I'm reading 26 books in 2025 to answer one question: What if productivity isn't about output… it's about being fully alive?

If judging by last year’s reading list through the Libby app is concerned, the answer is a very spotty maybe.

But this year, I want to dive deep into how our brains process information, what makes us creative (not artistic), how we crave novelty, and why (or even how) we believe that the only kind of productivity is the kind that makes us money. I deeply want to explore everything there is to understand about the ways we show up to our communities, how we need space, what creativity can foster within us, and equally importantly the science behind all of us.

In Being Human (Centric): A Leader’s Guide to Culture, People, and Profits, I talk a lot about how businesses and managers make money by putting people first. But there’s a flip side to this- putting ourselves first, first.

Side hustles are being normalized, cost of living is rising, and the constant feeling of falling behind is a repetitive narrative in almost any conversation I have. I feel it too!

In my work with leaders in all kinds of industries (tech, higher ed, corporate, non-profit, you name it), we all face the same questions, with the same lack of answers. What motivates my team? How do I inspire me or my team to do our best work? Is this enough to claim excellence in my work today?

Surprisingly, the answers don’t lie in your 9 to 5. They are answered at home.

This is why I’ve decided to make my ready list public for 2026, to invite you into the discoveries with me.

Now, this is an aggressive reading list… even for me. Cause you better believe I’ll continue to read my fiction finds too.

But I deeply want to explore everything there is to understand about the ways we show up, how we need space, what creativity can bring us, and most importantly what makes us crave novelty.

Join me on my reading journey!

If you’re interested, and in no particular order, here are all the books on my reading list to explore novelty, creativity, rest, productivity, and how to be more human-centric at home :

Please note: I might get commissions from these links. It’s a small way you can choose to support me on the journey of novelty.

If you’ve picked a book, take a picture and tag me in it while you read! I’ll post my thoughts on these books as the year unfolds.

The reviews will largely be for the Novelty Club, so if you want to become a member, subscribe and join the fun!

Talk soon,

Rachel
Leadership trainer, novelty junkie, and human being

Thanks for joining me on my search for novelty and one human-centric leaders's journey towards a more balanced life.