Reading is a passion of many Mahaloans, and particularly mine, as evidenced by my office moniker, Word Girl. In order to bring this shared passion to the workplace (as our Mahalo values encourage) we recently began the Mahalo Book Club. Book club exposes each of us to new genres and authors that we may not otherwise explore, as well as giving us a great excuse to share a meal and a discussion.
The value of books has taken on new meaning in my life with the recent arrival of my son. (We’ll call him Word Baby). We read together every day in the hopes that it translates into a lifelong passion for him, in addition to bestowing many benefits on his developing brain. It makes me realize that sharing books together, not only with children but with adults too, is truly a gift: the gift of learning new things, of broadening our imaginations, and of shared experiences.
Here are some of Mahalo’s favorite books for all ages! We hope you’ll pick up one (or two, or three) this summer!
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
Perhaps our most insightful book club read so far, Rubin’s classification of motivation types has informed our interactions with our co-workers, clients, and our families, and certainly helped us strengthen our Mahalo value of self awareness. Fun fact: Mahalo Digital is comprised of one rebel, one upholder, and the rest are obligers!
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell always opens the door to fascinating subjects, and in this book he aims to change the way we think about advantages and disadvantages by sharing the surprising ways history’s underdogs have overcome “giant” obstacles. This is a great reminder for this small but mighty digital agency of ours.
Conroy is a prolific novelist whose works cover the spectrum of human experiences from friendship and marriage to racism and crime. South of Broad is no exception. Pick this one up to be transported to Charleston, South Carolina.
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
We can’t resist the Hawaiian setting of Hemmings’ book, but the heart-wrenching story of a family is what will keep you turning the pages. George Clooney stars in the movie version, but we recommend you pick up the book first.
Wolfe, who passed away in May, has been called America’s most talented writer. As a tribute to him we’re reading his second novel, which is said to be an intensely realistic look at contemporary America, as well as one of his most lauded achievements.
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
The coming of summer means that baseball season is in full swing. There’s no better time to dive into a literary novel focused on America’s favorite pastime.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
In our industry we certainly know and struggle with forces that hamper our creativity. Pressfield succinctly outlines how to recognize the resistance we face, how to overcome it, and ultimately unleash our creativity and achieve success.
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
If you’re up for some summer skill-building, pick up this title from a former FBI hostage negotiator. His tactics will help you both in your personal and professional life, even if your profession doesn’t involve negotiating with armed criminals.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ckby Mark Manson
Mason tells us that the way we’ve been taught to deal with adversity, to make lemonade out of lemons, may not in fact make us as happy as being able to deal with the sour lemons. Pick this up for some self help with a side of profanity.
And here are a few of our favorite children’s books:
That Book Woman by Heather Henson
A touching story about discovering a love of books, it pays tribute to the Pack Horse Librarians of Appalachia and the good work they did during the Great Depression.
How to Behave and Why by Munro Leaf
So much more than a children’s book, How to Behave is really a guidepost for living as a citizen in this world. It’s a simple yet effective way to introduce children to the all-important values of honesty, strength, fairness, and wisdom.
Want to read along with us?
Our next book club pick is I’ve Been Thinking by Maria Shriver. She recently spoke in Marin County and one Mahaloan was there to hear her reflections on her oftentimes painfully public life, and how this book aims to help readers in their journey to what she calls ‘The Open Field’ – a place of acceptance, purpose, joy, and passion.
What are you reading now? What are your top book recommendations? Let us know and we may pick your title for our next read!
