Key Takeaways From The Good Life

Christi Hegstad August 14th, 2024

What does ‘the good life’ mean to you?

Some may think of bank accounts, houses, and cars.

Others may veer towards health, laughter, and a sense of contentment.

And still others may describe adventure, exotic travel, and experiences.

But I’m not asking about what others might say. I’m wondering what makes a good life for you?

Exploring The Good Life

Over 80 years ago, researchers began what is now known as the Harvard Study of Adult Development to help answer this ‘good life’ question scientifically. The study participants, who now span multiple generations and a variety of backgrounds, respond to surveys and interviews every couple of years – as well as complete physical health exams, psychological assessments, blood tests, and more – to aid in forming a picture of what supports a happy and meaningful life at any age.

Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz have summarized this for us – so far, anyway (the study is, of course, ongoing) – in their excellent book, The Good Life.

To say I devoured this book would be an understatement. Between the personal stories, research findings, participant experiences, and results offered, I found this incredibly readable and also incredibly powerful. Here are just two of my takeaways:

The Journey vs The Destination

As cliche as it may sound, it’s so true: It’s not about the destination but rather the path and what we learn, experience, and choose along the way.

“Second by second, you can decide to whom and to what you give your attention,” write Waldinger & Schulz. “Week by week you can prioritize your relationships and choose to be with the people who matter. Year by year you can find purpose and meaning through the lives that you enrich and the relationships that you cultivate.” (p281)

I’ve long said we create our legacy each and every day, by the decisions we make and the actions we choose to take. This book certainly reaffirmed that for me.

It’s Never Too Late

Relatedly, this book shares inspiring stories of people who decided, even late in life, to make changes that would positively impact their own lives as well as the lives of those around them.

“It’s never too late to be happy,” the authors conclude. “And it’s never too late to start now and leave a mark.”

This is not just a feel-good phrase; this is a scientifically-backed statement.

Practical And Purposeful

Throughout the book, Waldinger & Schulz share strategies, concepts, and models – such as the W.I.S.E.R. Model for handling difficult or emotionally challenging issues – along with ideas for utilizing them in our everyday lives. This blend of practical applications backed by data provides a depth I profoundly appreciate in personal + professional development resources.

I also found their commentary on time really fascinating. They mention phrases we commonly use – like ‘spending’ time or ‘paying’ attention – and discuss how we often intermingle our language with economic terms, yet time and attention are truly among our most valuable of resources.

“Time and attention are not something we can replenish,” the authors remind us. “They are what our life is. When we offer time and attention, we are not merely spending and paying. We are giving our lives.”

Wow!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was very impressed with this book, which I read in both audio and print form and recommend either/both. If you are looking for insights and inspiration to connect more fully, engage more deeply, and perhaps expand your thoughts on the good life, check out this enlightening resource!

Key Takeaways From Slow Productivity

Christi Hegstad April 26th, 2024

“My goal is to offer a more humane and sustainable way to integrate professional efforts into a life well lived. To embrace slow productivity … is to reorient your work to be a source of meaning instead of overwhelm, while still maintaining the ability to produce valuable output.”

Cal Newport, Slow Productivity

How much of your day is consumed by meetings, emails, direct messages, video chats, notifications, impromptu pop-ins … and all with a low hum of ‘do more and do it faster’ underneath?

And notice I didn’t say how much of your workday. Many who reach out to me for coaching, for instance, often find themselves spending so much time ‘putting out fires’ during the workday that they don’t actually get to their own work until after the kids are in bed.

‘Busy’ may no longer be seen as the badge of honor it once was (thankfully). But in today’s competitive work environment, we still experience a fair share of hustle, intensity, 24/7 connectivity, ongoing urgency, and the general pressure of constantly keeping dozens of balls in the air.

Enter the concept of slow productivity.

In his latest book, Slow Productivity, Cal Newport explores a different approach to achievement – one that still allows us to reach significant goals and accomplish important objectives, but easing up on the frenzied, nonstop, ultimately unsustainable pace we may currently experience.

