A roundup of titles I’m reading this Spring
Last month I shared a handful of books that I found to be insightful, interesting and powerful, and it sparked some really great conversation within my community. In that spirit, I’m planning to share a selection of titles each quarter to keep the conversation going.
This installment features four women authors who each bring a little something different to the table (or the nightstand, depending on where you like to do your reading).
1. Lead From The Outside by Stacey Abrams
I shared this one last month as well — there are just so many wonderful things to say about it. Her book is a must-read for anyone who might not “feel like a leader.” Stacey shares her own experiences, challenges and struggles, and advocates that differences in race, class and gender can be a source of strength rather than a limitation. Not only does she tell her own story, she tells the stories of many others who worked in creative ways to navigate the systems that weren’t built for them and how to find ways through.
A few poignant moments that I really enjoyed:
“One of the best things about being in the minority is the fact that limited resources often lead to extensive creativity.”
And later…
“We can be conditioned to believe that we must have the same assets, or worse, that whatever we have at hand is inherently inferior. But the creative ability of minority leaders lies in excavating the valuable in what is available.”
2. Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better by Pema Chödrön
This author has so many works worthy of celebration, but this one felt particularly relevant on both personal and professionally levels. It’s common practice to read about the concept of failure in business, but Pema takes a stand on “what we do when life doesn’t go the way we hoped” in this short book (which is an adaptation of a lecture she gave at Naropa University). The last section of the book had me highlighting one paragraph in particular:
“My definition of bravery — or courage — would be the willingness to stay open to what you are feeling in the moment, the willingness to feel what you are feeling. The warrior is one who cultivates courage and is willing to feel what he or she feels. To be ok with being completely human, and the willingness to feel it.”
3. Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee
I received Ingrid’s book in 2019, a year before the pandemic. I’ve not read it cover to cover but take a sprinkled approach by opening it up and digging in when I need a little help finding joy. The book is currently sitting on my desk right below my monitor. Catching the playful cover art — which is splashed with small, colorful, confetti-like circles — out of the corner of my eye reminds me to remember joy every day.
Over the course of the past year, I’ve referred to her book in moments when I felt the weight of all of the things that have been front and center, and hard to bear. One day, feeling the heaviness of the world, I peeked into her book and read:
“People have a natural attention to things that float and fly. Floating things offer a vicarious kind of transcendence. As we watch them swoop and sail, we feel our spirits rise even while our feet remain planted on the earth.”
That afternoon, I looked outside at the birds and saw a visiting bee moving lazily along, welcoming spring. In that small moment I was able to get a bit of lift and energy from the natural world that kept me going the rest of the day.
4. Listen Like You Mean It by Ximena Vengoechea
This book is a must-read for anyone who is working on increasing their skills as a listener: at work, as a facilitator or researcher, or as a human being in relationship with others. I think that’s all of us, right?
In addition to being a great read, it has the sweetest illustrations and visuals to help illuminate her suggestions, and reflective exercises you can use to improve your listening skills, like:
