2023 summer reading

McKinsey’s annual book list is back—with something for everyone.

July 2023
 Genres — Mountains beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr.
Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World
Tracy Kidder
Biography & memoir
Penguin Random House, August 2009
Homayoun Hatami
Senior partner and managing partner, global
Marc Rosen
client capabilities, McKinsey
CEO, JCPenney
“Here’s what I’m reading this summer.”
“I love learning from great leaders, and this book
— American Prometheus: The Triumph and adds so much about family and culture, too.”
Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
— My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future
Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
Indra Nooyi
Penguin Random House, April 2006
Penguin Random House, September 2021

Chelsea Stoner
Ginni Rometty
General partner, Battery Ventures
Former chair and CEO, IBM; cochair, OneTen
“This is the fascinating story of little-known US
“It doesn’t matter what circumstance you’re
president James A. Garfield, who didn’t want to
born into; this book speaks to the importance of
be president but was nominated against his will
role models in your life—and particularly male role
at the convention anyway—very dissimilar to the
models for a young Black man. It also cements
expensive, glitzy president-nominating process the
why I believe the ‘skills first’ movement creates
whole world is watching in the United States today.
opportunities in a world where so many have the
The book details how campaigns were
aptitude but not the access to succeed.”
run in the late 1880s, how far away from that
process we are now, and the implications this has — My Seven Black Fathers: A Young Activist’s
for US society.” Memoir of Race, Family, and the Mentors Who
Made Him Whole
— Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness,
Will Jawando
Medicine, and the Murder of a President
Macmillan, May 2022
Candice Millard
Penguin Random House, June 2012
Pierre Gentin
Senior partner and chief legal officer, McKinsey
Brian Doubles
President and CEO, Synchrony “The fascinating story of the Baez sisters—Joan
and Mimi—Richard Fariña, and Bob Dylan in the
“In times both good and bad, Seinfeld reminds us
New York folk-music scene of the early 1960s. A
to appreciate the silver linings and find levity in
compelling and entertaining picture of some of
unexpected moments. This is a lighthearted read
the remarkable personalities who came to play
that provides a witty break from daily life—and
defining roles in both folk and rock music.”
plenty of great laughs.”
— Positively 4th Street: The Lives and Times of
— Is This Anything?
Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Mimi Baez Fariña, and
Jerry Seinfeld
Richard Fariña (tenth-anniversary edition)
Simon & Schuster, October 2020
David Hajdu
Macmillan, April 2011
Ariela Safira
Founder and CEO, Real
Mina Al-Oraibi
“A reminder that our society may be doing Editor in chief, National
many things incorrectly, and it just takes strong
“The role of art, identity, and self-reflection are all
willpower to push for a better way.”
explored in this concise but vivid book. The author

2 2023 summer reading

spends a solitary night in the Punta della Dogana — Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your
museum, in Venice, where historic artworks help Money and Your Life
her understand her own past. This is a book to read Bill Perkins
to reflect on the roles that art, writing, work, and HarperCollins Publishers, May 2021
family play in forging identity. Entire sentences are
like works of poetry.” Jenny Abramson
Founder and managing partner, Rethink Impact
— The Scent of Flowers at Night
Leïla Slimani (translated by Sam Taylor) “This is a beautiful personal story coupled with
Hachette UK, April 2023 tangible business lessons from the former chair
and CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty—one of the most
authentic and badass leaders I know.”
Business — Good Power: Leading Positive Change in
Brian Doubles Our Lives, Work, and World
President and CEO, Synchrony Ginni Rometty
“This book is an interesting dissection of the Harvard Business School Publishing,
GameStop short squeeze that highlights the way March 2023
in which social media is changing so many parts
of our world. It sheds new light on how we share, Mads Nipper
analyze, and use information in a way that’s shifting President and CEO, Ørsted
investment power from Wall Street to Main Street.” “Having worked with Solitaire, I know this book
— The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short offers tangible examples of courageous moves that
Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur can literally change the world.”
Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees — The Solutionists: How Businesses Can
Ben Mezrich Fix the Future
Hachette Book Group, September 2021 Solitaire Townsend
Kogan Page, April 2023
Ariela Safira
Founder and CEO, Real Zubaida Bai
“The most honest business book I’ve read to President and CEO, Grameen Foundation
date, highlighting the real journey of founding a “Mary Ellen Iskenderian masterfully explains
company.” that women need a lot more than just a loan to be
— Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My included in formal society. She positions the billion
Mind women who are not a part of the formal system
Andy Dunn as an opportunity for the financial world rather
Penguin Random House, May 2022 than as victims of charity. The key is not to show
sympathy to women but to include them in the
David Kramer financial system.”
President, United Talent Agency — There’s Nothing Micro about a Billion Women:
“This book is about much more than its title may Making Finance Work for Women
indicate. It is not about money but rather about Mary Ellen Iskenderian
how to think about life, time, priorities, and truly MIT Press, April 2022
getting and giving the most of yourself. Why wait
until the end to make life’s most critical decisions
for you and the ones you love?”

