Debbie Laskey's Blog

Welcome to Debbie Laskey's insights and commentary about BRANDING, MARKETING, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL MEDIA, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, and CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES. Debbie has worked in high-tech, the Consumer Marketing Department at Disneyland Paris in France, nonprofits, and insurance. Expertise includes strategic planning, brand development, marketing plans and audits, competitive positioning, websites, communications, public relations, employee engagement, customer experiences, and social media marketing.

Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Five Books to Celebrate National Book Lovers Day!

If you know today is a very special day, then you're a bibliophile like me because today is NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY!

Last year on this date, I shared 22 passages from books I read during 2025, and three years ago on this date, I shared my five favorite books of all time. Today, I'm going to share the five best books I read last year to celebrate National Book Lovers Day.

According to NationalToday.com, "Books are the purest form of escapism. They can take you to any time, place, or culture. In honor of National Book Lovers Day, August 9, we put away our smartphones, pull out a good book, and simply read. (Of course, an audiobook will suffice.) From clay tablets to eBooks, literature has played a crucial role in preserving cultures, educating the masses, and storytelling. Thanks to Johannes Gutenberg's 15th-century printing press, anyone, not just royalty, monks, or landed gentry, could read and own books. But, alas, there was no overnight shipping. Today, join a book club or re-read a favorite novel because National Book Lovers Day rocks!"

Drum roll please...here are the five best books I read last year.

THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES by Elise Hooper. It's easy to see why I chose this book: I have a passion for reading, libraries, San Francisco, architecture, the Art Institute of Chicago's Thorne Rooms, dollhouses, miniatures, history, and to quote the author, "the importance of illuminating overlooked women."

According to the book's flap, "Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses. After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Epoque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney's bustling Burbank studio in the 1950's. Spanning the course of a century, this book tells the captivating story of secrets and love that embrace the importance of illuminating overlooked women."

Author Elise Hooper explained, "As I delved deeper and deeper into the history of dollhouses, I noticed that miniatures tend to grow in popularity during difficult times. For example, at the end of World War I, Queen Mary commissioned a grand dollhouse from England's leading artisans as a way of lifting the nation's spirits. After the dollhouse was finished, over a million and half people showed up to see it exhibited. In the United States, the Art Institute of Chicago's well-known Thorne Rooms and Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle were created and exhibited during the Great Depression to raise money for charitable causes. And then in 2020, while people were stuck in their homes during the pandemic, another flourishing of modern miniatures took hold once again and captured people's imaginations on social media. I love this proof of how art plays an important and positive role in our lives."

My favorite quote from this book was: "Reading is magic. Think of the imagination and sense of adventure that readers employ every time they crack open a book."

THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah. Published in February 2024 (but I read it in 2025), this historical work of fiction tells the story of a young woman from San Diego who served as a nurse in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Her brother did not survive the war, but she did. Her father had been so embarrassed about her going to war that he lied and told people she went to Italy instead. When she came home from the war, she suffered from PTSD, and no one at the Veterans Administration believed that she had suffered - and continued to suffer from her trauma - and yet she experienced as much trauma as the men who saw battle.

The book was incredibly well-written, the story was so well researched, and upon finishing it, the characters remained with me for a long time. And after finishing the book, I conducted my own research about the impact of American women who served in Vietnam and learned that there is a Vietnam Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C. Glenna Goodacre, the sculptor of the Vietnam Women's Memorial, explained, "My desire to create a lasting tribute to the American women serving in Vietnam is founded upon my deep respect for each of them, and my heartfelt prayer for their healing and hope. I have been humbled by the enormity of such a task yet incredibly honored by the overwhelming gratitude of the veterans. The emphasis of this tribute is centered on their emotions: their compassion, their anxiety, their fatigue, and above all, their dedication."

Author Kristin Hannah has said, "One of the things I love about historical fiction is its ability to illuminate the modern world. Now, more than ever, we need to find a way to come together and have civil, informed conversations."

My favorite quote from this book was: "Thank God for girlfriends. In this crazy, chaotic, divided world that was run by men, you could count on the women."

THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE by Anna Johnston. According to author Johnston, "I’ve always been fascinated by cases of mistaken identity and the phenomenon of doppelgangers. I began exploring the idea of one man being able to redeem another man’s life, even after death, and the plot grew quickly from there."

