Hey everybody!
We’ve made it to the final week of March and the final week of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith.
Hope you’re all getting on well with the book… Tristan is almost there and Fiona has been done for weeks!
Do you love it? Do you hate it? Somewhere in between perhaps? Get it all off your chest and let us know over on our Discord channel where all the Bad Ass Bookshelf action takes place.
If you’re new to the club, or simply didn’t dive in this month, don’t worry at all - you’re in a perfect position to hit the ground running with our April book. Which of course, we are voting for today right here in this email!
♦︎ Don’t forget, we’ll be discussing all things Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? at our end of month book call this week Thursday the 27th at 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST).
Be there or be square.
To register and ensure you don’t miss it, click here!
﹅ The shortlist
For April, we’re taking a sharp U-turn away from the topic of Psychology and Personal Growth and aiming our sights on the topic of Leadership and Culture.
We’ve shortlisted 3 very cool titles for you to choose from. Whatever book we pick, it’s gonna be great.
Here’s our April shortlist:
1. No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
Netflix redefined corporate culture by prioritising radical transparency, freedom, and accountability. This inside look at its unconventional management principles reveals how the company’s bold approach fuelled innovation and success. This book is perfect for leaders ready to challenge traditional workplace norms.
If you liked The Lean Startup or Work Rules!, you’ll love this deep dive into how Netflix built its high-performing, radically candid culture
» Check it out on Goodreads
2. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhou
Stepping into leadership can feel overwhelming, but Julie Zhuo, former VP of Design at Facebook, breaks it down with relatable anecdotes and practical strategies. From building trust to delivering feedback, this book is a must-read for new and experienced managers alike.
If you liked Radical Candor or The First 90 Days, this is your go-to guide for navigating the challenges of leadership with confidence.
» Check it out on Goodreads
3. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Courageous leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about fostering trust, vulnerability, and emotional resilience. Brené Brown blends research with powerful storytelling to help leaders cultivate meaningful connections and a fearless workplace culture.
If you liked Leaders Eat Last or The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, this book will help you lead with authenticity, empathy, and boldness.
» Check it out on Goodreads
● Vote now
It’s time to choose April’s book!
Which book should we dive into next? Cast your vote now, and the winning book will be announced next week!
Which book would you like to read in April?
Vote now and help shape The Bad Ass Bookshelf’s next read. Plus, everyone who votes will be entered into a draw to win a free copy of April’s book! Vote by 23:59 (GMT) on Thursday 27th March to enter. Votes after this time will not count.
Don’t miss out - have your say!
► A special message from Dr Julie Smith
Dr Julie Smith, the author of this month’s book has sent us all a little message.
“To my fellow book lovers,
Thank you so much for choosing my first book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? for your book club this month. I hope that you all find something in there to help make life even just a little bit easier than before.
As I sit here typing this to you, I just received the news that my new book, Open When has hit the New York Times bestseller list so I am utterly lost for words. This year I have plans to speak at many of the literary festivals across the UK, so feel free to come along, say hi and I will sign your book for you.”
- Dr Julie Smith
♦︎ Next book club call
We're so excited to host our next Bad Ass Bookshelf bookclub call to discuss Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? at the end of March! Call details below:
Date: 27th of March
Time: 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST)
Register for the call here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PDV7Ef3qSeODT1NgwdMX2g?#/registration
Cannot wait to see you all there!
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