2023 summer reading 3

 Fiction & poetry Bob Sternfels
Homayoun Hatami Global managing partner, McKinsey
Senior partner and managing partner, global client “An older book left to me by my maternal
capabilities, McKinsey grandfather. I just found it while moving some stuff.
“Here’s what I’m reading this summer.” He loved the old West and would recite these to
me on car rides as a kid. In particular, the Yukon-
— Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane focused poems, ‘The Shooting of Dan McGrew’
History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution and ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee,’ are favorites.”
R. F. Kuang
HarperCollins Publishers, August 2022 — Collected Poems of Robert Service
Robert Service
Anup Kaphle Putnam’s Sons, 1940
Editor in chief, Rest of World
David Kramer
“V. V. Ganeshananthan’s novel masterfully weaves President, United Talent Agency
journalistic reporting and narrative writing to
recount the dreams, hopes, and losses of ordinary “My wife turned me onto this book, which
Sri Lankans during the country’s civil war. Growing subsequently won the Pulitzer Prize. I am excited
up in Nepal during the peak Maoist insurgency to read it during our summer vacation. I only know
years, I was particularly drawn to the cultural it to be a modern-day David Copperfield set in one
elements in this story, which keeps coming back to of our country’s poorest, most misunderstood, and
family and friendships—and food—throughout.” maligned regions.”

— Brotherless Night — Demon Copperhead

V. V. Ganeshananthan Barbara Kingsolver
Penguin Random House, January 2023 HarperCollins Publishers, October 2022

Lucy Yu Jenny Abramson

Owner, Yu and Me Books Founder and managing partner, Rethink Impact

“A riveting and incisive exploration of America’s “This hilarious novel about a woman’s struggle to
prison system. A must-read for anyone seeking be seen as equal in an age of inequality feels like
profound insight into the intersection of race, both a reminder of how far we’ve come and, with
capitalism, and freedom.” less than 2 percent of venture capital dollars going
to female-led companies today, how far we still
— Chain-Gang All-Stars need to go with our work at Rethink Impact.”
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Penguin Random House, May 2023 — Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
Shefali Razdan Duggal Penguin Random House, April 2022
US ambassador to the Netherlands
Tracy Francis
“As an immigrant to the United States, I am always Senior partner and chief marketing
fascinated by immigrant stories. I am looking officer, McKinsey
forward to reading this new novel about a Chinese
immigrant who comes to the US with big dreams “I read and loved Hamnet during the pandemic.
and optimism, has some bumps along the way, and, This is O’Farrell’s latest and is the perfect mix of
in the end, positively finds his way.” history, art, and humanity for a holiday read.”

— The Chinese Groove — The Marriage Portrait

Kathryn Ma Maggie O’Farrell
Counterpoint, January 2023 Penguin Random House, September 2022

4 2023 summer reading

Steve Grove and this compelling story will really make you think
CEO and publisher, Star Tribune Media Company about the word trust.”
“A powerful short story about doing the — Trust
right thing.” Hernan Diaz
Penguin Random House, May 2022
— Small Things Like These
Claire Keegan
Lucy Yu
Grove Atlantic, November 2021
Owner, Yu and Me Books
Sisi Wei “Yellowface is a gripping novel that takes you on
Editor in chief, The Markup a journey through twisted identities, dark humor,
and unexpected consequences. With its timely
“I’ve read almost every single book, translation,
exploration of diversity, cultural appropriation, and
and short story by Ken Liu. All his work is incredibly
the perils of social media, this book will leave you
thought provoking and engrossing, and the
questioning everything.”
touching moments sneak up on you in the best
way. Speaking Bones is Liu’s fourth book in a truly — Yellowface
epic series that mixes Chinese history with science R. F. Kuang
and fantasy.” HarperCollins Publishers, May 2023
— Speaking Bones (book four of the
Dandelion Dynasty)
Ken Liu
History
Simon & Schuster, June 2022 Anup Kaphle
Editor in chief, Rest of World
Alisa Miller “As a newsroom leader running global coverage,
Cofounder and CEO, Pluralytics I’m faced with some of the same challenges many
“A novel about partnership, relationships, success, of our colleagues in the industry face right now:
identity, technology, and struggles across time. A How do you really cover China? It’s one of the most
tale that resonates in these tumultuous times.” important beats in international journalism, and it
is most likely one of the toughest ones as well. I’m
— Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
looking forward to reading this book and learning
Gabrielle Zevin
from the experiences of multiple generations of
Penguin Random House, July 2022
correspondents who have reported from China.”

Chelsea Stoner — Assignment China: An Oral History of American

General partner, Battery Ventures Journalists in the People’s Republic
Mike Chinoy
“This historical novel—focused on Wall Street in
Columbia University Press, March 2023
the 1920s and then the Depression—has been
on my list for a while, and I can’t wait to dig into it.
Rebecca Blumenstein
It features a ‘novel within a novel’ and, I’ve read,
President, NBC News Editorial
some disorienting literary tricks that keep the
reader guessing.” “This book by my husband, Alan Paul, is a cultural
history of the 1970s, with the Allman Brothers
Rodney Zemmel
at the core. The Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Senior partner, McKinsey
and Geraldo all appear, but I was taken by Gregg
“A fictional story about a 1920s Wall Street tycoon Allman’s relationship with Cher and how the group
and his wife told through three different lenses. helped elect Jimmy Carter.”
Diaz is one of the most original writers around,