According to the book's description, "Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is, at age eighty-two, there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from, and he's broke and on the brink of eviction. But Fred’s luck changes when he's mistaken for Bernard Greer, a missing resident at the local nursing home, and takes his place. Now Fred has warm meals in his belly and a roof over his head — as long as his look-alike Bernard never turns up. Another character, Denise Simms is stuck breathing the same disappointing air again and again. A middle-aged mom and caregiver at Bernard's facility, her crumbling marriage and daughter's health concerns are suffocating her joy for life. Wounded by her two-faced husband, she vows never to let a man deceive her again. As Fred walks in Bernard’s shoes, he leaves a trail of kindness behind him, fueling Denise's suspicions about his true identity."

My favorite quote from this book was: "Love is about picking someone up and never, ever putting them down again, no matter how heavy things become."

THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE by Jo Piazza. As a fan of other books by Piazza, it's easy to see why I chose this book. In fact, in her book that I read in 2024, CHARLOTTE WALSH LIKES TO WIN, the protagonist, Charlotte Walsh, ran for Senate from the state of Pennsylvania, but the book ended with no clear ending. Instead, there was an author's note at the end, and that note made the book memorable:

"I bet you have a lot of questions after getting to the final page of this book. Namely, does Charlotte win? Does she lose? Does she stay with Max? Does she opt to do it all on her own? The truth is, I've written six different endings to this book...In these politically charged times, everything is taken as a statement. A definitive ending to this book would have been seen as one statement if she won and another if she lost...I wanted to talk about what it means to be an ambitious woman and what it costs us...I wanted to show how difficult it still is for a woman to run for office even though we all know we need more of us in government."

And now, back to THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE, a book about romance, a murder mystery, history, and Sicily...according to the book's description, "Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie’s death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered."

My favorite quote from this book centered around this theme: "The importance of women writing their own histories and legacies."

GROWING HOME by Beth Ferry with art by The Fan Brothers was recognized as Barnes & Noble's 2025 Children's Book of the Year. Reading children's books as an adult can be considered "brain candy" because it fosters imagination and provides joy and escapism with beautifully crafted stories and illustrations.

According to the book's description, "A motley crew of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their family from a greedy human. Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet — swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank — and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever. First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things — like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible! It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?"

My favorite quote from this book was: "Have you talked to any of your plants lately? Admired their green leaves or their pretty flowers? Told them they are beautiful? No? Get on that, reader! Then go pet your dog, cat, snake, or guinea pig. Talk to your goldfish! Sing to your parakeet. Animals are people too! Never forget that!"

Doesn't that story sound like fun? It certainly was!

What will YOU read to celebrate National Book Lovers Day? I hope this post gave you some ideas! Happy reading!

Monday, June 8, 2026

Let's Celebrate the World's Oceans!

Each year on June 8th, we celebrate World Oceans Day. Established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, the ocean plays a vital role. It produces over half of the oxygen on Earth, regulates climate, and supports ecosystems.

More than a date on the calendar, World Oceans Day has grown into a powerful international movement with a call to action!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

(1) Participate in or organize a beach cleanup.

(2) Reduce plastic waste.

(3) Choose sustainable seafood options.

(4) Learn more about ocean conservation.

(5) Support policies that protect marine habitats.

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some brands that have made - and continue to make - a difference in saving our oceans. Join me in celebrating their efforts!

OCEANA: Founded in 2001, Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. According to the brand's website, "Oceans face many threats — from overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks. What does Oceana do? We win science-based policies in important coastal countries that rebuild abundant and biodiverse oceans. With more than 350 victories, Oceana's campaigns are delivering results. A restored, healthy, and abundant ocean can help fight climate change, sustain livelihoods, and feed more than 1 billion people a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world."

ADIDAS: In 2015, Adidas partnered with Parley for the Oceans with the goal to turn plastic pollution into sportswear. By 2019, Adidas produced 11 million pairs of shoes made with recycled ocean plastic. Currently, more than 40 percent of Adidas' apparel uses recycled polyester.

PATAGONIA: In 1993, Patagonia was the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to transform trash into fleece. Since then, the brand has been a leader in using recyclables such as used soda bottles to create new clothing. Nearly 70 percent of all Patagonia materials are derived from recycled materials.

BUREO: With end-of-life fishing nets, the company produces a material called NetPlus, which it uses in a wide array of products ranging from sunglasses to skateboards. Patagonia took note of Bureo's efforts and invested in the company. Currently, Patagonia is collaborating with Bureo to integrate NetPlus into all of Patagonia's hard goods and textiles.

