They Can't Take Them Away From Us

THE HEADLINE in the New York Times caught my eye: “Florida Sex Scandal Shakes Moms for Liberty, as Group’s Influence Wanes.”

BOOKS have been a steady presence throughout my life. My parents always had books coming into the house from this or that Book of the Month Club. During my teenage years, I would sit quietly in our basement and read one title after the next before wolfing down a quick breakfast and heading off to school.

Later, as a high school history teacher, I shared information with my students from a variety of books, including one title that graces many of the banned books lists: A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. I felt it gave a more complete and less sanitized picture of our past. I taught classes that were primarily made up of kids of color and immigrants. Why teach our history, I thought, if the history I taught didn’t represent my students' past?

When I left teaching, I worked with teams of dedicated individuals to develop textbooks for students and teachers for more than 35 years.

And finally, I co-wrote a book on how to lead effective school change.

Last November, I published a piece here titled?Take That, Book Banners! I also did a?podcast episode?on my experience of visiting the?public plaza where a massive book burning took place in Berlin in May 1933. Together, these?were a brief manifesto of sorts, asking readers to give books as gifts during the holidays to counterbalance the current book banning and hate speech in the U.S.

One group leading the book-banning charge is "Moms for Liberty," which seeks to ban or restrict access to books the group or those aligned with it find objectionable. The traffic accident of its name and purpose never fails to amaze me. Thankfully, its efforts may be slowing for a couple of reasons. One of its leaders was recently caught up in a sex scandal, as described in the Times article I referenced above. (You can't make this stuff up.) More importantly, parents seem to have realized that Math and Reading scores probably deserve more of their attention than chasing meritless conspiracies about grooming youth.

So, let's keep the pressure up. This is the season when many sources typically identify what they feel were the notable books of the past year. The New York Times just published articles on the 100 Notable Books of 2023 and the 10 Best Books of 2023. The readers' comments to these articles are always a mix of "Why didn't you include X," or "Thank you for including Y," and "I always follow your recommendations and purchase one or more of the titles." That's the reading spirit!

Out of curiosity, I just counted that I read all or parts of more than 40 books this year. Most were memoirs, given my strong interest in that genre. Mother Noise by Cindy House deserved two readings. Walking Old Roads: A Memoir of Kindness Rediscovered by Tammy Hader stands out, as does Bill Whiteside's Everybody Knows a Salesman Can’t Write a Book. Some were the works of podcast guests like Valerie Gordon's Fire Your Narrator: A Storyteller’s Guide to Getting Out of Your Head and Into Your Life and Andy Vargo's Own Your Awkward Life Changes. And a few were "just because." For example, given my love of history and that I'm Jewish, one of the more challenging books I read this year was Fatherland – A Memoir of War, Conscience, and Family Secrets. There, author Burkhard Bilger researches his grandfather’s life during World War II to answer the complex question, “Is there such a thing as a good Nazi?”

I have a separate shelf in my office for books I intend to read next. Dacher Keltner's AWE –The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life is first in my queue. This is a powerful book with which to start the new year because it's all about how we experience awe – that feeling of being in the presence of something so vast that it transcends our current understanding of the world – and how it can transform our brains and bodies. I still remember my staggering awe when, for the first time, I looked down into the Grand Canyon, looked up at a towering Sequoia, and met my now-wife.

That got me thinking. Instead of looking back at 2023, I was curious to know what some of my colleagues, friends, and family members are going to read in 2024. So, I reached out to a number of them, asking them for a brief bio, their book of choice, and why that title might find its way to their nightstand. I thought that maybe I'd hear from a few, acknowledging that many might be too busy to respond, given the fast-approaching holiday.

Their responses poured in.

Here, then, are their offerings, which are decidedly non-fiction in focus. One title, in fact, made the list three times. A few over-achievers suggested two or more titles. Always learning, this crew.

As you review the list, maybe you will find yourself thinking, "Hmmm, I just may have to check out this title." (I'm already doing that with Steve Ehrlich's suggestion below.) Now that's the reading spirit!

Jesse Kohler is the President and Chair of The Change Campaign and also serves as Executive Director of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice.

Going to read Preventing and Healing Climate Traumas: A Guide to Building Resilience and Hope in Communities by Bob Doppelt.

Because the climate crisis is widely traumatizing. Promoting support across our society to work through it together is one of the most critical callings of our time.

Paul McNicholls is a lay historian and author.

Going to read Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918–40 by Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman.

Because what happened to the British Army between the First and Second World Wars explains why they were summarily defeated by the Germans and had to be evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940.

Frank Zaccari is a best-selling author and CEO of Life Altering Events, LLC.

Going to read The Passion Test by Janet and Chris Attwood.

Because over my long time on the planet, my passion – or what I thought was my passion – has changed many times. Now, in my semi-retirement, this book will help me focus on finding my next passion where I can make a difference.

Neil C. Hughes is a freelance technology journalist, podcast host and engineer, and the producer of "Tech Talks Daily" and "Tech Fusion" by Citrix Ready.?

Going to read?Freedom to Think: Protecting a Fundamental Human Right in the Digital Age by Susie Alegr.

Because this title will deepen my understanding of the intersection between technology, privacy, and human rights in the digital age.

Melissa Hughes, Ph.D. is a neuroscience researcher, speaker, and author of Happy Hour with Einstein and Happier Hour with Einstein: Another Round.?

Going to read Misbelief by Dan Ariely.

Because the human brain is so incredible and so incredibly flawed (and because I read everything that Dan Ariely writes!)

And Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant.

Because we all have hidden potential begging to be discovered.??

