We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about a book they’ve read and the impact it had on them.  We’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Ross Von Rosenberg | Artist

One of my favorite books is, the memoir of Jean Dominque Bauby; it’s called, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. They’ve also made a film of the book as well, and it’s very beautiful, and not surprisingly one of my favorite films. In fact, I was so inspired by the story, I made a painting of it years ago. Anyway, I would recommend the book or film to anyone, though emotionally, it’s not something that is easy to engage with; it’s very sad. But what cuts through the sadness of it, is that there is courageousness in the books very existence. Bauby was a French journalist, who had worked his way up to being one of the editors of Elle Magazine in France. When he was 43 years old he had a massive stroke and ended up in a condition called Locked in Syndrome. Read more>>

Quincy Holloway | Good At it.

The War On Normal People by Andrew Yang. Reading this book gave me a prescient understanding of just how difficult, if not impossible it will be to rescue our middle and lower class from the chasm of our not at all distant economic future. He has a decade long view of what the “Elephant” looks like from being allowed to touch all aspects of our economy and workforce, not just the trunk, or leg. This along with other ideas in the book resonated with me as I feel like I’ve been fortunate to see the elephant of electric mobility and renewable energy from many sides. This vantage point over the last 12 years has given me a better view of the future that I wish to reside in. It’s given me a periscope out of the smog and into the world beyond internal combustion.This view has allowed me to position 3Billion, Karōshi, and RaEV at vantage a point where affordable sustainability is finally deliverable. Read more>>

Frenchie | Guitar Picker, Write Of Songs.

I’ve read (more than once) Mississippi Blues Legend Robert Honeyboy Edwards biography “The World Don’t Owe Me Nothing.” As a lifelong fan of Blues Music, it fascinates me to read the stories of some of my favorite musicians and it inspires me in my own life as an artist… considering how hard life was for these musicians and the resilience they showed, it puts things in perspective with my own personal experiences here in America. Read more>>

Neanza Jones | Travelpreneur, Vegan(ish), Wellness Influencer, Storyteller & Certified Goofball

I’m currently reading a book called “Ask and It Is Given” by Esther and Jerry Hicks. The book serves as a guide to teach women and men how to get into the right headspace to manifest their personal goals. Since starting the book, I’ve taken notice of the positive changes in my mood and wellbeing. I feel more relaxed, worry less about my future, and my confidence has skyrocketed. I’m also reading “Permission to Pivot” by Kierra Asnauskas. I haven’t finished the book yet, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far. In the past, I’ve tricked myself into believing that it was too late to start over and make changes in my life. What I love about this book is that the author emphasizes that we are all deserving of having a beautiful life and are fully capable of creating new goals for ourselves at any point of our journeys. Read more>>