UNITED BY BLUE: As the brand's website states, "We believe that businesses not only have the ability to be a part of environmental solutions, but a moral responsibility to address them. For every product purchased, we remove one pound of trash from oceans and waterways. So far, we've removed 5,410,975 pounds of trash from the world's oceans and coastlines."

GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE: In 2016, Girlfriend Collective was among the first to make performance activewear from recycled materials. Its LITE collection utilizes recycled fishing nets because, as its website states, "OId water bottles and fishing nets look better on you than they do clogging landfills and polluting oceans."

WATERHAUL: Founded in 2018, Waterhaul is a Cornish social-enterprise that recovers, recycles, and redesigns end-of-life fishing gear and transforms this "waste" into sunglasses. According to the brand's website, "Our rigorous traceability standards mean that we can account for every kilogram of material we recover and recycle. A digital, QR-code enabled system allows our customers to trace their products and view the exact details of the recoveries behind them." And in addition, "Waterhaul transforms plastic waste into products that are built to last, and we are so confident in the durability of our recycled eyewear that we offer a lifetime warranty on all Waterhaul sunglasses frames. We understand that anything can happen on your adventures, so if your frames have been broken beyond repair and are no longer wearable, we will repair or replace them for free, forever."

SELFRIDGES: Open since 1909 and the only store to be named the "Best Department Store in the World" four times, Selfridges is "a landmark destination" that "provides unmissable experiences" at its locations in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. In 2015, Selfridges banned all single-use plastic water bottles. The ocean conservation initiative, part of a partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Marine Reserves Coalition (MRC), aimed to reduce plastic waste and help facilitate a change in behavior around the use of plastic. Selfridges had previously sold 400,000 single-use plastic water bottles a year in its food halls and restaurants.

And lastly, how will you celebrate today? You might choose to watch an ocean-related movie or read an ocean-related book. Check out some ideas below:

MOVIE IDEAS:

*THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989)

*FINDING NEMO (2003)

*THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (franchise)

*TITANIC (1997)

*CASTAWAY (2000)

*THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972)

*THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990)

*20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1954)

BOOK IDEAS:

*Moby Dick by Herman Melville

"The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

*The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery

"The Silent World" by Jacques Cousteau

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne

"War of the Whales: A True Story" by Joshua Horwitz

"The Secret Life of Lobsters" by Trevor Corson

"The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

To quote Twinkl, "World Oceans Day acts as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in protecting our waters. Whether through education, conservation efforts, or small daily actions, celebrating this day helps raise awareness and drive meaningful change for the future of our oceans."

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Highlights of the #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 on #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Following in the footsteps of the six previous series where thought leaders responded to questions here on my blog over the last several years for my #SpringLeadershipSeries2025, #HolidayLeadershipSeries (2024), #PostElectionSeries (2024), #OlympicsLeadershipSeries (2024), #SpringLeadershipSeries (2024), and #FallBacktoReadingSeries (2023), since September, I welcomed a dozen thought leaders to share their thoughts about books, reading, and marketing.

This post serves as a recap of the series, but first, here's a wonderful quote from Carl Sagan:

"What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic."

JOSEPH LALONDE:

LAST BOOK READ: ORIGINS OF A D-LIST SUPERVILLAIN by Jim Bernheimer and THE E-MIND by Kary Oberbrunner

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: No

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: 48 DAYS TO THE WORK YOU LOVE by Dan Miller

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: Plenty but none specifically

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Email list by Ronei L. Harden

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: 48 DAYS TO THE WORK YOU LOVE by Dan Miller

JEN CARROLL:

LAST BOOK READ: THE BOOK OF CHARLIE: WISDOM FROM THE REMARKABLE AMERICAN LIFE OF A 109-YEAR-OLD MAN by David Von Drehle

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: THE BOOK OF CHARLIE: WISDOM FROM THE REMARKABLE AMERICAN LIFE OF A 109-YEAR-OLD MAN by David Von Drehle

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: LITTLE HOUSE series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, A LANTERN IN HER HAND by Bess Streeter Aldrich, and PRAIRIE FIRES: THE AMERICAN DREAMS OF LAURA INGALLS WILDER by Caroline Fraser

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: THE GIRLS WITH NO NAMES by Serena Burdick

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: The Ezra Klein Show podcast and LEADERS WHO FICTION monthly/virtual book club

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: FOUR THOUSAND WEEKS: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR MORTALS by Oliver Burkeman

ABBIE KIMERLING:

LAST BOOK READ: VERA WONG'S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS by Jesse Q. Sutanto

