Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
Penguin Random House, September 1995
This book offers a simple message that one can apply to almost anything: just do things. Don’t worry if it’s bad at first. You’ll keep getting better if you just keep going.
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
Thomas Piketty (translated by Arthur Goldhammer)
Harvard University Press, August 2017
This book, a modern-day bible for economists, explains how economies have grown out of the traditional GDP measurement and yet are still so influenced by its historical relevance. A surprisingly interesting read for economics enthusiasts trying to make sense of the new world order.
The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World
Jessica Nabongo
National Geographic, June 2022
Jessica Nabongo’s book is a visual exploration of 100 of the nearly 200 countries that were part of her journey to discover the world. The partnership between Nabongo and National Geographic results in more of a pictorial diary than a travel guide; vibrant photos and an elegant design make this a compelling visual expedition.
Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud
Ben McKenzie with Jacob Silverman
Abrams Books, July 2023
I’m fascinated by how a celebrity best known for starring in the early 2000s TV show The O.C. has become a leading skeptic on cryptocurrency.
Just Kids
Patti Smith
HarperCollins Publishers, January 2010
Smith recalls coming of age in New York in the 1960s and ’70s, when the city entered a turbulent decade while birthing punk rock. Smith’s artistic and personal relationship with the late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe became a deep and lasting friendship—whose lessons endure.
Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
Penguin Random House, April 2022
Garmus weaves a delightful tale with vivid characters—including a peek into the mind of a keenly observant dog named Six-Thirty—and explores what it must have been like to be a female scientist in the 1960s.
The Ministry for the Future
Kim Stanley Robinson
Hachette Book Group, October 2021
Robinson’s book is a top recommendation by sustainability policy makers for laypeople to understand the climate change crisis beyond the doom and gloom. A resource with the potential to help others learn more about the problem, minus the activism and jargon.
Personal History
Katharine Graham
Penguin Random House, February 1998
This book is the renowned account of Katharine Graham, the trailblazing and legendary woman publisher of the Washington Post.
The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward
Daniel H. Pink
Penguin Random House, February 2022
This book offers a refreshing—and seldom-seen—perspective on the positive impact of exploring regrets. Pink sheds light on how that insight can aid in self-development, introspection, and appreciation for what is.
Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story
Bono
Penguin Random House, November 2022
The stories behind how popular bands got started can be relatable and inspirational, tying together creativity and business—like this memoir from U2’s lead vocalist. Bono’s stories are genuine and charming, and his writing borders on the poetic.
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
Vivek H. Murthy, MD
HarperCollins Publishers, April 2023
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy uses empirical evidence, as well as examples drawn from his patients and family, to describe the medical, psychological, and societal effects of loneliness. He also shows how vital human connection is to public health and in making people and communities more resilient.
Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy
Rachel Abrams and James B. Stewart
Penguin Random House, February 2023
The story of media mogul Sumner Redstone, his daughter, Shari Redstone, former CBS chairman Les Moonves, and the Paramount company is a real-life version of Succession—but with even more family drama and backstabbing.
