Having spent much of my corporate career focused on how to build trust in the workplace and develop self-trust, even writing a book on the topic, Trust, Inc . , and named a 100 Top Thought Leader by Trust Across America at the time, I was drawn to Dr. Shade Zahrai’s book, Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence, and Fuel Success. I listened to the audio version, narrated by the author, which I enjoyed.   I’m a strong believer that self-trust matters not only at wo

While I’m not a gardener, I am an admirer of those who are, and a recipient of their results be they flowers that brighten my spirit or yummy organic fruits and vegetables that nourish my body. Either way, I wasn’t drawn to this book because of its gardening theme.   I was drawn to The Gardener’s Plot: A Mystery  by Deborah J. Benoit because it was The Minotaur Books / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award Winner. I’m currently writing my first mystery series an

It was after I finished reading My Friends  by Fredrik Backman , which was recommended by a friend, that I discovered it won the 2025 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction. I can understand why. I found this unusual story about friendship memorable and poignant, and as quick to make me laugh as to cry.   The story toggles between what happened twenty-five years ago to four teenagers who found refuge in their bonds of friendship against difficult home situations, to the curr