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: COMMUNAL JUSTICE IN SHAKESPEARE'S ENGLAND: DRAMA, LAW, AND EMOTION by Penelope Geng

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: MATH IN DRAG by Kyne Santos

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: THE KINDEST LIE by Nancy Johnson

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: The Book Riot Podcast

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: THE SIMPLE PATH TO WEALTH by JL Collins

HEATHER HACKETT:

LAST BOOK READ: YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: A BOTANICAL DAUGHTER by Noah Medlock

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: I'LL JOIN YOUR CULT: A MEMOIR OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE QUEST TO BELONG ANYWHERE by Maria Bamford

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: A BOTANICAL DAUGHTER by Noah Medlock

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Monthly/virtual book club LEADERS WHO FICTION

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

MELANIE BELL:

LAST BOOK READ: VERA WONG'S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS by Jesse Q. Sutanto

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: THE AMALFI CURSE by Sarah Penner

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: Some examples include THE MINISTRY OF TIME by Kaliane Bradley, CHRISTMAS WITH THE QUEEN by Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor, and THE TITANIC SURVIVORS' BOOK CLUB by Timothy Schaffert

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: THE GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Women's Prize for Fiction

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

REBECCA RUCKER:

LAST BOOK READ: NORTH WOODS by Daniel Mason

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Goodreads and LEADERS WHO FICTION monthly/virtual book club

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by Joan Didion

JAMES STROCK:

LAST BOOK READ: THE NEW LEVIATHANS: THOUGHTS AFTER LIBERALISM by John Gray

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: Don't select books based on their cover designs, but do appreciate a compelling design: REVOLUTIONARY SPRING: EUROPE AFLAME AND THE FIGHT FOR A NEW WORLD by Christopher Clark

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: A CERTAIN IDEA OF AMERICA by Peggy Noonan

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: No

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: The Wall Street Journal book reviews, podcasts, and social media

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: The CONQUEST OF HAPPINESS by Bertrand Russell

DEBBIE SZUMYLO:

LAST BOOK READ: THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN by Lisa See

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: No

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: No

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Amor Towles

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Goodreads, Oprah's Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and Facebook groups

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: Seek out and read books currently facing bans, such as, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee, 1984 by George Orwell, THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker, and THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger

ANTHONY GAENZLE:

LAST BOOK READ: MADE TO STICK: WHY SOME IDEAS SURVIVE AND OTHERS DIE by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: MADE TO STICK: WHY SOME IDEAS SURVIVE AND OTHERS DIE by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: No

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Friends and colleagues

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: MADE TO STICK: WHY SOME IDEAS SURVIVE AND OTHERS DIE by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

LEE GOLDBERG:

LAST BOOK READ: THE RAMBO REPORT by Nat Segaloff

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: Not since JAWS by Peter Benchley

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: LARRY McMURTRY: A LIFE by Tracy Daugherty

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: Happens often - won't share titles!

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Paperback Warrior Podcast and website

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry

CAROL HENAULT:

LAST BOOK READ: MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: THE OVERSTORY by Richard Powers

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: THE WEIGHT OF INK by Rachel Kadish

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: Disappointed by the ending of many books, but never really spent time creating a new ending - too excited to start a new book instead

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Amazon, LA Times 10 best books every Sunday, and of course fellow book addicts!

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest J. Gaines

ERIKA ANDERSEN:

LAST BOOK READ: EL CLAN DEL OSO CAVERNARIO (CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR in Spanish) by Jean Auel

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: None

BOOKS CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: THE FIFTH DISCIPLINE by Peter Senge and GOOD TO GREAT by Jim Collins

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: CUJO by Stephen King

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Amazon

BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: a work by Shakespeare (a play, poem, or sonnet)

And my two cents, DEBBIE LASKEY:

LAST BOOK READ: THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES by Elise Hooper

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO COVER DESIGN: THE PARIS DAUGHTER by Kristin Harmel

BOOK CHOSEN DUE TO TITLE: THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah

BOOK WHOSE ENDING YOU WOULD REWRITE: CHARLOTTE WALSH LIKES TO WIN by Jo Piazza

BOOK CLUB/SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR BOOK CHOICES: Reese's Book Club, GMA Book Club, Barnes & Noble Book of the Month, Random House's Monthly Pick, Penguin Recommended Reads, Friends & Fiction Endless Stories (co-founded by Kristin Harmel - see response to second question) - and I participate in the LEADERS WHO FICTION monthly/virtual book club

BOOKS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ: Fiction: AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins; and NONFICTION: BUILT TO LAST: SUCCESSFUL HABITS OF VISIONARY COMPANIES by James Collins and Jerry Porras

Which books have you read due to these recommendations, and which do you plan to read? Much gratitude to all the participants who were featured in this series - and happy reading to all!

