When I picked up "Unreasonable Hospitality" after Jacob Wayman's recommendation, I was deeply skeptical. Another book about being nice to customers? But Will Guidara's approach revealed something far more profound: how systematic excellence creates the foundation for genuine human connection. From healthcare leadership to fine dining, this book transformed how I think about creating exceptional experiences. It's not just about being friendly, and it's not just about being efficient—it's about building systems that enable both to flourish in remarkable ways.

As someone who spent over a decade in pastoral ministry, I've sat through more faith-based productivity talks than I care to count, each promising that if you could just 'keep the main thing the main thing,' somehow everything would fall into place. However, Jordan Raynor's 'Redeeming Your Time' surprised me.

As someone who grew up in eastern Kentucky in the 1990s, I approached Barbara Kingsolver's 'Demon Copperhead' with deep skepticism. Stories set in Appalachia often miss the mark—they either romanticize a past that I'm pretty sure never existed or dismiss and belittle the communities and people I grew up in. However, upon reading it, I found much of this book feels like home.