Every new year, many people claim "I want to read more". It's a great resolution on the surface, but the truth is we are actually reading more than ever thanks to our constant scrolling obsession with all things digital and social media. What has changed is how we read, taking in small bits of information through skimming and trying to rationalize and process what we've managed to take it. Of course, a lot of what we read is also strategically chosen for us through cleverly developed algorithms that chew up our data and patterns and spit back out our customized reading lists.
In 2024, I want to get back to quality reading: carefully selected books read cover to cover (yes an actual cover), dissecting news articles and carefully selecting and analyzing research and thought leadership as it pertains to my fields of expertise and interest.
Topics of interest for this year: historical fiction, history of Italian politics, corporate innovation, diversity and inclusion
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith -- LINK
This is an American classic about a poor immigrant family growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at the turn of the 20th century through the start of World War I. I had never read it, but the NYC Marathon inspired me to take a trip through Brooklyn via a novel. This novel will take you on a journey back 3 generations ago and realize what people worked for to create a better life moving forward. The book was written in 1943 and caused a stir for its social boldness or promiscuity which are laughable by today's standards. The story itself is quite captivating and well-written and will keep you wanting to know more about Francie and her family.
2. The Power of Showing Up: how parental presence shapes who our kids become and how their brains get wired by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Bryson -- LINK
Let me save you some time: this book is about what we now call gentle parenting. Throughout the book, I mostly took away that my parents screwed me up and I am in the process of screwing up my kids. When I got about three-quarters of the way through I started feeling so guilty about my parenting techniques and started to apply some critical reasoning skills to this book. To start, for a book that continues to say "the science says", there wasn't a single cited source in this book. Where is the "science" coming from? As a child of the 80s/90s, I am the first to admit that we need to incorporate empathy and presence into the way we raise children, but we also can't forget about discipline and taking a hard line approach to tantrums. The book mentions several times "not to give in to tantrums" but it doesn't really give you an effective way to deal with them. As most parents will tell you, trying to calmly reason with a toddler screaming because he wants chocolate is not always effective. I think there is a great Machiavellian debate going on it parenting today: do we want to be feared or loved by our kids? (Obviously use your own critical thinking skills and don't take it so literally). Overall, the only thing the book really did for me was make me feel guilty.
3. The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by David Grohl -- LINK
The legendary drummer of Nirvana and the frontman for the Foo Fighters tells his story: from childhood to discovering music and traveling the world with Scream, Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. If you grew up with these bands, then it was a captivating story that really shows more than anything what happens when you never give up on your passion or your dreams. David Grohl talks about sleeping on a mattress on Kurt Cobain's floor and living off of corn dogs before becoming something bigger. He also tells some unbelievable occurrences that makes us realize just how small the world is. Needless to say, both Nirvana and Foo Fighters have been on Spotify repeat lately.
4. E Adesso Splendi: Impara a valorizzarsi per piacere a chi vuoi tu by Chiara Franchi -- LINK
Here is my first Italian read of the year: a book by a former fashion industry executive about applying the same strategy of marketing, sales and design to your personal brand in order to "shine". I thought the book had a good flow in terms of strategy and can definitely be a useful guide for those who haven't thought about a personal brand yet. What is particularly useful is the beginning part about defining your vision, mission and values. I had the honor of attending Chiara Franchi's book presentation during her stop in Verona, Italy.
5. "Figlie di Eva" by Liliana Faccioli Pintozzi -- LINK
Two Italian language books in a row! In English the title translates into "Daughters of Eve" and was written by an Italian journalist who covers international affairs and has been a correspondent all across the globe: from the U.S. to London and Brussels and the Middle East and Afghanistan. This book tells the story of 3 countries and cultures living in a time of oppression when it comes to women's rights. What might surprise you, as it did me, is the countries on the list: Iran, Afghanistan and... the United States. In Iran, women are imprisoned, beaten and killed every day for now complying with the country's "moral code", in Afghanistan women basically don't exist, confined to their homes, they are meant to be home makers and breeders. They no longer even have a right to education. In the U.S., the right to abortion and the choice of what women can do with their bodies is under attack. It will break your heart to see the state of "half the sky", but it will also ignite a passion to do something about it.
6. En Agosto Nos Vemos / Until August by Gabriel Garcìa Màrquez -- LINK
This 150-page novel is Màrquez's last work before his death in 2014. Rumor has it that he didn't want this novel published, but his sons did it anyway, and as they mention in the preface, they did it to show that his father's creative genius was well and alive despite his health decline in the years before his death. I was conflicted whether to read it or not since I have been a fan of his other novels, but I decided to read it - in Italian (since I don't know Spanish and Italian is closer than English). It did not disappoint, but it did not overwhelm. It tells the lifelong story of love - between wife and husband, mother and daughter and even lovers in a brief period of time. I personally don't think it does the great author a disservice by reading it. I also saw a review that called it an unsatisfactory goodbye to the author, which I personally find somewhat "exaggerated". If you are a fan of his work, give it a read but don't expect to find this decade's masterpiece. Take it for what it is: an homage to the lifelong search for love.