Image Credit: Adobe.

Check out this article:

The world’s top CEOs swear by the same daily habit: READING!

https://fortune.com/2025/08/02/top-ceos-daily-habits-career-coach-bill-hoogterp-sheryl-sandberg-bill-gates-gen-z-advice-success

Monday, December 15, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Erika Andersen

During the fall season, I launched a repeat of my FALL BACK TO READING SERIES and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today for the final post in the series, and the series recap will appear on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years. Erika has appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011; and one of her posts for Forbes served as the inspiration for my Spring Leadership Series earlier this year. She is the founding partner of Proteus, where she and her colleagues support leaders at all levels to get ready and stay ready to meet the future. Erika advises senior executives and also shares her insights through her books, speaking engagements, and social media activities. In addition to her latest book, The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life; she is also the author of other best-selling leadership books including: Change from the Inside Out; Be Bad First; Leading So People Will Follow; Being Strategic (one of my all-time favorites!); and Growing Great Employees. Erika is also a popular leadership blogger at Forbes.com, and the creator and host of the Proteus Leader Show podcast.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: I was looking for a new book to read in Spanish, and I was getting tired of Spanish translations of Regency romance novels. I remembered having read – and enjoyed – Jean Auel's books about prehistoric civilization in the 80's. I looked to see if they had been translated into Spanish, and Voilà: I'm reading El Clan del Oso Cavernario (Clan of the Cave Bear).

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: I've never chosen to read a book because of the cover design, but there are dozens of beautiful cover designs I've appreciated over the years. (And I've loved the process of co-creating all the cover designs of my own books.)

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because of its title? If yes, what was the book, and what drew you to the title?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: The first book I ever chose based on its title was Peter Senge's "The Fifth Discipline." I was immediately wildly curious to find out the fifth discipline was, and why someone would write a whole book about it. That book made me understand that I was a systems thinker, and why that mattered.

The second one was Jim Collins' "Good to Great." Without reading anything but the title, I loved the idea of taking something – anything – that was already good and making it great. And then it turned out to be one of my favorite books of all time.

QUESTION: Have you ever finished reading a book, been disappointed by the ending, and thought you could have written a better ending? If yes, what was the book, and how would you have ended it?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: Oh, my goodness – many times. The first time was when I read Stephen King's "Cujo," many years ago. I couldn't believe how bleak the ending was – so I rewrote it in my mind. And when the movie came out, I noticed they changed the ending to make it more like my mentally re-written version. I bet the original downer ending tested badly.

QUESTION: Is there a social media account, a national book publisher, or book club you follow for reading recommendations?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: There are a number of cool older women I now follow on Substack, who write and recommend great books. I also like the algorithms on Amazon that tell me I might like stuff, based on what I've bought...they have a pretty good hit rate for me.

QUESTION: What book should everyone read, and why?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: Everyone should read something by Shakespeare at least once in their lives. A play, a sonnet, I don't care what. For me, he captures the human condition in a unique and timeless way, with words that dance and weave around your heart and mind. What better description of the undying power of true love than this?

Love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

My gratitude to Erika for sharing her insights and for being a part of my fall back to reading series. I hope you've enjoyed this reading series and sampled some of the books shared. Swing by on December 21st for a series recap, and happy reading!

Monday, December 8, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Carol Henault

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing next Monday, December 15th, and then for a series recap on December 21st.

Today's featured series participant is Carol Henault. Carol has served as the Executive Director of Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California (RIFSoCal) since October 2004, and has been dedicated to the advancement of literacy during her 33 years in the nonprofit sector. She ardently supports RIFSoCal's work to ensure that underserved children can continue to choose books to call their own and discover the magic of reading. As Carol says, "Inspiring children's passion for reading is the greatest gift we can give them on their personal road to success. You could say that children without books provide the wind beneath my sails – as well as my passion. Instilling a love of reading determines whether a person will become employable at a living wage, whether they will participate in their communities – or whether we will lose their talents."

