Surviving Covid-19: 7 books, 2 podcasts & 1 periodical later.

There’s no doubt Covid-19 has transformed how people are spending their time. From what I have heard, many are busy binging on Netflix, others have developed an obsession with the news; while many are busy taking up new and old hobbies or a combination of all of the above. Of course, for the suddenly unemployed, finding a job has been a nerve-racking focus. For me, it’s been more miles riding on my bike and feet hiking, more time with my children and partner...and more time to escape to my books. 

As I reflect upon my choice of reading material, what I find most surprising is that not one of my selections relates to Customer Success. Without any intent, I selected books that I had been wanting to read or topics I was interested in.

1. What you do is who you are, how to create your business culture, by Ben Horowitz

I started this fascinating book a while ago but finally found time to finish it. There are so many good stories in this book, starting with one about Toussaint Louverture, an ex-Slave, who led the successful Haitian Revolution that ousted the French Colonists. Horowitz argues that Luventure was a successful leader because of his ability to build a strong culture:

The book goes on to look at other cultures, including Apple’s and has sound advice for readers to reflect upon as they build their own company culture and value set. There are so many good quotes in this book. Here is another one I jotted down in my notes to remember:

“That's the nature of culture - It’s not a single decision. It is a code that manifests itself as a vast set of actions taken over time. No one person makes or takes all these actions. Cultural design is a way to program the actions of an organization…"

2. My Brilliant Friend, (L'amica geniale), by Elena Ferrante 

The book begins in 1950s Naples and follows the lives of two intelligent girls living in a neighborhood rife with violence and poverty, where grit is a requirement for survival. As someone born in the same area, the book captured my attention immediately. Whilst I did not spend my entire childhood there, the coming-of-age narrative brought back so many memories of my youth. The book, written by an author who goes by the pseudonym, Elena Ferrante, has built a cult following and I can understand why. When you read this book, you escape into a world that no longer exists in Italy. Each time my mother, now in her 80s, goes back to her home town, she tells me how much everything has changed. What hasn’t changed is the fervent dialect (which is abundant in this narrative and my parents’ vocabulary), the love of family and food, and the strong bonds Italians of my region hold. 

As my mamma says, in Napoletano, ”Napoli è a città ciu’ bell ro’munn.”

Here is a photo of my BFF who I met at UBC when I was 17. We have been through hardships & love, no matter what, we remain loyal to our love for each other no matter how far apart.

This book is at times upsetting, when the protagonist details the mistreatment of women, and at times alluring when she shares the intimate letters of the two best friends, Lila and Elena as they grow up together but embark on very different paths.

I am now on the second of the four Neapolitan Novels, The Story of a New Name. After I finish, I plan to watch the first two books on the HBO series based on these novels. 

3. Invested, by Danielle and Phil Town

When I was 22, I received my first paycheck in the US and started contributing to a 401k. Little did I know the company would be nearly bankrupt two years later. I took the investments I had made in those two years and put them in an eTrade IRA account. I bought my first Apple stocks with that money when they were well under $100. Since then, I have been interested in buying stocks but without any real process or research (I don’t recommend this strategy!). This book written by a lawyer turned investor, explores why she was afraid of investing and how she learned to invest with the help of her dad. The book is engaging and explains the principles she applied to her investments. Since reading it, I have gone back and reviewed my portfolio and made changes accordingly. The Towns also started an educational podcast that is worth listening to called InvestED as well which I recommend.

4. Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert T. Kiyosaki

While this book was written over 20 years ago and some of the references and terms are antiquated, the concepts discussed are those that most schools don’t cover. I grew up in a Pizzeria but owning a restaurant isn’t how my parents were able to retire in their early 50s. It was through saving money and investing in property. My dad has a grade three education and my mum was studying to become a nun when they met over 60 years ago. This book outlines why getting a good education is important but not as important as what you do with the income you make. If you don’t save and invest it wisely, you will be working well past 65. I have ordered the teen version for my daughters to read as I believe it is never too early to work hard and invest in your future self. 

5. Bloomberg Business Week Magazine

You may be asking, who reads magazines anymore? Well, I do...on my elliptical in my garage when I am in a rush to get some cardio in before I start my day or on long car rides or just to zone out. The magazine provides interesting short business stories that cover trending topics but also includes interviews with leaders who often influence my thinking. One article that resonates with me is an interview with the CEO of Illy Coffee, Andrea Illy. The company is dedicated to sustainable quality and ethical values. Here is a link to the article so you can get a taste of the writing.

Favorite Quote from the CEO, Andrea Illy:

6. Pelosi, by Molly Ball

It seems that the American public either loves or hates Nancy Pelosi. I wanted to know in greater detail who this trailblazer is and why and how she has risen to one of the most powerful political positions in the United States. After all, how many 79-year-old Italian grandmothers sport four-inch heels while intelligently sparring with the Trumps of this world. The engaging book, based on interviews and reports by the author, illustrates countless examples of how Nancy tirelessly worked her way to the top, even when people put her down, and voiced disapproval of her late start in the political arena. The bottom line is, Ms. Pelosi has infinite style, wit, and perseverance and she is not going to let all the haters push her out of the history books. She speaks with conviction and is breaking barriers for women in American politics, giving a voice to those who might not be heard otherwise. I know this book won’t be for those with strong opposing political opinions. However, I found it informative and enlightening, starting with the story of Nancy’s mother, who longed to be a lawyer, but never had the opportunity to pursue her dreams.

7. Atomic Habits, by James Clear

This book grips the mind from the very first sentence, quickly leading to a horrific accident. It is such a powerful account that I read the story and the first two chapters of the book to my family as we drove back home from a weekend trip. I had to pause and hold back tears as I recounted, out loud, the author’s path from a near-death experience to developing habits that led to his successful business. I recommend this book to anyone who has set objectives. The author challenges the idea of focusing primarily on a goal and suggests better alternatives. A good podcast to go along with this book (and that I love listening to and often subject my family too), is SuperU. My favorite episode is 11 minutes long and on the subject of Accountability - the Winner’s Secret. If you have children, I suggest experiencing it with them. It will make them laugh, but also expose them to a new way of learning this fall. “Don’t be late for that Zoom class!”

Concluding Thoughts

You may be wondering how I compiled such an odd assortment of reading material. We are living in extraordinary times. Why not venture outside the box and read something out of the ordinary? If you don’t like reading or find it hard to focus on a book, consider listening to narratives while you work out, walk, cook, clean, whatever. After all, books can inspire, motivate, and contribute to one’s ideas about life. During a time when so many of us are venturing outside our homes only for essentials, books allow us to go to faraway places and learn new things from virtually anywhere.

I look forward to hearing about your favorite books during this unusual time. I am always looking to build my knowledge and challenge my beliefs.

--Emilia