2023 summer reading 5

 — Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers — The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine
Band and the Inside Story of the Album That (revised)
Defined the ’70s Serhii Plokhy
Alan Paul Hachette Book Group, May 2021
Macmillan, July 2023
Rodney Zemmel
Jelani Cobb Senior partner, McKinsey
Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism,
“Yes, this is actually a history of book indexes—
Columbia Journalism School
from the days of parchment scrolls to today. But
“Luckerson does an incredible job of sifting it is also a witty and compelling tale of human
through the ashes of history to present a knowledge and the principles of information
textured image of a vital community. What really science. The book itself has two indexes, one
distinguishes this work is his commitment to written by a professional indexer and one by a
chronicling not only what happened in the midst computer—no prizes for guessing which one is
of a racial catastrophe but also the quiet, alloyed best, for now.”
resolve of the people who survived that moment
— Index, A History of the: A Bookish Adventure
and built the community that exists to this day.”
from Medieval Manuscripts to the Digital Age
— Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Dennis Duncan
Tulsa’s Greenwood District, America’s W. W. Norton & Company, February 2022
Black Wall Street
Victor Luckerson Shefali Razdan Duggal
Penguin Random House, May 2023 US ambassador to the Netherlands
“I encourage folks to read this book for a deep
Rebecca Blumenstein
dive into the early history of our nation and to
President, NBC News Editorial
learn about how much American culture and
“Jonathan Freedland’s book is an inspiring American values owe to the Dutch founders of
example of the power of truth amid a sea of lies. New Netherland.”
The stunning story of Rudolf Vrba’s escape from
— The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic
Auschwitz to tell the world the scale of the murders
Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten
deserves wide recognition. Tough reading at times,
Colony That Shaped America
but it filled me with hope and awe.”
Russell Shorto
— The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Penguin Random House, April 2005
Auschwitz to Warn the World
Jonathan Freedland Kat Downs Mulder
HarperCollins Publishers, October 2022 Senior vice president and general manager,
Yahoo News
Daryna Shevchenko
“This telling of the decline of General Electric
CEO, Kyiv Independent
under CEO Jeff Immelt details how he and his
“While many people discovered the existence predecessor, Jack Welch, shaped GE over the
of Ukraine last year, it has been there for a long course of decades, illuminating each leader’s
time. Reading Serhii Plokhy’s book about the style and dissecting how their decisions altered
history of Ukraine is perhaps the most efficient the trajectory of the company. Lots of lessons for
way to uncover its past and be equipped with the leaders in this one.”
necessary knowledge to understand Russia’s
— Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and the Fall of
ongoing war against Ukraine and its historical
General Electric
significance for the future of global security.”

6 2023 summer reading

 Thomas Gryta and Ted Mann — Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage
HarperCollins Publishers, May 2021 Jonny Steinberg
Jonathan Ball Publishers, May 2023
Pierre Gentin
Senior partner and chief legal officer, McKinsey Bob Sternfels
Global managing partner, McKinsey
“Aish Kodesh is a collection of weekly sermons
delivered in the Warsaw ghetto during World “My sister just gave this book to me, and I will read
War II by Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira, before it this summer. I am interested in seeing history via
the Jews of the ghetto (including Rabbi Shapira) the lens of family.”
were murdered. A classic of 20th-century Hasidic
— The World: A Family History of Humanity
philosophy, Aish Kodesh is striking because Rabbi
Simon Sebag Montefiore
Shapira never directly references the dire factual
Penguin Random House, May 2023
circumstances facing his community; instead, the
book focuses on experiencing God’s immanence in
a period of tremendous suffering. Henry Abramson
Innovation
has written an extraordinary book that links what
Ginni Rometty
was happening factually each week in the Warsaw
Former chair and CEO, IBM; cochair, OneTen
ghetto with the theme of Rabbi Shapira’s sermon
for that week. A powerful and moving work.” “This book reinforces why we must focus on
stewarding good tech. As Kissinger has said,
— Torah from the Years of Wrath 1939-1943: The
history shows that when people are fearful of
Historical Context of the Aish Kodesh
something and they don’t understand it, they
Henry Abramson
revolt. AI is at that moment. I’m a believer that AI
CreateSpace, April 2023
has a great upside and will change every job for the
better, but it matters how we implement it.”
Nicholas Thompson
CEO, Atlantic Joydeep Sengupta
Senior partner, McKinsey (Singapore)
“This book is about FDR’s top deputies. It’s got
a surprising, counterintuitive take on Roosevelt, “Here’s what I’m reading this summer.”
and I hope to pick up some secrets on building
— The Age of AI: And Our Human Future
successful teams while I’m at it.”
Daniel Huttenlocher, Henry A. Kissinger, and
— Unlikely Heroes: Franklin Roosevelt, His Four Eric Schmidt
Lieutenants, and the World They Made Hachette Book Group, November 2021
Derek Leebaert
Macmillan, February 2023 Reid Hoffman
Cofounder, LinkedIn; partner, Greylock
Mark Suzman
“Mustafa is the rare entrepreneur who has founded
CEO and board member, Bill & Melinda Gates
not one but two major AI companies, and I’m so
Foundation
thrilled that he’s sharing his deep thinking with us all,
“Neither South Africa nor the world at large has rooted in his desire to uplift and improve humanity.”
truly reckoned with the violence and oppression
— The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the
of apartheid, and Steinberg looks deeply into the
Twenty-First Century’s Greatest Dilemma
Mandelas’ marriage to tell this story in an intimate,
Mustafa Suleyman (with Michael Bhaskar)
personal way that resonates even decades later. As
Penguin Random House, September 2023
a South African, it’s powerful to see the struggles
of a new nation play out across the Mandelas’ lives
and also to come to terms with how human our
heroes truly are.”

