Books, Books, Books!
I have a deep love for books. Much like travel, they possess the ability to take us to new destinations, offering us stories—both factual and fictional—about people, the world, and ourselves. Though I hardly consider myself a dedicated reader (and I don’t think I read one book during the first 12 years after having kids!), I value what books offer —time to think and time away from the noise of the world —things I don’t take for granted. These days, I alternate between physical books and audiobooks, often juggling multiple titles at once, squeezing them in during the random cracks of time while walking the dog, waiting in carpool lines, or listening during a commute. Truth be told, I also have many books that are left unfinished, gathered on my nightstand or tucked away on my shelves until they are rediscovered. Below are the books that have recently captivated me for various reasons … that I have actually finished.
Check back often as I am always adding more to my list!
2024 Reads
“This year, I set out with the goal of reading more fiction, and while I couldn’t resist slipping in a bit of non-fiction along the way, my 2024 fiction mission has been largely fulfilled. I’ve loved every moment of being transported to new places, exploring new worlds, and immersing myself in fresh ideas.”
Kristi’s notes: Michael Finkel follows the life of Stéphane Breitwieser, a notorious art thief who stole hundreds of pieces of art from museums across Europe in broad daylight. Super fascinating to follow his obsessive motivation —a fine line between love and madness —this books also delves into the psychology of his compulsion.
Kristi’s notes: READING NOW! I read her first book “overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play when no one has the time and excited to dig into this one —for the quest for a better life!
Kristi’s notes: I felt this viscerally. Many of her stories and experiences were also mine and yet she wrote them and described them in the most beautiful way.This book is her personal journey through the end of her marriage and her search for identity — about heartbreak, resilience, motherhood, and self-reinvention. She explore how life’s challenges can create opportunities for transformation, growth, and beauty. Written masterfully.
Kristi’s notes: So impressed with the life of Dr. Fei Fei Li and her journey as a leading AI visionary. She explores her path from growing up in China to becoming a pioneer in artificial intelligence and delves into the potential and ethical responsibilities of AI, highlighting the importance of human-centered innovation. A lot of learning on the development image.net and how AI was built.
Kristi’s notes: A feel-good story that whisked me away into the lives of Opaline, Henry, and Martha —a world where books heal and the line between real and dream is blurred.
Kristi’s notes: Awww such a fresh story and such fun read! Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist, faces sexism and discrimination in her male-dominated field. She then becomes an unlikely television cooking show host, where she uses her platform to teach women not just about food, but about independence and self-worth. This book is also about challenging societal norms and inspiring others to rethink traditional roles.
Kristi’s notes: Boundaries are the single most important thing for our mental health, self-respect, and personal growth. Most importantly why we need boundaries in order to create space for what truly matters to us.
Kristi’s notes: Umm yes!! All women 45+ need to read this. A helpful guide to navigating this stage in life —the stage that is so often overlooked, under talked about, and under-researched. New data now too that looks at the very real symptoms that women undergo and the ways to address them.
Kristi’s notes: This book is a blend of historical fiction and family drama that explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the emotional burdens passed down through generations. A multi-generational novel, the story spans over a century, beginning with Afong May, who was one of the first Chinese women to come to America in the 19th century.
Kristi’s notes: Right up my alley in the work I do and following my belief set, this book emphasizes that true success comes from integrating work and life in a way that allows both to ‘bloom’ harmoniously by focusing on values like purpose, relationships, and personal growth. this book encourages a shift away from burnout and overwork, advocating for a more holistic approach to career and life. Yes!!
Kristi’s notes: Groundbreaking, literally. Mother Brain delves into the neuroscience of motherhood, challenging the myth of the "maternal instinct." She explores how pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting physically reshape the brain, not just for mothers but for ALL caregivers. Yes, fathers and others who are closely bonded with baby at the very beginning of life! She discusses how the brain adapts to the demands of caregiving, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. The book provides a science-backed perspective on the profound mental and emotional transformation that comes with becoming a parent.
Kristi’s notes: This collection of essays are filled with wisdom, insight, and reflections on life, love, spirituality, and the human experience. Angelou shares lessons on self-respect, courage, and the importance of laughter and offers guidance on how to live with purpose, integrity, and joy. It’s a thought-provoking read, full of Maya’s poetic wisdom.
