Books That Define Our Three Pillars

Reading is the ultimate form of communication. We can access the thoughts, ideas, and stories of millions of people around the world and across generations through the power of pen on paper. Everyone reads for a different reason; to escape to another world, to learn something new, or to better yourself. At CWIB, we love to see our members read, no matter their reason why! Today, we wanted to share some books that we think embody CWIB’s three pillars: Empower, Prepare, and Connect. These books span a range of genres, backgrounds, and subjects. We want to help our members better understand and connect with our mission as an organization; to prepare women in business for the working world.

Empower

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

• A personal take on creativity, this book offers insights on inspiration, the creative process, curiosity, fear, and much more. Readers wanting to get their creative juices going should look no further!

• More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth

• Part memoir, part crash course on learning self-advocacy and self-empowerment, this book follows the author through her career as a journalist and revolutionary member of the team at Teen Vogue.

• We Should All be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

• Based on a TedX talk by the author, this essay champions feminism and examines what it means to be a woman in today’s world, incorporating the wisdom and life experiences of the author along the way.

Prepare

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Everyone wants to have healthy habits. If you’re looking to make some changes to your daily life, this book is a great resource! Clear takes a deep dive into the scientific and psychological nature of habits and habit-formation, giving readers frameworks for breaking bad habits and building good habits in their place.

• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

• We all need sleep to perform and feel our best, but many of us don’t get enough sleep or good quality sleep. Walker, the director of UC Berkeley’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab, takes an in-depth look at how sleep impacts our daily lives and how we can harness the power of a good rest to promote health, wellness, and longevity.

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

• Written by a Stanford psychologist, this book illuminates the power of controlling your mindset to excel in school, work, and life. Through exploring how we think about ourselves and our abilities, readers can discover ways to approach how they live and work to improve their happiness and confidence.

Connect

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle

• Doyle’s memoir chronicles her journey to self-acceptance and self-actualization through self-advocacy, and learning how to embrace her truest self. Touching on divorce, family struggles, and activism, this book has captivated audiences worldwide with it’s empowering call to action: “There She Is.”

• Becoming by Michelle Obama

• First Lady, Michelle Obama, imparts lessons and wisdom through her warm and reflective recounting of her life from childhood to the days following her departure from politics. Inspirational and personal, this story connects readers to the woman who defied the country’s expectations and worked to uplift women around the world.

• I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

• Many have heard the story of Malala Yousafzai, the brave girl who stood up to oppression of women’s education, but few have heard her story in her own words. Her memoir also chronicles her recovery and education moving forward, as well as her pursuits in activism pushing for women’s right to quality education worldwide.

Books are an accessible and engaging tool to help navigate the world. CWIB wants to encourage all of its members to make reading a lifelong habit - and to read outside of the classroom, if you can! There are endless stories being told and one may reach out to touch your heart or your mind to change the way you see the world. Tap into CWIB’s three pillars with our recommendations and let us know which books we missed!

By Lauren Miles