Outliers: The Story of Success
by Malcolm Gladwell
Examines the factors that contribute to high levels of success in contemporary society. Debunking the notion that successful people are simply born with unique gifts, Gladwell focuses instead on a set of interrelated factors, including unique opportunities, being in the right place at the right time; and the “10,000 hour rule” –which suggests that practicing anything for 10,000 hours will lead to proficiency and success.
Danielle Lovett recommends. . .
The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Change Your Life
by Ben Sherwood
When faced with an accident or impending disaster, how would you react? Why do some survive and some do not? The Survivors Club takes a look at people’s reactions to fear and crisis and the actions that may make a difference in survival. In this information-packed book, the author explains different personality traits and how these impact the ability to survive in a crisis – or not.
Eric Cleveland recommends. . .
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
From Alexie’s website, “In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school.”
Nancy London recommends...
War
by Sebastian Junger
Sebastian Junger (author also of The Perfect Storm) spent time embedded with US troops in one of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan. Over the course of 15 months, he reported on the activities and brotherhood of a single platoon facing mortal danger on a daily basis. The book is a nitty-gritty narrative of the daily lives, hardships, and heroism of US soldiers in the field.
The Places In Between
by Rory Stewart
One of New York Times Ten Best Books of 2006. Rory Stewart, a young British diplomat, who, in January 2002 walked across Afghanistan, braving the cold and much, much more. This is a fabulous, humorous, finely-observed and evoked travel adventure.
Dan “The Program” Weslow recommends...
The Book of Basketball: According to the Sports Guy
by Bill Simmons
700 pages of Basketball, written by a true basketball fan, and has everything from the age old question of who won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, to his showdown Isaiah Thomas in Vegas, this book is a must read.
The Score Takes Care of Itself
by Bill Walsh
Not necessarily about football, but how to treat people, how to be an effective leader when being a part of a team, and how focusing on relationships will help with success in sports and in life.
Let Me Tell You A Story
by Red Auerbach & John Feinstein
Great stories from the fiery coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA Championships, eight of them consecutive, and been known for his brash and opinionated personality, not to mention his great eye for talent.
His Excellency: George Washington
by Joseph Ellis
There were many outstanding individuals when looking at the republic’s founders. Why Washington?
Bryan Sanders recommends...
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams
Do you have your towel? This is the geek classic that even non-geeks read. We should all be prepared for the intergalactic apocalypse.
The Glass Bead Game
by Hermann Hesse
Do you have your strudel? This book is more powerful than Yoda. Every concept thought about by humans throughout recorded time is playable on the game board.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
by Michael Chabon
Do you have your kugel? This book is a golem and will save your neighborhood. You likely know about superheroes, but there is more to know than you imagined.
Kathy Hartley recommends...
No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II.
By Doris Kearns Goodwin
It’s a great story of the behind-the-scenes making of policy decisions during the war, the relationship between the Roosevelts and Winston Churchill, and how the winning strategies in the war were developed. It’s also the story of the relationship between Eleanor and Franklin. The people and the times are intriguingly presented
David Bryan recommends . . .
Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism
by Chang Ha Joon
Noam Chomsky said an alternative title might be Economics in The Real World. It is a great and very readable history/exposure of the myth of the free market, detailing the reality of state manipulation in what continues to be touted as the tremendous success of capitalism. I know 'economics' is not ordinarily considered a summer read... but this is a good one!
Peoples History of the United States
by Howard Zinn
And speaking of "Summer Reads" if people have not read this title they really ought to. Sometimes called Losers' History, in fact it is a history of courageous resistance to oppression... always a good idea to keep in mind….no matter what season.
Infidel
by Ali Ayaan Hirsi.
This title is still a magnificent read. It's a very readable autobiography of a young woman's evolution from her meager roots in fundamentalist Somalia to her life in Belgium Parliment. Although her conclusions verge on bigotry, an honest reckoning with her pathway there will challenge you to decide why you/we choose to remain tolerant. Perhaps a New Roads must read!!
Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs The Humanities
by Martha Nussbaum
“Why are you taking that class? When are you ever going to use that??!” Nussbaum writes a fabulous and very digestible argument pushing back against those who would seek to make education an effort to be “career ready” (a significant feature of the Obama/Bush education plan). Her argument: the insistence that college is a place to learn marketable skills is damaging the possibility of sustaining a vibrant and healthy democracy, a place where citizens ask questions, engage in public life and demand a meaningful say in the things that shape their lives. A fabulous ‘call to arms’ for those who still choke up when they hear about the values underlying democracy.
Mario Johonson recommends...
The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
It’s a fascinating and engaging historical drama that takes place in the deep south in the midst of the Civil Right Movement. It’s an easy read and helps readers to understand the special relationship between history and literature. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who loves a well-constructed narrative.
Patricia Vargas-Cooper recommends...
Emperor's Children
by Claire Messud
One of the best novels of the last ten years. New York Times called it "near perfect." Noah Baumbach (Squid/While, Greenberg) is making a movie out of it this year.
Nobody Move
by Dennis Johnson
Note:
Pulp fiction. California noir. Everyone in it is a thief and they are fantastic.
I Don't Care About Your Band
by Julie Klausner
A laugh out loud memoir of dating hipsters, musicians, and geek-chic chauvinists. Mandatory reading for anyone who likes Wes Anderson.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible!
by Jonathan Goldstein
JG is a longtime contributor to *This American Life* and is consistently delightful. He takes the major bible stories and redoes them with great humor and insight.
The Promise
by Jonathan Alter
By far the best, most thorough inside peek at the first year of the Obama administration by a veteran Washington reporter. It's sympathetic to but not uncritical of Obama and helps properly place his election and his first year in historical context.
Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 60's America
by Natasha Vargas-Cooper
A delicious look at America in the transition from the Eisenhower Era to the rocking' 60's using the vehicle of the hit AMC television series. Richly illustrated and tartly-written, it takes on more the form of a blog than a traditional book and becomes an indispensable reader's companion to Mad Men.
Best of all, it's written by the daughter of Patricia Vargas-Cooper.
Sean Brookes recommends...
Omnivore's Dilemma:
from the food rebel himself Michael Pollan
How the food choices we make (or don't make) have social, political, and ethical impacts.
The Sun
The magazine is freaking brilliant. Poetry, short stories, investigative journalism, photography and more for the soul.
Testarossa
By Julie Dolcemaschio's (First published book)
Demian Feldman recommends...
Devil's Knot
by Mara Leveritt.
The story of the West Memphis Three -
Sara Hammerman recommends...
A Gate at the Stairs
by Lorrie Moore
A touching and insightful coming-of-age story. Lorrie Moore’s writing is hilarious!
Michele Barak recommends...
The Success Principles for Teens:
How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
by Jack Canfield and Kent Healy
Similar to his adult version, Canfield delivers personal effectiveness techniques in an easy to understand manner as well as provides concrete how-to action steps to assist people in achieving their goals.
Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now:
A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving Your Body Today
by Jessica Weiner
A powerful book for anyone dealing with body image issues. The author is a self-esteem expert and targets female teens.
Joe Wise recommends...
Thinking Physics
by Lewis Carroll Epstein
Does a great job of walking you through deep physics in a very clear way.