Kilandra's Good Reads of 2021
The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett

Kilandra's Good Reads of 2021

Favorite book of the year: My favorite read of the year was the Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. I love fiction books because they help me keep an open mind, develop my imagination, and help develop empathy (something we could all incorporate a little more into our lives). I tend to read fiction books right after a heavy non-fiction read to get a break from harsh realities. However, even though The Vanishing Half is fiction, the themes discussed are very real. The book speaks on colorism, domestic violence, and “passing” - a term that was coined during slavery when light skin Black people would pass as White as a means to escape slavery. If you enjoy this read, you may also want to check out “Passing” the novel (by Nella Larson), and the film that was adapted from the novel.

Most insightful read of the year: The most insightful read of the year was The Spook Who Sat by the Door. This book had been on my list for a while, but seeing a few people post about it inspired me to move it up. Shoutout to Seneca and David. It was ironic that I was concurrently reading this book that partially takes place in Chicago during my first trip to Chicago. I don't want to spoil it so I’ll just say, “The revolution will not be televised” was the theme.

  1. The Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
  2. The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett
  3. Bevelations - Bevy Smith
  4. The 4-Hour Work Week - Timothy Ferriss
  5. Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
  6. Grown* - Tiffany D. Jackson
  7. The Spook Who Sat By the Door - Sam Greenlee
  8. Atomic Habits - James Clear

*Trigger warning - This book is loosely based on the R. Kelly trials.

Please send me some recommendations to add to my list for 2022! I know for sure I will be reading Will by Will Smith and a bell hooks novel, if not more than one.

Check out www.kilandrabass.com/books for more book resources.

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Lionel G. Romain

Adjunct Faculty chez Clark University

2 年

"the world fastest man' is a book by Michael Kranish that Roger Herzog passed on to me . It is about Major Taylor who is an early 20th century cyclist who overcame adversity to be a world chmpion cyclist against all odds. Major Taylor is from Worcester!

Lionel G. Romain

Adjunct Faculty chez Clark University

2 年

A Most Beautiful Thing by Arshay Cooper....The true story of America's first all-black high school rowing team.

Joshua Encarnacion

Leadership Development

2 年

Your list is ?? / The Spook Who Sat By The Door was so good I had to read it after listening to it on audiobook. Wild how many of those same characters show up in the world today & Sam Greenlee was way ahead of his time. Clearly, folks didn't like that. My 2022 list so far: - The Gift of Therapy by Irvin Yalom - Bird of Paradise by Raquel Cepada - Games People Play by Eric Berne - Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach - Will by Will Smith & Mark Manson - The Writing Life by Annie Dillard - Neuroscience for Org Change by Hilary Scarlett - Training the Mind by Chogyam Trungpa - Black Fatigue by Mary-Frances Winters - Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown - What Would Frida Do? by Arianna Davis - Emotional Alchemy by Tara Bennett-Goleman Definitely adding the "Vanishing Half" and "Passing." HNY KK!

Rachel (Rappé) Morfitt

Sr. Manager, BI & Analytics | Sports & Entertainment | ESPN Alum

2 年

Great question! For professional development I'm starting Brag Better by Meredith Fineman. For recreation, I'm listening to The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Ingrid B. Rogier, MBA

Leading Luxury Partnerships and Talents @ Kensington Grey | Strategic Brand Partnerships | ESSEC Global MBA Grad in Luxury Brand Management (Fashion&Beauty) | Diversity Advocate

2 年

I loved Atomic Habits. A life-changing book for sure. I am starting the 12 week year today!

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