More Books Everyone Should Read (According to the EduCred Services Team)
Reading as an adult is a strange thing. We crave it, we romanticize it, and then we doom-scroll Instagram until midnight instead. Which is why it feels like a minor miracle every time we actually finish a book we love. When this event, as mystical as it is rewarding, happens, we want to tell everyone about it!
A couple of years ago, we shared a list of the books that shaped us. In 2024, we tried to make your beach bag a little smarter with a summer reading list. And now, in 2025, we’re back with part three: a mix of fun reads and professional game-changers that have made us laugh, think differently, or, if we’re really lucky, both.
Susan’s Picks
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink
Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about what we do and how we do it, but rarely about when we do it. One of my favorite writers, Daniel Pink, takes that overlooked piece of our lives and proves that timing is not just intuition, it’s science. He dives into research on circadian rhythms, decision-making, and productivity, and shows how the time of day (or even the timing within a project or a career) can radically shape the outcomes. This book will make you think through your own timing. Pink explains why our daily “chronotypes” make mid-mornings the sweet spot for analytical work, why surgeons perform better after breaks, and how even courtroom judges make fairer decisions post-lunch. He draws on surprising anecdotes—from the success of synchronized swimmers to the productivity boost of coffee breaks taken together—to show that timing is not just background noise but a decisive factor in achievement and well-being. Pink’s mix of research and real-life illustrations makes this a guide not only for managing schedules but for rethinking the rhythm of life itself (certainly made me rethink mine). Pink’s examples move between business, education, and even medicine, and they’re all surprisingly fun (#nerdalert) to read. This is not a “hack your calendar” book, but it is a reminder that timing is a tool, and when we use it with intention, we make smarter decisions and design better lives.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
This memoir isn’t just inspiring (though it had me grinning, wincing, and cheering all in the same chapter); it is essentially a front-row seat to the messy, exhilarating, and often precarious birth of one of the world’s most iconic brands. From Knight’s scrappy beginnings selling shoes out of the trunk of his car (the man has hustle), to navigating factory deals in Japan, to building a ragtag team that believed in the dream before anyone else did, Shoe Dog reads less like a corporate victory lap and more like a candid confession of how hard, chaotic, and exhilarating it is to build something that lasts.
Knight delivers a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of Nike, where every triumph came with near-bankruptcy nipping at its heels. With disarming honesty, he recounts moments of self-doubt, relentless risk-taking, and unlikely victories, like scrambling to make payroll, battling with rival shoe companies, and the unexpected wins that turned Nike into a household name. The world of global business provides colorful backdrops for his memories, but the heart of the story is in the relationships he cultivated with mentors, teammates, and family that fueled the company’s rise and supported its longevity. Knight doesn’t shy away from the losses and heartbreaks along the way, but that’s what makes the story resonate. Business, after all, is a deeply human endeavor, and this book reminds us that behind every global empire are stories of vision, grit, and ordinary people daring to do extraordinary things.
Emily’s Picks
Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines by Joy Buolamwini
I don’t know if I love what this says about me, but I have a type when it comes to books: I’m endlessly fascinated by stories of intellectual hubris. There is something so compelling and tragic about geniuses who, in all their curiosity, ingenuity, ambition, and doggedness, set out to solve a problem or create something new, only to end up becoming a victim to their own creation (Parenting, am I right? Just kidding. Sort of). Anyway, this particular trope speaks to me. In our past blogs, I’ve recommended Frankenstein and Jurassic Park. This time, I’m recommending Unmasking AI.
Like those novels, this book wrestles with the idea that “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” But unlike Shelley’s patchwork cadaver or Crichton’s velociraptors, the creation here isn’t lurking in a lab or an island jungle. It’s already out in the world, embedded in tools we use every day. Buolamwini’s book centers on what she calls the “coded gaze,” the idea that technology doesn’t emerge from nowhere but precipitates the paradigms of its creators and of society itself.
Especially if AI is already in your classrooms, your admissions processes, your student support systems, this is a must-read because you are already relying on tools that are not neutral. I’m not suggesting you abandon them, but you do have a responsibility to at least understand the biases, blind spots, and structural inequities built into them. Unmasking AI makes that reality impossible to ignore.
Outline by Rachel Cusk
Let me preface this recommendation by saying that, in the past, I have shied away from recommending books that might come across as too opaque or overly intellectual. I know not everyone is going to swoon over a particularly lovely sentence, and I’m not here to pretend that Gravity’s Rainbow is my favorite beach read. But I loved Outline so much that I’m willing to risk people thinking I’m pretentious by recommending it.
There is, technically, a plot. There is, sort of, a main character. There is a setting. But none (and yet all) of these things are why you’ll love this book. Outline asks: What if you aren’t just the things that you are; what if, instead, you’re not all of the things that you’re not. If you made it through that sentence, this book is for you. It is, at once, relatable and foreign, introspective yet conversational, and full of sentences that made me furious that I hadn’t written them. This novel is powerful in its deceptive simplicity. It will sneak up on you, creep into how you think about identity and voice, and leave you wondering how a book so short can feel so immense.