Kristi’s notes: Oh we just love Tova & Marcellus, the giant octopus! As Tova grieves the loss of her son and husband, Marcellus—the octopus she inadvertently cares for at the aquarium helps her uncover the truth behind her son’s mysterious disappearance. There is grief, healing, and unexpected connections. I can’t wait to see the movie when it comes out!
Kristi’s notes: Socially Awkward Eleanor is such a fascinating character and her story is ultimately one of loneliness, mental health, and the power of human connection. I couldn’t put this down and was rooting for Eleanor along her journey toward healing and self-acceptance.
Kristi’s notes: Generations is an in-depth exploration of the differences and similarities across six generations, from the Silent Generation to Generation Alpha. The book examines how cultural, technological, and societal shifts have shaped each generation's values, behaviors, and outlooks …. and how the impact of the internet, social media, and economic changes on mental health, relationships, work, and politics affects each generation.
Kristi’s notes: I know you have heard of this one. It’s on the top of the best seller list every week, and how could it not be? Hannah is a masterful historical fiction writer and this one is full of resilience and courage. In this book, “Frankie" McGrath, defies societal expectations to serve as a nurse in the Vietnam War. The novel explores her experiences during the war and the aftermath as she returns home to a country that is indifferent, if not hostile, to female veterans. Frankie finds her way through personal pain and the shifting tides of the women's movement.
Kristi’s notes: Loved this! multiple stories that all end up interconnecting but ultimately centers around the life and death of Anita de Monte, a talented artist who makes art that reflect her experiences as a cuban woman in a predominantly white art world. After being wronged by her husband in life and in death. Simultaneously we meet a young Latina art major, who attends Brown University, and re-discovers the art of Anita de Monte. This book examines the intersections of race, gender, and artistic expression.
Kristi’s notes: We all need to take note and do more of this: subtract, not add to our lives! Klotz is a behavioral scientist who argues that while addition is often the default approach to problem-solving, subtraction can be a more effective strategy. The book combines insights from psychology, behavioral science, and real-world examples to demonstrate how removing unnecessary elements can lead to more innovative and efficient solutions. It challenges us to rethink our approach to problem-solving and decision-making by embracing the simplicity of doing less.
Kristi’s notes: Because I was working in tech in Palo Alto in the early 2000’s, I had always known of Kara Swisher —she was the defacto judge of who was doing good work and who wasn’t and she was feared by a lot of tech leaders. She was uncompromising in her words as a journalist. So, when this book came out, I had to read it. She dishes on all sorts of stories from the early google and apple days to yahoo and beyond. She knew exactly what was going on and, because of that, held immense power in Silicon Valley and and she never really gave a shit what others thought about her. If you want to learn more about the early days of Silicon Valley, this book has it all!
Kristi’s notes: Set in Hong Kong, The Expatriates follows the lives of three women expats who are navigating their own unique personal and professional challenges and whose lives become intertwined. The book delves into their experiences of dislocation and identity. The three main characters each face their own crises and transformations. The novel explores themes of cultural adaptation, personal growth, and the complexities of expat life.
Kristi’s notes: I can’t leave out this amazing children’s book by the amazing Lori Sugarman who is on a crusade to make unpaid work and the care of home visible. Our Home is about the power of families, their beautiful but unending work, and the special connection between family members who share a space. Gift it to fiends and read it now.
Kristi’s notes: Yes, I DID indeed read “Paris” and was truthfully riveted by the stories she shares that the media didn’t even know at the time —troubled teen institutions that were full of abuse. If you remember the Paris headlines in the early 2000’s, her book explores what was really going on in her life. I now have a different view of Paris and encourage anyone to read (or listen!) to her book. She is smarter and wiser than her persona.
The Archives.
Kristi’s Notes: yes, yes, Yes! Kate interviews 40 men who are in fact equal partners in their households. They intentionally take on half of the physical and emotional labor of their household. she refers to them as “positive deviants” and digs into how they became equal partners. A must read with tactical solutions for change!
Kristi’s Notes: If you want to go deep, this is the book. it will take you down the road of how the aspirations of career, family, and equity have evolved over the past century. And, ultimately, how understanding the problem and calling it by the right name, will help us get on the right path for the future. THIS is the course I want to teach!!!
Kristi’s notes: What can I say, this should be mandatory reading for all women, especially mothers who have buried themselves in the “giving” to everyone else and then failing themselves in the pursuit of what make them happy. Time for the active and open pursuit of creative expression (whatever that is for you) its what’s missing for so many women/mothers. READ THIS NOW!
