New Books for the Week of September 30

We believe in books, and we believe that a great book can shape the way we work, think, and live. Take a look at our picks below and see what speaks to you!

The Porchlight staff members choosing books each week include Porchlight's Managing Director, Sally Haldorson, and the marketing team of Gabriella Cisneros and Dylan Schleicher. As expert booksellers, we browse publisher catalogs and explore new titles from across the book industry to discover what captures our interest, and we're excited to share our findings with readers like you.

Unless otherwise noted, all book descriptions are provided by their respective publishers.

Our Recommended Books This Week

Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work by Jodi-Ann Burey, published by Flatiron Books

Workplace dynamics in recent years have been a dizzying storm of broken promises. Companies that once encouraged employees to "come as you are" and bring your full, authentic self to work are now shutting down initiatives, part of an ongoing cycle of trading on our identities when it's convenient and profitable.
Jodi-Ann Burey, writer and critic known for her TED talk "The Myth of Bringing Your Full, Authentic Self to Work," delves into the dangers of disclosure in environments that aren't built for our well-being. With insights from pop culture, academic research, and interviews with other professionals of color, Burey argues that we deserve better than shallow ploys for representation.
Our physical and emotional health are at risk, and too much is sacrificed--for ourselves and for collective progress--when our full potential is blocked by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. Authentic is a powerful reckoning--and now is the time to reclaim our agency. Even at work.

Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth, and Power by Victoria Bateman, published by Seal Press

How many female entrepreneurs, economic revolutionaries, merchants, and industrialists can you name? You would be forgiven for thinking that, until very recently, there were none at all.

But what about Phryne, the richest woman in ancient Athens, who offered to pay to rebuild the walls of Thebes after the city was razed by Alexander the Great? Or what about Priscilla Wakefield, the writer who set up the first English bank for women and children? And, just as important, what about the everyday women who, paid only a pittance, labored for the profit of others?

From the most successful women of their day to those who struggled to make ends meet, Economica takes you on a journey that begins in the Stone Age and ends in the twenty-first century, spanning the world's historic centers of prosperity: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Peru, the Indus Valley, the Roman Empire, the Islamic Empire, China, Europe, and the United States. By shining a light on the women whose contributions to the economy have been hidden for far too long, Economica is more than a history of women--it is a more accurate economic history of us all.

How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage by Ranjay Gulati, published by Harper Business

What leads people to speak truth to power, share bold new ideas, or put their lives on the line? Most of us chalk it up to personality, presuming that our heroes are naturally fearless. But what if courage isn't simply a matter of personality? What if it's something that any of us can develop?

In How to Be Bold, Ranjay Gulati offers a powerful playbook for becoming bolder and braver than we ever thought possible. Rather than leaving brave deeds to mythological heroes and resigning ourselves to apathy or cowardice, we can train ourselves to step up and act in the face of uncertainty. The key, Gulati argues, is to adopt ways of thinking that allow us to neutralize or moderate our fears. By shifting how we see ourselves and the world, we can lower the odds that we'll freeze up in the moment while also sustaining courage over prolonged periods. We also can inspire others around us to display what Gulati calls collective courage.

Gulati shares vivid accounts of extraordinary courageous behavior, taking readers inside a nuclear reactor under threat of meltdown, to the front lines of a war zone, and into space with NASA astronauts. Connecting these stories with more mundane examples, such as the bravery shown by health care workers during the height of the COVID pandemic and by a whistleblower who took the bold step to expose their employer, Gulati reveals that what all of these people have in common isn't fearlessness. It's the ability to think in ways that help them manage their fears and make courageous action possible.

We all dream of being heroes, and some of us actually live those dreams. Whether you're a leader steering your organization through uncertainty, an activist standing up for your beliefs, or a young person simply looking to live your best, most fulfilling life, How to Be Bold gives you the science-based insight and strategies you need to take more action, do more good, and leave an inspiring legacy.

Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame by Zoe Shaw, published by Waterbrook Press

Do you ever feel like your past is holding you hostage? As if the mistakes you've made, the pain you've endured, or the burdens you carry are too heavy to release?

You're not alone.

In Stronger in the Difficult Places, Dr. Zoe Shaw opens her heart and her expertise to guide you through the healing process. Offering unflinching honesty but compassionate care, Dr. Zoe shares her own journey of breaking free from complex shame. For years, she believed her past defined her--until she realized she had the power to rewrite the narrative. Now she's inviting you to do the same.

With wisdom rooted in psychology, science, and faith, Dr. Zoe helps you untangle the stories shame has written over your life so you can embrace freedom. Through personal reflection and practical tools, you will learn how to

  • recognize and name your shame story, understanding how it has shaped your self-worth
  • break free from false narratives that keep you playing small and doubting your value
  • set healthy emotional and relational boundaries that protect your peace
  • forgive yourself and embrace self-compassion without guilt or hesitation
  • rewrite your future with strength, resilience, and a sense of unshakable worth

You don't have to live weighed down by your past. Let Dr. Zoe sit with you in your struggles, walk with you through your story, and show you how Stronger in the Difficult Places can be your road map to healing, self-acceptance, and the freedom to live fully as the person you were always meant to be.


Buy the Book

Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work

Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work

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A bold call to rethink authenticity at work Workplace dynamics in recent years have been a dizzying storm of broken promises. Companies that once e...
Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth, and Power

Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth, and Power

Click to See Price
In a book that "sets a new standard in economic history" (Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist), acclaimed economic historian Victoria B...
How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage

How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage

Click to See Price
"I love this book. How to Be Bold is a practical road map filled with real-life stories that will inspire you and help you find courage when it mat...
Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame

Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame

Click to See Price
An empowering invitation to leave complex shame behind, forgive yourself, and live free from the burden of secrecy--by a clinical psychologist with...
Porchlight Book Company

Porchlight Book Company

Born out of a local independent bookshop founded in 1927 and perfecting an expertise in moving books in bulk since 1984, the team at Porchlight Book Company has a deep knowledge of industry history and publishing trends.

We are not governed by any algorithm, but by our collective experience and wisdom attained over four decades as a bulk book service company. We sell what serves our customers, and we promote what engages our staff. Our humanity is what keeps us Porchlight.