Newport – who also wrote one of my favorite books, Deep Work – proposes three main principles for slow productivity:

1. Do fewer things.

2. Work at a natural pace.

3. Obsess over quality.

Now, at first glance you might think, “Sure, that would all be nice, but it’s not realistic in my (organization, industry, role, etc).”

Newport understands, and anticipated this response.

“I want to reassure you,” he explains early in the book, “that slow productivity doesn’t ask that you extinguish ambition. Humans derive great satisfaction from being good at what they do and producing useful things. This philosophy can be understood as providing a more sustainable path toward these achievements.”

Newport then spends the rest of the book offering ideas, strategies, examples, and tips to help us weave components of slow productivity into our current situation as well as into the future.

He also challenges us to rethink some of the beliefs we currently hold about productivity, beginning with how we even define the word: “[K]nowledge workers have no agreed-upon definition of what productivity even means,” he states right away on page 15. To some of his survey respondents, it simply means a variation of ‘work all the time.’

Without a clear understanding of productivity, however, how can we truly expect to be productive? For me, this brings to mind a quote attributed to Henry David Thoreau: “It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”

Throughout Slow Productivity, Newport helps us think through these concepts and questions. A few highlights:

• Numerous examples. From Benjamin Franklin to Jewel to Lin-Manuel Miranda to Alanis Morisette, Newport offers important glimpses of the slower, deliberate action behind the scenes of what we might have thought were ‘overnight successes.’

• Useful terms. Often when we can name or define something, we can more clearly leverage our experience with it. For instance, Newport mentions ‘productivity termites’ – those small, less important tasks that can eat away at your time and shake the whole foundation of what you’re trying to build. That term will stick with me when it comes to prioritizing my day!

• Counterintuitive solutions. When your schedule overflows, adding something new can feel impossible; however, Newport offers the idea of “immersing yourself in appreciation for fields that are different than your own.” He gives himself as an example: While studying other nonfiction writers is useful to a point, it can also result in shoulds, comparison, and the like. He has thus taken a deep dive into film study, a topic he thoroughly enjoys and which satisfies his inner achiever with something other than work. This can help provide a sense of balance while adding some fun, too.

• Allowing fluidity. Newport doesn’t suggest adhering to the proposed strategies every day, all the time. He mentions allowing for seasons of intensity, such as what the lead-up to a new product launch might require. The point is to approach these seasons intentionally, not by default, and to also balance them with quieter seasons, such as a vacation, a periodic midweek day off, or implementing ‘no meeting Mondays.’

• Creating containers. This may sound odd when talking about time, but – similar to batching – it can be as simple as reserving certain days or times for particular activities so they don’t seep into everything else. Scheduling office hours, for instance, can serve as a way to streamline back-and-forth emails, non-urgent questions, and ‘Do you have a quick second?’ requests that invariably take longer than a quick second. Planning a designated time each day or multiple times a week can allow issues to be addressed in a timely manner while also supporting deep work.

Newport acknowledges throughout the book that the actions proposed won’t necessarily apply to all; an emergency room physician will work differently than an academic researcher preparing an article for publication, for example. His audience is primarily knowledge workers, however the strategies – or variations on them – can potentially make a difference for a wide variety of professionals.

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking resource, I suggest giving Slow Productivity a read. And I also recommend doing so with a laptop or pen/paper nearby, so you can jot down the tips and steps you can put into action in your own work and life.

Here’s to your meaningful success!

Enrollment in Coaching + Connection With Dr. Christi for the second half of 2024 is now open – for only a brief time! Click here for details and to join us!

12 Ideas For Reading + Enjoying Nonfiction Books!

Christi Hegstad April 10th, 2024

While chatting with a friend, our conversation – unsurprisingly – veered toward books. She looked at all the page flags in my most recent read, listened as I gushed excitedly about my current book, and realized that I had been to multiple bookstores and libraries (note the plural) in the past week.

