Books 2021
Becoming - Michelle Obama
No explanation needed for MY president’s memoir.
The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed as You Are - Alicia Menendez
Women are stuck in an impossible bind. Be nice, but not too nice. Be successful, but not too successful. Just be likeable. Whatever that means?
The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World That Values Sameness - Todd Rose
Rose offers a unique perspective on the ways in which we measure success. Rather than depending on averages to rank individuals’ merit, focus instead on the three principles of individuality: The jaggedness principle, the context principle, and the pathways principle.
When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chödrön
How can we live our lives when everything seems to fall apart—when we are continually overcome by fear, anxiety, and pain? Pema shows that moving toward painful situations and becoming intimate with them can open up our hearts in ways we never before imagined.
The Leader’s Compass - Ed Ruggero & Dennis Haley
Fates and Furies - Lauren Groff
I brought this with me to St. Croix as my beach book. It could have been juicier but not bad for a quick read!
The House On Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros
Fences - August Wilson
The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self, and Relationship - David Whyte
Whyte encourages readers to reimagine how they inhabit the worlds of love, work, and self-understanding. By separating these "marriages" in order to balance them is to destroy the fabric of happiness itself. Only by understanding the journey involved in each can we understand how to bring them together in one fulfilled life. Loved this book!
Like Streams to the Ocean: Notes on Ego, Love, and the Things That Make Us Who We Are - Jedidiah Jenkins
This was one of my favorites of the year. Jed’s writing is truly beautiful and honest and makes you take a moment to slow down. Perfect read for anyone going through a period of reflection or change.
Such A Fun Age - Kiley Reid
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
One of those “high school reads” that I never got around to reading. A classic’s a classic! My mom prefers the movie with Redford… which one’s your favorite?
My Losing Season - Pat Conroy
Caste - Isabel Wilkerson
At The Dark End of the Street - Danielle L. McGuire
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I was assigned this book in a college course and re-read to refresh my memory. It details ways in which sexual violence against women (primarily Black women) influenced the Civil Rights Movement, and reasons why we never learn about them in history books.
Animal - Lisa Taddeo
This was a page turner. It gave me major Once Upon A Time in Hollywood vibes and made me want to race down the Pacific Coast Highway with the top down! *Trigger warning: this book talks about rape and has some violent chapters and descriptions.*
My Sister, the Serial Killer - Oyinkan Braithwaite
What the Dog Saw - Malcolm Gladwell
Love his books. This is a series of essays and articles from years past, one of which details the “Ketchup Conundrum” and why Heinz simply is the best. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Women Who Run with the Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estes
I cheated a little and listened to passages of this book when we hit the road to Portland. I’d love to come back and read the full thing, but just those few hours captured me!
The Algebra of Happiness - Scott Galloway
Look Alive Out There - Sloane Crosley
Hilarious book of essays from another relatable 20-something living in NYC. I laughed out loud and recommend to anyone in need of a funny, easy read!
Milk, Blood, Heat - Dantiel W. Moniz
