Is there a book you still think about? Perhaps a book that made you challenge your beliefs, attitudes about life, work, politics or culture? Has there been a book that deepened your convictions or broadened your worldview? These are among the questions we asked some thoughtful members of our community recently and we’ve shared their responses below.

E’Lyn Taylor | Yoga and Indoor Cycling Instructor

A book that I read last year was “More Than Enough” by Elaine Welteroth. The booked was packed with a lot of gems that encouraged me to keep pushing especially through the hard moments when I feel as if I don’t belong in a certain space or I’m not just as worthy. It also biographed Weltewroth’s real life experience battling rejection, rises and falls as a biracial woman in America. Sometimes that involves knowing how to utilize trades and experiences in non-diverse professional setting while also staying true to your culture and upbringing. Since reading that book, I’m able to accept no’s as God’s redirection as something better and make health compromises with my voice being just as important. Read more>>

Laila Dar | PR & Marketing Executive

The book that has had the biggest impact on me professionally is The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser. It talks about how as women, we’re often taught that in order to be successful in business, we must act like men: tough, aggressive and ambitious. But that’s just an outdated stereotype. As women, we can be kind, in touch with our femininity AND be effective leaders. Being a “nice girl” doesn’t mean you aren’t powerful; it can be used to your advantage to build genuine relationships that will lead to your success. This book really showed me that I can be successful by being myself. Being “nice” and wanting to help others doesn’t mean I’m a weak businesswoman. It actually makes me strong. Read more>>

Amber Andersson | Art Director, Professor, & Graphic Designer

One of the most enjoyable and eye-opening books I’ve read to date is “Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life” by Amy E. Herman. The author walks you through the importance of observing versus looking, and helps the reader hone their own observational skills by looking at different artworks. It has encouraged and equipped me to be more observant in life, but more than that, Herman discusses a myriad of other topics in her book that really resonated with me beyond the observational level. For example, one topic she hits on is that what we set as our priorities communicates something to others, whether we intend to send that message to them or not. (If we work until late in the night, we might be communicating to our families that work is a priority over them.) So, for this reason, I found this book and the knowledge Herman shares through it to be invaluable in many different areas of my life, not just as a graphic designer or art director. Read more>>