2023 summer reading 7

 Piyush Gupta Mark Suzman
CEO, DBS Bank CEO and board member, Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation
“A great explanation of the defining role of energy
in shaping the modern world and a reflection “We’re in a moment of incredible technological
on what it will take to really change the energy change, but what we’ve seen throughout history is
system to a low-carbon intensive one. Critical for that the benefits of technology are often intensely
humankind to achieve, but we should not be naive concentrated in the hands of a privileged few. In
about the challenges.” this salient read, Acemoglu and Johnson tell that
story and challenge us to ensure that the benefits
Sven Smit
of innovation are truly enjoyed by everyone—a
Senior partner and chair of insights and
challenge we can and must rise to.”
ecosystems, McKinsey; chair, McKinsey
Global Institute — Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year
Struggle over Technology and Prosperity
“I cannot recommend this enough to understand
Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson
the physical reality of how the world works—so
Hachette Book Group, May 2023
critical to decision making and often neglected.”
— How the World Really Works: The Science Reid Hoffman
behind How We Got Here and Where Cofounder, LinkedIn; partner, Greylock
We’re Going
“It’s great to see Jen—someone who has been
Vaclav Smil
fighting her entire career for a government that
Penguin Random House, May 2022
works for the people—lay out her vision so clearly
and practically so that we can all see the road map
Alisa Miller
to a more efficient and productive government.”
Cofounder and CEO, Pluralytics
— Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing
“This book came out only a short time before the
in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better
generative-AI wave but is even more relevant
Jennifer Pahlka
today when we talk about human talent in an age of
Macmillan, June 2023
smart machines.”
— Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines Stephan Scholl
Jamie Merisotis CEO, Alight
RosettaBooks, October 2020
“While AI has been part of Alight’s ecosystem for
years, this book examines how AI will change the
Steve Grove
way we work, but not necessarily destroy the way
CEO and publisher, Star Tribune Media Company
we work.”
“A fascinating look at the history of YouTube. From
— Working with AI: Real Stories of Human-
its upstart origins to the inevitable challenges of
Machine Collaboration
being engulfed by its new owner, Google, Bergen
Thomas H. Davenport and Steven M. Miller
uses this page-turning history to ask—and provide
MIT Press, September 2022
answers to—the big questions about the internet
and democracy.”
— Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Personal development
Chaotic Rise to World Domination
Diego de Sola
Mark Bergen
President and CEO, Grupo de Sola, El Salvador
Penguin Random House, September 2022
“As machines broaden their capabilities at blazing
speeds, and human ‘usefulness’ appears under