Monday, December 1, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Lee Goldberg

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing on December 8th and 15th - with the series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog (and one of my favorite authors due to his amazing stories about MONK who I've met in person several times), today's featured series participant is Lee Goldberg, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nearly 40 novels, including Malibu Burning, Lost Hills, 15 Monk mysteries, five Fox & O'Hare adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and more. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, Monk, The Glades, and co-created the hit Hallmark series Mystery 101. He's also the co-founder of Brash Books, which has published over 100 crime novels and thrillers. During the summer, fans cheered upon hearing the announcement that Lee's book series centering around the character Eve Ronin will soon be adapted for television.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

LEE GOLDBERG: Because my friend David Morrell, and his novel FIRST BLOOD, were the focus of the book (THE RAMBO REPORT by Nat Segaloff).

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

LEE GOLDBERG: Not since JAWS, when I was a kid. And what attracted me to the cover was a big freaking shark surging up from the deep to eat a woman who was swimming on the surface of the water.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because of its title? If yes, what was the book, and what drew you to the title?

LEE GOLDBERG: LARRY McMURTRY: A LIFE. Because I am a big Larry McMurtry fan.

QUESTION: Have you ever finished reading a book, been disappointed by the ending, and thought you could have written a better ending? If yes, what was the book, and how would you have ended it?

LEE GOLDBERG: Yes, it happens more frequently than I would like. And no, I won't tell you the titles of any of the books.

QUESTION: Is there a social media account, a national book publisher, or book club you follow for reading recommendations?

LEE GOLDBERG: I like the Paperback Warrior Podcast and website for recommendations on crime novels and adventure books from the 1950s-1980s that I might have missed.

QUESTION: What book should everyone read, and why?

LEE GOLDBERG: LONESOME DOVE It works on every level. It's my favorite book of all time.

My gratitude to Lee for sharing his insights and for being a part of my fall back to reading series. Until next week, happy reading!

Monday, November 24, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Anthony Gaenzle

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is Anthony Gaenzle, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer at E&I Creative in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Anthony works as a personal brand consultant for executives, business owners, and others. He is a two-time published author, digital marketing influencer, and has helped brands both large and small grow and thrive across multiple industries through strategic marketing campaigns.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

ANTHONY GAENZLE: I recently re-read Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. It has a lot of great lessons inside, and I like to revisit books like this. As I read through the first time, I typically read quickly, so sometimes I will go back to more deeply absorb the insights contained within.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

ANTHONY GAENZLE: Made to Stick was a recommendation from a professor I had a class with during my MBA at Clemson University. I didn't chose it based on the the recommendation, but when I searched online to buy it, I was drawn in by the realistic-looking duct tape on the cover.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because of its title? If yes, what was the book, and what drew you to the title?

ANTHONY GAENZLE: I've been pulled in by titles, but I don't think I've ever made the purchase because of the title alone. A good title is important to grab attention, but I tend to read through the synopsis to make sure the content inside lives up to the hook.

QUESTION: Have you ever finished reading a book, been disappointed by the ending, and thought you could have written a better ending? If yes, what was the book, and how would you have ended it?

ANTHONY GAENZLE: The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It was a great book, but it leaves you hanging at the end. I don't mind a book leaving you to use your imagination, but that was one that I was really craving some resolution.

QUESTION: Is there a social media account, a national book publisher, or book club you follow for reading recommendations?

ANTHONY GAENZLE: I typically get my recommendations from friends and colleagues, or I do some research when I'm looking for a book on a particular topic.

QUESTION: What book should everyone read, and why?

ANTHONY GAENZLE: Again, going back to Made to Stick. I wouldn't say "anyone" should read it, but if you're in the marketing field or generally involved in growing a business, it's such a valuable read. Really helps as you form and build upon your ideas.

Monday, November 17, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Debbie Szumylo

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during November and December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is Debbie Szumylo based in Minnesota. Debbie is a Senior Manager of Customer and Employee Experience at Elite, leveraging 20 years of expertise in the industry. With nearly a decade at Elite, she enhances customer and employee satisfaction through a customer-facing online community, surveys, and journey mapping. Her key achievements include boosting client retention, launching an internal recognition program, and managing online communities. Additionally, Debbie plays a pivotal role in developing internal training programs, shaping the employee experience, and leading the development of Elite's Values.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

DEBBIE SZUMYLO: The book I'm currently reading, which I chose for our book club, is The Island of Sea Women written by Lisa See. I tend to select books that explore times, circumstances, and events that I have little information about.

I read to:

* Expand my knowledge base: I actively seek out new historical periods, cultural contexts, or significant events that I might not have encountered otherwise.

