FEBRUARY BOOK JAM: a brief recount of what I've been reading

“Sameness breeds more sameness until you make a thoughtful effort to counter act it.” Michelle Obama

This mindset is how I approach learning, reading and life. There are so many diverse thoughts and ways to approach life ... it’s up to me to lean into that diversity - or not. I’m choosing to buck sameness. I’m choosing to grow. Reading is one way I’m approaching this. Writing this and sharing with y’all is another. LFG!

THIS IS THE HONEY: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY BLACK POETS by Kwame Alexander

I have never naturally gravitated towards poetry; however, upon reading a review of this book, I was intrigued. Reading this book gave me not only a new appreciation for poetry, but more so, this book was filled with a collection of deeply personal recounts that hit-hard. My description of this collection will not to it justice as each poem is uniquely sweet, natural, provocative and raw.

WHY ARE ALL OF THE BLACK KIDS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE CAFETERIA? AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Difficult topics are sometimes hard to comprehend and grapple with. That said, research has shown that dialog undeniably leads to action. This book provides a DEEP examination of the clear boundaries within America between whites and non-whites. The robust review that this book offers on race and identity within America will leave everyone more informed and prepared to have the necessary dialogs required to ensure America is truly the “shining city on the hill”.

THE PROPHET by Kahlil Gibran

I didn’t fully know what to expect from the book, but what I had assumed on some level was not what unfolded. I found this book to be of the same ilk as that of "The Hero With A Thousand Faces". This style of writing is super heady. I find it difficult to fully grasp what is being said due to the constant use of metaphor resulting in an exercise in mental gymnastics. All in all, this wasn’t really for me.

EVERY TOOL’S A HAMMER: LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT by Adam Savage

As a fan of Mythbusters and Tested, it was interesting to hear the journey Adam Savage took to realize his undisputed passion for making, design, tinkering, cos-play and all things space. Personally, I get sucked into any story that A. is centered around a person living out their passion, B. legitimizes creativity, and C. elevates the value of making. This book didn’t provide any amazing unlocks, but it was a fun easy read.

HOW TO CHANGE: THE SCIENCE OF GETTING FROM WHERE YOU ARE TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE by Katy Milkman

I loved this book! Of all the “thought leader” books I’ve read, this is the one. It was an easy and relatable book but highly informative. The content and themes touched on so much of my perusal growth and career journey. Additionally, as a fan of Angela Duckworth’s work centered on ‘grit’, I doubly appreciated the synergies between this book and Duckworth’s studies.

HIDDEN POTENTIAL: THE SCIENCE OF ACHIEVING GREATER THINGS by Adam Grant

Over the past 12 months, I’ve become more and more fascinated with achieving potential - and more specifically human performance. Understanding how and what helps us to succeed is an amazing area of study. Absorbing the insights from this book will hopefully allow me to continue to grow. Strangely, it wasn’t until the epilogue where I found a true unlock…”Imposter syndrome says - I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s only a matter of time until everyone finds out.” vs “Growth mindset says - I don’t know what I’m doing yet. It’s only a matter of time until I figure it out.”

PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE: ONE MAN’S FUNDAMENTALS FOR DELICIOUS LIVING by Nick Offerman

At my last job, a gal on my team referred to me as a real-life Ron Swanson. At the time, I took it as a quasi-insult, having never watch Parks & Rec and had just assumed she was likening me to a buffoon. Having since binged the series and now having read this book, I fully own the Ron Swanson comparison. But on this book, it was raw unadulterated commentary on life, religion, love, work, masculinity and more. The ideas are spot on and delivered in a true to form Nick Offerman-esk way. This was a hilarious read, while simultaneously thought provoking. An absolute home-run.

DARING GREATLY: HOW THE COURAGE TO BE VULNERABLE TRANSFORMS THE WAY WE LIVE, LOVE, PARENT AND LEAD by Brené Brown

OMG! Love love love this book. From tip-to-tail, this book resonated with me. It caused me tor reflect on my own lack of vulnerability, the impact it has on both myself and others. This book started with the hard-hitting Roosevelt quote, “the man in the arena” and escalates from there. Really not sure how to give this any sort of reflection that speaks to the praise it deserves. Definitely going to reread this!!!!

CHOOSE STRONG: THE CHOICE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING by Sally McRae

Sally McRae, arguably one of the the toughest ultra runners of all time. Completing 4x 200+ mile races in calendar year 2023 is just bananas. But, after reading this book and understanding the challenges she faced growing up - loosing her mother to cancer while in high school, a father who physically abused her and her siblings, its no wonder she has the fortitude to overcome immense suffering - she’s chosen strong. This book is a reminder that life is difficult but how we respond is our choice. A huge fan of the the “Yellow Runner”.

WILLPOWER: REDISCOVERING THE GREATEST HUMAN STRENGTH by Roy Baumeister & John Tierney

“I’m just unmotivated today”…we’ve all said it but what would be a more accurate statement is “I just don’t have the willpower today.” Willpower is our execution against our motivation. It’s the getting up and getting out the door. This book went deep into the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that have material impact on self-control and willpower. The views offered up are robust and thoughtful but ultimately, I didn’t find it to be a wildly exciting read. That said, I do really like any content that speaks to human performance. We as humans can do amazing things, it's just up to us to show up AND show out.

QUIT: THE POWER OF KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY by Annie Duke

To study growth, grit and performance also requires one to study the opposite - quitting. Not every endeavor is right. Walking away isn’t always giving up but rather sometimes its the right thing to do. This book outlines the psychological elements that play into our sometimes irrational refusal to walk away, even when its life and death (think climbing Everest). One interesting anecdote offered up is that of Alex Honnold, known for his free soloing of El Cap. While he completed this free solo in 2017 he actually first attempted it in 2016. His recognition that ‘today isn’t my day’ and the ability to ‘quit’ takes nearly as much, if not more willpower than his ability to complete the full climb. Walking away from something we’ve been training for, investing in, and committing time to can be one of the hardest actions for us to do, even when its right.