Valerie Gordon is a former Emmy-winning television producer who brings the Art of Storytelling for Impact and Influence to audiences and corporate leaders.?

Going to read Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant.

Because I found his previous works to be insightful and helpful in my business as well as in meeting my own goals. I recommend it to anyone interested in the human mind and its impact on realizing our potential.

Rich Gassen is a print production manager at UW-Madison and also leads a community of practice for supervisors where we explore topics on leadership and staff development.

Going to read Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant.

Because I have always sought to improve myself and those around me to achieve more through better processes, incorporating efficiencies, and harnessing strengths. I feel that this book will bring me to another level in being able to do that.

Sarah Elkins is a StrengthFinder coach and story consultant, keynote speaker, podcast host, and the author of Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will.

Going to read Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.

Because I’ve become especially sensitive to representation over the past few years, and I talk about wanting to support all people. Reading a book by a person of color and understanding her back story is one way to help me do that.

Diane Wyzga is a global podcaster, a story expert who helps clients clarify ideas and amplify messaging, and a hiker – who walks the talk.

Going to read The Perfection Trap - Embracing the Power of Good Enough by Thomas Curran.

Because as I've become aware of our culture's dangerous obsession with perfection, I want to learn to step away from my own focus on it.

Bill Whiteside is a retired software salesman who is now writing a book about Winston Churchill and a little-known event from World War II.

Going to read Larry McMurtry: A Life by Tracy Daugherty.

Because after spending the past five years researching my book with my nose in books about Britain and France in 1940, it’s going to be refreshing to read just for fun once again. McMurtry’s personality and career as a bookstore owner and a highly regarded author – “Lonesome Dove," “The Last Picture Show” and “Terms of Endearment” – fascinate me.

Mark Reid is a maker of traditional handmade Japanese paper and host of the Zen Sammich podcast.

Going to read The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham.

Because the main character's internal moral challenges and the battle with societal expectations are compelling for me to read about and contemplate.

Mark O’Brien is the founder and principal of O’Brien Communications Group, a B2B brand-management and marketing-communications firm, and host of The Anxious Voyage, a syndicated radio show about life’s trials and triumphs.

Going to read Lyrical and Critical Essays by Albert Camus.

Because as a longtime fan of Camus' existential work, I look forward to stretching my thick Irish noggin to let in a tad more light – as I always try to do.

Hope Blecher is an educational consultant and the founder of Hope's Compass, www.HopesCompass.org, a non-profit that helps members of the community and visitors to interact with survivors of the Holocaust and children of survivors through arts, music, poetry, prose, and more.?

Going to (re)read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exuperty.

Because I experience something new each time I read it.

And Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World, by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell.

Because I'm curious about what these authors will say that will help me continue on my own pathway of exploring art.

Christine Mason is the Cultivating Resilience podcast co-host, educational psychologist researcher, entrepreneur, and yoga instructor/mindfulness coach.

Going to read From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas L. Friedman.

Because Friedman knows the region exceptionally well, this book will provide me with a greater understanding of the underlying regional and religious tensions and conflicts and also prepare me to lead others in a deeper discussion toward a potential resolution and peace.

Tammy Hader is a retired accountant, a lifetime Kansan, a storyteller, a caregiver, and an author. (See above.)

Going to read Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam.

Because our relationships – our social capital – continue to be degraded in the current environment, so I want to study it, defend against it, and learn how to shift myself and my community into improved connections.

Cindy House is the author of Mother Noise, a memoir about her recovery from addiction. She is a regular opener for David Sedaris on his book lecture circuit. She is also my memoir instructor.

Going to read Art Monster: Unruly Bodies in Feminist Art by Lauren Elkin.

Because the book looks at women artists and their work as a reaction against the patriarchy. In these days of watching the GOP war against women, it seems especially important as a woman in the arts to consider how my work can be a protest against extreme political positions.?

Susan Rooks – the Grammar Goddess – is an editor/proofreader who helps nonfiction/business content authors of books/blogs/websites and podcasters and their episode transcriptions look and sound as smart as they are.

Going to read Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD.

Because as I age, I’m interested in doing everything I can to stay alive in a healthy manner.

Steve Ehrlich is a lifelong educator and has an equally long-standing calling in fly fishing. He combines those two loves in classes on the lessons of fly fishing and its treasured literature for personal and professional growth, renewal and healing, and social change.?

Going to read An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong.

Because I've always been intrigued by the interconnectedness of things, especially the things we can't fully understand.?Such a mystery is at the heart of this book, which is about how animals are connected to one another in so many ways and in a manner that most of us have difficulty comprehending.?

Annette Taylor is a rogue researcher of evolutionary psychology.

Going to finish We Are Electric by Sally Adee – but doing so scares me...

Because it seems like the author is justifying our “merging” with AI or at least romanticizing our ever increasing entanglements with technology. And since I like to simplify life using a cave-dweller perspective, this idea freaks me out.

Leon Ikler is a commercial photographer primarily shooting tabletop and small room scenes in the studio along with a mix of location work.

Going to read Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson.

Because in these contentious times with the nation so divided, I like how she frames today's issues against what has taken place in the past. I feel it is essential to know our history so we can try to avoid making the same mistakes again.

Rita Grant is a former award-winning video producer.

Going to reread The United States of Arugula by David Kamp.?

Because it's a great reminder of how our current American culinary landscape was created.

I'm ending with Rita because she also sent in another suggestion. Not a book, but a song – "You Can't Take That Away From Me," sung by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald. As Rita noted, "The lyrics will stand the test of time.?They're a testament to what we hold in our hearts and imagination that can never be taken from us."

Best wishes for the New Year. May you curl up next to the First Amendment for hours in your favorite nook and keep reading what is yours.