Staying Forever Curious: My 5 Most Impactful Reads
- The Vitae Team
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 25
By Christine Sagan, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Founder Friday
Every Friday, our founder pulls back the curtain and shares something close to her heart—whether it’s a lesson learned, a personal story, or a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our journey. These posts are part inspiration, part reflection, and always written to connect, encourage, and spark conversation. It’s a chance to see some of the “why” behind what we do, straight from the person who started it all.
I grew up with an attorney for a father and a librarian for a mother—a combination that ensured our home was filled with books and intense dinner discussions. All of my siblings worked at the public library, and I spent countless hours there, shelving books. To pass the time, I’d listen to stories on cassette tapes. My father read to us at night, and on family road trips we’d listen to books on tape, letting the voices of great storytellers fill the car.
Every Lent, we gave up television for 40 days. Afterward, the quiet stayed with me, and I naturally filled it with reading. That habit has never left. I read because I am committed to “staying forever curious,” and I know that much of whatever wisdom I carry comes from tapping into the minds of extraordinary writers. I realized I would not have the pleasure of reading all the books in my lifetime, and now know certain books came to me as a gift.
In our world of endless information—podcasts, news feeds, blogs, and social media, people have lost touch with the beautiful experience of reading. Books have shaped how I live, how I think, and how I continue to evolve.
Here are five that have left a lasting mark on my heart and mind—books I’m forever grateful to have stumbled upon, written by authors who have challenged me to stay authentic and expand my consciousness:
Most Impactful Reads:
Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl
The Way of Integrity — Martha Beck
The Way to Love — Anthony De Mello
Letting Go — David Hawkins
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership — Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman & Kaley Klemp
Christine, your description of a home brimming with books and "intense dinner discussions" beautifully illustrates the roots of intellectual curiosity. It's a powerful reminder of how formative environments shape our capacity for reflection and engaging with diverse perspectives. This emphasis on deep engagement, whether through reading or robust conversation, is crucial for fostering self-awareness. For those inspired to deepen their understanding of how to navigate challenging emotional responses that can arise in such stimulating discussions, exploring tools for self-insight can be incredibly valuable.