Hannah Terrell is the branch leader at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library (formerly Beatties Ford Road Library) and a Library Foundation board member. She was also one of the staff leaders of the Engage 2020 program series. We asked her what she reads for inspiration:

I mostly toggle between Adult Non-Fiction and Mystery titles when I read. I am always looking to evolve into the best me that I can be, which benefits myself and everyone around me. With so many things happening in our world, I haven’t read much Fiction lately. I am currently reading and exploring several titles from American author, researcher and lecturer Brené Brown:

• Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown – A great book for anyone who leads and has the privilege of influencing others and developing their potential. When we dare to lead we should make ourselves vulnerable to the process not the power.
• Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown – This book is a precursor to “Dare to Lead” and encourages readers to lean into being vulnerable so that you can tap into courage. She also deals with the preconceived ideas of vulnerability.
• Rising Strong, by Brené Brown – This is a great book on how to handle our failures, disappointments and mishaps and to not stay down but how to bravely rise from any fall and be brave to keep going.
• The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown – This book encourages you to look at the world from a place of worthiness instead of shame and guilt.

Below are titles I’ve read recently or plan to read soon that keep me socially conscious:

• A Black Women’s History of the United States, by Daina Ramey Berry –  This book highlights the struggles and contributions of black women throughout history in the United States.
• Vanguard, by Martha S. Jones – Jones makes the case that black women are the real historical vanguards for the constitutional right to vote, social movements, and the fight for equality.
• How to be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi – Kendi challenges us to think about our own definitions, actions and perceptions of what racism looks like and how we can even take part in it without thinking about it.
• White Fragility, by Robin DiAngelo – She takes a deep dive into what it means to be “white” and unaware of the implicit perpetuation of racism that can be present. The goal of the book is to disrupt the patterns of racism by giving people the tools to dismantle their own fragility or defensive stance to deal with it head on.