By Sarah Hanawald — “Sarah, you have to read this book” is something that I hear fairly often, particularly from people who read more and faster than I do. What usually happens is that I then dutifully purchase the book, then admire it for a while, while it works its way down the “read these” pile. This time, I happened to shove Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit into my backpack just before a long flight. Once on board, we heard the announcement that the wifi was unavailable during the flight. Four hours later, I was hooked and have been telling everyone I know “you have to read this book!” When we decided to have our book club this summer, I knew immediately that Genesis would be on the list.

By Kim Harris — This memorable refrain from the old folk song “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” perfectly sets the tone for Liane Davey’s The Good Fight. Both the song and Davey deliver a crucial lesson: obstacles and fears aren’t meant to be avoided — they’re meant to be confronted head-on. In the workplace, it’s all too tempting to sidestep conflict, hoping it will quietly resolve itself. Yet, as Davey compellingly argues, conflict avoidance only compounds the problem, creating what she cleverly calls "conflict debt."

By Denny Gonzalez - David Yeager’s 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People takes a research-informed look at how young people between—you guessed it—the ages of 10 and 25 shape their identities, interact with adults, and perceive the world around them. For academic leaders of all kinds, not just in independent schools, Yeager’s insights apply not only to students but also to early-career educators. Both of these groups navigate complex developmental stages within our schools and need guidance from leaders like us.

By Rachel Herlein—I’ve had Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering on my radar since it was first published eight years ago. When a colleague recommended I read it, I thought, Gathering people is my strong suit! I work hard crafting meaningful learning experiences for teachers. Is all that effort not paying off? Thankfully, my growth mindset kicked in—and I read Parker’s book cover to cover.