Hey TEDxErs!

Back in March we were advised by The University of Texas at Austin that after spring break, we would not be heading back to campus due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Safety measures put in place made our team separate routes and head home. As we brainstormed ways to stay engaged and keep our community together during uncertain times, the team came up with some awesome ideas to continue our fun social interactions online. Today we will be highlighting the most successful and ongoing one, the TEDxUTAustin Book Club! In only a few months we have managed to read five amazing books that we then discussed as a team over Zoom. We share our favorite quotes, how the book made us feel, and we delve into the distinct ideas that it sparked within us. It has been such an enjoyable experience to share our thoughts on diverse topics and themes in literature. So today we want to share a recap of our first five enlightening reads.

The Hate U Give- Angie Thomas

This was the first book we read for Book Club and it tells the story of sixteen-year-old Starr Carter and how she feels stuck between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood and unarmed best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. The story evolves into various series of events that are sure to keep you on your toes as Starr balances trauma, identity and finding justice for her friend. A must read for anyone looking to learn more about #BlackLivesMatter. 

How it made you feel - Evie

This book gave me a ton of information and perspective into what it is like to live as a Black woman - although I will never be able to fully understand it. The story was inspiring and really eye opening to the many systemic issues and racial injustices in our country. It made me feel so many emotions - angry, betrayed, disgusted, and ultimately hopeful. Although it was fiction, I was fully immersed into Starr’s world and felt her pain while reading. There’s a movie, but the book goes so much more in depth and I recommend it to everyone!  

Favorite quotes - Evie

“Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right”

“Funny. Slave masters thought they were making a difference in black people’s lives too. Saving them from their ‘wild African ways.’ Same shit, different century. I wish people like them would stop thinking that people like me need saving.”

“Brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared, Starr...It means you go on even though you’re scared.”

Atomic Habits- James Clear

Habits are something that we’ve all picked throughout our life. Sometimes they can make our life easier, and sometimes they can make our life harder. In Atomic Habits, James Clear breaks down what exactly habits are and how they work, as well as how to make big changes in your life through small steps found in habits. He provides all the necessary and tangible tools in a perfectly structured order, giving you the clarity you need to help you accomplish any habit goal. This book is essential for anyone looking for a well researched, great structured read that will also improve their life.

How it made you feel- Maria

I have added this book to my top reads on personal development because of how well written, practical and effective it has been in my life. It helped me see how I am capable of changing my life everyday with such small steps! A self improvement book that is clear, concise and provides motivation backed by research rather than empty pep talks. Truly a must read for everyone who is stuck trying to break bad habits or who haven’t been able to implement new good ones! 

Favorite quotes - Maria

“When you fall in love with the process rather than the product, you don’t have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy. You can be satisfied anytime your system is running.” 

“Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement.” 

“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” 

Pachinko- Min Jin Lee

Truly a beautiful book in all of its forms, Pachinko follows the story of four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family as they fight to control their destiny in 20th-century Japan. The historical elements intertwined with such passionate and complex characters, ensures a story that will stay with you even after you have finished reading the final page. The characters’ moving stories of sacrifice, family, struggle, love and ambition are bound to make you shed a tear, smile and reminisce. A perfect book for anyone looking to be emotionally moved and open to experiencing the world from a different time and lens. 

How it made you feel- Jessie

Lee does such an amazing job portraying an emotionally charged story through a uniquely objective tone. Her words, though they may seem somewhat detached in tone, are so beautifully crafted that I couldn’t help but catch myself crying during multiple chapters of the book. It reminds us that although life is full of hardships, we can find beauty amongst the harsh lines of the world. It’s the first book in a long time that made me teary as I read it.

Favorite quotes- Jessie

“You must be a diligent person with a humble heart. Have compassion for everyone. Even your enemies.”

“Living every day in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage.”

“Most people are rotten everywhere you go. They’re no good. You want to see a bad man? Make an ordinary man successful beyond his imagination. Let’s see how good he is when he can do whatever he wants.”

The Defining Decade- Meg Jay

Your twenties are typically years of your life regarded with much glory and glitter. It’s something that many people look forward to: the thrill, the independence, the freedom. And yet, these years are not to be regarded as inconsequential. In this book, Meg Jay mixes together psychology research with personal anecdotes to discuss the key points about making the most out of this particular decade of your life. With such a majority of significant events taking place in our twenties, it’s important to lay a solid foundation for our future selves, and Jay discusses how to accomplish such a feat. Be sure to pick up this read to learn more about such a fundamental portion of our life and the decisions that will accompany it!

How it made you feel - Kevin

This book was a mini-therapy session for me! Before reading this book, I didn't realize how important our twenties are and what it means to waste them. Dr. Meg Jay imparts her universal lessons through personal anecdotes of her twenty-something-year old therapy clients-each with different obstacles holding them back-, effectively humanizing the book and allowing readers to internalize her invaluable advice. I, personally, was able to identify with a few of her mentioned clients who felt lost in life and career, which allowed me to reflect on my own life and make sure not to make the same mistakes. Upon reading this book, I am now equipped with a repertoire of knowledge that will help me maximize my twenties and prioritize my personal growth in career, life, love, and much more. I highly recommend this book for anyone who seeks a well-warranted, personal reflection or simply wants a little extra motivation to get out there and get going on life’s great, big journey.  

Favorite quotes - Kevin

“Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.”

“For 20 something years have never been in more zeitgeist… the young look older and the old look younger, collapsing the adult life span into one twentysomething ride”

“The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook”

“Inaction breeds fear and doubt. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

This Book is Anti-Racist- Tiffany Jewell 

For those who see racism all around them, but may not have the eloquence or words to speak out against the racist adults, this book is for you. In this book, Tiffany Jewell delves into the origins of racism and how it still prevails in today’s society. Jewell examines concepts of social identity, ethnicity, race, and racism to take the reader on an introspective journey that allows them to gain a deeper understanding of their anti-racist self. Each chapter empowers you more and more to stand up against the injustices in the world, and gives you the courage actively move the world to an anti-racist future. With interactive exercises, you can explore your own identity and personal thoughts. We highly recommend that everybody read this book as it is an introspective way to shift yourself towards becoming anti-racist.

How it made you feel - Nancy

This book really made me reflect on my own privilege and need to continue educating myself. I liked all the historical and personal examples she included because it helped to put the concepts she was discussing into perspective. The way the book is structured is amazing because the information is straightforward making difficult topics easily digestible whilst providing interactive activities to promote active learning.

Favorite quotes - Nancy

“I do not use the term “minority” to describe Black, Brown, and Indigenous folx because we are the majority in the world. Using the language of racism can minimize our full selves. It can allow us to forget our deepest roots and ancestors; it allows us to create a history that, while in our own voices, has been shaped by the oppressor.” 

“The concept of race is not actually based on science, it is a creation of society.”

“What we do not know, our lack of knowledge, contributes to our prejudices and biases.”

“Be mindful to not fall into the trappings of saviorism or charity. Black, indigenous, and folx of the global majority do not need to be saved. We all need racism to be eradicated.”

The TEDx book club has loved digesting the different perspectives and new knowledge that we ascertain through these books. Despite being in quarantine, we can all still learn new things by educating ourselves, and one of the best ways to do so is by constantly reading new material. Books act as a portal to another dimension, another lifetime, from which we can understand ourselves and others at a deeper level, and we hope you all enjoyed reading about our takeaways from these various books. We highly recommend everyone to check out these books and to discover your own takeaways from such literature.

Until next time we connect,

-TEDxUTAustin