Jacqueline Novogratz's Book Recommendations

"Reads like a novel while giving a deeper understanding of both the good and the terrible that humans are capable of."

"Reads like a novel while giving a deeper understanding of both the good and the terrible that humans are capable of."

"I read it as a 22-year-old, and it made me think deeply about how society doesn’t “see” so many of its members."

"The first book I read by an African author. Achebe is unflinching in his portrayal of the challenges of change, the relationships of colonialism, and power/powerlessness."

"A Dickensian novel that captures the essence of being poor in urban India in ways extraordinary and deeply human."

"When I first started Acumen, I considered giving this newly birthed organization a different name: Immersion. I’d been taken by the Tillie Olsen quote from her remarkable book of short stories Tell me a Riddle, and loved the idea of “the long Baptism into the seas of humankind.”"

"When I first read the book in 1986, I was mesmerized by the writing and fantastical stories. But it took working in Rwanda to understand that Garcia Marquez wrote truths, not just about Colombia but about human society. (2/6)"

"Zora Neale Hurston was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance movement and a fighter for the rights of African-Americans. Like so many, I was profoundly impacted by her novel Their Eyes were Watching God, one of the most important books of the 20th century."

"Mary Catherine Bateson's book Composing a Life deeply impacted me as I was trying to figure out my own life. She died on Jan 14 and her wisdom will be missed. Listen to this wonderful podcast w @kristatippett, recorded just wks before Ms. Bateson died"

"@HopeJahren It is a wonderful book - and you are amazing. Brava! Count me inspired. Hope to meet someday."