Kristi’s Notes: Powerful and validating!! Anger when channeled towards change is a good thing yet we are always taught that anger is wrong - especially for women! Women and men respond to the feelings of anger differently and they are received by others differently. As women we are urged to bottle up our anger yet Soraya Chemaly argues that, as women, our anger is not only justified but necessary. Read On!
Kristi’s notes: A candid assessment of what has happened int he last few years in our country and how, collectively, we can face the past while at the same time embracing a new future. Systems change and sharing power are at the heart of Renewal.
Kristi’s notes: Learn why, as humans, we are so drawn to sameness and the 10 reasons why we don’t change. Learn what gets in the way of change, what pushes us forward, and how “fear of hope” is central to change.
Kristi’s notes: I went out of the box a bit on this one but, wow, how it has changed my view of the deep ocean and, in particular, what the octopus can teach us about humanity and consciousness. Did you know that three-fifths of octopuses’ neurons are not in the brain but in the arms and that they have a command of thirty to fifty different patterns per octopus. AND..they can change color, pattern, and texture in seven-tenths of a second??? A lot of “wow” factors in this book!
Kristi’s notes: Everyone should read this book. Understanding racism from the view point of white privilege is an important and necessary step for change. “When our fundamental understanding of racism is transformed, so are our assumptions and resultant behaviors”.
Kristi’s notes: Well what can I say, Brene Brown is the queen of all things vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. This is one of her first works before she became the guru for humans worldwide. There is nothing not to love about this (and, its a short read ;-) !
Kristi’s Notes: The beauty and tragedy of Botswana & South Africa in the 1970’s apartheid era plays out with Isaac who escape from South Africa and must find new roots. The African landscape comes alive as does the strain of white and black co-existence.
Kristi’s Notes: A Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, I cant say enough about this game-changing book on how to bring a more equal divide of unpaid work into our partnerships at home. Eve has been a trailblazer on this topic and has brought her research to the masses - palatable for the everyday mother who wonders how the hell she can ever get everything done let alone have time for the important but elusive “unicorn space”. If there was one book for 2020 that everyone should read, this is the one. Mom, you have the “right to be interesting”.
Kristi’s Notes: A beautifully written journey into pre-colonial Burma set during the British Invasion in the late 1800’s. Anything by Amitav Ghosh is worth a read as he is a master storyteller who winds history and the meaning of home and culture into every novel.
Kristi’s Notes: Oh yes Tara Jaye Frank gets to the heart of it in her book The Waymakers. She digs into leadership choices and behaviors that shape corporate workplaces in America and crafts tactical and actionable solutions on how we get to workplace equity and what is holding us back.This is one of the best books yet on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging that I have read thus far. EVERYONE should read this book!
Kristi’s Notes: Founder of Girls Who Code and The Marshall Plan for Mom, Reshma Saujani paints the picture of what needs to happen if women are going to be equal in work and life. And guess what, it needs to happen right now. We all need to read this book!
Kristi’s notes: Compelling from the beginning and an easy read! Via twists and turns, Hannah and her step daughter solve the mystery of their missing husband/fathers’ disappearance. A good, fun read.
Kristi’s notes: Whoosh - turning 50 is no joke and at the same time it’s this amazing time of reflection, sharing our stories, and not giving a damn. If you are on the cusp of this next decade, this memoir will be so relatable!
Kristi’s notes: Man or woman this is a must read. Want to hear why? Read what I wrote in my blog on June 19 for a little preview.
Kristi’s notes: This is a re-read from a time long ago when I lived in Kenya. It’s less of a fluid story but instead more of an ethnography about Tepilit Ole Saitoti’s early life, as told by himself, and about his journeys and identity as a Maasai. The book represents the social experience of Maasai during the last decade of colonialism and the first decade of independence, published in 1986. 100% this book should be read alongside The Tree Where Man Was Born.
Kristi’s Notes: Heads up parents! Do you strive to raise compassionate children and be the best parent you can be at the same time? Well this 2022 book by Donna Tetrault provides actionable tools and strategies to do just that - to build a parent-child foundation based on trust, growth, care, love, and learning. *Plus, you’ll find some printed praise for this book (from “yours truly”) in the foreward of her book!
