One of my 2020 goals is to read or listen to more books. In that vein, here’s what I’m reading in 2020. Last updated: May 27, 2020

Books

The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang

I worked with Esme years ago and while I knew she was a talented with a mental health illness, I didn’t realize the extent of either her way with words or her challenges with schizophrenia. A powerful look into what the mind is capable of.

I Was Told to Come Alone by Souad Mekhennet

Souad, a journalist for The Washington Post, takes the reader behind the lines of jihad in a quest to answer a grieving mother’s question: why do they hate us (the West) so much? In her attempt to unravel that question, she shares her own struggles of being a German Muslim, never quite fitting in anywhere. Her bravery, tenacity, and unflinching look at Western society provides a new look at the struggles around war, immigration, and the importance of belonging.

The Family CFO by Mary Claire Allvine and Christine Larson

Though intended for couples experiencing a transition like merging their finances through marriage, I still found plenty to use as my husband and I work to share financial responsibilities. I will serve as our cash manager and he as our investment manager. The focus on shared goals is particularly interesting to ground conversations and provide a framework for tradeoffs.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

A hilarious, relatable, and sometimes heart-wrenching story about a therapist, her therapist, and the struggles so many of us face in becoming the person we want to be as we navigate the challenges and curveballs of life.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

I listened to this book, then sent a copy to my sister, and told all my friends about it. Untamed is about unlearning the restrictions society puts on women and listening to your true desires and motivations to become the most true version of yourself.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic is about how to unleash your creativity, whether that’s figure skating (for me!), music, art, writing, gardening, whatever. Gilbert describes her creative process and her belief that creativity lives in all of us, if we’re only willing to give it the space and do the work required to create something meaningful.

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

I loved every minute of this book, about Gates’s work on women’s health issues and the importance of women’s economic progress to create more prosperous, safe communities. As someone raised Catholic, I particularly loved the evolution of her beliefs on family planning and reproductive health with the Catholic church’s abstinence-only programming.

Up Next / In Progress:

• The Book of Longings
• Wine Girl
• Loonshots
• City of Girls

Podcasts

I still love podcasts and am currently devouring these:

• The Daily, from The New York Times
• Up First, from NPR
• Financial Sense News Hour
• Slow Burn
• Second Life
• Reply All
• HBR Ideacast
• Freakonomics Radio
• Masters of Product Management – check out episode 50 – me!