As the long nights start to draw to an end, there’s still time to enjoy a good book under a blanket. From gripping tales of resilience to a fresh perspective on decision-making, here is what the ECI team are reading this winter season:
Isabella Fox
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale follows two estranged French sisters navigating the Nazi occupation of France in very different ways – one quietly enduring, the other risking everything in the resistance.
Despite their differences, you can’t help but admire their resilience and be completely drawn into their journey. While it’s historical fiction, the backdrop of WWII and the brutal realities of war make it a gripping and emotional read. I found it beautifully written and incredibly moving, with characters that stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Skyler ver Bruggen
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
Recommended to me by a friend as ‘the book that tells you, you can drink alcohol while pregnant’, this was the first book I turned to when I found out I was pregnant. This ‘hook’ turned out to be an oversimplification. Expecting Better by Emily Oster is a robust analysis of the research which sits behind the many recommendations during pregnancy.
Oster is an economist by trade who teaches MBA students whether they should invest in a company (music to the PE exec’s ears…). She is well qualified to dig into the statistics but does not pretend to be medically qualified (Oster has consulted with medical professionals for that). Her goal is to provide the facts to enable the reader to make their own decisions – a breath of fresh air with all the ‘advice’ out there. As to whether you can drink during pregnancy? You’ll just have to read the book to find out…
Fiona Moore
The Coddling of the American Mind, by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
As a new parent and someone interested in creating inclusive spaces, I was interested to find out more about Lukianoff and Haidt’s assessment as to how good intentions for keeping children and teens safe are leaving them with greater anxiety, and unprepared for the campuses and worlds of work they then go in to. Their perspective that it is more important to ‘prepare the child for the road, rather than prepare the road for the child’ resonated. I also appreciated their view that many of the ways that we teach people to manage depression or anxiety via cognitive behavioural therapy – i.e. the importance of not catastrophising or being charitable in our view of others rather than presuming their worst intentions – are the opposite of what teens are currently being taught. While I didn’t agree with all their assessments, for example the authors saw little value in deplatforming because free speech is so important, whereas I can see that not all speech is appropriate for campuses and giving platforms to those deliberately stoking controversy is actively unhelpful, I still found there to be many useful takeaways especially when reflecting on the current trends around teen anxiety. A useful book to reflect on as to what the purpose of our role is, as parent or employer, when it comes to safety and resilience.
Jeremy Lytle
Patriot by Alexei Navalny
Patriot by Alexei Navalny is a powerful reflection on his life, resilience and unwavering fight against corruption and totalitarianism. A year after his murder in a Russian penal colony, his memoir stands as both a tribute and a call to action.
With his dark humour, he recounts his near-fatal poisoning, his decision to return to Moscow fully aware of the consequences, and his time in prison. Navalny’s story is one of extraordinary courage. His reflections from prison make for a sobering read, but his belief in a better future for Russia remains at the heart of the book.
Mia Smith
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a tender and thought-provoking novel that follows Charlie Gordon, a man with an IQ of 68 who undergoes an experimental procedure to drastically increase his intelligence.
As Charlie’s mental abilities soar, he gains profound insights into love, loneliness, and the nature of human connection, but his journey is not without unexpected challenges. The novel’s raw emotional depth and poignant exploration of what truly defines a meaningful life make it an unforgettable read. It’s a deeply heartfelt story that lingers long after the final page, challenging readers to consider the true value of intelligence, kindness, and human dignity.
