S. Mitra Kalita

CEO and Cofounder, URL Media

The Vanishing Half: A Novel
by Brit Bennett

Highly recommended by all my girlfriends, and I’m about a quarter way through and can see why. It moves quickly.

The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X
by Les Payne and Tamara Payne

I am reading this book with an eye toward two issues that reflect the companies I’ve launched: Queens, New York, and the world. Malcolm X lived his last years in Elmhurst, Queens, just a few blocks from my home. During these years, he developed a much more global view, as well. Finally, the author, the late Les Payne, was one of my bosses and mentors when I started my career at Newsday.

Free Food for Millionaires
by Min Jin Lee

I loved Pachinko and have heard great things about Free Food for Millionaires, her first book. This one, too, has Queens roots but apparently delves into themes of race, power, and money. I am reading it for inspiration in understanding and reconciling the sharp wealth divides of New York City.

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McKinsey on Books

Explore this month’s best-selling business books, prepared exclusively for McKinsey Publishing by NPD, and a collection of books by McKinsey authors on the management issues that matter.

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Acknowledgments

It takes a village to curate amazing lists from this rather busy group of leaders from all over the world. We would like to thank Kris Coratti, Chantal De Soto, Rimjhim Dey, Melanie Newman, Joellen Perry, and Jayne Rosefield for their help.

Within McKinsey Global Publishing, Eleni Kostopoulos led the effort to make this year’s list come alive, with collaboration and support from Mike Borruso, Nancy Cohn, Victor Cuevas, Torea Frey, Mary Halpin, Drew Holzfeind, Kathleen O'Leary, LaShon Malone, Philip Mathew, Janet Michaud, Kanika Punwani, Sarah Thuerk, Duane Tomaszewski, Petra Vincent, and Nathan Wilson.

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