8 2023 summer reading

assault, our unique capacity for creativity must “Richard’s clear-eyed appraisals of US foreign-
take center stage. In a world of dwindling hope, I policy priorities are always required reading.
found Rubin’s book powerfully simple, intuitive, Here, having concluded that ‘the most urgent
and inspiring.” and significant threat to American security and
stability stems not from abroad but from within,’
— The Creative Act: A Way of Being
he charts out the obligations vital to strengthening
Rick Rubin
our democracy.”
Penguin Random House, January 2023
— The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of
Marc Rosen Good Citizens
President and CEO, JCPenney Richard Haass
Penguin Random House, January 2023
“When what we do is tied to our greater purpose,
our why, it is so much more powerful.”
Zubaida Bai
— The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose President and CEO, Grameen Foundation
Fulfillment
“Chup, which means silent in Hindi, is a book that
Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
questions the everyday norms that make women
Penguin Random House, May 2022
feel invisible, wrapped under the femininity of
selflessness. The author highlights the deep-
Piyush Gupta
rooted patriarchy that makes even supportive
CEO, DBS Bank
men inadvertently complicit. Everyday culture and
“This book is about finding purpose and happiness norms ensure that most women believe the glass
in the second half of your life—and recognizing the ceiling is too high or they can never shatter it.”
inevitability of change and even decline.”
— Chup: Breaking the Silence about
— From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, India’s Women
Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Deepa Narayan
Half of Life Juggernaut Books, January 2018
Arthur C. Brooks
Penguin Random House, February 2022 Antonio Zappulla
CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation
“This is a must-read for all defenders of
Politics
democracy. Through investigative reporting, the
Tracy Francis
Nobel laureate’s inspiring account documents her
Senior partner and chief marketing
fight to hold authority responsible, her refusal to
officer, McKinsey
be silenced, and offers solutions toward a free, fair,
“I am reading this book because I think and informed future for us all.”
Rudd is deeply thoughtful on the topic of US–
— How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight
China relations.”
for Our Future
— The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Maria Ressa
Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi HarperCollins Publishers, November 2022
Jinping’s China
Kevin Rudd Hassan El-Houry
Hachette Book Group, March 2022 Chairman of the Board; Menzies Aviation
“This topic is very relevant to me personally.
Alyssa Ayres
America’s immigration policy helped spur the
Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs,
country’s exceptionalism and global leadership.
George Washington University
Today, the system needs repair. Europe, the Arab

2023 summer reading 9

 world, and East Asia are grappling with this topic, an interesting light on the mounting challenges
and the conclusion will determine their trajectories.” facing modern-day democracies. And that’s before
AI hit the scene!”
— The Immigrant Superpower: How Brains,
Brawn, and Bravery Make America Stronger — The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are
Tim Kane Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century
Oxford University Press, January 2022 Moisés Naím
Macmillan, February 2022
Alyssa Ayres
Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Mina Al-Oraibi
Washington University Editor in chief, National
“A profound political theorist and classicist, “This year marked 20 years since the US war
Professor Allen was my dean when I received in Iraq. Much has been written about it, but few
my PhD, and I have long admired her intellectual writers have captured the complexity of events and
rootedness in theory and practice.” emotions that went with it. This is the one book to
read about the 2003 war and its effects on both
— Justice by Means of Democracy
ordinary people and the geopolitical order we live
Danielle Allen
in. It is part autobiography, part history book, with
The University of Chicago Press, April 2023
detailed coverage, nuance, empathy, and even
some humor. The beautifully intricate doodles are
Joydeep Sengupta
an extra bonus.”
Senior partner, McKinsey (Singapore)
— A Stranger in Your Own City: Travels in the
“Here’s what I’m reading this summer.”
Middle East’s Long War
— Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Ghaith Abdul-Ahad
Everything about the World (book one in the Penguin Random House, March 2023
Politics of Place series)
Tim Marshall Jelani Cobb
Simon & Schuster, October 2015 Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism,
Columbia Journalism School
Antonio Zappulla
“The Supreme Court has, in recent years, become
CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation
a more prominent part of the polarized, sometimes
“With timeless relevance, Plato powerfully chaotic politics of the United States. Michael
reminds us that politics is grounded in justice, the Waldman deftly explores how this moment
common good, and selfless leadership. Leaders relates to both the history of the high court and
must possess the intellectual and moral qualities the implications of the current conservative
necessary to make rational decisions for the supermajority for the foreseeable future.”
benefit of all society rather than the few.”
— The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court
— Republic Divided America
Plato (translated by Robin Waterfield) Michael Waldman
Oxford University Press, May 2008 Simon & Schuster, June 2023

Diego de Sola
President and CEO, Grupo de Sola, El Salvador Psychology
“I am a firm believer that it is in our nature to be Hassan El-Houry
good, but evidently, context matters, and Moisés Chairman of the Board; Menzies Aviation
Naím’s analysis of today’s political context sheds

