Resources & Recommendations
Reading has been one of the greatest pleasures and passions of my life.
Through books, I have been able to try on different lives, unseen worlds, and new ideas. I believe that a person’s bookshelf tells you a lot about them.
Here’s a sampling of mine:
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
If you’ve seen the movie, “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once”, you will absolutely love this book. This explores all the different lives we could have lived. I don’t think we often pause and consider our choices all too often. Or the coincidences that got us here. What if we had taken that job? What if we hadn’t decided to work at a coffee shop on a particular afternoon — missing out on what could have been a friendship for life?
And in my case, this book is a potent reminder of some of the lives I have lived — I marvel at the messy masterpiece my life has been. I think back to the time I moved to Buenos Aires for 3 months to take tango lessons on a whim, or the time I skipped winter just because, heading down under to Australia. The accidental adventures and life I have lived through trying on new lives through travel, through entrepreneurship. I feel as though I have lived a million different lives, similar to the ones explored in this book.
Finding My Virginity
Richard Branson (Autobiography)
I love biographies. It’s like trying on someone else’s life and taking away all the lessons without having to personally experience any of the pitfalls. Although, this is a particularly well-written book so you can hardly tell the difference.
It was refreshing to glimpse into the life of someone who, like me, had many interests and took a non-traditional path. It’s a lovely reminder, that even the icons of our time had their own ups and downs — and that they wouldn’t trade it for the world. And that it is a part of what makes life so enriching, so full, and worth living.
Physics of The Impossible
Michio Kaku
If you dropped someone from 100 years ago into today’s world of technology, they would think it was magic. Projecting forward with this awareness, Michio Kaku takes us through the physics of what we think is impossible today.
From time travel and teleportation to invisibility cloaks, this book helps bridge the gap between science fiction and quantum mechanics, categorizing science fiction into classes of impossibilities.
This book genuinely makes me so excited for the future. It’s a great reminder that so many things can come to light if we have the courage to pursue the seemingly impossible. To realize and come to terms with: every invention we see around us was once just a thought. And the possibilities are endless — from the exploration of space and new worlds to creating new inventions — this book gives me a renewed sense of wonder.
The Most Powerful Woman In The Room Is You
Lydia Fenet
With all that I have accomplished and all that I have become, I remember this book being a turning point. It helped me visualize a future version of myself I hadn’t seen before: a version that was more powerful than I thought possible. One that was deeply connected with my power and strength, but also vulnerable and authentic. And through this book, I was able to try on her mindset — and then eventually become her.
I have revisited this book a few times over the years. And every time, this book helps me see how what is now beyond my comfort zone, will one day set me at ease. That I could shape my future, and that the most powerful woman in the room is me. And that it is you, and that it is all of us, together.
Personality Isn’t Permanent
Dr. Benjamin Hardy
We often see ourselves as “fixed” — that our traits, personalities, and habits are hardwired.
By changing our environment and challenging our limiting beliefs — we can change who we are. We can become more resilient, open-minded, and compassionate. It’s a powerful reminder that by slowly becoming aware of our potential and our possibilities — we can transform our self-concept.
This book has helped me reframe how I view myself — as a work in progress. It’s given me permission to explore, grow, change direction if necessary, and ultimately become the person I’m meant to be. It reminded me that I can create myself anew at any time. And it’s helped me deepen my appreciation for every version of the woman I’ve been, as well as the woman I’m becoming.
Dr. Benjamin Hardy is a high-performance psychologist for entrepreneurs — and he’s authored several books that I’ve enjoyed. More of my favorites from him are: “Willpower Doesn’t Work” and “Slipstream Time Hacking”.
The Geography of Genius
Eric Weiner
This book feels like going back in time to visit the greats and the societies that crafted the environments for them to thrive. It combines a few of my favorite things: innovation, history, and travel.
Weiner’s book is a fascinating exploration of the cities, cultures, and people that have been the breeding grounds for innovation throughout history. It’s an inspiring reminder that different regions at different points in time have yielded remarkable thinkers and geniuses — from ancient Greece to Silicon Valley.
As thrilling as the prospect of the future might be, there is much to be gained from diving into the past. And when you are able to connect the dots between societies, eras, and the great minds that have influenced them — you can gain a new perspective on what it really means to be creative. It’s a reminder that genius is born of the environment we create around us.
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