inspired ensembles.

Last year, it was all about Taylor Swift and her squad (and then BF, Tom Hiddleston)’s epic 4^thof July-themed bash, but Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are offering up some stiff competition for 2017, showing us their American pride in a pair of matching flag-striped “jammies.” Kristen Cavallari and Eva Longoria are also tipping their hats to the good ole’ US of A with some seriously festive treats, while Kirsten Dunst celebrates overseas. Check out all the star celebrations happening below!

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard

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Kristen Bell and hubby Dax Shepard got their holiday festivities started off right with star-spangled onesies.

Kristin Cavallari

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The newly transplanted designer got her bake on for the the 4^th, showing off a patriotic fruit cake with a special story behind it. “Been making this cake with my mom since I was a little girl. Had the boys decorate the cake to carry on the tradition,” she wrote. Awww!

Kirsten Dunst

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Kiki may be overseas in Paris, but she’s still an American at heart, wishing her country a happy 4^th with a miniature flag in her coffee this am.

I'm happy for those of you who wouldn't change a thing about your smartphone. But for me, there's no such thing as the perfect smartphone — at least not the ones available off-the-shelf today.

For example, my favorite phone is the Google Pixel, but I wish it had the design and camera of the Galaxy S8, as well Apple's iOS App Store for the iPhone 7. 

If I could build my own dream phone, I'd pick 14 different parts from seven different smartphones to create the ultimate smartphone. Check out what parts my dream Franken-phone would use:

SEE ALSO: The Galaxy S8 can do 8 things the new OnePlus 5 can't, but I'd still get the OnePlus 5

The Xiaomi Mi Mix's front design.

Save for the bottom border, the Xiaomi Mi Mix arguably has thinner borders around its display than the Galaxy S8, making for a gorgeous all-display smartphone. Unfortunately, the Mi Mix isn't available to buy in the US, but that doesn't matter because my custom phone is totally fictitious!

The iPhone 7's glossy black back.

The Galaxy S8's glass back is nice, but the iPhone 7's glossy "Jet Black" color option is the king of premium looks and feel. 

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium's 4K screen.

I'd be perfectly happy with a 1080p screen, like you'd find on the iPhone 7 Plus or OnePlus 5. But if I'm building my dream phone, I might as well give it the highest resolution on any smartphone at the moment: The 4K display from Sony's Xperia XZ Premium. 

AOL cofounder Steve Case and his wife, Jean, have put their McLean, Virginia, home up for sale for $49.5 million.

According to the Washington Post, the Cases are not the first notable figures to have owned the estate, which dates back to 1919. Dubbed Merrywood, it was also the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. 

In addition to sweeping views of the Potomac River, Merrywood has nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and some 23,000 square feet of space. 

Case is also the CEO of the VC firm Revolution.

Let's take a look around. 

SEE ALSO: Meet the rich and powerful people who live on 'Billionaire Lane' in the Hamptons

Merrywood is set on a seven-acre lot in McLean, Virginia.

It offers sweeping views of the Potomac River.

The home has four floors of living space, which can be accessed via this staircase or by elevator.

We get it: Writing a résumé is daunting, no matter what stage in your career you’re at.

Whether you have too much work experience and don’t know where to put everything, or if you are looking for your first professional job and don’t have much work experience to showcase, filling out an entire page can be a difficult task.

If you’re working on your résumé right now, keep reading.

We spoke with Michelle Aikman, NCRW, Co-founder and Director of Adventure Learning of Cerno, to discuss the best actionable and realistic ways to transform your résumé.

SEE ALSO: 4 high-impact resume updates that take less than 5 minutes

1. Transform job duties into quantified accomplishments

According to Aikman, the number one mistake job seekers make on their résumé is only including what they do, but not how well they do it.

For example, if you are a social media strategist, don’t just say you ran the company’s social media accounts. Instead, let the numbers do the talking and say, “When I started, we had X number of followers and X engagement, and I grew that to X.”

“It’s really important that you communicate the benefits of your experience and achievements,” explains Aikman. “I always want to know how well someone has done the job. That’s what helps an employer connect the dots so they can see how, if you do that for them, what will they get out of it.”

