My Top Reads for 2016

Those of you who know me, know that Amazon makes regular deliveries to my door, and that I always have my “nose in a book”. 2016 was no different. I’ve culled my bookshelves – and here are my top reads for 2016.

Warning: I am a quirky and eclectic reader. Mostly non-fiction, although an occasional non-fiction book captures my fancy. I do deep dives on the books that call to me – and have a stack of others that failed to.

So here is the 2016 list of my “deep dives”. And I’m always on the hunt for more good reads – so please share yours!

	Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown A wise person told me that if you ever want to really learn something, teach it. As I designed and led a two day retreat on McKeown’s book, I found this book on doing more by doing less has had a profound impact on my life. The premise is straightforward: simplify and focus. As I know all too well – easier said than done. McKeown’s gift is making the concept actionable with clear steps and strategies. He moves the reading from knowing to doing. The concepts work in both your personal and professional life. The book is good. My retreat was great. (I’d love to repeat it – any takers?)
	Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert When no less than four colleagues recommended (in fact raved) about this book – I immediately ordered it. Upon arrival, I devoured it. I loved Gilbert is Eat, Pray, Love. I was inspired by Gilbert in this work. If you are creative, this book gleans insights into the process of creativity and inspiration. If you are not, but want to be, this book can be a guide. Not a writer or artist you say? Not a worry – as the book is aimed at this premise: how to have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you. That means all of us!
	The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor If you want a preview of this book, take a look at the author’s Ted Talk. This book made me happy to read it. It caused me to reexamine some long held beliefs I had about work and happiness. Old construct: Work hard and happiness will follow. New construct: Be happier now and work success will follow. Achor combines his academic training with his great sense of humor and storytelling to craft an easy to read, high impact, and actionable book. And who would not like to be happier?
	Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn Written by two journalists who share the stories around the “girl effect” or what happens when women (or girls) who are victims of sex trafficking and prostitution, gender based violence, and maternal mortality are empowered through education and microfinance. The conclusion of many global experts is that empowering women through education and vocational opportunities provides the highest ROI of any initiatives and provides dramatic positive outcomes for reducing poverty, improving health and promoting education – not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. The book was a compelling call to action for me – all you have to do is check out our give back page as proof.
	A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings compiled by Coleman Barks I start each day with this book of poetry from Rumi, a Sufi mystic. Rumi’s prose speaks to something deep inside me, and I love his broad spirituality as he honors Jesus, Muhamad, nature, Taoism, the Jewish Hassidic masters and the human spirit. Rumi captures age old truths with his lyricism and encourages me daily to look for the divine around me and within me.
	Sapiens: a Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Brief is a bit tongue in cheek for this 400 plus brick of a book. I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer heft of the book given to me by a friend. After the first 20 pages, I found I need not be. Yuval does indeed walk readers through the history of the world – and in a way that is accessible, concise, intriguing and insightful. This is NOT a dry recitation of dates and battles and those in power. Yuval has the gift of synthesis – showing me how certain events shaped the world we live in. Part history book, part a study of sociology, part a political dissertation – this book helps me understand where we as a species have been, where we are headed, and why we are on that trajectory.
	Unfinished Business by Anne-Marie Slaughter As a feminist, a mother, and professional – the dynamics of gender and work and family have been a steady force in my life. Slaughter’s book unlocked a few of the conundrums I never could quite reconcile. Slaughter frames the book in her own experience as she left a distinguished career in academia and Washington policy positions to care for her family. I don’t want to give away the punch line, but if you’ve ever wondered why we overvalue jobs focused on competition (think tenured positions, political positions, professional football players) over those providing caring (think teachers, nurses, parents) – this book will provide some much needed insight.
	The Essential Mary Parker Follett: Ideas We Need Today edited by Francois Heron, Albie Davis, Jennifer Jone-Patulli and Sebastien Damart Intrigued by Mary Parker Follett, a women of the early 20th century whose work, writings and wisdom, continue to shape business thought today, I was on a quest to learn more about her. Her contributions were many – to political science, business management, leadership theory, social science and business. Her work in civic organizing and community education both influenced those fields and also influenced her research and writing. She was an author, speaker, social worker, and business consultant before there were business consultants (or even many women in business). And she is unknown to most, as she was a highly educated women in a time when women were unwelcome and unsung in academia and business. This is a book of selected readings from her work (and I must admit her work, in full form, is a daunting read). Think of this as a sampler of her thought leadership on leadership, groups, diversity and democracy – all as relevant today as they were in the 1920s.
	The Power of Collective Wisdom and the Trap of Collective Folley by Alan Briskin, Sheryl Erickson, John Ott and Tom Callanan If you’ve ever wondered how groups can come up with novel and powerful solutions to intractable problems at times – and at other times wallow in cobbled together solutions that are amazingly awful, this book provides some clues. In a world where our problems are bigger than ever, and where the world is increasing connected, and technology advancements are outpacing our ability to assimilate them, we need to find ways to do more of the former, rather than the latter; to come together in meaningful ways to find creative solutions and ideas. The authors share specific actions each of us can take to create the space in which collective wisdom can emerge, and warns us of actions that impede this process. A great read for those who work with groups to create, problem solve or innovate.
	Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told to do is Wrong by Ira Chaleff A highlight of 2016 was the chance to hear this author speak. His life’s work explores the extent to which our socialization has conditioned us to obey those we perceive to be in a position of authority. He explores the question of what happens when we are asked to do something that is wrong. This is a relevant question as we evidence daily of complicity in our large organizations, religious bodes and political systems. This book will not only help you understand why it is difficult to speak truth to power, but will provide you with actionable steps to follow if faced with the need to be intelligently disobedient. And as leaders, it will show you how to cultivate intelligent disobedience for the good of your purpose.
	Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Widsom by Rick Hanson, PH.D. with Richard Mendius, MD Practical indeed. No need to be a brain surgeon to read this book, understand it’s key messages and apply what you learn to your daily life. A fascinating exploration of the latest research in that all important glob of grey matter that shapes our thinking, actions and results. Want to learn how to rewire your brain to have more joy, calm, and compassion (rather than worry, fear or sorrow)? This is the ultimate “how to” guide. Interesting if you merely read it to learn. Transformational if you read and practice the exercises.

Will you be adding any of these books to your 2017 list?

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