2013 Holiday Reading List

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson & Hugh Delehanty. Eleven NBA championship rings have left Phil Jackson with an all-but-guaranteed spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Eleven Rings offers a glimpse into the focused mind of one of the most accomplished coaches in professional sports history. Over 20 years, Jackson has amassed lessons for success relevant to any industry. Eleven Rings is perfect for the business executive leading top-performing teams—a must-read for the avid sports fan.

Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam M. Grant. The single highest-rated professor at The Wharton School, Adam Grant wanted to understand what is truly at the heart of success. In Give and Take, he reveals that success is not solely dependent on talent and drive, but rather reflects the importance of engagement and dynamic interaction between people. Give and Take’s hugely important message is that success does not have to come at someone else’s expense.

I Believe in ZERO: Learning From the World’s Children by Caryl M. Stern. President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Stern has witnessed the strength of the human spirit in impoverished and disaster-ravaged areas around the globe. UNICEF’s stated mission is to reduce preventable deaths of children under the age of five from 19,000 each and every day to zero. In I Believe in ZERO, Stern shares first-hand accounts that support the belief that the mission is possible. A brilliant look at a dire situation, Stern’s work will inspire the philanthropic-minded.

Mission in a Bottle: The Honest Guide to Doing Business Differently—and Succeeding by Seth Goldman, Barry Nalebuff, Sungyoon Choi (Illustrator). A how-to guide for entrepreneurs everywhere, Goldman and Nalebuff’s account of the founding of Honest Tea is fascinating and energetic. In 15 years, the duo built their simple passion for tea into a nationally recognized brand sold throughout the United States. In illustrated graphic novel style, the authors share the challenges and opportunities of building a business, and leave the reader with a valuable lesson on creativity and drive.

National Geographic Dawn to Dark Photographs: The Magic of Light by Maura Mulvihill. A breathtaking compilation of landscape photography and photojournalism, The Magic of Light illuminates the passing of a day—image by image. National Geographic photographers have captured enchanting moments from around the world for nearly 100 years; this latest collection continues that tradition. Perfect for the nature lover, art enthusiast or even the casual reader, The Magic of Light offers a fresh perspective on the beauty in our world.

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. Jesse Owens wasn’t the only athlete to stun the world at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. The Boys in the Boat details the journey of the nine-man crew team from the University of Washington—blue-collar rowers that defeated the teams of elite U.S. and British universities before defeating Adolf Hitler’s German crew team. Brown uses team diaries and journals to weave a timeless epic of a team’s fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley. The Smartest Kids in the World is Amanda Ripley’s groundbreaking investigation into how select nations are becoming educational superpowers. Author and writer for Time magazine, Ripley follows the lives of three American teenagers seeking education oversees. Their stories and Ripley’s research combine to show what can be achieved when a nation wants the best in education for its children. Brilliantly researched and written, Ripley’s work is an education unto itself.

Sylvia’s Tabley by Liz Neumark with Carole Lalli. The kitchen—and kitchen table—are the gathering point for families and for Sylvia’s Table. In memory of her young daughter, Sylvia, Liz Neumark and her family created Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm in upstate New York to help children discover firsthand about where fresh food comes from—how to grow, harvest and use it to prepare great meals. Together with Carole Lalli, Neumark shares those ideas with us in Sylvia’s Table. Featuring family friendly recipes from noted chefs and culinary stars, including Michael Romano of Union Square Cafe and Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto, Food & Wine’s Dana Cowin, cookbook authors Deborah Madison and others, Sylvia’s Table will bring families together to create their own wonderful meals—and memories. All sales proceeds from Sylvia’s Table benefit Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm.