The last several months have been emotionally charged for me. I've been intentionally investing in more reading, to not just expand my thinking but to move me away from small thoughts and onto bigger ones. As part of my reading series here, here and here sharing an update for Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. All of these I listened as audiobooks, my habit for learning books.
I've had Tolle on my to-read list for awhile but when Oprah went on about how this was the first time she had re-recommended a book, I decided to give it a go. This was not an easy read, but it was timely for me as I was moving away from my cocooning phase and back to professional endeavors. This has a big deep dive on ego and how we are prone to center on self too much. I would put this into the stretch category - both as a read and as a goal. Part philosophy, part religion, part new age. This will be either very interesting or not at all interesting depending on where you are in your own life journey.
I'm preparing to write a memoir someday, so I really enjoy reading them and learning how others approach the complicated framing of a life and career. I really enjoyed learning about Ginny's humble roots and her pivotal career moments. While I didn't connect with the IBM lifer experience (nor do I think her experience is even an option for many at IBM today) I did enjoy getting a sense of how one of the first tech companies invested intentionally in creating career opportunities for qualified outsiders.
All that said, I did find the IBM propaganda a bit outside of my interest.
This one goes into the great topic category. This was mostly what I expected, but well articulated and solidly supported thesis. A good read on the importance of removing avoidable mistakes while leaving space for mistakes in the service of learning.
I picked this book up for learning and I recommend it for so much move. This book gave me hope for the future. Schuyler doesn't just educate us on the trans experience, he models how to approach people who have different opinions with intentional listening, kindness and compassion. I adored this book and I know you will too and not give any spoilers, the Korean grandparents win all the awards in my book. Put this on your must read list.
Why I read this one is probably obvious. The stories and the thinking did not disappoint. Wherever you are on your communication/presentation journey, if you want some pointers how to up your game I think this book will help.
For a book about the end of the world, I found myself recommending this to many people - this made me re-think a lot of my "what happens next" concepts. One of the reasons this book didn't depress me, but instead made me curious, is that I don't necessarily agree with the extrapolations. I do think there are interventions (and changes) that will happen that will shift the projected results materially. This book did a great job getting me to take seriously the foundations of the economy and quality of life that we enjoy today, and to better understand how fragile they really are. I highly recommend this book if you want to zoom out and look at the future at a macro level.
I was recommended this book by my sister, and I decided to give it a go - hoping that it wasn't going to be some kind of Tony Robbins cringe-worthy self help book. Instead I found it fun and entertaining. Admittedly, I have a very soft spot for messy childhoods with complex family dynamics. I found this oddly inspiring - specifically for the power of setting and manifesting life goals with a combination of creativity and gumption.
This book was everything we've come to expect from Gladwell - good storytelling and interesting pondering of situations to draw conclusions. The recognition that the 30% tipping point has both good and bad examples, is an important layer to consider. Of course, I was shocked to learn the first Tipping point was so long ago. h/t to Doug Merritt who introduced me to the first book when I was at Peoplesoft.
I picked this book to counter balance my reading this period. I wanted to give more space to the idea that not everything will follow a predictable path and add an appreciation for randomness. I did enjoy this book, but it didn't stick with me in the same way as the others - that might also be about my general yearning of this moment for clarity.
Delighted to get a chance to read this book by my good friend Faz. I love his practical step by step approach to helping elevate your leadership from wherever you are today. A nice quick read that will keep you thinking long after you finish. I recommend using this as a reference guide or workbook vs. only a single read.
A topic I care deeply about written by one of the brightest minds in our industry. Heather Bussing brings what-why-how together to elevate this important conversation from one of tension to one of action. For anyone in leadership or HR I strongly recommend you get informed on this important topic that needs real attention, not just because of regulations but because pay is the foundation of work.
Thank you, Meg. I love this list and your short summary/take on these books. I am certainly interested in a few of them, which I will read on my next few long flight trips.