* Continue developing empathy and understanding: Stepping into the shoes of characters living through unfamiliar situations helps me foster a deeper appreciation for diverse human experiences.

* Spark engaging discussions: When everyone in the book club is learning something new together, it often leads to more vibrant and insightful conversations.

* Challenge my own preconceptions: Encountering narratives from unfamiliar backgrounds encourages me to question my own assumptions and biases.

In essence, my book choices reflect a curiosity-driven approach to reading, where my primary goal isn't just entertainment - but also intellectual growth and a richer understanding of the world.

Monday, November 10, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring James Strock

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during November and December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is James Strock, an independent writer, speaker, reformer, and entrepreneur, based in Southern California. He's the author of several books about leadership, politics, Ronald Reagan, and Theodore Roosevelt - and I've had the honor of learning from him since we first met back in 2011.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

JAMES STROCK: The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism, by John Gray jumped out because of the author and the topic. Gray is an erudite, wide-ranging public intellectual of a type that is nearly extinct. He's fearless and unbound by political identities, the better able to discern unexpected associations between our times and others.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

JAMES STROCK: I don't select books based on their cover designs, but I do appreciate a compelling design. A recent example is Revolutionary Spring: Europe Aflame and the Fight for a New World, by Christopher Clark. The images on the front cover are evocative, including cities aflame, massed crowds, people overturning bondage. It helps one recognize that our moment is linked to the world-historic year 1848.

Monday, November 3, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Rebecca Rucker

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during November and December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is Rebecca Rucker, a psychotherapist based in Houston, Texas. We met via a virtual book club, Leaders Who Fiction led by Melanie Bell. Rebecca belongs to the Leaders Who Fiction book club because she enjoys the quality of the discussions about leadership that transpires among the book club members; and when not reading fiction, she meets with a weekly group of eclectic elders who study the works of Shakespeare.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

REBECCA RUCKER: This summer, I chose to read North Woods by Daniel Mason. The concept of the book intrigued me. It is a story about the many inhabitants of the same house over the course of decades. The wonderful surprise of this book was not just the unusual concept, but the incredible creativity and artistry of the book. Mason includes poetry, pictures, and a variety of writing styles that are unique and engaging. His ability to weave the threads of continuity from one of the house inhabitants to another is intriguing and demonstrates his mastery in writing. This book was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, and after reading this delightful and entertaining novel, it's clear to see why.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

REBECCA RUCKER: Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's book, A Woman of Independent Means, was originally published in 1978. The original cover of the book was simple: a woman on a stamp with an addressed postcard which gave the title of the book and the author. I was drawn to the stamp. This was 1978, and it was the first time I recalled seeing a modern woman on a stamp - and the declaration in the title that a woman had independent means.

Independence was a new concept for women coming out of the 60s and 70s. When the book appeared, women were not only becoming independent, but financially capable and confident, and no longer relegated to the previous traditional roles of women from prior decades. While it was the cover that caught my attention, the content opened my eyes to a brave way of living for a lifetime. This copy of the book remains on my bookshelves to this day.

Monday, October 27, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring Melanie Bell

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during November and December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is Melanie Bell based in California. Melanie is the Co-Founder of Strategic Piece, a company that helps B2B businesses generate outstanding revenue growth by bringing together their marketing, sales, and service teams around an information-driven customer experience. However, Melanie is not only about marketing. She founded Leaders Who Fiction, a virtual monthly book club (where we met in November 2023), while running Strategic Piece. Through Leaders Who Fiction, Melanie helps people develop leadership skills by reading fiction and participating in intellectual, business-oriented conversations centered around a selected novel. Prior to Strategic Piece, Melanie was President of Marketing Interface, which she founded in 2014, after serving as Director of Marketing at SURGE Accelerator/SURGE Ventures. Melanie earned a BA in International Development from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA from Rice University in Houston.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

MELANIE BELL: I finished Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto yesterday while waiting for my luggage at the airport (there was a thunderstorm so I had an hour to kill). I read it for the Leaders Who Fiction book club that I run. One of our members (Rebecca Rucker - next Monday's series guest here on #DebbieLaskeysBlog) suggested we read this book, and I love it when I get to read something new and fun. I tore through it on the plane ride home.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

MELANIE BELL: Absolutely. I can't remember the first time that it happened, but I can remember the most recent time it did: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner. This is her third book, and all of them have crazy beautiful book covers. I did know something about the story and the author when I decided to buy it, so I can't say it was only based on the cover, but I chose it over her other books because of it.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because of its title? If yes, what was the book, and what drew you to the title?

