The Nerd Reich by Gil Duran The tech industry, my professional home, has made what feels like a rapid pivot to supporting authoritarianism. The Nerd Reich helped me make sense of the drivers behind this change and where they plan to take us. Duran not only tells us the story but provides insight about how…
Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin As systemic racism gets encoded into our digital environment, technology becomes a perpetuator and even an accelerator of inequality. The societal implications of technology decisions are often not easy to see when in the weeds; a guide like this is critical to educate all of us on the impact…
Not a book, but an honorable mention goes to Magnifica Humanitas by Pope Leo XIV for highlighting the inherent dignity of all people and the values of our human flaws. The Palestine Laboratory by Antony Loewenstein An eye-opening account about the Israeli arms and surveillance industry. Perpetual conflict provides a proving ground that is good…
American Bulk by Emily Mester We Americans love to consume. Mester shares her family’s story centered around what they buy and keep. She shares different psychological reactions to past scarcity and how we manage that fear. This book of linked essays will make you think about your own purchasing and accumulation of stuff. Evicted by…
Good Writing by Neal Allen and Anne Lamont Sentences are the atomic building blocks of writing. These rules will turn you into a ruthless writing chemist. A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib Abdurraqib is one of my favorite writers. A Little Devil explores the history and implications of Black performance in America. As…
You can build your identity as a reader with structured practice, no matter where your skills are today. Here are some of my favorite techniques from beginner, through intermediate, and on to advanced. Think consistency over intensity. Beginner – You will be surprised how much you can read with only these methods. Intermediate – When…
Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson A history of innovation that dispels many myths and explores the environments that encourage breakthroughs. Your Data Will Be Used Against You by Andrew Guthrie Ferguson An examination of privacy law and why it needs an update to its application in the digital era. Recoding America by…
Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant A deep dive into the Luddite movement during the industrial revolution in England with many lessons for the AI revolution of today. The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaely Warner Klemp A great leadership book to develop self-awareness and to approach every…
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo I was a bit intimidated by this book, but it turned out to be much gentler than I thought it would be. Terms used to talk about racism in the contemporary United States have different definitions than what I grew up with. I think it is often these new definitions…
Reading physical books is a different experience than reading digitally. It is a more human connection to the author’s work. You can view the progress as your bookmark takes its many steps through the pages. The bookmark itself can contribute to your individual experience. When I think of certain books, they take me back to…