Years ago, at the end of an interview, I asked a question that both my subject and I were equally tickled by — me, because I’m nosy like that, and the subject because she was an avid reader.
“What’s the best book you’ve read this year and why?”
Her answer and please keep in mind this is from 2018: “Oh, I love it! I have a reading list I share whenever I give a presentation. I have a Kindle because I travel so much, but right now, there are two books on my nightstand. One is a book from National Geographic called ‘Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Most Spectacular Road Trips.’ My husband and I love to take road trips. I’m also reading a book called ‘Educated.’ It’s No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list as a memoir, and it’s been named one of the best books of the year. The author was 17 years old the first time she set foot in a classroom, and the book is about her quest to learn. What I love about it is we are all lifelong learners. It really takes me back to my roots. My father was an educator. Learning is just one of the most human things we can do. Just like design makes us human, so does learning.”
September for my family signals the start of a new school year so in celebration of continuous learning, I asked some industry friends (like real friends, only cooler) if they would mind sharing their favorite reads from the year so far. Enjoy!
Nora Rizzo, Grace Farms Foundation
I categorize my favorite books throughout the year. The best “work” book I read was “Material Word – The Six Raw Materials that Shape Modern Civilization” by Ed Conway.
This book was part history lesson, part feats of engineering and technological strength, and overall a fascinating read. Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium have profoundly shaped our lives and the world around us. Did you know that in 2019, we mined, dug, and blasted more materials from the earth’s surface in one year than we extracted from the dawn of humanity all the way through to 1950? And we keep breaking this record every year.
Eric Corey Freed, Cannon Design
Oh my! I have a few.
“An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us” by Ed Yong. I’m obsessed with how nature builds things, and Yong explores the “umwelt”—the unique perceptual world experienced by each creature. It shows a new way of looking at our senses and inspired me to design spaces that activate the senses of the occupants.
“Build Like It’s the End of the World: A Practical Guide to Decarbonize Architecture, Engineering, and Construction” by Sandeep Ahuja & Patrick Chopson. The founders of CoveTool have just released this amazing exploration into perhaps the greatest challenge facing humanity right now: how do we decarbonize our buildings in time to fend off the worst effects of the climate crisis?
“Creating the Regenerative School” by Alan Ford, Kate Mraw, & Betsy del Monte
The authors are all experts in school design, but here, they have put together an incredible collection of projects and case studies of remarkable, healthy, and deep green school projects. It shows how schools can (and should) be marvels of regenerative design, both for the kids who occupy them and the communities in which they live.
Brandi Susweitz, Reseat
A great book I read recently is called “Nothing is Wasted” by Davey Winder. Funnily enough, a friend on social had shared it, and the cover of the book made me think it was about repurposing furniture; however it was a much deeper story than that and one that resonated with me profoundly because of my own story of resilience and redemption-being a teenage mother and all.
This book delves into the transformative power of faith and perspective, showing how life’s challenges and setbacks can lead to personal growth and your purpose. The author encourages us to view our struggles not as wasted experiences but as opportunities for meaningful change and spiritual development. His message is hopeful and empowering, urging people to embrace their journey with the confidence that every moment, no matter how difficult, has the potential to contribute to a greater narrative or renewal and strength.
Amanda Schneider, ThinkLab
One of the best books I’ve read this year is “The Anxious Generation,” which was recommended to me by my friend and industry colleague, Rex Miller. The book delves into the impact of smartphones, social media, and helicopter parenting on young people’s mental health and offers actionable solutions for fostering emotional stability. This resonates deeply with me as a GenZ (and Gen Alpha parent) and as a professional passionate about exploring new angles in the ongoing “back to the office” debate.
We’ll explore these discussions even more in the next season of my podcast, Design Nerds Anonymous, and in my recently launched (Sept 6) TEDx talk.
“The Anxious Generation” provides incredible insights into how and WHY GenZ is wired differently. While the shift away from daily, required, and mandated face-to-face interactions may seem daunting, it’s clear that the future of the workplace will depend on rethinking our rules to motivate all generations to come into the office. If you’re interested in this topic, don’t miss our most-listened episode of Design Nerds Anonymous on building relationships between digital natives and non-natives. Stay tuned, as ThinkLab will dive deeper into this subject in our 2025 research.
Editor’s Note: Jen Levisen is a writer passionate about connecting and storytelling and using both to educate and highlight impact. She serves as the Director of Communications for mindful MATERIALS and calls southern Minnesota home, where she can most often be found chauffeuring her two boys around town. Connect with Jen LinkedIn.
