Reading is one of the only ways that I know to turn off my brain – or stimulate it, depending on the book I am reading. I have often shared current reads, from book club and beyond, and in celebration of National Reading Day I wanted to update you about what is on my reading list.
Current book: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, which will be followed immediately by Rising Strong by the same author. Both were given to me by two of my very best girlfriends within a couple months of each other.
Current book club book: Law of Attraction, by Alison Leotta. (Side note, I loved that one so much I then read the other three and am impatiently waiting for the next one).
I also asked my team members what they were currently reading and why – you learn as much about people from what they are reading as you do from the shoes they are wearing. Here are some answers.
Anne, my project manager loves history books, in particular biographies of European historical figures. Right now she is reading Family Entanglements of the History of France (Embrouilles familiales de l’Histoire de France) by Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach.
Catherine, my director of marketing and public relations is currently reading Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. “I’m a constant fiction reader and this book was a finalist for the National Book Award and named best book of the year by nearly every media outlet in 2015. I just finished The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende. She wrote The House of Spirits, which is one of my favorites, and The Japanese Lover which is her newest book takes place in my new home, San Francisco, and spans WWII to modern day. Up next: A Movable Feast by Ernest Hemingway.”
Jennifer, one of my freelancers in New York City, is currently reading Works Well with Others, by Ross McCammon, Esquire Editor and Entrepreneur Etiquette Columnist. “It was a Christmas gift from my son and his wife who is Ross’s sister.”
Kelli, my fabulous designer and owner of Third Line Studios is about to start reading The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson’s memoir about growing up in the 50s and 60s in the Midwest. “His writing style is impeccable, and memoir is my favorite genre, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Kirby, my account executive in Chicago, just finished Isabel Allende’s latest novel, The Japanese Lover (just like Catherine!). “I’ve always liked her books so had to read this one. After reading an article about the neurosurgeon, Henry Marsh, next up on my list is his book, Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery. And then some by W.G. Sebald, Marsh’s favorite author!”
Maggie, my account executive in Florida, is reading The Life -Changing Magic of Tidying up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo. She adds “At the beginning of every year I always do a total home de-cluttering project and donate all of our unused items.”
Ting, my social media intern, is reading Looking Out, Looking In by Ronald B. Adler and Russell F. Proctor, because she is striving to improve her communication skills and relationship management.
If you haven’t yet, pick up a great book, and let your mind wander. And if you ever struggle to make conversation at a cocktail party, ask about what someone is reading.