2. Ask someone else to read your résumé

If you’re trying to transform your résumé, one of the best steps to do right now is bring in a third party to look it over. While it’s probably best to have a résumé expert or professional read your résumé, you could show it to a co-worker or boss to get their input on how well it translates your achievements and will stand out against others.

“People often don’t get out of their own mind and think about what makes them a unique candidate and what makes them someone of value,” says Aikman. “People tend to under represent themselves, so having a conversation with a third party might help someone understand what they have to offer or what their competitive advantage is.”

3. Go above the standard template

If just getting the content onto your résumé is tough, you might prefer to use a standard résumé template because you don’t have time to even think about formatting it differently. However, taking the time to do so could be what helps set you a part, especially if you’re trying to move up a level in your career.

“People too often use standardized résumé templates and don’t think from a creative perspective,” says Aikman. “Instead, you should consider, 'What does this employer really think about? What are they looking for? What can I communicate visually?' You are trying to communicate to someone else, so think about what they want to see. What works for the engineering industry does not work for the marketing industry; therefore, you have to style it toward the person who is going to be reading it.”

Passive investing, and more specifically, ETFs, have had a killer year.

The funds, which aim to mirror the performance of a single sector or index, have been extremely popular among investors for their low fees and predictable returns.

ETFs are a huge driver of growth in today's bull market. Exchange traded funds will purchase $300 billion in equities this year, which is more than 2015 and 2016 combined. Moody's thinks more than half the stock market will be owned by ETFs by 2024. There may be no stopping the popular funds.

Investing in ETFs is easy to do, but picking the right ETFs is a bit more complicated. To help, we compiled a list of the best ETFs, ranked by 2017 performance, using Bloomberg data.

The S&P 500 is up 7.63%, which is a small number compared to the 25% or higher returns made by every ETF on this list. All the data was provided via Bloomberg.

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotech (FBT)

Assets: $1.02 billion

2017 Return: 25.19%

2017 investments in the fund: $11.73 million

Click here to read more about the fund ...

Data provided by Bloomberg

iShares MSCI China (MCHI)

Assets: $2.486 billion

2017 Return: 26.03%

2017 investments in the fund: -$167.1 million

Click here to read more about the fund ...

Data provided by Bloomberg

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3x (SPXL)

Assets: $565.74 million

2017 Return: 26.26%

2017 investments in the fund: -$99.15 million

Click here to read more about the fund ...

Data provided by Bloomberg

• I worked with a career coach, Rebecca Fraser-Thill of the Pivot Coaching team, for two months.

• Fraser-Thill was supportive and encouraging, but also made sure I set concrete, measurable career goals.

• Over the course of coaching, I learned that I'd been taking a backseat to my own professional development, and became more proactive about it.

Right around the 15-minute mark of my first phone call with Rebecca Fraser-Thill, an "aha!" moment occurred.

I was describing how I'd behave differently once I earned the senior reporter title at Business Insider — I'd feel confident that I was the right person to be tackling the stories I wanted to write and I'd think more carefully about the stories I pitched to my editor. 

"It is interesting," Fraser-Thill said, "because it strikes me that both of these are certainly things you could work into your current life. "

Oh. 

"I'm not a full believer in 'fake it till you make it,'" she added, "but there's also the piece of sometimes we do have to 'act as if.'"

Fraser-Thill is a career coach and for the past two months, I've been one of her clients. I pitched this story to my editor because it had occurred to me that, while I use career coaches and leadership coaches as sources for stories somewhat often, I don't know what they do on a daily basis.

Admittedly, I didn't think I needed that much guidance. There have been times in my professional past when I've felt confused or overwhelmed, but when I approached Fraser-Thill I felt pretty good about both my job and my career more generally. Signing up for coaching was more about getting a firsthand look at how someone with this job works. 

Spoiler alert: I did need guidance, or at least more than I thought I did. Working with Fraser-Thill made me realize that, for years, I'd been leaving my career development to chance.

