Book cover of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

Book description

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" --Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED
 
From the host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, an exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

4 authors picked The Art of Gathering as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The stories Parker spools out to exemplify her very compelling concepts!

Why do women feel like we need to invite everyone to every party, throw weddings that are closer to our parents’ style than our own, and show up to networking nights that we know we won’t get anything out of?

I know this book is meant to be about hosting gatherings, but I’ve applied the principles to nearly everything I do in work and hobbies to add more intention, impact, and fulfillment. I’ve changed the way I sit at restaurants to encourage deeper conversations with friends. I’ve started to purposefully not invite certain people to certain parties since I know…

This book is an exercise in how to lead a more meaningful life in the way you gather. It has totally changed the way I host people in my home and how I contribute to a get together anywhere.

Just asking guests to perform a task is an attempt to get them in the mood to socialize on a deeper level. It reinforces my ceremonial talking stick ceremony that I perform when I travel with a group by asking them to bring something from home that represents what they are manifesting in life. It’s a powerful tool.

Priya outlines…

From Erin's list on inspiring authentic transformation.

If you love The Art of Gathering...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

This book is chock full of good ideas and thoughts on how to gather effectively. It is very easy to read. Lots of great stories to help bring the content to life and engage the reader. She goes beyond just meetings at work, discussing a broader set of informal and formal gatherings in a variety of settings.

From Steven's list on navigating out of meeting hell.

If you love The Art of Gathering...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Art of Gathering?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Art of Gathering.

Browse books like The Art of Gathering

Book cover of Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Book cover of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Book cover of Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,298

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Art of Gathering, you might also like...

Book cover of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman

Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman by Alexis Krasilovsky,

Kate from Jules et Jim meets I Love Dick.

A young woman filmmaker’s journey of self-discovery, set against a backdrop of the sexual liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s. In Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman, we follow Ana Fried as she faces the ultimate…

Book cover of Dark Fae Outcast

Dark Fae Outcast by Autumn M. Birt,

Trapped in our world, the fae are dying from drugs, contaminants, and hopelessness. Kicked out of the dark fae court for tainting his body and magic, Riasg only wants one thing: to die a bit faster. It’s already the end of his world, after all.

But while scoring his last…

5 book lists we think you will like!