In honor of National Book Lover’s Day, we wanted to share with you our most recommended novels.

Kevin Reardon: Leadership and Self-Deception

This book takes a totally different approach to leadership relative to countless books written on the topic.  It addresses the key problems within organizations and within our relationships. These problems can be addressed within each of us, not within those around us.

Each readers lack of self-awareness (self-deception) leads to workplace conflicts and conflicts in our personal lives.  Rather than teaching the reader how to ‘charge ahead’ with better managerial strategies, it encourages the reader to dive inward to their own strengths & weaknesses and challenges each of us to better understand those around us.  When we can truly understand and value each person around us, then we can earn the necessary trust required for leadership.  Lastly, the author’s strong foray into our damaged personal relationships is something most people can painfully relate to and the book provides the necessary tools to help rebuild these broken relationships.

Andrea Bulen: To Kill A Mockingbird

Every time I read To Kill A Mockingbird I find a new life lesson in the book. You were probably required to read it in high school and missed most of the lessons. Read it again now that you are in a later stage in life and I promise you’ll learn something new every time. Here are a few life lessons I’ve found over the years:

1. When Atticus has trouble with Miss Caroline, Atticus reminds us that we have to look at other’s perspectives to truly understand them.
2. Scout and Jem are embarrassed by their father’s age and assume he can’t do anything. When they see him go against the rabid dog, they realize that he is capable of much more than they thought. This teaches us to not judge using first impressions or even “last” impressions – everyone has potential to do amazing things.
3. Of course, the most important lesson in To Kill a Mockingbird is that people are people, regardless of their social class. We must accept them for who they are.

 

Mark Ziety: The Millionaire Next Door

It may come as a shock that most of the truly wealthy in this country don’t live in Beverly Hills or on Park Avenue – they live right next door. While many people are trying to keep up with the Jones’s, this book creates a new image of who the Jones’s should be.  The millionaire next door Jones’s don’t have the flashy cars or fancy this or that.  Rather, they’re hardworking folks that are prudent with their money. The book addresses seven common traits that show up again and again among those who have accumulated their own wealth. Plus, after finishing the book, you know what to do to become the millionaire next door yourself.