“You are such a nerd!” she (lovingly) said.

Believe me, this is not the first time I’ve been called a nerd. I am a proud book nerd, word nerd, nerd in general. It’s even declared in the About page of my website! I wear this label with delight.

In addition to frequently being called a nerd, I am also frequently asked how I read so much – particularly nonfiction. I tend to read about 100 books a year, and while I haven’t crunched the numbers, I suspect about 40% of them are nonfiction. I’m starting off this year with more nonfiction, however: Of the 26 books I’ve read so far, 15 have been nonfiction, with several five-star reads among them (hooray!).

If you’d like to weave more nonfiction into your life, I’ve generated a dozen ideas to help, along with some book suggestions as well. Let’s see if one of these resonates with you!

1. Think about your why.

If you’re familiar with me or my work, this first idea will come as no surprise – I suggest considering the purpose behind nearly any endeavor or action. In terms of reading, when you think about why you’re picking up a particular book, it can help you engage with it more fully as well as hopefully gain what you need from it.

Whether you’re reading to learn something new, to advance in your work, to gain tips for organizing your kitchen, or to feel inspired, reflecting on this in advance can help you read through that lens.

2. Choose what you love.

What lights you up? If you select a nonfiction book that matches an interest, passion, or goal, you may find yourself picking it up more easily and frequently.

A couple years ago I set a mileage goal for walking/running. Often while out on the trail, I would listen to audiobooks like The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal or Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor and Michelle Hamilton. Not only did this make my miles super enjoyable, I often went further than planned simply so I could continue listening!

3. Explore something new.

What’s a topic you know very little about? What niche subject intrigues you? Reading about something brand new to you, or of which you have little background knowledge, can be a fun exploration into nonfiction. I am currently reading The Dictionary People by Sarah Ogilvie and find it fascinating, in part because I’ve never really thought deeply about how the Oxford English Dictionary came to fruition – and now I am learning from an expert!

Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, and finding out can be a thrill.

4. Discuss the book with others.

This is why Your Best Self and many other book clubs exist: to bring a community of people together to chat about what we’re reading and learning. One of my favorite aspects of a group conversation is discovering how everyone picks up on different things from the same text. We all have unique life experiences, so different highlights and takeaways will stand out for each of us.

In addition to the book club environment, finding a reading partner can be another way to enjoy a nonfiction pick. Maybe you and a friend decide to read a chapter a week and check in with each other via text or over coffee every Friday. This can add richness to the experience and keep you motivated, too.

5. Look at the reference section, or back cover blurbs, of a book you enjoyed.

Well-researched nonfiction will typically include a list of other books, articles, and resources in the back. If you finish one book and want more, turn to the references and see what stands out for you. Years ago, I saw the book Mindset by Carol Dweck cited so frequently that I simply had to read it; it is now one of my all-time favorite nonfiction books!

Our second quarter pick for Your Best Self book club is Slow Productivity by Cal Newport, which has about a dozen pages of reference notes in the back to prompt further reading. The back cover can also be a source for finding authors you enjoy; Slow Productivity includes blurbs by Oliver Burkeman, Johann Hari, and others, for example.

6. Try different formats.

If you’ve tried nonfiction in print form before and haven’t felt satisfied, consider trying it on audio, or vice versa. Shaking up the method of reading can change the entire experience.

In addition to experimenting between print, audio, and ebook, consider different writing formats as well. A few years ago I read Good Talk by Mira Jacob; prior to that, I don’t believe I had ever read a graphic memoir. It was such a unique way to read someone’s life experience!

7. Look into the fiction authors you love.

You might be surprised to discover that some of your favorite fiction writers have also published memoirs, essay collections, or other nonfiction works as well. This can provide an excellent starting point for nonfiction, since you’ve already enjoyed something by the writer.