7. Take the Lead: How Women Leaders are Driving Success Through Innovation by Anne-Valérie Corboz, Shaheena Janjuha-jivraj and Delphine Mourot-haxaire -- LINK
I had the pleasure of hearing Valéria speak in Strasbourg, France at the European Commission back in March where she talked about women rising to leadership positions and how they can inspire innovation within their organizations. She co-authored this book which tells stories of successful women leaders across the globe in various sectors and how women can have more confidence in their abilities and experience. It's a quick read with some fast and actionable advice and some inspiring stories from women that have had courage to make a difference.
8. Quali soldi fanno la felicità by Annalisa Monfreda -- LINK
Translated into Italian, the title is "Which money makes happiness". It was written by an Italian journalist, and I had the opportunity to attend her book presentation in Verona, Italy (as part of Verona Professional Women Networking) and there was an interesting discussion around how we develop a relationship with money. The book looks at a historical development of money and its meaning to society, but it also talks about how we individually develop a relationship towards money and how it starts from watching our parents and caregivers manage money. It raises and interesting question about our attitude towards work and earnings. It stems from a podcast hosted by Monfreda in which people, mostly women, tell their stories about their relationship to money and finding financial independence.
9. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (The Prague Edition) -- LINK
Back in June I took a trip with my family to Prague in the Czech Republic. My dad really wanted to go since my grandmother, his mother, hailed from Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. For me, it was my second time to Prague, my first trip being in 2006. The city is a constant homage to writer Franz Kafka and his masterpiece, The Metamorphosis. I bought the book in a bookshop in the city center and then proceeded to have a coffee at Café Louvre, frequented often by Kafka. It's a short novel which I finished in less than 2 days, and I was left a bit confused. We know the plot: a man wakes up transformed into a massive insect that repulses his family and sends them into despair. For its time, it was shocking and provocative. In today's society, it would also seem normal - like someone's daily Instagram story.
10. The Women by Kristin Hannah -- LINK
In my quest for a summer beach novel, I stumbled on to this NYT Bestseller which is a page-turner about a woman from Southern California that served as an Army nurse during Vietnam in the late 1960s and came home to find a country that detested the war and the servicemen that were involved, and a society that didn't tolerate or support women that served in the war. The novel follows her struggles as a woman pre- and post-war including heartbreak, friendships and tougher issues like unexpected pregnancy and miscarriages to marriage expectations and more. Without any spoilers, the book was well written and the author did her research. My one critique is that I believe it avoided some tougher issues women face: menstrual cycles, unwanted advances from men, job discrimination, but it's tough to cover it all in one novel. Looking at women in the 1960s/1970s it also makes you reflect on how far we've come today, and what is at risk.
11. The Things You Can Only See When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim -- LINK
This was a nice, light beach chair-type of read what some inspirational affirmations to make you reflect and relax. For those leading a super busy life, like most people today, Sunim's essays on love, life and spirituality will make you reflect on how you can maintain calm and serenity in a business world. For me, who is not particularly spiritual and religious, I found his final chapter on recognizing finding and acknowledging the spirituality in your life particularly insightful. It's an easy read that even the busiest of people can get through in 2-3 days.
12. The Exchange: After The Firm by John Grisham -- LINK
I am a big John Grisham fan having read some of his famous thrillers from the 90s, and I was excited to see what he was set to do with The Firm and its characters 30-some years later. The plot follows Mitch and Abby as their lives are now a whirlwind of high profile professionals in bustling Manhattan: top law firm, book executive, private schools, Central Park apartment - you get the idea. Mitch takes on an international commerce dispute that takes him from Rome to Libya where the story explodes over a hostage situation. Without giving away any spoilers, here is what I can say: it certainly is a page turner and the plot is well developed and Grisham has clearly done his research. However, as I anxiously turned it each page I found myself waiting for the "WHY" - why is this happening? Why do these characters care so much? Then I turned the final page and realized I was a bit disappointed that I never fully understood the motivation behind these characters as to why they were doing what they were doing. There is little "lawyering" that goes on in this sequel and more fast-paced action that involves a lawyer. The plot also takes our characters, mostly Mitch, across the globe where it seems like Grisham was more interested in giving readers a travel guide than a novel.
13. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr -- LINK
This book was a gift for my birthday this August, and I dove into another war novel that truly makes me appreciate the time period we live in. This book is just fantastic storytelling as it weaves between different lives and perspectives during World War II - a young solider in Germany, a blind girl living in occupied France. What captivated me most was Doerr's descriptions of what drove these people to simply survive everyday, and the simplest pleasures of life like hearing a song on the radio or feeling the barnacles of a snail. Imagine living in a time where you couldn't leave your house, or walk down the street without fear of becoming a target. I found myself searching the various towns and places in France and Germany to understand their historical significance and wanting to learn more. It's no surprise this book has won several awards as it encompasses elements of captivating storytelling and character depth.
14. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah -- LINK
In the second book I received as a birthday gift, this was another novel that dove into the French resistance and the reality of what people lived through during World War II. While I know this is fiction, the author clearly did her research on what citizens of Occupied France had to deal with on a daily basis: ration cards but still no food, continuous bombings, deportation and execution of friends, family and neighbors, Germans occupying people's homes. It's still hard for me to believe that this all took place less than a century ago, and that living in Europe I walk among some of the places where war devastation happened. One of the main characters, Isabelle, was created after a real woman of the Resistance that saved downed airmen from the Allies and snuck them into Spain. Through Hannah's art and work, she tries to reshape our thoughts on history and remind us that women were victims and heroes of war, they were protagonists right alongside the men.
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