What We’re Reading

As communicators, we read A LOT. Like a lot, a lot. It’s what keeps us sharp and up-to-date on trends in our industry. We read so much it’s often hard to make time to read for “fun.” Since March is National Reading Month and this is literally the last day in March, we wanted to highlight what we’re digging into.

If you can match up the book to the appropriate staff member (in the comments), we’ll send you a special present.

Leadership in Turbulent Times

Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and Lyndon B. Johnson are the focus of this Doris Kearns Goodwin historical non-fiction book. Each of these men had to tackle hurdles while in power during incredibly difficult times in our country’s history – Civil War, Depression, WWII, Civil Rights.

The lessons these leaders can teach us throughout history are incredible and it’s a fascinating read (trust us, it really is).

Daring Greatly

Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Whether the arena is an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.

In Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability. Based on twelve years of research, she argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection. 

You Are Not a Gadget 

In his book You Are Not a Gadget (2010), Lanier criticizes what he perceives as the hive mind of Web 2.0 (wisdom of the crowd) and describes the open source and open content expropriation of intellectual production as a form of “Digital Maoism” Lanier accuses Web 2.0 developments of devaluing progress and innovation, as well as glorifying the collective at the expense of the individual. 

Listen to a sample here: You Are Not a Gadget Audio Sample

The Babysitter (2021)

The Babysitter, a chilling true story, part memoir, part crime investigation. Our authors, narrator and main character, Liza tells her childhood tale of longing for love and how she found a meaningful friendship with her babysitter, who also happened to be a vicious serial killer in his personal time. 

Set in Cape Cod during the 1960s, Liza Rodman tells the tale of being very lonely as her mother worked days at a local motel and went out dancing most nights in local bars. Her babysitter, a kind, handsome handyman that the motel where her mother worked would take her and her younger sister on adventures in his truck… I won’t give it all away but if you like true crime podcasts, memoirs, and page-turners this is the book for you. 

The Once and Future Witches (2020)

The Once and Future Witches offers the perfect mashup of far-flung fantasy, grounded in the birth of a feminist movement. Imagine a world where magic is a forbidden act, then spice it up with just enough political realism to find yourself wanting to start an elementally-charged revolution. And ultimately, what better timing for one?

Set in 1893, three distinctly different sisters are unexpectedly reunited after years apart. Their fateful meeting becomes all the more significant when they decide to join the suffragists of New Salem and (somewhat accidentally) end up transforming the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. If you’re looking for satisfyingly fleshed-out women protagonists and something that feels strangely grounded in the present for being so wickedly witchy, summon this book right off the shelf.

The Seasonal Soul

While not a fan of self-help books, this one takes a different approach. The Seasonal Soul is laced with a bunch of magical stuff (like crystals and plants which may or may not be your cup of tea), sure, but it’s also filled with a lot of good advice. Instead of telling yourself to just push through hurdles, this book’s great at telling you to take a step back. We all go through cycles, it says, just like the world. In spring, you’re filled with great new ideas. In summer, you’re putting those ideas into action. Fall, and you start to become less excited by what has now become the norm. Winter comes and you’re ready to throw in the towel. You’re uninspired…at least until spring comes back around. 

It doesn’t track with the actual seasons because our brains aren’t that organized. But it does help to sit back and identify which season you’re in, focus on how to progress, and just accept that sometimes you’re not gonna be inspired. Plus, it’s got a bunch of great pictures, so what’s not to love?

Okay readers, what are you carrying around with you lately? Is it self-help? Historical? Fantasy? 

Ready to match the book to the team member? Here are some hints.

• Our creative lead calls this book “the most dense shit I’ve ever tried to read, hurts my brain. I keep reading some then need to take a break.”
• Our marketing associate has a chaotic habit of reading multiple books at once, but always makes sure to keep a fiction novel in the mix to feed their brain the escapism it craves. 
• To switch it up to something a little more sinister, our PR Manager’s book club decided on this book.
• Our account manager hates these types of books, but found this one oddly inspiring.
• Our president won’t stop talking about this book she is listening to…like legit won’t stop.
• Leadership is her jam and so is history.