By Henry Kissinger
Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy
Kissinger was in a unique position to have personally observed and interacted with all the major world leaders in the 20th and 21st century.Leadership is the most authoritative take on what makes great and most impactful leaders.
By Ruth J. Simmons
Up Home: One Girl’s Journey
An uplifting and inspiring memoir from a Black woman, born in harsh conditions but surrounded by loving family and friends, who’d become one of the most influential leaders in American higher education. The story of Ruth Simmons provides hope for a better future and reminds us of the powerful importance of educators and education for so many.
By Mark Hyman
Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life
Dr. Hyman is one of the world’s leading functional medical doctors who speaks to reversing disease, easing pain and living younger longer. This is an important read for those interested in wellness and longevity specifically.
By Rick Rubin
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
As someone who’s worked in finance for almost 20 years, I’ve never thought of myself as a creator or an artist, but this book made me realize that creativity can take on so many different forms. It's more about the lens we see the world through than it is about being labeled as an artist. The book begins with a concept that bent the way I think about work: Every idea has its own timeline, and when that idea’s time has come, it will be revealed in one way or another.
By Rick Rubin
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us
I was so pleased to find this book as an artistic expression that’s been a staple of Miraval programming since its inception. Magsamen and Ross offer a research-based case for the benefits art offers each of us, from building cognitive skills to reductions in cortisol—and our overall longevity.
By Claire Keegan
So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men
Claire Keegan’s newest book is a collection of three poignant short stories, each addressing the power dynamic between men and women. She creates vivid characters who shed light not only on the complexity of gender issues but also on the hopes and despair of being human.
By Isabel Allende
Violeta
Violeta is a remarkable tale, weaving a century of history through the life of author Violeta Del Valle. Its vivid portrayal of endurance through pandemics, political chaos and personal trials is deeply moving. This book masterfully captures the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of South America’s turbulent 20th century, making it a compelling and unforgettable read.
By Claire Hughes Johnson
Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building
Useful and inspirational at the same time, Claire’s book shares the lessons she learned in building business units at Google and as chief operating officer at Stripe, where she helped expand the company from 160 to 7,000 people.
By Walter Isaacson
Elon Musk
Although he’s made both controversy and progress, Elon Musk is an entrepreneur I admire because of his focus on the details, combined with his unlimited ambition for growth. Like him, I come from the emerging markets, where you’re forced to think differently, adapt and find new ways to grow. Isaacson gives a very detailed account of Musk’s challenging roots that made him force his way forward. The way he created business ventures that were disruptive in technology, but simple to the end user, is inspiring for many people out there who want to make their own path.
By Simon Sharpe
Five Times Faster: Rethinking the Science, Economics, and Diplomacy of Climate Change
As Greenland melts, Australia burns, and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, we think we know who the villains are. But what if the real blocks to progress are the ideas and institutions that are supposed to be helping us? Five Times Faster is an inside story from Simon Sharpe, whose work in the UK’s energy department and foreign office convinced him it was too simplistic to blame oil companies or short-termist politicians alone for slow progress.
By Will Guidara
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
You might think you know hospitality, but nothing will prepare you for the intentional and creative lengths that Will Guidara and team will go to build a special bond with their customers. In this excellent book, Guidara describes a compelling journey that intertwines innovative customer service, the importance of creating memorable moments and the art of making each customer feel uniquely valued.