SEE ALSO: A career coach and former Googler breaks down the 4 steps to making a change in your career

Weeks 1 and 2

I'd been waiting for a title bump to step up my game at work — but the only way to earn that bump was to step up my game at work.

Fraser-Thill works with the Pivot Coaching team, a group led by Jenny Blake, a former Googler whom I'd interviewed in 2016. 

A "jumpstart" package with Fraser-Thill, which includes two 45-minute phone sessions, costs $497. Pivot comped my registration for two jumpstart packages, meaning I had a total of three hours with Fraser-Thill — plus I could email her whenever with questions or updates.

Before our first phone call, in May, Fraser-Thill had emailed me to ask what I'd most like to discuss; I'd told her I wanted to advance at Business Insider, eventually earning the senior reporter title. 

From the second she answered the phone, Fraser-Thill radiated enthusiasm: There was lots of "yes!" and "mmm" and appreciative giggling when I tried to be funny by saying something self-deprecating.

On that first call I realized that I'd been waiting around for a specific job title to step up my game at work — but the only way to earn that title was to step up my game at work. This idea is hardly rocket science, but I'd never really stopped to think about it in the context of my own career.

Weeks 3 and 4

Working on my professional development was like taking on an additional set of job responsibilities, and it was tempting to keep putting it off.

There were two weeks between each of my phone sessions with Fraser-Thill, during which I was supposed to be completing the "action work," or "challenges," that we came up with together. 

After our first session, my action work involved brainstorming certain types of story ideas in my beat — something that didn't seem too difficult, but that I managed to put off until the afternoon before our second session. It seemed like every day, something came up that was more pressing than whatever challenges I'd been assigned. 

I told Fraser-Thill as much during our second phone call. We hit on the idea of setting a calendar reminder to do my action work, which was effective for a few days, after which I completely ignored it. 

There's this trite-but-true aphorism about job-searching — "Looking for a job is like a second job!"— and that's kind of how I felt about career coaching. Working on my professional development was like taking on an additional set of responsibilities at Business Insider, except I couldn't be fired for not completing them, and it was tempting to keep putting it off. 

I realized, too: There will never be a great time for me to launch into what Fraser-Thill calls a professional "sprint." During that second call, Fraser-Thill suggested I sign up for a writing class — but after researching some ideas, I told her I wouldn't have the time or attention to devote to the assignments this summer. 

But there will always be some obstacle — an upcoming vacation or simply an already-full plate at the office. The best thing, at least for me, is to stop making excuses.

Weeks 5 and 6

I learned there's no shame in being open about my ambitions.

So I threw myself into the rest of the action work — specifically, inviting senior reporters and editors throughout the newsroom to coffee to talk about a) how they got to their current role and b) what their job is like now. That's when things really started to change. 

Up until that point, I'd kept my conversations with Fraser-Thill about wanting to become a senior reporter mostly private. My coworkers knew I was working with a career coach, but they didn't know what my specific goals were. 

And so, when I mentioned it to the first senior reporter I had coffee with, I felt like I was admitting to wanting to take over the world. I thought maybe he'd laugh at me, because it was obvious I'd never get there. Or maybe, when I asked him how he got to that position, he'd feel uncomfortable, like I'd just queried him about his salary history.

To my relief, he seemed happy to share some solid journalism advice based on his own experience; so did the other reporter and editor I met with. I learned there's no shame in being open about your professional ambitions — in fact, it's advisable. If you don't make it clear what you want, how will anyone help you get there?

Having just crested the half-year mark of 2017, it's the perfect time to play the best games of 2017. It's been quite a year already!

Somewhere in between exploring the massive, adventure-filled world of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," and the massive, adventure-filled world of "Horizon Zero Dawn," it became clear that 2017 was shaping up to be one of the best years in the history of video games.

Before we look ahead to the second half of 2017, let's look back on all the excellent games that have already arrived this year. Here are the best video games of 2017 (so far), ranked:

SEE ALSO: Nintendo's new console is having an incredible run, and the future looks even brighter

11. "Persona 5"

Devotees of the "Persona" role-playing game series aren't saying that "Persona 5" is the absolute best the series has to offer — that distinction tends to rest with the third game in the series. Instead, fans are calling "Persona 5" a strong new entry in a beloved series. It's not without its flaws, but there's plenty to love.

