Eight Books That Are Quietly Reshaping How I Show Up

No. 25 | They’re not leadership books. They’re not self-help. Just the kind of stories that stay with you—and shift something.

If you read my last post, Tired of Caring? This List Is for You, you know where I’m at: trying to stay engaged without coming completely undone.

I’m still here… still showing up… (I think). But if I’m being honest, I’ve reached that part of the year where my brain feels like it’s been microwaved, and all I want is to be left alone—with a book, maybe a snack (preferably a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar), and a hammock.

Honestly? If I could bulldoze my kids’ playground and replace it with a garden office shed, I totally would. I’d stock the shelves with paint supplies, crack a window so I could hear the birds chirp, and finally get to all the books currently stacked in corners around my house. Just a nice little mom-space… to escape—I mean, retreat. A space to call my own, where I can tune out all the things I can’t control, and maybe even the things I can.

So, this post isn’t a strategy. It’s not a fix.
It’s just a list of books that have helped me slow down and think a little differently. Not leadership books. Not self-help. Just a few good insights and stories—at the right time.

And as I keep searching for less noise and more rest—
(Which, by the way… I tried a cold plunge. You can read my full, honest review in the P.S. Spoiler: never again.)

Here’s my summer reading list. For you.

For when you want to show up better—without performing

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
I know I’ve mentioned this book before on Substack—but that’s because it really is the classic. Priya Parker doesn’t just talk about hosting, she redefines what it means to create space with purpose. Whether you’re pulling together a community meeting about your neighborhood park, hosting a hard conversation in your living room, or just craving more meaning at your dinner table—this book is the foundation.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Yes, the title feels like it belongs on a dusty bookshelf next to your grandpa’s shaving brush—but hear me out. In my day job, I host community conversations with people who don’t always agree. This book? It should be required reading. If you're trying to share ideas or advocate for change in a way that actually lands, start here. It’s not about charm—it’s about connection.

For when you need to name the thing behind the thing

There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone
This book reads like a novel—sharp storytelling rooted in real-life policy. It reminded me of Evicted (Matthew Desmond’s Pulitzer-winner), but Brian weaves his own thread: a fresh, clear-eyed look at how even well-meaning housing policies can still leave families stuck. If you care about community and want to understand how the system works—or doesn’t—this one’s worth your time.

For when you need to feel something real

Song in a Weary Throat by Pauli Murray
I’m obsessed with Pauli Murray. Not in a cute fangirl way—in a “how did one human do all that and still keep going?” way. She was brilliant, queer, deeply faithful, and wildly ahead of her time. Read this if you need a reminder that quiet conviction can move mountains.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Not new—this book came out about 10 years ago, and I’d read it before. But I picked it up again recently and forgot how truly wonderful it is. I started tearing up while reading it in the passenger seat on the way to an amusement park with my family. Nothing like quietly sobbing about women's courage while heading toward funnel cake and roller coasters.

On my shelf this summer

These are the three books I’m reaching for next—because they feel like what I’m craving right now: foundational how-tos for the kind of work I want to do, or stories that offer new perspective on the world we’re living in.

1. Dear Writer by

   Maggie Smith
   | I’m a huge fan of Maggie. I love everything about her voice and presence. She’s a local leader here in Columbus, Ohio, and I’m hoping this book helps me explore how my own writing can become even more impactful and intentional.

2. The Motivated Speaker by Ruth Milligan, Acacia Duncan, and Blythe Coons | Written by three women I deeply admire, this one’s been sitting on my desk for a few weeks. I’ve worked with all three on public speaking—and now I get to read their wisdom in book form. Can’t wait to soak it in.

3. Mother Emanuel by Kevin Sack | This one came to me from the publisher, and the moment I read the summary, I knew it belonged on this list. I haven’t started it yet, but it’s calling to me. I have a feeling it’ll shift how I think about justice, community, and grace.

What about you?

What book helped you show up differently this year? Comment below and tell me. I really want to know.

Love + Light,

Sophia

P.S. About that cold plunge

A few weeks ago, I was driving through downtown Worthington, Ohio and noticed a new place called SweatHouz—one of those sauna and cold plunge spots with a trendy name and a cool vibe you can spot from the parking lot. For a while, I’d been scrolling past posts from local women swearing by the mental clarity a cold plunge brings, so in the name of wellness, curiosity, and—if I’m honest—a little bit of FOMO, I booked a trial.

Let me be clear: I am not a cold person. I wear sweatpants in July. I keep a space heater in my basement year-round. My ideal state is “microwaved cinnamon roll.” So cold plunging? Not exactly my ministry.

The sauna? Fine. Forty minutes on a wooden bench felt about 25 minutes too long for someone pushing 40 and trying to read. The vitamin C rainfall shower, however—10/10, would do again. I loved it.

Now the plunge.

They positioned a mirror right across from the tub—not full-length, but full enough to see your whole body contorting in real time. And listen: I don’t know what middle-aged woman wants to watch herself suffer like that. It’s basically the wellness equivalent of someone handing you a mirror mid-childbirth and saying, “Wanna watch the crowning?” Absolutely f*cking not.

My face looked like a horrified cat—wide-eyed, betrayed, clinging to the last shred of dignity as my body cringed at the shock. Every wrinkle, every roll, every instinct was screaming get the F* out. I made it halfway in. Stayed for 30 seconds. That was plenty. That was it.

If cold is your thing—go off, queen.

But I’ll be over here in three layers of fleece, dreaming about a garden shed filled with books and nothing that requires bravery below 98 degrees.

P.P.S. - Just in case it wasn’t clear—this isn’t a review, and definitely not a critique of SweatHouz. The space was beautiful, the team was kind, and the whole experience was thoughtfully put together. I love that places like this exist, giving people a chance to try something new. Cold plunges just aren’t my thing. But if you're braver than I am—or just built differently—you might love it. Here’s the link if you want to find a studio near you and give it a go.