Years ago, after reading excellent novels by Barbara Kingsolver, I found myself equally engrossed in her memoir, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Likewise, last year – I believe for the first time ever – I had an author on both my top ten fiction and nonfiction lists of the year! (If you’re curious, it was Ann Patchett, and I enjoyed both These Precious Days [nonfiction] and Tom Lake [fiction] in the same year.)

8. Pick an essay collection or anthology.

Collections are a wonderful entry into nonfiction for a number of reasons: You might more easily dip in and out of them; they are often perfect for dividing into consistent reading experiences, such as one essay per day or week; they can introduce you to a variety of authors and/or perspectives within a particular topic of interest.

In recent years I’ve read some wonderful collections that also taught me a great deal. Two that stand out in my mind are Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong, and It’s Not About The Burqa, edited by Mariam Khan.

9. Designate certain times for nonfiction.

I know a number of people, myself included, who choose an inspirational text to read while sipping their morning beverage. A few pages each morning can start your day off on a positive note, plus over time those few pages a day equal an entire book completed.

I typically have a fiction and a nonfiction book going at any given time, and I will often read the nonfiction during pockets of availability throughout the workday (over lunch or while waiting for an appointment, for instance) and then savor some fiction in the evening or before bed. It helps me keep both books moving forward but can also prevent me from spending any precious reading time wondering what to read!

10. Create your own ‘curriculum’ or project.

What topic would you love to expand your learning around? Try curating a list of book possibilities, perhaps with the help of a bookseller and/or librarian, and setting up your own private learning curriculum. Depending on how you like to plan, you might even structure it like a syllabus with timelines and so on. (If that makes you cringe, though, no problem – you might prefer having a selection of themed books that you can move back and forth between.)

There are a number of project-style books that could provide inspiration in this regard, too. Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project comes to mind, as does Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes.

11. Read about people you admire.

Memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies can all provide insight into the lives of people you admire. Historical figures, present-day leaders, business owners, actors, scientists, comedians, activists … the list of possibilities goes on.

Make a list of people from or about whom you’d love to learn more, or simply search through a list of memoirs and see which one sounds intriguing. Audiobook memoirs are often narrated by the author, which can add a bit of extra impact to the reading experience.

12. Let yourself be surprised.

While putting thought and intention into your nonfiction reading choices can provide excellent value, allow yourself to be swept away by something that – for whatever reason, or perhaps for seemingly no reason whatsoever – just piques your interest. Sometimes entering a book with no expectations can lead to a remarkable read!

I have found this to be true many times over. Two years ago, I heard about Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and, although I knew very little about it, I decided to pick it up. Spoiler alert: it showed up on my top ten list later that year! I currently have another of her books, Gathering Moss, on hold and am hopeful for a similar experience.

I hope this sparks ideas for you as you venture into, or further into, the world of nonfiction! What other ideas would you add? And what nonfiction book stands out in your mind? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Reading Wrap-Up – March 2024!

Christi Hegstad April 3rd, 2024

For a book lover, little compares to the feeling of being fully engrossed in a book: Those experiences when you excitedly look for pockets of time throughout the day to pick the book up, stay up past your bedtime reading, and want to reread it as soon as you turn the final page.

To experience that three times in one month felt absolutely magical!

After some bookish ups and downs in February, March truly delivered. I read 12 books, 8 of which were nonfiction, and I rated nearly all of them 4 or 5 stars. A true thrill for a book nerd!

Trying to choose my favorite nonfiction of the month actually resulted in a three-way tie:

The Perfectionist’s Guide To Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler

How To Walk Into A Room by Emily P. Freeman

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

I plan to share stand-alone reviews for each of these, and I have touched on them briefly on Instagram, so I won’t go into detail here. In addition, I’ll be facilitating group discussions on all three of these in the months to come, so stay tuned for details to join in!

What book has inspired, informed, and/or drawn you in lately? Please share!

February 2024 Reading Wrap-up!

Christi Hegstad February 29th, 2024

I’m not sure if I was in a reading slump or just preoccupied with other things, but a good part of February involved either not reading much or not particularly loving what I was reading. Fortunately my bookish experience turned around in the last couple of weeks – I finished several books, including two of my favorites, within the last few days of the month!

