Finding an Escape — and an Anchor
In these tough times, I continually find inspiration and uplift in reading sparkling stories of hope, beauty, love, and leadership through time and place. My reading list since 2025 began:
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company by Bob Iger (published September 23, 2019) “Robert Iger answers the question: What are the qualities of a good leader? He shares the lessons he learned while running Disney and leading its 220,000-plus employees, and he explores the principles that are necessary for true leadership, including: optimism, courage, fairness, and decisiveness.”
The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester (published September 18, 2018) “A World War II novel that spans generations, crosses oceans, and proves just how much two young women are willing to sacrifice for love and family.”
The Paris Gown by Christine Wells (published August 20, 2024) “The delightful tale of three young women in 1950s Paris who share a single dazzling Christian Dior gown.”
The Liberty Scarf by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan (published November 19, 2024) “An evocative, three-part novel about a thread of connection during World War I — a single scarf that links three extraordinary women, each battling societal expectations, enduring the devastations of war, and striving for personal growth amidst the chaos. The Liberty Scarf is a testament to the resilience of women and the enduring power of hope and unity in the harshest of times.”
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (published January 7, 2025) “An addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.”
Empress of the Nile: The Daredevil Archaeologist Who Saved Egypt's Ancient Temples from Destruction by Lynne Olson (published February 28, 2023) “The remarkable story of the intrepid French archaeologist who led the international effort to save ancient Egyptian temples from the floodwaters of the Aswan Dam.”
The Lodge by Kayla Olson (published January 7, 2025) “A cozy rom-com about a writer who decamps to a Vermont lodge for work but finds herself distracted by the charming ski instructor next door.”
The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy (published February 4, 2025) “The Last Thing He Told Me meets Fleishman Is in Trouble in this page-turning story of a couple who flee winter in the Midwest for Palm Springs, where they find their relationship at a crossroads.”