What We Are Reading, Holiday Edition

As the end of the year closes in we are taking a look at the books on PAYETTE People’s wish lists as well as the books they are giving this holiday season. Enjoy…and remember to support your favorite local independent bookstore this year.

A Promised Land, Barack Obama
The first volume of Barack Obama’s presidential memoir covering his path from grassroots organizer to the presidency, and a reflection on his time in office.

The Room Where It Happened, John Bolton
Memoir of the former National Security Advisor’s months serving in the Trump administration.

Regarding Paul Revere Williams: A Photographers View, Janna Ireland 
A photographic exploration of the first African American AIA certified architect west of the Mississippi. The designer of projects for Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and other Hollywood stars, he was known as “Hollywood’s Architect,”  and was the first Black recipient of the AIA Gold Medal, posthumously, in 2017.

Feminist City, Leslie Kern
This highly recommended book examines how cities embody inequality through their process and design, and raises new possibilities of claiming urban space for marginalized groups.

MC24: Designing Massive Change in Your Life and Work, Bruce Mao
A symphony of punchy principles, powerful anecdotes and beautiful graphics that  are reminiscent of the ethos at PAYETTE. With mottos like “Design for the New Normal” and “Design the Difference not the Object,” this book feels particularly meaningful to bring into 2021

Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build The World You Want To See, Emily Pilloton and Kate Bingaman-Bur
Girls Garage is a nonprofit that empowers young women for a lifetime of making and building. This book features hundreds of illustrations and interactive project guides. Plus, the proceeds from the book support the group’s incredible programs like design/build and carpentry workshops. A great gift for the future designers and makers on your list.

The Dispossessed, Ursula K. le Guin
For all the science fiction fans out there, this book promises to be a journey into fantastic landscapes out of this world and dystopic societies, nudging us to think critically about our own planet.

The Searcher, Tana French
A suspenseful mystery Set in a small, idyllic Irish village, this is the perfect book to escape and recharge.

If you are still looking for that special something for the special designer or architect in your life, Architectural Record has curated a list of 12 Design Books for Holiday Reading that includes PAYETTE’s recently published monograph, Fusion – The Performance of Architecture. 

Happy Reading!