In total, I read 8 books in February: 4 nonfiction and 4 fiction. My favorite nonfiction of the month was The Art Thief by Michael Finkel, a fascinating and infuriating account of someone who stole a significant amount of art in the 1990s and 2000s – in broad daylight, in plain sight, without violence, during museum operating hours. I really enjoy Finkel’s narrative style and appreciate the amount of research and care he puts into his projects. I felt the same way when I read The Stranger in the Woods by him a few years back.

Other nonfiction I enjoyed this month included Sunshine Girl by Julianna Margulies (one of my favorite actors, and she reads the audiobook), Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton, and Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal.

Let me know if you’d like me to expand on any of these, or to share my fiction reads as well! In the meantime, what was your favorite book this month?

Key Takeaways From Hidden Potential

Christi Hegstad February 21st, 2024

This blog was originally published on the Dog-Eared Books website.

Are you living up to your highest potential? Are you helping others do the same?

Would you like to?

We all have the capacity to accomplish great things and make a meaningful difference, and Adam Grant’s latest book, Hidden Potential, offers guidance and ideas for doing just that. This book is a fantastic read at any time, but particularly at the start of the new year – with insights we can apply to our growth and goals throughout 2024 and beyond!

If you’re new to Adam Grant, he holds quite an impressive background: he’s an organizational psychologist, a top-rated professor at The Wharton School, the author of multiple books (including one of my all-time favorites, Think Again), a highly-viewed TED Talk presenter, a podcast host, and more. His research and writing have been widely published and acclaimed, including an article you may have come across when it went viral in 2021 about languishing – a topic he also addresses in Hidden Potential.

Grant brings his research, experience, and signature voice to every page of this latest release. Interspersed with stories, personal examples, and even cartoon drawings, readers can easily find themselves fully engaged in the text while learning practical strategies to implement in work, relationships, and life.

For starters, Hidden Potential is a terrific resource for:

• Getting unstuck – including identifying what may have brought us to feeling stuck in the first place, such as burnout or boreout (more on that below). “A rut is not a sign that you’ve tanked. A plateau is not a cue that you’ve peaked,” explains Grant. “They’re signals that it may be time to turn around and find a new route.”

• Enhancing motivation. From practicing music scales or sports drills repeatedly, to thriving even in repetitive work routines, Grant shares inspiring stories of people who have put the book’s concepts into practice and boosted their motivation as a result. I love the example of Nurse Quick Shot, an allergy nurse who used the concept of harmonious passion (described fully in the book) to bring ideas into her work that made it more enjoyable while also putting her patients at ease.

• Helping others fulfill their potential, whether our children, students, employees, team members, or others with whom we connect. From the questions we ask, to the behaviors we model, to the coaching we offer, to numerous other areas, Hidden Potential highlights the value in uncovering and fulfilling our own potential while also supporting others in doing the same.

Grant is exceptional at providing evidence-based suggestions in a conversational tone, offering a wide range of examples to help us relate them to our own experience. I’ve never had dreams of becoming an astronaut, for example, but in reading the story of José Hernandez – an individual Grant highlights who did have that dream and overcame significant odds as he pursued it – I found myself taking tips from his experience and applying them to the goals and dreams I do have. Reading such profound stories of real-life people taking action to fulfill their highest potential is inspiring in and of itself; partnered with actionable practices we can put into place makes us unstoppable.

Throughout Hidden Potential, we are also introduced to a number of concepts that may be completely new to us but become so useful once learned. A new-to-me word I mentioned earlier – boreout – is one such example: Unlike burnout, which Grant describes as the emotional exhaustion we experience when we feel overloaded or overwhelmed, boreout is the emotional deadening we experience when we are under-stimulated. Both impact our capacity to engage at our highest potential but can stem from different sources. Other concepts include languishing, deliberate play, and harmonious passion, to name a few. Being able to recognize what we’re experiencing, as well as give it a name, may help us formulate solutions and/or get the help and support we need in order to thrive.

I particularly appreciate Grant’s point about how fulfilling our potential isn’t only about setting new goals or achieving greater heights; it’s also found in resilience, shifting gears, and bouncing back. We may feel like we’re failing – or at least not succeeding – when we discover we need to slow down or backtrack a bit, and thus berate ourselves for not moving more quickly. “Beating yourself up doesn’t make you stronger,” writes Grant, “it leaves you bruised.” Recognizing growth even in the challenging times is a valuable part of unleashing our hidden potential – an easily-overlooked but important reminder.

If you’ve read Hidden Potential and want to discuss it, or if you haven’t read it yet and want to learn more, join me on January 24, 6pm, at Dog-Eared Books in Ames! During this inaugural session of Your Best Self book club, we’ll chat about the book’s standout stories, helpful concepts, and how we can apply the ideas to our lives, work, and interactions. It will be an engaging conversation and a fabulous way to kickstart the new year!

January 2024 – Reading Wrap-up!

Christi Hegstad January 31st, 2024

January proved to be an excellent reading month for me! And between listening to audiobooks while traveling and cozying up with books when the wind chills stayed at -40 degrees for multiple days, it was a productive one as well.

I read 9 books in January, including 6 nonfiction and 3 fiction. My favorite nonfiction of the month was How To Know A Person by David Brooks. Here’s an excerpt of the LinkedIn post I wrote upon finishing:

At its core, How To Know A Person focuses on how to help others truly feel seen, heard, and valued. Brooks touches on topics like vulnerability, empathy, grief, and asking thoughtful questions, as well as the significance of being there for others even when we don’t know the ‘right words’ to say. I was unexpectedly brought to tears with a few of the stories he shared, particularly around what we might think of as ‘small’ moments that can actually turn out to be incredibly deep and meaningful.

(You can find more @ChristiHegstad on LinkedIn.)

If you wish to strengthen certain relationships, connect more deeply with others, or engage in a profession that includes regular one-on-one conversations (ie, coaches, managers, and more), consider giving this a read!

Have you read this or other books by David Brooks? What other excellent book(s) have you read recently?

Top Ten Books Of The Year – Fiction Edition!

Christi Hegstad December 19th, 2023

Last week I posted my nonfiction favorites; this week, it’s fiction’s turn!

At the time of this writing, I’ve read nearly 100 books, almost evenly split between fiction and nonfiction. Below, after much difficulty (book nerd problems! :-)), I’ve listed the ten fiction books that topped my list. Have you read any of these?

French Braid by Anne Tyler

This is my second Tyler book (I read A Spool of Blue Thread last year) and I feel she writes the ultimate ‘quiet story’ – nothing much happens outside of everyday life stuff, yet as the reader I somehow can’t stop turning the pages. Her character development is extraordinary, as is the vividness of her environments and the draw of emotions. I have two more of hers I plan to read – possibly over the holidays – so I may need to update this list at that time!

Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton*

I’m cheating a bit here since I’m encapsulating eight books into one entry. I was told about this series near the start of the year and have been enjoying about one book a month since (and luckily still have 20+ more waiting in the wings!). A fun mystery series with a smart, somewhat sarcastic middle-aged protagonist who keeps finding herself involved in solving the crimes of her small British village; these books have helped fill the void left by no Louise Penny book being published this year. I listen to the audiobooks via my library’s Libby app and thoroughly enjoy the narrator – a factor which often can make or break a reading experience.

True Biz by Sara Novic

I picked this one up on a bit of a whim and hoped to enjoy it, but I had no idea how deeply I would adore – and truly be moved by – it. The book focuses on a group of high school students and their families, faculty, and friends at the River Valley School for the Deaf, and seamlessly addresses a whole range of social issues while sharing a gripping story. I empathized with so many characters in this book and marvel at Novic’s ability to weave together such a compelling, eye-opening narrative.

Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

I don’t follow many book prizes too closely, with one exception: the Women’s Prize for Fiction. This award list has led me to some of my favorite books of the year, multiple years in a row. Wandering Souls, a historical fiction story of a family fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s, was touching, heartbreaking, and beautiful, and probably not a book I would have known about had it not been for the prize. A short, powerful read offering a unique perspective.

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane

Keane’s earlier book, Ask Again Yes, made it into my top ten a few years ago, so I was thrilled to hear she had written another – and even more thrilled that I loved this one, too. She has a way of writing such flawed (aka, human) characters that have you cheering for them, yelling at them, and relating to them deeply, all at once. At one point in the story, I literally gasped because a character I thought I knew so well made a completely different choice than I expected. I love experiencing such emotion through literature!

The Lost Husband by Katherine Center*

I haven’t read much in the romance/rom com genre lately, but I wanted a paperback while traveling and decided to give Katherine Center a try. I’ve since read a couple more of hers and, like I wrote above about Anne Tyler, have others on deck in the near future! Center’s books somehow manage to be both light and funny yet deep and touching, too. Fortunately she has quite a backlist so I’ll have picks for a good while.

Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

Clocking in at 672 pages, this was definitely the longest book I read this year, and I enjoyed every page! Classics usually take me a little while to get into in terms of the language and cadence, but once I fell into the flow of this one, I was entranced. We often seem to revel in the ‘simple life’ nostalgia of these times, but authors like Gaskell show how not simple it truly was, especially for certain people. I’ve now got several other Gaskell works on my TBR; North And South will be next.

Foster by Claire Keegan*

Size-wise, this one is at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Wives & Daughters at barely more than a novella, but equally as poignant. Keegan has a mastery of words unlike any other author I know; her writing is sparse yet packed with imagery and meaning. I had a hard time deciding whether Foster or her later book, Small Things Like These, would make the list – I read both this year and both were absolutely stunning.

Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

An award-winning book and a popular movie – both of which have been around for 30+ years – and I am just now getting to this novel! Definitely worth the wait, though. I loved the great care the main character took with his work, finding meaning in each of his various tasks as a butler; I also ached for him and some of the realizations he had along the way. Such a quiet, compelling story – I haven’t yet seen the movie and am not sure I will, but I may very well reread the book.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

As I shared in my nonfiction top ten list, I believe this is the first time in decades of reading that an author has made both my fiction and nonfiction favorites the same year! I adore Patchett’s gift for storytelling; while I didn’t love everything she incorporated into this one, I can’t deny how vividly I still picture the cherry orchards and the theater company and nearly everything else she described. The cover of this book is glorious, but I also recommend the audiobook – read by another master of her craft, Meryl Streep.

What an outstanding reading year 2023 has been, supplemented by fun bookish podcasts and insightful booktubers, too. What tops your list of favorite books for the year?

* Signifies that I’ve read and enjoyed multiple books by the author this year!

Top Ten Books of 2023 – Nonfiction Edition!

Christi Hegstad December 13th, 2023

What an excellent reading year 2023 has been! This has made narrowing down my list to ten favorites delightfully difficult, but today’s blog is my attempt to take on this annual challenge.

My ten favorite nonfiction reads are listed here in no particular order. If you’ve read any of them, I’d love to hear your thoughts, too!

HumanKind by Rutger Bregman

A beautiful, thoughtful read that can help restore your faith in humanity. Bregman does a terrific job presenting facts about our world that show quite a different story than what we may see on the nightly news. Although not sugar-coated nor in denial of the issues we face, HumanKind is an optimistic and uplifting read, and also a good reminder to think critically and not simply take headlines and sensationalism at face value.

All The Beauty In The World by Patrick Bringley

This may be the only nonfiction book on my list this year that actually brought tears to my eyes. We see (and I typically enjoy) a lot of ‘project for a year’ types of books, but this was completely different: prompted in large part by grief, Bringley left his fast-paced career in journalism to quietly stand guard over the artwork at the Metropolitan Museum of Art – a position he then held for the next ten years. I love the reflective nature of this work and his story, and the deep impacts he experienced in all aspects of life.