10 2023 summer reading

“I recently read this book and will read it again. As — Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You
an optimist, I believe in the power of the human Don’t Know
race, and this book proves that the world is getting Adam Grant
better, healthier, and safer. Key lesson: look Penguin Random House, February 2021
beyond the hype and analyze the data. Numbers
tell the truth.” Sven Smit
Senior partner and chair of insights and
— Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong about
ecosystems, McKinsey; chair, McKinsey
the World—and Why Things Are Better Than
Global Institute
You Think
Hans Rosling (with Ola Rosling and Anna “This is an exploration of the enormous impact
Rosling Rönnlund) of 57 minutes of heat, from being in a sauna, and
Macmillan, April 2018 11 minutes of cold, from winter swimming, per week
on health and well-being, and the joy people have
Stephan Scholl doing it.”
CEO, Alight
— Winter Swimming: The Nordic Way towards a
“This book examines teenage mental health Healthier and Happier Life
through interviews with teenagers and offers Dr Susanna Søberg
practical guidance to parents.” Hachette UK, September 2022
— Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters
Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety,
Depression, and Social Media
Workplace culture
Donna Jackson Nakazawa Kat Downs Mulder
Penguin Random House, September 2022 Senior vice president and general manager,
Yahoo News
Sisi Wei “Strategy is essential to success in any key
Editor in chief, The Markup leadership role, and this book digs deep into what
“After anti-Asian hate became more pronounced makes good strategy—and what does not. Full of
in 2020, I started looking for Asian mental-health case studies and anecdotes, and quick to read, it
communities online. I wanted to know: How can I is a great orientation, or refresher, to successful
better talk about mental health, not only in my work strategic thinking and planning.”
as a journalist but also as a daughter of Chinese — Good Strategy, Bad Strategy: The Difference
immigrants? I started following Dr. Wang’s work and Why It Matters
then, and I can’t wait to read her book.” Richard Rumelt
— Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Penguin Random House, July 2011
Health as Asian Americans
Jenny T. Wang, PhD Henry Timms
Hachette Book Group, May 2022 President and CEO, Lincoln Center for the
Performing Arts
Mads Nipper “This is an essential contribution in how we can
President and CEO, Ørsted lead nonprofits to thrive—a must-read for our
“As a middle-aged and experienced executive in a sector and far beyond.”
world that seems to change at warp speed, staying — How to Save the World in Six (Not So Easy)
curious, unlearning, and relearning are essential. Steps: Bringing Out the Best in Nonprofits
Adam’s books give great inspiration to do just that.” David M. Schizer
Post Hill Press, May 2023

2023 summer reading 11

 “A critical, timely, and practical book. I’m a big Daryna Shevchenko
Find more content like this on the
admirer of Octavia and her work, and I found this CEO, Kyiv Independent
McKinsey Insights App
both eye-opening and educational.”
“I believe that the only thing a manager can actually
— Prep, Push, Pivot: Essential Career Strategies rely on in times of crisis is their team. Building
for Underrepresented Women and growing the Kyiv Independent team amid the
Octavia Goredema war [in Ukraine] solidified this belief for me. It’s
John Wiley & Sons, January 2022 always a challenge to not only find the best talent
but also give them enough space for their own
Nicholas Thompson decision making, as well as the necessary tools to
Scan • Download • Personalize CEO, Atlantic grow. This book offers good, hands-on insight into
how to identify talent and interview promising, yet
“I’m deep into Claire Hughes Johnson’s Scaling
sometimes overlooked, potential hires.”
People, which is the smartest and most useful
book I’ve read on management this year.” — Talent: How to Identify Energizers, Creatives,
and Winners around the World
— Scaling People: Tactics for Management and
Tyler Cowan and Daniel Gross
Company Building
Macmillan, May 2022
Claire Hughes Johnson
Stripe, March 2023

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