OUR FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
by Mindy Kaling

Why is it your favorite?
It's warm, honest and funny. Just like Mindy. She covers family, friends, being a minority and trying to succeed as a writer/actress who isn't your conventional Hollywood starlet.

Who should read it?
Anyone who's ever felt like they didn't belong or felt they couldn't do something. 

What it's best for?
Building confidence, organizing, fun escape from real life, etc. It's a dose of reality fed with massive amounts of comedy and warmth. It was an easy, fun yet poignant read. 

David and Goliath
by Malcolm Gladwell

Why is it your favorite?
It talks about how the underdog can win even against what is traditionally understood and assumed.

Who should read it?
Everyone should read it so they know what they can achieve and conversely never underestimate someone else.

What it's best for?
Building confidence, organizing, fun escape from real life, recognize potential, etc.

Harly and Me: Embracing Risk On The Road To A More Authentic Life
by Bernadette Murphy

Why is it your favorite?
Murphy’s ability to blend storytelling and science triggers imagination and transcends the standard risk/reward narrative. Like any literary journey, be it a road trip (Zen and the Art Of...) or a whaling expedition (Moby Dick), readers accompany the author and share in her experiences -- but what Murphy does that makes Harley and Me an indispensable owner's manual for contemporary living (with all its stressors and distractions) -- is she taps into an innate desire to make sense of life as we know it and exposes safe unsatisfying choices as the biggest risk of all. This book is as much about the ride as it is about overriding sub-conscious resistance to the unknown –– releasing the brakes and making the moment matter so that momentum stands a chance to propel you forward.

Who should read it?
Simply stated, Harley and Me is a must read for anyone who is navigating the obstacle course of life — which is to say all of us. If adventure and risk is your thing—great. If you're a woman and you're tired of never having a woman protagonist in a risk oriented-open-road-adventure narrative -- that's great too. But you don't need to ride or even care about motorcycles, you don't need to be a woman, your age and marital status or history need not mirror Murphy's, a divorced mother of three. I'm an indoorsy, often sedentary, career-focused 50 plus married mother of none and I can't say enough good things about Murphy's powerful writing, her candor and authenticity, and her ability to use relevant research to support intuition and emotions, as she explores both our inexplicable and our obvious behaviors from a new and nuanced perspective.

What it's best for?
Authenticity is a word that gets thrown around all too randomly these days. It is, however, a critical aspect of thriving. Harley and Me is rich with research that can help the reader better understand where some of their risk-averse behaviors may be coming from. Awareness leads to action leads to accountability leads to authenticity. This book gets the ball rolling. 

Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life
by Gregg Levoy

Why is it your favorite?
Love it because it's a juicy, informative guide about recognizing and handling calls on our lives.  Deeply wise, well-written and full of anecdotes, there's so much insight and inspiration that I consider it a must read for anyone at a crossroad or just hoping to be more adept at following the intuitive promptings of the Higher Self. 

Who should read it?
This is invaluable for people seeking clarity about what to do next.

Power of One
by Bryce Courtenay

Why is it your favorite?
First book that explained what it was like growing up with apartheid - from both the black and white sides.

Who should read it?
Anyone who wants to understand more about what it is like to grow up with racial divide - and anyone who loves a well written Dickensian type of story.

What it's best for?
Building confidence, organizing, fun escape from real life, etc. Learning more about apartheid and southern Africa.

Yes Please
by Amy Poehler

Why is it your favorite?
It has a strong message of growing, taking chances, and self respect, but is incredibly funny at the same time.

Who should read it?
Literally everyone.

What it's best for?
Building confidence, organizing, fun escape from real life, etc. : Building your self image, understanding that you shouldn't take things too seriously, and you can laugh along the way.

The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life
by Piero Ferrucci

Why is it your favorite?
Because kindness is truly the key to feeling fulfillment, and happiness both at home and in the office, and this book (and it’s fast and easy to read chapters) explain why and how in a powerful way.

Who should read it?
Everyone, especially those who are searching for more fulfillment

What it's best for?
Putting kindness in a new light, and inspiring readers to step into daily acts of kindness.

Success Principles
by Jack Canfield

Why is it your favorite?
This book is like a bible for personal growth and ways to achieve success in your life and your career. I learn something from it every time I pick it up. Jack Canfield is really just giving you all the basics of what it takes to have more success in your life, yet in an easy and digestible way. Nothing seems out of your reach or too hard to put into action. Real, genuine ideas that have the potential to make a big impact.

Who should read it?
This is a great read for folks who are interested in personal growth and career growth and for people who are fascinated with mindset and how it can positively work in your life.

What it's best for?
Success Principles is best for building a foundation of belief in yourself and gives you tangible action steps to help move your career forward.

Bossypants
by Tina Fey

Why is it your favorite?
The wit, humor, and self-awareness you'll find in this book make it a standout in my library. Tina Fey transcends the role of inspiration to heroine when you come to understand the blood, sweat, tears, personal and professional blunders, and, not to mention, disastrous pre-teen haircuts, it took to get her to the level of success she has today.

Who should read it?
Everyone can learn something from Bosssypants. I say it should be required reading for all men, women, and, potentially, very advanced children. Even if reading isn't really your thing, listen to the audiobook! I swear you won't regret laughing along with all of Fey's adventures and mishaps on a long road trip or the commute to work.

What it's best for?
Bossypants helped me wade through the haze of post-college misery and general career confusion. Today, I find it most comforting in those fuzzy, in-between phases of life. Maybe your professional life isn’t shaping up the way you imagined it would. That’s all right! Remember, before landing a gig at SNL and creating 30 Rock, Tina Fey worked the front desk at the YMCA. Not feeling too confident in your current path? In her own words, “Do your thing and don't care if they like it.” Even if this book doesn’t offer tangible advice you can apply to your life, it’ll help you laugh through the tough times and revel in the good ones.

Warriors Don’t Cry
by Melba Patillo Beals

Why is it your favorite?
I’ve always been fascinated with the Civil Rights Movement, and this non-fiction account takes place during that era. Melba was one of the “Little Rock Nine” who first integrated into an all-white school with eight other African-American classmates. It’s my favorite because it perfectly exemplifies bravery and courage.

Who should read it ?
Anyone! If you need a book to inspire and awe you, this will definitely do the trick.

What it's best for?
I feel like it’s important to not only stay informed on current events, but to also continuously learn about our country’s past. History didn’t end after the class bell rang for me, and this book is informative while managing to keep you at the edge of your seat.

Scar Tissue
by Anthony Kiedis and Larry Sloman

Why is this your favorite?
This book follows the journey of Anthony Kiedis, the lead vocalist of Red Hot Chili Peppers. His story shows that against all odds you can still achieve great things. Mistakes are to be learned from and not looked down on. The path to success isn't a straight increase but a series of ups and downs.

Who should read it?
Specifically music lovers but I would recommend it to anyone looking for good read.

What it's best for?
Overall it's just a very interesting and motivating story. The book is raw and doesn't sugarcoat any harsh situations. It's a very honest memoir of different experiences that shaped Anthony into the successful vocalist he is today.