MELANIE BELL: 100 percent I've done this. Probably more than I care to admit, even to myself! Some examples that come to mind The Ministry of Time (Kaliane Bradley), Christmas with the Queen (Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor), The Titanic Survivors' Book Club (Timothy Schaffert). I'm a sucker for anything time travel, royalty, or Titanic related, so each of these grabbed my attention for their respective reason. Also, I'm currently listening to The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, and the title seemed so happy I wanted to give the book a chance. Note: the book is NOT happy, but so so well-written.

QUESTION: Have you ever finished reading a book, been disappointed by the ending, and thought you could have written a better ending? If yes, what was the book, and how would you have ended it?

MELANIE BELL: The book that comes to mind is The Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. I absolutely adored this book. Could not put it down. Read it in a weekend. But the end of it made me want to throw the book out the window. While not explicit, it was implied at the very end that the main character looked someone up on the Internet in the 80s. I found it so factually incorrect or suspicious that I get angry every time I think about it. How did nobody else read that? I mean this book was up for some mega awards!

QUESTION: Is there a social media account, a national book publisher, or book club you follow for reading recommendations?

MELANIE BELL: One of my favorite sources for book recommendations is the Women's Prize for Fiction. I love their mission and the books that they select. They also have an addictive podcast filled with book recommendations that don't miss.

QUESTION: What book should everyone read, and why?

MELANIE BELL: Tough one! I don't know that there is one book I recommend everyone read. Different books speak to us differently depending on when we read them and what's going on in our lives. One of my favorite things to do is to make specific book recommendations for individuals based on what I think they'll love. That being said, the book I've read the most number of times is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, so I do recommend that one a lot!

Sunday, August 9, 2026

SHARE THIS: If you give a person a book, you give him the world. ~Kristin Harmel #TheParisDaughter #NationalBookLoversDay #reading #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: I cannot remember the books I have read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson #DebbieLaskeysBlog #reading #NationalBookLoversDay

Share this: What's your fave book of all time? Mine is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. #DebbieLaskeysBlog #reading #NationalBookLoversDay

Monday, June 8, 2026

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some brands that have made - and continue to make - a difference in saving our oceans. Join me in celebrating their efforts!

And lastly, how will you celebrate today? You might choose to watch an ocean-related movie or read an ocean-related book. Check out some ideas below:

MOVIE IDEAS:

BOOK IDEAS:

SHARE THIS: How will YOU celebrate #WorldOceansDay today? Celebrate a brand that promotes plastic recycling, watch a movie about oceans, or read a book with an ocean in the plot. #BrandStorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Sunday, December 21, 2025

SHARE THIS: A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic. ~Carl Sagan #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

JOSEPH LALONDE:

JEN CARROLL:

ABBIE KIMERLING:

HEATHER HACKETT:

MELANIE BELL:

REBECCA RUCKER:

JAMES STROCK:

DEBBIE SZUMYLO:

ANTHONY GAENZLE:

LEE GOLDBERG:

CAROL HENAULT:

ERIKA ANDERSEN:

And my two cents, DEBBIE LASKEY:

Monday, December 15, 2025

Monday, December 8, 2025

SHARE THIS: Inspiring children's passion for reading is the greatest gift we can give them on their personal road to success. ~Carol Henault #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Amazon knows what I like to read. ~Carol Henault #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, December 1, 2025

SHARE THIS: Books transport you to another world, to another time and place. ~LeeGoldberg #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, November 24, 2025

SHARE THIS: If you're in the marketing field or generally involved in growing a business, MADE TO STICK is such a valuable read. ~Anthony Gaenzle #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, November 17, 2025

SHARE THIS: My book choices reflect a curiosity-driven approach to reading, where my primary goal isn't just entertainment - but also intellectual growth and a richer understanding of the world. ~Debbie Szumylo #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: A book's title is just the briefest of hello waves, and by itself, it's not enough to convince me to commit. ~Debbie Szumylo #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: By reading books that are currently facing bans, we actively support the right to read freely and stand against censorship. ~Debbie Szumylo #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, November 10, 2025

SHARE THIS: I don't select books based on their cover designs, but I do appreciate a compelling design. ~James Strock #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, November 3, 2025

SHARE THIS: While the cover of A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS caught my attention, the content opened my eyes to a brave way of living for a lifetime. ~Rebecca Rucker #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, October 27, 2025

SHARE THIS: Different books speak to us differently depending on when we read them and what's going on in our lives. ~Melanie Bell #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog