Cheryl loves to read great nonfiction books and occasionally some historical fiction. And like many of you, she has three or four books going at any given time. It’s easy to keep all the books straight when the subjects are varied and the writing styles are different. It’s even easier these days now that one can “carry” around these three to four books at all times on a gadget like Cheryl’s iPad mini.
We found the books below on her list and wanted to find out why these particular titles are of interest to her. We hope you find her answers as interesting as we did!
Cheryl’s summer must reads
1. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
“Sheryl Sandberg has reinvigorated dinner table conversations across the world about women in the workplace with her fascinating book, Lean In. Her down-to-earth confessions about “how being described as ‘bossy’ or ‘controlling’ as a young girl made her cringe” really resonates with me. It made me reflect…girls are bossy and boys are assertive. Women are bitches and men are tough leaders. Women have to juggle while men just work. I admire her fearlessness to tackle this topic. Sheryl is on my list of people I’d love to meet!”
2. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
“My historical fiction indulgence is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. I am captivated by the story of how intermingled the church and the monarchies were in the Middle Ages, scratching each others backs, deceiving one another and desperately fighting over the same control of the same lands. Rich in history and fact, the tale of a stonemason and his quest to build a magnificent cathedral is a book I’m finding terribly hard to put down. Ken Follet aficionados will not be disappointed by this radical genre shift. Pillars of the Earth is a thrill ride for anyone who is a fan of history.”
3. Out of Order by Sandra Day O’Connor
“Arizona is so much more than crazy Sheriff Joe. And Chief Justice O’Connor is a true reflection of the rich history that this state has to offer. Since I call Arizona my home, I am thrilled to read about the stories surrounding O’Connor’s journey to the Supreme Court, her insider perspective of the evolution of the court and some fun anecdotes along the way. I was given the honor of being selected as one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women for our State’s Centennial celebration along side Justice O’Connor. Meeting her was an extraordinary experience. And to be honored with her was a chance of a lifetime. I can’t wait to read her book.”
4. Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
“I got half way through the Emperor of All Maladies when it first came out in 2010 (wow, where did those three years go?) and got distracted and never finished it. So, I’ve picked it up again. If you love history and the discovery of understanding how our politics, bureaucracies and wealth influence medical advancement, you’ll love this book. While Mukherjee weaves so many other layers around the history of cancer, the account of the political web surrounding its research is truly eye opening. It reveals just how complicated our medical system is. I found it reads like a novel and is so moving, I just couldn’t put it down. I’m so excited to see what the other half of the book has in store.”
5. What to Cook and How to Cook It by Jane Hornby
“What to Cook and How to Cook It is a cookbook you’ll enjoy reading as much as looking at the images. There are great tips and recipes‚ step-by-step instruction and gorgeous photography. I have two hard copies as well. One for home and one for my office. Love, love!”
6. The Vatican Diaries by John Thavis
“Another book to quench my insatiable curiosity about religion, The Vatican Diaries, by John Thavis, gives us an insider’s look at the politics inside the heart of the Catholic Church. As a Vatican reporter, Thavis gives us a unique account of the varied personalities behind this huge organization and the few powerful men that run it.”
7. The Soundtrack of My Life by Clive Davis
“The world of Hollywood and celebrity is fascinating to me. The Soundtrack of My Life is an autobiography that chronicles Clive Davis’ journey from Brooklyn to Harvard to Hollywood and is an amazing story. A legend in the entertainment world and the force behind such talent as Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston, Davis’ story is a true testament of how hard work and grit should be at the top of everyone’s resume.”
8. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
“I have been a ‘student’ of religions and people’s motivations to kill in the name of religion since I started my bachelor’s degree at ASU. I’m so intrigued to see how Jon Krakauer’s Under the Banner of Heaven looks at the role violence has played in some sects of the Mormon Church.”
