Welcome to the Bookshelf

I still remember the toughest interview question I’ve ever been asked. In 2004, my future consulting colleague asked: “What’s your favorite book?” My brain temporarily shut down as it rejected the premise of the question.

While I still can’t get my head around picking a favorite book, I love giving and receiving book recommendations. To the right is a virtual bookshelf of some of the texts I return to and recommend often. Feel free to send a recommendation in return!

Below is a blog where I post my most recent book recommendations along with a few quick takeaways. Posts also are linked as they are included on the bookshelf.

  • Unforgettable Presence:
    Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career
    by Lorraine K. Lee

    Becoming Change Makers: The Exquisite Path to Leadership and Liberation for Women of Color
    by Dominica McBride, PhD and The BECOME Community

    Compassionate Accountability
    by Nate Regier, PhD

  • Emergent Strategy
    by adrienne maree brown

    All About Love
    by bell hooks

    The Power of Positive Deviance
    by Richard Pascale, Jerry Sternin & Monique Sternintion

  • We Do This ‘Til We Free Us
    by Mariame Kaba

    The Sum of Us
    by Heather McGhee

    Healing Justice Lineages
    by Cara Page and Erica Woodland

  • The Inclusion Nudges Guidebook: 100 how-to behavioral designs to de-bias and make inclusive behavior, culture, and systems the default and norm
    by Lisa Kepinski and Tinna C. Nielsen

    The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures: Simple Rules to Unleash A Culture of Innovation
    by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless

    The Art of Gathering
    by Priya Parker

  • The Trusted Advisor
    by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford

    Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time
    by Susan Scott

    Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
    by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen

  • Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy During Jim Crow
    by Tyrone McKinley Freeman

    The Big We: How Giving Circles Unlock Generosity, Strengthen Community, and Make Change
    by Hali Lee

    Mutual Aid
    by Dean Spade

  • Let’s Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers
    by Shannon Downey

    Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection
    by Deepa Iyer

    Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without a Bullhorn)
    by Omkari L. Williams

Book Rec: The Big We, by Hali Lee
Diane Knoepke Diane Knoepke

Book Rec: The Big We, by Hali Lee

I’m grateful when something I’m reading causes me to stop, put my bookmark back in place, and check in with my beliefs and points of view. Hali Lee’s The Big We prompted several such pauses as she examines, critiques, and compares many types of philanthropic activity I work on and participate in, both professionally and personally.

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