Like previous games in the series, the story of "Persona 5" focuses on a Japanese teenager. Also like previous games in the series, there's much more to the story of "Persona 5" than what's on the surface. You'll explore the confines of high school life during the day, making friends and completing various tasks. When night comes, you'll head into battle with those friends in a turn-based RPG format.

If you've enjoyed the "Final Fantasy" series, or have a particular fondness for narrative-driven, quirky games, you'll want to check out "Persona 5."

Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

10. "Tekken 7"

In a surprising twist, there are several excellent fighting games competing for your attention in 2017 already. The most recent game to enter that fight is "Tekken 7," the latest entry in the long-running "Tekken" fighting series.

Mainstays like Heihachi and Jin are back, as well as fan favorites like Eddy Gordo and Panda (who is a literal panda). After months of playtesting the game in Japanese arcades, the version released for home consumption this year offers the most sophisticated gameplay of any "Tekken" game to date. The inclusion of a meaty — albeit silly — story mode makes "Tekken 7" a strong game for a larger audience than usual. If nothing else, it's a killer weekend rental to play with friends.

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Arcade (really!)

9. "Prey"

More than anything else, 2017 has been an incredible year for variety in gaming. "Prey" is an excellent example of that. It's a game in the style of "BioShock," mixing first-person gameplay with horror elements and environmental storytelling. 

Beyond just being beautiful to gawk at, it's a thrilling game to play. You're not simply shooting enemies — you're attempting to decipher them from the environment you're in. The enemy aliens can take the form of everyday objects, thus making your task all the more suspense-filled. An ordinary jaunt through a rote office turns into a panic-inducing creep; "Prey" revels in fear of the unknown.

Though the story in "Prey" stumbles in places, as does the gameplay, it's an overall worthwhile game to check out. 

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Warning: Possible "Game of Thrones" spoilers ahead for non-book readers.

"Game of Thrones" has more characters and locations than the average viewer can keep track of, but believe it or not there are still many that didn't make it to the show.

The original book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," clocks in at over 4,000 pages — so it's no wonder the HBO showrunners have had to eliminate some storylines from their television adaptation (even if they did add in a lot of new material).

Though some of the missing plots could appear on the upcoming seasons, so far it seems at least six major stories were left by the wayside.

Keep reading to see the six biggest plotlines left out of the show.

Lady Stark returns from the dead to seek vengeance against the Lannisters and Freys.

This is one huge departure from the books fans have been expecting to see every season since Catelyn's death on season three. Rumors started again for season six, but once again nothing happened.

Catelyn Stark was murdered during the Red Wedding, but show-only fans may not realize that wasn't the last we saw of her in the books. Catelyn's body was thrown into the river, and recovered by a group of rebels called the Brotherhood without Banners. The leaders of the group are Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr — the red priest capable of bringing people back from the dead. 

Catelyn was resurrected, and she now leads the Brotherhood without Banners under the name Lady Stoneheart. This un-dead version of Catelyn can barely speak, since her throat was slit at the Red Wedding and the wound never healed completely. But Stoneheart — obsessed with getting revenge — is slowly bringing the Freys and Lannisters to justice by hunting them down and hanging them. The last we heard of her, she had captured Brienne and Podrick, and convinced them to bring Jaime Lannister to her. So far there's no sign Stoneheart will appear on the show, but some fans are holding out hope.

A group of men totally separate from Jon and Sansa try to reclaim the North.

Along with Lady Stoneheart's quest to kill Freys and Lannisters, there is another rebellion against the Freys and Boltons that happens in the books. After the Red Wedding, Roose Bolton and his son Ramsay are given control of the North. In the show, there isn't much sign that any of the Lords formerly sworn to Robb Stark remain loyal to his cause. But the books contain several clues regarding a faction of houses plotting to overthrow the Boltons. 

The tagline of this movement is: "The North Remembers." You may have heard this line a few times in the show, but the books contain a far more powerful scene. Wyman Manderly is one of the Lords sworn to House Stark. In the books, there comes a time when Ser Davos (Stannis' right-hand man) is sent to ask Lord Manderly to swear fealty to Stannis. Manderly, who appears to be loyal to the Freys on the surface, meets secretly with Davos and gives a bolstering speech about how his dedication to the Freys and Lannisters is a "farce." 

Manderly has a source who reports that Rickon Stark is on an island called Skagos. He tells Davos that he will be loyal to Stannis' cause if Davos goes to Skagos and finds Rickon. Read a summary of the whole plot at Watchers on the Wall. 

One of the Martell sons tries to marry Daenerys for her dragons and to take the Iron Throne from the Lannisters.

You may remember Prince Doran Martell, the brother of Oberyn and ruler of Dorne. In the books, Doran has a long-con plot to overthrow the Lannisters. The crux of his plan lies with his eldest son, Quentyn, and his knowledge of Daenerys Targaryen. Doran sends Quentyn to Meereen to marry Daenerys and bring her back to Westeros, either unaware or uncaring about her current marriage to Hizdahr zo Loraq. Doran and Quentyn believe that with a marriage to Daenerys, and her dragons, they can overtake the Iron Throne.

Quentyn arrives in Meereen, but his proposal isn't taken very seriously by Daenerys. Then when she flies away on the back of Drogon, leaving Quentyn and her advisors behind in Meereen, Quentyn refuses to leave empty-handed. He attempts to tame her two remaining dragons, Viserion and Rhaegal, and bring them home. Sadly, his plan fails and he is doused in dragonfire. Quentyn dies from his injuries several days later.

In the books, Trystane was Doran's only son and both ruler and prince met an untimely death.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase

For the first-time homeowner, there’s a long grocery list of things they’re going to need and a tighter budget to fill those needs.

They’ll be buying matching bowls and plates, new silverware (have they really had 17x more forks than spoons all this time?) and trying to fill their new place with decorations and nicer versions of whatever was suiting the same purpose in their childhood home or college dorm.

Since they might not have as much money as they wish when just starting out, the most thoughtful gifts often intersect with the most useful ones. The only reason they will want a piece of artwork you picked out or a portable reflection pool is if they can sell it and then stock the hallway closet with toilet paper from the sale.

Below, we collected 17 gifts that the first-time homeowner really wants, needs, and will appreciate from any of their loved ones.

DON'T MISS: 11 tricks to keeping your home cool this summer

A trusted cookbook to get them started on cooking

If it's your first house or apartment, it might also be your first-time really relying on your own prowess in the kitchen. A well-known, trusted cookbook like this one is both helpful and thoughtful. 

Gift an Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa cookbook

A Blue Apron gift card for groceries

While they get settled in, groceries or a trip to the store are things they might not want to have to worry about. A Blue Apron gift card is one thoughtful way of taking one more thing off their plate by just delivering a bunch of healthy, pre-portioned meals to their doorstep instead. 

Gift a Blue Apron gift card

A Brooklinen gift card to get some of the best sheets money can buy

Brooklinen sheets are classic, clean, and incredibly comfortable, which is why they're one of our favorite Insider Picks. They'll probably want to pick it out for themselves, but a gift card is a perfect way to give them a luxury they'll be extremely happy to have but maybe don't want to spend the money on right now. 

Gift a Brooklinen gift card

Let's cut right to the chase.

I was never a fan of the first-generation Acura NSX. In fact, I could rightly be called a critic of the car, introduced in 1990 and produced until 2005. I thought it was boring. A guy who lived down the street from me in Los Angeles owned one and parked it on front of his house. I never once paused to look at it.

Yes, I know the car was a designed by the legendary Pininfarnia. Didn't matter. I didn't care.

But the NSX had its fans, and plenty of them. So after a hiatus, Honda (Acura's parent company) completely rethought the NSX and rolled out a second-generation of the car. I saw it for the first time at the 2015 New York auto show. My reaction was "Meh." 

Later, I saw different versions of the new NSX. More meh. Images of the interior began circulating. Meh.

