You can learn a lot about someone by asking what they’re currently reading or what their favorite book is.

The stories we return to, share with others, or keep on our shelves often reflect our experiences, our interests, and the ideas that have shaped us. We asked our staff members to share their favorites, and in those picks we got a small glimpse into the people behind our mission and the stories that have stayed with them.

Some picks are childhood favorites. Others are novels that sparked new perspectives, memoirs that left a lasting impression, or nonfiction that challenged the way we think. Together, they reflect the unique personalities and experiences of the team working every day to connect young people with caring adult mentors.

While our favorite books are as unique as we are, many of them reflect the same qualities we hope to foster through mentorship: curiosity, empathy, resilience, and a willingness to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Reading expands our perspectives by introducing us to new ideas, different lived experiences, and stories that stay with us long after we’ve read the last page.

Those same qualities are at the heart of meaningful mentoring relationships. Strong connections are built through listening, learning, and growing alongside another person.

We hope our Staff Picks inspire you to pick up a new book, revisit an old favorite, or get to know our team a little better. For a limited time, you can find our staff picks on display at Asbury Book Cooperative.

If you’re a local bookstore looking for a fun way to celebrate reading and spotlight our mission in mentorship, we’d love to partner on a BBBS Staff Picks display. It’s a simple way to share great books, start conversations, and introduce your customers to the people and mission behind Big Brothers Big Sisters. Reach out to MJ if you are interested, mburzon@mentornj.org.