As an avid learner, professional leader, and mom of active teens, personal leisure time is limited😊.
I have found a few invaluable tools that make sneaking in reading possible:
love using the Libby app which connects to libraries for free access to media galore.
with some hesitancy, I embraced the Kindle and found that while it is not the same as the awesome feel of paper, it is still fantastic for being “on the go.”
turns out I love audio books. While definitely not a fan of talk radio, I actually get captivated by a great narrator unfolding a story. Bonus points that laundry can be folded & lunches made while listening.
Facebook has so many great book clubs for suggestions. Our company has watercooler chat channels on Teams and we regularly share books.
When time is minimal, I love a great leadership or culture podcast as a substitute. I affectionately refer to them as business fairy tales and often refer the best ones to my colleagues.
Great books serve to inspire and spark creativity. A recent favorite was The Women by Kristin Hannah. With a backdrop of Vietnam during wartime, this engaging novel shares the remarkable story of female nurses who were invaluable in healing and supporting countless soldiers for the US Army. Despite their heroic efforts, they returned to the US and were often overlooked or even shunned. Haunted by terrifying memories, they seek to assimilate back but find their world and selves so dramatically changed. Life-long bonds formed through shared circumstance, love is ignited and each character is met with this sense of having made a difference, even among such difficult times. Filled with tender and sometimes tenuous relationships, the main character, Frankie, is one who you want to cheer for and cry with through so many memorable moments. This historical fiction touches the reader and makes for a book you won’t soon forget.
Takeaway (ie, likes, dislikes):
The main character, Frankie, shows great character, integrity, and personal strength in pursuing a career mission to be a war time nurse. Despite obstacles, fear and uncertainty she recognized that within herself she has the ability to make a meaningful impact through her efforts. She was compelled by being purpose-driven and through that conviction she built tremendous relationships that became lifelong friends. Through her resilience and by holding true to her values, she made a difference in the countless lives of others.
Rating: 5/5
I would surely recommend this book and especially enjoyed the audio version, as the narration added great value.