What I am reading & Listening To
On My Nightstand
(and in My Earbuds)
I’ve always believed that the right book, or the right voice at the right time, can shift your perspective, spark an idea, or simply make you feel seen. Each month, I’ll share what I’m reading and listening to across a mix of topics: college admissions, parenting teens, building meaningful work, and the occasional fiction pick that simply brings me joy.
I read (and listen) widely and with purpose: to learn, to grow, to stay curious, to laugh, to cry, to feel. If you’re on a similar journey, I’d love for you to read along. Join my email list and I’ll let you know why I chose each one, and share key takeaways and reflections before revealing the next set and update you on my next Book Talk and more events.
Note
If you choose to purchase through the links below, affiliate proceeds are donated to Working Towards Change, supporting students on their path to higher education and leadership.
If you prefer to support independent bookstores, you can find these through my affiliate link at Bookshop.org.
View my list
Categories
College Admissions & Education
For the Curious College Parent
Books and resources that help demystify the college process and remind us that getting in is just part of growing up.
Valedictorians at the Gate
By Becky Munsterer Sabky
A former Dartmouth admissions officer pulls back the curtain on what colleges really look for, beyond perfect GPAs and polished applications. Munsterer Sabky’s honesty reminds parents and students alike that character and curiosity matter more than perfection.
Why I recommend it:
It’s the human side of admissions—refreshingly candid, compassionate, and exactly what students need to know before hitting “submit.”
The Truth About College Admissions: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together
By Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark
Part insider’s guide, part family therapy session, The Truth About College Admissions is a must-read for any parent and teen navigating this process together. Barnard and Clark pair practical advice with heartfelt reminders that your relationship with your teen is far more important than any acceptance letter.
Why I recommend it:
A straightforward read. It helps shift the focus from getting in to growing up—and makes space for empathy, humor, and perspective along the way.
Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania
by Frank Bruni
Bruni delivers a refreshing and necessary reality check for parents and students caught in the high-stakes college admissions race. Through stories of successful adults who didn’t attend “brand-name” schools, he dismantles the myth that prestige equals purpose or happiness.
Why I recommend it:
We have all heard it before, but this is a great reminder to families that success isn’t defined by where your teen goes, but by who they become once they get there. It’s one of the most perspective-shifting reads I recommend to every parent I meet.
Parenting Teens
For When Parenting Feels Like a Rollercoaster
Reflections on raising teens with empathy, humor, and a touch of faith that we’ll all survive this stage together.
Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It
By Jennifer Breheny Wallace
A must-read for parents, educators, and ambitious teens caught in the cycle of “doing more to be more.” Wallace explores the emotional cost of relentless striving and how to help kids build mattering—the belief that they’re valued for who they are, not just what they accomplish.
Why I recommend it:
This book hits home for so many families navigating high-achieving schools and competitive communities. It’s not about lowering expectations, it’s about raising our capacity for empathy.
The Disengaged Teen: What Parents, Schools, and Mental Health Professionals Can Do to Help
By Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop
With empathy and clarity, Anderson tackles one of today’s most pressing issues: teens who seem to have checked out. She weaves stories and science to reveal what’s behind disengagement—and how connection, not control, is the way back in.
Why I recommend it:
For parents who are trying everything and still feel stuck, Anderson and Winthrop offer hope and strategies rooted in understanding, not blame.
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People
By David Yeager, Ph.D.
Grounded in decades of research, Yeager explains what truly motivates young people: not pressure, not praise, but purpose. He helps parents, educators, and mentors understand the psychological shifts that shape motivation between adolescence and young adulthood.
Why I recommend it:
Yeager translates complex developmental science into real-world insight. It’s a guide for anyone trying to move teens from compliance to genuine commitment. I have implemented many of his suggestions with our students with much success.
Business & Leadership
For the Entrepreneurial Mind
Books that fuel creativity, leadership, and purpose, especially for those building their next act.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
By James Clear
Clear breaks down the science of lasting change into simple, actionable steps. It’s less about massive change and reinvention and more about small, consistent wins that compound over time.
Why I recommend it:
Every entrepreneur (and student) I know needs this reminder: success is built one habit, one system, one small action at a time.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts
By Brené Brown
Brené Brown invites us to lead with courage, vulnerability, and empathy, whether in our businesses, our families, or our communities. Through research and stories, she redefines leadership as the ability to see potential in people and processes and to nurture it.
Why I recommend it:
This book is the foundation for every kind of leadership I value: grounded, human, and real.
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
By Will Guidara
A masterclass in service and generosity, Will Guidara explores how going the extra mile can transform ordinary experiences into unforgettable ones. Guidara’s restaurant stories translate beautifully to business, leadership, and even parenting, reminding us that meaningful moments are built on care and connection.
Why I recommend it:
It’s a great reminder that excellence isn’t just about what we do, it’s about how we make others feel. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to build something bigger, kinder, and more intentional. While written for the restaurant industry, we have already implemented small gestures into our process that have gotten great reviews from our students – and their parents!
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