Kristi’s Notes: Men this one is for you (although not going to lie, its for everyone!!). David & Brad show how men can be better allies to women in the workplace and why it matters. Men have a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality at work. This book is chock full of actionable strategies based on research and interviews of hundreds of men who have been identified by women as allies. Learn what they do and how they walk the talk of allyship! Plus Brad & Dave are just cool and, well, “good guys” of course too.
Kristi’s Notes: READ this alongside the above and it will paint a clear history of Kenya and the Maasai before and during Colonialism. Also, if you never make it to Kenya, this book paints (via words) the landscape and geography of this country in a near perfect detail.
Kristi’s Notes: Here you will find the history of Hatshepsut, a female Egyptian King that we have heard nothing about but who had the longest sustaining reign in Egypt during the most prosperous time. Why haven’t we heard of her when her reign was so flawless and her power meticulous?
Kristi’s Notes: What if women were the storytellers? Our history is based on the voices and words of men throughout history. ‘Cassandra Speaks’ traces that history and brings light on the struggles of women to have their voices heard.
Kristi’s notes: For people like me that love cross-cultural understanding and being surrounded by people that may see the world in different ways that I do, this book by INSEAD professor Erin Meyer is for you. Really cool free tools too to see how different cultures communicate, evaluate, persuade etc.
Kristi’s Notes: The anthropologist in me had a hard time putting this one down as it traces the lives of 3 anthropologists inspired by Margaret Meade and their stories of ‘going native’.
Kristi’s Notes: What can I say, Brene Brown has done it again. She has unearthed what it means to be human. This iOS a beautiful book - full of all the Brene insights that we love so much yet this time, packed with pictures and illustrations - perfect with a cup of hot tea and a good pair of slippers!
Kristi’s notes: Author Riane Eisler is THE expert on all things partnership systems, caring economics, and gender equality. Her first book The Chalice & The Blade is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. Eisler has been at the forefront of valuing care for the last few decades and I cant wait to finish reading her new book and what she has to say about all things domination & partnership as they relate to our brains, lives, and our future.
Kristi’s notes: Love all things by Mari Andrew and this new book lives up to her previous - a combination of words, whimsy, and watercolor - poignant thoughts like this : “moving to a new stage of life implies there’s a natural trajectory in life, that adulthood is a series of milestones, when we all know it’s much more scattered and non-linear than that. Perhaps a more accurate phrase would be to see life as less of a graph and more of a map. I’m in a different area of life we could say, as though we were in Zimbabwe for the next couple of years, rather than San Diego…”
Kristi’s notes: The U.S. is the most overworked country in the world. Overload is based on a research experiment to understand if flexible work created better work environments. Their research instead found that overwhelmingly, men and women just need a relief from overwork.
Kristi’s notes: The words of Trina Paulus in this book speak for themselves. Supporting one another, taking the time to look around and “see” what’s really out there, and blazing your own path… makes all the difference.
Kristi’s notes: try it. set your goals on one big hairy thing and see the results pour in. This is what the ONE thing is all about. If you want to better develop priorities and goals and cut through the clutter to make it happen, then this book is for you.
Kristi’s Notes: OMG, if you are a Gen-X woman, this book is for you. Mid-life crisis for women doesn’t show up in the form of sports cars and younger women as it is often highlighted for men … but instead it stays invisible yet it is so very real. This book looks at our history and why we are where we are today …. and why we cant sleep.
Kristi’s Notes: Hands down best book to really understand the impact that becoming a mother has on your career and life and how governmental policies can directly aid or impede the happiness (and guilt!) of mothers.
Kristi’s Notes: A wonderful book about “people” and how the focus on gaining stem based knowledge and “big data” hinders our abilities to extract meaning. In other words, “sensemaking” shows how success is drawn from engagement with culture, language, and history, and the social structures which underlie human behavior. These skillsets and this knowledge is critical for 21st century success.
Kristi’s Notes: Oh My! This is quite the read, a little depressing for those in the hamster wheel of work, but extremely impactful and thought-provoking. In David’s words “We have become a civilization based on work -not even ‘productive work’- but work as an end and meaning in itself.” David uses arguments form political thinkers, philosophers, and scientists to shift our values to esteem creative and caring work as opposed to the “bullshit” jobs that, today, are more revered.
Kristi’s Notes: If you have ever faced an incredibly challenging time in your life - one that almost broke you - then THIS is your book! Because why? Because you didn’t break, you “broke open”. READ ON!
