Thank for you your recs Arzu!! I love a good audiobook too. And now I have more to add to my list 🥳
Also that’s such a good hack, reducing tv and listening to audiobooks instead. I love that idea. Sometimes I have my tv on for background noise, but why not replace with a book. Super helpful.
I resonate with your overworking experience & having it lead to physical ER ailments, thank you for sharing! I feel less alone in the self-imposed chaos of my early career thanks to you sharing your experience. Added most of your non-fiction recs to my TBR - especially bell hooks for the beach (my equivalent is Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, always a different nugget of discovery).
Thank you Emily! You’re definitely not alone in that experience. I’ve learned that it’s more common than we think.
Re: bell hooks. I love how she explores all types of love in it, not just romantic love. It’s such a beautiful read. Gift from the Sea also sounds great.
Another amazing post, Ashley! Also love that you posted NON business books in here too. So many times when I see tips to read more to become a better leader and employee...they are only business books. I love that there's all kinds of books in here!
Thank you Anna ❤️ and yes!!! That’s such a good point. Personally, variety is important to me. It keeps me balanced and kind of breaks up the monotony of only hyper-focusing on a particular topic.
Thanks so much for the recs! I can’t wait to read Atmosphere, and I learned so much from all about love.
One thing I wondered, is what’s propping up those successful leaders so that they have time to read this much? Is it a doting spouse who takes care of the household needs, an assistant who blocks out time, some possible sleep deprivation to balance the demands of a high-stakes role with continuing to improving yourself, discipline to listen to books during life’s in-between moments, etc?
I read 2–3 books a month, and I feel grateful that I’m in a time of my life (re: single and no kids yet) where I have the space to consume that much. But I suspect not everyone, especially women balancing careers, parenthood, and emotional labor of partnership, have that kind of time.
The study mentioned in the Inc. article focused on CEOs, who we know are more likely to be men. So to the women reading this, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not reading 4 to 5 books a month, especially if you’re a mom and a leader trying to climb! Success looks different for everyone, and while making time read is super important, there are times when we need to remember that people have other responsibilities that could take them away from that.
Appreciate you highlighting this! I want to be clear that the point of this post wasn’t to tell anyone they should be reading 4–5 books a month. That stat was an interesting data point I came across that made me think.
The deeper message (for me!) still stands. It’s about how reading helps me stay grounded and interrupted some of the unhealthy work patterns I used to normalize — spiraling, obsessing, not knowing how to rest. Books gave me back some perspective.
And I am also not afraid to admit I don’t read 4-5 books a month myself lol and there is ZERO shame in that!
These are all valid points and true for many. I found my way through prioritisation. I am a corporate leader and a mom and I love reading. I always have my book in my bag, I listen to audiobooks during my commute. There are some seasons where I don’t read as much as I want due to work or home priorities but I always try my best to read. It is at the end of the day quality not quantity that matters.
Taking ‘Naps’ can be really helpful also…
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/thomas-edisons-naps-inspire-a-way-to-spark-your-own-creativity/
Love a good nap!!!
Picked up Girl on Girl thanks to you!! Can't wait to read it.
I am dying to hear your take on it!
Thank you for this amazing post Ashley! I saw it on my email and saw that it was about books so I waited till I was home to read it!!
I read average of 3-4 books a month and my secret is not watching tv and listening to audiobooks.
I have read and loved some of the books you shared (The Gap and the Gain is fab!!) and others are going into my to be read list.
Here are my all time favorites:
Likeable Badass - Alison Fragale
Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss
Four Thousand Weeks - Oliver Burkeman
The First Rule of Mastery - Michael Gervais
7 Rules of Power - Jeffrey Pfeffer
Happy reading!
Thank for you your recs Arzu!! I love a good audiobook too. And now I have more to add to my list 🥳
Also that’s such a good hack, reducing tv and listening to audiobooks instead. I love that idea. Sometimes I have my tv on for background noise, but why not replace with a book. Super helpful.
Glad it resonated with you, Ashley!
I am currently listening to “The Way of Integrity” by Oprah’s life coach Martha Beck and it’s great!
Spotify offers free audiobooks if you have premium account 😉
Thanks for the book recs!
You’re welcome Madelyn!!
I resonate with your overworking experience & having it lead to physical ER ailments, thank you for sharing! I feel less alone in the self-imposed chaos of my early career thanks to you sharing your experience. Added most of your non-fiction recs to my TBR - especially bell hooks for the beach (my equivalent is Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, always a different nugget of discovery).
Thank you Emily! You’re definitely not alone in that experience. I’ve learned that it’s more common than we think.
Re: bell hooks. I love how she explores all types of love in it, not just romantic love. It’s such a beautiful read. Gift from the Sea also sounds great.
Another amazing post, Ashley! Also love that you posted NON business books in here too. So many times when I see tips to read more to become a better leader and employee...they are only business books. I love that there's all kinds of books in here!
Thank you Anna ❤️ and yes!!! That’s such a good point. Personally, variety is important to me. It keeps me balanced and kind of breaks up the monotony of only hyper-focusing on a particular topic.
Thanks so much for the recs! I can’t wait to read Atmosphere, and I learned so much from all about love.
One thing I wondered, is what’s propping up those successful leaders so that they have time to read this much? Is it a doting spouse who takes care of the household needs, an assistant who blocks out time, some possible sleep deprivation to balance the demands of a high-stakes role with continuing to improving yourself, discipline to listen to books during life’s in-between moments, etc?
I read 2–3 books a month, and I feel grateful that I’m in a time of my life (re: single and no kids yet) where I have the space to consume that much. But I suspect not everyone, especially women balancing careers, parenthood, and emotional labor of partnership, have that kind of time.
The study mentioned in the Inc. article focused on CEOs, who we know are more likely to be men. So to the women reading this, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not reading 4 to 5 books a month, especially if you’re a mom and a leader trying to climb! Success looks different for everyone, and while making time read is super important, there are times when we need to remember that people have other responsibilities that could take them away from that.
Appreciate you highlighting this! I want to be clear that the point of this post wasn’t to tell anyone they should be reading 4–5 books a month. That stat was an interesting data point I came across that made me think.
The deeper message (for me!) still stands. It’s about how reading helps me stay grounded and interrupted some of the unhealthy work patterns I used to normalize — spiraling, obsessing, not knowing how to rest. Books gave me back some perspective.
And I am also not afraid to admit I don’t read 4-5 books a month myself lol and there is ZERO shame in that!
Yes - reading is so great and fills lots of cups! Just don’t want women to feel pressured that this is trait they’d have to do have become a CEO!!
They shouldn’t! There are much bigger fish to fry 😂 reading is generative but not a pre-requisite
These are all valid points and true for many. I found my way through prioritisation. I am a corporate leader and a mom and I love reading. I always have my book in my bag, I listen to audiobooks during my commute. There are some seasons where I don’t read as much as I want due to work or home priorities but I always try my best to read. It is at the end of the day quality not quantity that matters.
Love this + the thoughtful conversation here. Thank you both!!!
Definitely! Love that you actively can make time for it!