For this week’s edition of FHR Culture Club, we asked our team to share about the books that they’ve been enjoying since quarantine began. You can check out the list below for a little bit of bookshelf inspo in advance of your next visit to your favourite local book shop!

THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE by Audrey Niffeneger.

Recommended by Jorielle Nunag, Associate Consultant:

If you’re looking for a novel that beautifully and strategically captures the journey of a person’s life through different phases and perspectives - this one’s for you. The novel is a love story about a man, Henry, with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and Clare, an artist who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. What’s interesting about it is the concept it sets in that the main character, Clare, encounters Henry at a very early age through his time travelling experiences so the reader is able to follow both Clare and Henry’s life at a very early age while also witnessing the changing perspective a person goes through as they get older and life presents more challenges. It’s really beautifully written, through alternating first-person perspectives, and I highly recommend it. 

TALKING TO STRANGERS by Malcolm Gladwell

Recommended by Adrienne Connell, Senior Vice President and Partner:

I just finished “reading” Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell which is a bit dark and looks at how little we know and think we know about others. I say “reading” because I actually listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend, given Malcolm Gladwell brings some of his usual podcasting skills to the table.

THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeannette Walls

Recommended by Kathie Tutter, Director of Creative Operations:

A story about rising above your beginnings and not only surviving but thriving. Her family story is quite unbelievable and beautifully written. Jeanette Walls is a working writer/journalist living in Virginia now.

DARE TO LEAD: BRAVE WORK. TOUGH CONVERSATIONS. WHOLE HEARTS by Brené Brown

Recommended by Jorielle Nunag, Associate Consultant:

This is a phenomenal book that unpacks what brave leadership looks like, with the core being to allow yourself to be vulnerable in order to understand and empathize with your team and develop trust. Many people have a perception of bravery as being void of emotion, but Brené Brown thoughtfully explains that in order to become a great leader, vulnerability is at the heart of being courageous. A great read for some self-reflection and personal and professional growth. 

ON WRITING by Stephen King

Recommended by Braden Jones, Associate Consultant:

In this autobiography/writing manual, King describes his experiences as a writer and gives advice for aspiring writers. On Writing should be required reading for any wordsmith, whether they hope to get published or simply because they want to improve their writing skills. Definitely a great book for any bookshelf. I personally love how King uses his past and experiences to make reading this how-to book a breeze.

THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin

Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Senior Consultant:

If you knew the day you would die, how would you live your life? Chloe Benjamin’s novel explores this question through stories of four siblings that begins in 1969 in New York, when they, as small children, visit a fortune teller that reveals to each exactly the day they’ll die. Burdened with the knowledge of their destiny, they all make different choices throughout their lives. Everyone I know who read this book took away something unique from the story. To me, this was a story about fearlessness.

‍FACING ALI by Stephen Brunt

Recommended by Kent Carter, Senior Account Director:

He was The Greatest - but what was it like to share the ring with him? Facing Ali is a collection of firsthand accounts from some of Muhammad Ali's opponents. In each chapter of the book, one of the selected fighters recalls the experience of mixing it up with The People's Champion. The profiled fighters include famous opponents like George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton; and also the relatively obscure like the German butcher Jurgen Blin who "was back at work at the sausage factory" after having fought with Ali the previous day. A fun read for both boxing heads and those with a passing interest in the sport.

‍THE TAO OF POOH by Benjamin Hoff

Recommended by Braden Jones, Associate Consultant:

Who doesn’t like Winnie the Pooh? Benjamin Hoff uses A. A. Milne’s lovable character and the world of the Hundred Acre Wood to introduce and explore the Eastern belief system of Taoism, allegorically employing familiar characters, including Piglet, Rabbit, Eyeore, and Pooh himself to explain the Taoism’s basic principles. During these unprecedented times, this book helps me relax and destress. What happens will happen. What will be, will be. That is the way.‍