Wild & Precious, narrated by Sophia Bush and others

I’ve long been a fan of Mary Oliver’s gorgeous poetry, and this book (found only in audio format, I believe) reminds me that I’m certainly not the only one. This unique celebration includes commentary from famous actors, general readers, Oliver’s students, and more, and even includes samples of Oliver reading her own poems – a beautiful way to take them in. A very unique format and a powerful example of legacy.

Quit by Annie Duke

This was one of the first books I read this year and has remained one of the most impactful. Duke’s perspectives on quitting – from her unique background in both psychology and professional poker playing – really challenge my long-held beliefs about quitting. I’ve written articles about how this book has affected my thinking (you can find an example here) as well as the realizations I had when reflecting on the connections between quitting and persevering (as discussed here).

The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff

For 20+ years my professional life has been dedicated to helping people experience meaning and purpose at work and in life, so I love reading different explorations of this topic. By sharing a variety of individuals’ unique career experiences, this book provides an intriguing look at our relationship with our work, how much it defines us, and whether or not we ‘require’ a certain job or role in order to find fulfillment. If you find your definition of success changing over time, you may find this book particularly insightful.

The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris

Confidence is an area I coach on often, although it is rarely the specific one that brings people to coaching; it’s often an underlying component that can unwittingly impact our motivation, achievement, and sense of purpose. This book is over ten years old but just made my reading list last month and instantly became a favorite. I especially appreciate the practical solutions Harris suggests, as well as the section on values, goals, and their connection with confidence.

Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor with Michelle Hamilton

I can’t quite imagine the life of a professional athlete – someone whose livelihood requires them to run for miles upon miles upon miles every day – but this memoir took me a bit closer! Beyond the intense physical training of an elite distance runner, Kastor shares the importance of mental toughness and the training she had to undergo in mindset, optimism, and positivity in order to achieve the incredible feats she has accomplished. I particularly love her drive and determination blended with utter kindness, care, and compassion for teammates and competitors alike. I recommend listening to the audiobook while exercising – a good motivation boost!

Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban by John Talty

When I started this audiobook I barely knew who Nick Saban was; by the end he practically felt like a colleague. I’m admittedly not an avid football fan but I am a fan of effective coaching – whether in athletics, business, or elsewhere – and I took away a number of tidbits from this book. Informed by a variety of people who have interacted with Saban over the years, this book clearly shows he has impacted many throughout his lengthy career. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on foundational keys like consistency, focus, efficiency, and not letting external circumstances run the show or impact your level of effort/dedication. Very motivating!

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett

As I’ll share in my upcoming fiction top ten list, I believe this is the first time in decades of reading that an author has made both my fiction and nonfiction favorites the same year! A collection of essays, this book explores aspects of Patchett’s life ranging from her unique relationship with her three fathers, to how Tom Hanks came to narrate her Dutch House audiobook, to friendship, bookstore ownership, and more. Patchett became one of my favorite writers of all time back in the early 2000s and I will pretty much read her grocery lists at this point, should she choose to publish them.

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

If you heard me gush about Think Again a couple years back, get ready to hear me gush about Grant’s latest release in a similar fashion. I tabbed and highlighted pretty much every page of this one, and even copied a few poignant lines in my personal journal because they spoke to me so deeply. If you’d like to chat with me about Hidden Potential early next year, make sure you’re on my email list or connected with me on social media, as I’m partnering with a nearby bookstore for a fun book club chat about this one!

There you have it: My ten favorite nonfiction reads of the year! A few honorable mentions came close – feel free to peruse my blog for thoughts on those. And stay tuned for my ten fiction favorites, coming soon!

What was your favorite nonfiction book of the year?

Tag Archives: books

September Reading: 14 Books!