I am reading these books right now because they “instruct and delight.” There is meat to them, and their messages spark what is already inside all of us on the verge of Springtime: the urge to do, think, and feel in ways that are more true to the happy person that we all have in us.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts… by Susan Cain (New in paperback)
I have heard solid and ecstatic reviews of this book come from all kinds of people, from visual stylists at Nordstrom to economics professors. I think this speaks to the relevancy of the topic; it is important to individuals and to social and work environments. About half of people are introverts, and introverted qualities tend to be misunderstood in our culture.
In this picture is Cain’s “Manifesto for Introverts.”
Lean In: Work, Women, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg (Forthcoming on March 11 – we pre-reserve)
This book is the most fitting of the (generally) inspirational books I’ve read lately. Sheryl Sandberg made her way to the top ranks of Facebook, never flinching in her will to have the most impact she could through her career. As the COO of the company, she is one of few women who hold such powerful positions. She is also a mother of two small children, and made time to write a book about all of this because she feels very strongly that women – herself included – need to “lean in” to their careers and estimate their own potential higher. She also explains that companies need to expect this of women as well as men. She asks women and men to perpetuate a culture in business and the working world in general that supports women, so that, in end, the right person fills each job role, whether a man or a woman. Ultimately, this is about making the world a better place. She speaks from experience, and this book, like Quiet, is equally about both personal growth and societal improvement. I read this book in about a day. I recommend it for just about everyone.
The Tao of Travel by Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux puts to use his skills as a seasoned writer, traveler, and (interestingly) reader. He put together this book by connecting excerpts of others’ writing, from ancient to contemporary, under themes that are fresh, and by adding a lot himself. Chock full of quotability, this book will force regular travelers and sedentary people alike to see things differently through Theroux’s eyes. It’s a lovely and crucial push in the directions of elsewhere.
by Whitney
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