KSM’s 2022 Book Review

Books are one of the greatest creations, ever. They are a mode of transportation taking their reader to faraway places, a microscope to help dissect big ideas into their components, and a companion when one needs love, hope, comfort, joy, direction, or any other salve. George R.R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones, famously declared, “… a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” Books are the ultimate tool for sharpening the mind.

In that vein, the KSM Team is a group notorious for reading and sharing book recommendations with others. We welcome you to visit our office and check out the ever-growing book collection. Ranging from classics to cutting-edge leadership, history to hot topics, here are a few of the Team’s favorites from 2022.

Kevin Klein

Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

“Antifragile” is a term that Taleb coined to describe systems that benefit from stress, disorder, and volatility. Like bones and muscles getting stronger when subjected to stress and tension, many things are not only resilient to hardship but get stronger as a result.
As a parent, lawyer, and leader, the tendency is to protect those around us. But we must let the people we care about fail – fall down, dust themselves off, and get back up – to learn, grow, and get better.

Saul Solomon

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

All Quiet on the Western Front is a brutal depiction of the insanity and brutality of trench warfare in World War I as told by a German soldier.
It teaches us what failure in political leadership can lead to. I don’t know how any citizens of any European country ever trusted their government again.

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Set in Harlem, NYC in the early 1960s, Harlem Shuffle is a story about a young black man figuring things out and making his way. The book readily evokes the place and time.

With humor and great writing, we learn about the trials and tribulations of being a small black businessman struggling on the border between legitimate and not-so-legitimate business, while supporting his family and finding his place in the civil rights movement.

Michael Mills

His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis

John Adams by David McCullough

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham

All three are biographies of the respective president. My goal is to use presidential biographies to revisit American history (which as a student in school I never particularly enjoyed). In addition to the presidents, I am planning to read biographies of other notable figures who had a significant impact on American history along the way. Next up is either President James Madison or a brief detour to read Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton (the basis for the Broadway musical).

Rita Roberts-Turner

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver is a 1993 young adult novel set in a society that has eradicated pain and strife by embracing the “Sameness” doctrine, a plan that has created a society void of color, climate, terrain, and emotional depth except for the person who holds the position of “Receiver of Memory.” The Receiver of Memory, who is sadly relegated to a life of isolation and evolves into madness, is selected to hold all of society’s memories before the time of Sameness.

The book is a fascinating look at existing vs. living and the high cost of abandoning the things that make the journey of life truly extraordinary.

Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe

Mississippi Trial, 1955 is a historical fiction novel published in 2002. Set in racially charged Mississippi, it examines the abduction and murder of Emmett Till in 1955 and the ensuing murder trials through the eyes of a fictionalized white youth who discovers the dark side of the racist grandfather whom he adores.

Will by Will Smith

Will is the memoir of actor Will Smith that was published in November 2021. It is a candid look at life beyond the veil of celebrity. The book demonstrates that behind each public figure is a private human being with real-life issues.

P. Danielle Nellis

The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence by Tara Jaye Frank

When Frank announced to her social media followers that she was buckling down and writing a book, I knew that we were in for an informed, relatable treat. I did not know that Frank’s book would be so full of anecdotes paired with relevant data and clear instructions on how leaders can be Waymakers. This is more than just DEI, but also a book on effective leadership written through the lens of someone who has certainly been there and done that, well. Bonus, she’s a Spelman sister so I was definitely going to read it.

DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing it Right by Lily Zheng

Zheng’s book is the new guide for DEI practitioners everywhere. The book makes plain what DEI is, where it’s been, and the best way for us to get where we need to go. Living up to its title, this is a “no-nonsense” guide that anyone from novice to the most seasoned should read and apply. As a fan of words, I appreciate that Zheng crafts the best definitions for diversity, equity, and inclusion I’ve seen.

Callie Jennings

Open Season by CJ Box

Open Season is the first book in the Joe Pickett novel series, which follows game warden Joe Pickett as he solves murders and other mysteries in and around the national parks in Wyoming. The series paints a fascinating picture of one of the most beautiful places in the United States and the unique people who live there. It is wonderful to read while visiting Yellowstone or the Grand Teton National Park!

True Story : What Reality TV Says About Us by Danielle J. Lindemann

True Story provides an in-depth analysis of American reality TV from a sociological perspective. It contains evidence and input from social scientists, anthropologists, philosophers, and media psychologists.

Why it was impactful: This book provides interesting insight into how reality TV reflects and impacts American perspectives on gender, race, sex, families, and other social relationships. It provides an important perspective on a topic that, despite its widespread consumption, is often viewed as frivolous.