Amy’s Picks
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
In the whirlwind of strategic plans, accreditation reports, and the endless pursuit of engagement metrics, we sometimes forget to simply breathe. We're all pushing for impact and innovation, the next big thing in higher ed. And that's fantastic! But what if the secret to true impact isn't in another committee meeting, but in a little book written by a guy who moved into a cabin by a pond? I used to re-read Henry David Thoreau's Walden every summer. Walden isn't a manifesto for dropping out; it's a practice in intentionality. Thoreau's entire experiment involved stripping away the superfluous to find what truly matters. Walden asks us: Are we building truly essential learning experiences, or are we just adding layers because "that's how it's always been done"? It offers a powerful lens for looking at how we live and work. Thoreau went to the woods to "live deliberately... and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." It calls us to reconnect with our foundational "why" amidst the daily grind. When you're feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of higher education or everyday life, take a page from Thoreau. Find your own Walden Pond (even if it's just your backyard with a good book) and consider what it truly means to live and lead with intention.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's
We spend a lot of our time in higher education navigating complex systems, strategic planning, and, honestly, knee-deep in way too many spreadsheets. We're focused on outcomes, ROI, and KPIs. All crucial, of course! But in our drive to be efficient and effective, do we sometimes lose sight of the truly essential? That's why Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince remains close to my heart. It isn't just a children's book. It is a thoughtful, deceptively simple masterpiece that speaks volumes to anyone wrestling with big questions about life, meaning, and human connection, which pretty accurately describes most of us. Here’s why you should take a brief flight with the Little Prince. The Little Prince constantly encounters "grown-ups," too busy with numbers and superficial matters to see what truly counts. It challenges us to ask: Are we prioritizing the "weighty matters” or getting lost in the "matters of consequence"? The Little Prince's innocent yet persistent questioning cuts through pretense and forces us to justify our assumptions. It inspires us to challenge the status quo and dig for a deeper purpose. From his unique relationships with the Rose, the Fox, and the Lamplighter, the Little Prince teaches us about "taming,” forming bonds, taking responsibility, and seeing with the heart. This line, "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye," reminds us that the most vital aspects of life, inspiration, curiosity, empathy, and critical thought, often go unseen but remain the most meaningful and transformative. It’s a read that leads us to take a moment to see with our hearts, reconnect with the essential, and perhaps, find a bit of wonder.
Andy’s Picks
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need by Bill Gates
This book (way to give away the whole thing in the title, Bill!) lays out a practical roadmap for tackling the global climate crisis. The central point is why the world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and how global leaders and individuals can contribute. I learned a lot from this very accessibly written and mercifully short book about where emissions come from, existing solutions, and new innovations on the horizon. For example, I imagine that many people already know that cow methane is a huge problem (cause, fart science is something people remember). But the fact that cement production is also a huge emissions driver was news to me and the solutions being worked on are fascinating. The book combines data and real-world examples to discuss not only what governments and industries must do, but also how individuals can play a role.
Inferno by Dan Brown
I am a sucker for a who-dun-it and when one comes with extra nerdy explorations of history and art, I am in! Not only did it give me a bunch of historical anecdotes that I could half remember and misquote at parties, but this particular Robert Langdon adventure (played by Tom Hanks in the movie version of this story and the Da Vinci Code) has a haunting through line that stuck with me long after finishing it. The “big bad” in the book is concerned with overpopulation of the planet and the lack of real solutions coming out of any government or think tank. While Brown—through Professor Langdon—teaches the reader all about Dante’s Inferno and the various artworks inspired by the poem, he casually drops in gnarly facts about food insecurity, the planet’s overstressed infrastructure, and climate change. Not a bad way to enjoy yourself while being reminded that there are global challenges worth thinking about. Also, the book’s ending is completely different than the movie version (like, the opposite ending)!
Kadera’s Picks
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tina Fey is a comedic genius. As someone who is a fan of both comedy and kick-butt women, I knew she would deliver funny and inspirational life lessons in her memoir, and, sure enough, this memoir is exactly what you’d hope it would be. It includes behind-the-scenes stories from Saturday Night Live or 30 Rock (and those alone are worth the read), but what makes this book so engaging is the way she uses humor to slip in lessons about leadership, resilience, and embracing the chaos. Fey reminds us how messy and overwhelming life can be, but to use humor as a tool for resilience. Fey writes about saying yes to opportunities before she felt ready, juggling the messiness of work and motherhood, and learning that balance is less about perfection and more about persistence. For me, a working mom with two kids, Fey’s reminder to meet challenges with humor is both relatable and inspiring. If you need a book that feels like equal parts pep talk and comedy sketch, this is it.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman’s unique humor-compassion mix consistently gets me right in the feelings, and Anxious People was no exception. The story follows a failed bank robber who accidentally takes eight strangers hostage during an apartment viewing. From there, Backman slowly unravels each character’s backstory. What emerges is a web of overlapping stories, with each character carrying invisible burdens, each a bit lost, and all more connected than they realize. I happened to read this book at a particularly overwhelming moment in my life—one where the mental load of balancing work, family, volunteering, and life’s seemingly endless to-do lists felt impossible. The reminder that everyone carries invisible burdens deeply resonated with me. Backman’s gift for turning human messiness into something profound is a balm in times of upheaval. This story’s focus on empathy, forgiveness, and perseverance will remind you that even in our most anxious, imperfect moments, connection is what gets us through.
If you needed a reason to stack your nightstand TBRs (to-be-reads) a little higher, consider this your sign. Reading can be hilarious, restorative, frustrating, perspective-shifting, or all of those things at once. Even if you don’t pick up a single book from this list, pick up something. Reading keeps your mind open, your imagination active, and your vocabulary sharp. It’s the foundation of communication, education, and self-improvement. It’s also really fun according to your friendly neighborhood consulting nerds.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King