I dip into this book every other day or so, reading a short essay at a time. Usually then I reread it and find myself sharing bits and pieces and going back to it. It's a book of reflections packing in lovely turns of phrase. If you're hooked, Consolations Is now out as well. Even Maria Popova calls it "A compass for a lifetime."

This sounds like a 'data' book - the subtitle is "Data Bias in a World Designed for Men," after all - but it's really one of those unique eye-opening books that make you think differently about so much of the world. And, take note, NOT for Women Only! It is the '2019 Business Book of the Year,' so that should tell you something.

One of the most interesting books on the environment and climate change that I've ever read. It focusses on the social skills we should cultivate to cope with changes - any changes really, but here, Throop focusses on climate change. What do skills like collaboration, humility, and systems thinking have to do with managing, accepting, and thriving in times of change? Turns out, a lot.

Robert Whitaker’s Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America A must-read for anyone taking psychiatric drugs, or anyone who knows someone taking psychiatric drugs: and that’s all of us.

You know about Abby Wambach’s 2018 Barnard Commencement Speech. (Listen here.) You know that Abby lives just down the road from me in Naples, Florida, with her wife and children, so we’re practically neighbors. And of course you know that Abby is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, FIFA World Cup Champion, six-time US Women’s Soccer Athlete of the Year, and possibly the greatest soccer player ever. Then she becomes an activist for gender equity too?! How good can it get? Here’s her book. I rest my case. Thanks, Abby.

For many, the story of the 1994 Rwandan genocide when over 800,000 people were killed in the span of 100 days, has receded into distant memory. But this 1998 book exploring what set the stage for the genocide, and how it ended, is worth a fresh look. Apparently, convincing people to take machetes to their friends, neighbors, and family members is a lot easier than you might have thought.

When someone says “this book changed my life,” I generally take note. So I’m saying that now. Say What You Mean will force you to think about how you communicate and whether or not that communication really brings shared meaning with others. Grounded in mindfulness and nonviolent communication, it will help in any setting. Hell, if you don’t want to read it, buy the audio book.

The topic is how we acquire, retain, and pass on information through the ages. The language is readable, entertaining, fun. The mental impact is super high - you'll get a history lesson AND think about all sorts of current topics differently.

“The value in White Fragility lies in its methodical, irrefutable exposure of racism in thought and action, and its call for humility and vigilance.” —The New Yorker

Misogyny is a hot topic, yet it’s often misunderstood. What is misogyny, exactly? Who deserves to be called a misogynist? How does misogyny contrast with sexism, and why is it prone to persist – or increase – even when sexist gender roles are waning? This book is an exploration of misogyny in public life and politics by the moral philosopher and writer Kate Manne.

In Composing a Further Life, Bateson redefines old age as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and challenges us to use it to pursue new sources of meaning and ways to contribute to society.

Do NOT avoid this book thinking 'well, I don't have chilcren.' Big mistake. This will make you think differently about all of our social media, educational systems, parenting (and grandparenting/aunting/uncling/etc!) and really, our use of smartphones in society in general. And whil you're there, read Jonathan Haidt's earlier work, The Happiness Hypothesis. Also a winner. I'm a fan.

Why your twenties matter, especially in modern America. No, this is not a manifesto recommending a fast-track to working drudgery. It is a statement about the power of those years and how they are especially strong at imprinting a path for the future. If you’re the parent of a twenty-something, give him or her a copy.

Science, intellectual history, cultural criticism, all put together in a compelling read: The Shallows is one of my most-recommended books. If you think at all about how the internet is changing us – and you should – then read this work by Nicholas Carr. Our reading habits, our ability to comprehend concepts, our relationships, our very ways of making sense of the world – all are being shaped by our use of this tool. I am a teacher, a parent, a huge reader of books – the shelf and paper kind – and I also love the internet, so this was a must read. Do yourself a favor.

By award-winning Belgian author David van Reybrouck, first published in Dutch in 2010 but now available in English, Congo is a fantastic addition to the library of any Africa watcher. Over the years I’ve read whatever Congo/Zaire related books I could get my hands on in English, and now I’m thoroughly immersed in this new telling. Super for those looking for an introduction to the country as well as a mini-lesson about much of the African story over the last century.