Then Acura kindly let us borrow the NSX for a few days.

Oh. My. God. 

It was almost head-warping how quickly my mind was changed after just a few minutes with the actual NSX, live and in the flesh, sitting behind the wheel, driving the thing. 

It was hypnotically beautiful. It was fast and responsive. It was breathtakingly gorgeous. 

The new NSX flat-out ravished me. I can't remember having such a profoundly rapturous reaction to a car. I could barely speak. Everything I had thought about the car before was wrong, so wrong.

Let's take a closer look at why I was an idiot to ever doubt the new Acura NSX — and why it was our Car of the Year for 2016:

Photos by Hollis Johnson.

SEE ALSO: The new Maserati Levante SUV has raised the luxury bar

The NSX landed in New York City during a spell of lousy weather. It didn't matter. Our photographer, the intrepid Hollis Johnson, couldn't stop drooling over the $160,000 car, which wears wet stupendously well.

Hollis was fascinated with how rain beaded elegantly on the luminous, deep-red surface of the NSX.

I thought it looked like something out of "Blade Runner." Really, better than something out of "Blade Runner."

Despite a surge in optimism after the election, nominal GDP growth in 2016 was just 2.95%. This makes 2016 the second-worst year on record since 1959.

And with key economic indicators flashing warnings signs, it looks like the US economy is heading toward big trouble rather than revival.

Here are four signs that paint the picture best.

Credit Demand Is Contracting

Across all the sectors of bank lending (business, consumer, and real estate), credit demand is falling. The chart below shows a sharp decline in consumer loan growth over the past three quarters.

The pent up demand seems to be exhausted. Given that this economic expansion is now in its ninth year, it’s no surprise.

With consumption accounting for 70% of US economic activity, this will weigh heavily on growth.

Tax Receipts Turn Negative

Another indicator that signals the US economy is on a slippery slope is falling corporate tax receipts.

The chart below shows corporate receipts in April contracted most since 2009, when the economy was in midst of the Great Recession.

As Dr. Lacy Hunt, EVP of Hosington Investment Management and former senior economist for the Dallas Fed stated during his SIC 2017 presentation:  “This indicator has turned down prior to every post-WWII recession. It suggests that America’s corporations are experiencing a deterioration in earnings.”

The Fed Walks a Tightrope

While consumer demand and economic activity are trending downward, the Fed is tightening monetary policy, which exacerbates the negative effect.

Ten out of the last 13 tightening cycles have ended in recession. In fact, of the 18 recessions since 1913, all but one have been preceded by a tightening cycle.

And here’s why.

Higher interest rates increase the cost of credit, which reduces demand and weighs on economic growth. Dr. Lacy Hunt also made another good point regarding the Fed’s move: “When the Fed tightens, they are saying the economy is doing too well by our standards… we want the economy to have less money and credit growth and we want less economic activity. They are saying this at a time when the best economic indicators are in a downturn.’’

And the bond market seems to agree with Dr. Hunt that the Fed has got it wrong.

President Donald Trump's failed Atlantic City casino, the Trump Taj Mahal, is having a liquidation sale starting Thursday.

The casino, which opened in 1990, was once dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world" by Trump. But by 1991 the casino had declared bankruptcy, as Trump had financed it with $900 million in junk bonds. CNN recently reported that the casino broke anti-money laundering rules 106 times during its first year of business.

In 2009 Trump had severed most of his ties with the Atlantic City casino, though he retained a stake in the parent company so that the casino could still use his name until 2016, when it officially closed under the ownership of Carl Icahn.

Hard Rock International bought the casino for $50 million in May, and it's now planning a $375 million renovation and rebranding. This month, it's having a liquidation sale to get rid of all the items inside. See what's for sale, below. 

SEE ALSO: Here's the favorite drink of every US president

The 60-day sale will start on July 6. Items in hotel rooms like this one can be bought for a package deal of $299.

Everything except slot machines, card tables, and anything with Trump's name on it is for sale.

National Content Liquidators, who have worked with Trump at Barbizon Plaza in the past, is conducting the sale.