December 2025 - Peter Crow | Helping boards govern with impact

Reading, to refuel the heart and soul

The end of 2025 is nigh, which means that time of the year when many folk take stock and ponder the future is upon us. Some people use the time to scrutinise the year past closely and make resolutions, some pause and ponder, and others hardly blink. While the idea of New Year resolutions leaves me cold, I do think about my quest to become a better person. And, with it, I usually select a few books to read during the year ahead. For me, reading—typically, long-form books (hard copy, not on-screen)—is a valuable means of relaxing, reflecting, refuelling, and exercising my cognition. If the insights gained are useful in my work-life as well, that is a bonus.

This year, I have selected six books from my shelf, to tackle alongside a slow-reading project:

My slow-reading project? Tolstoy's War and Peace. I intend to read one chapter a day, for 366 days.

If you read, would you mind sharing what you have ahead of you, to inform my future choices?

Gratitude matters, more than most of us realise

Today, Friday 19 December 2025, is—unless an unexpected call or email arrives—my last full work-day for 2025. So, with that, a few thanks are in order.

Throughout 2025, I have had the good fortune to meet many people, on five continents—some well-known, others less so. And in so doing, I have listened, learned, been inspired by stories told, asked questions, and, I hope, become more well informed. Thank you for investing your energy in me.

The pictures below provide a glimpse into the places, people and interactions I have been privileged to experience in 2025. Many other interactions took place too, but they were private and cannot be shared.

Now, and for the next couple of weeks, I shall turn my mind to reading(*) and relaxing, family, and tending my vegetable garden.

(*) Watch for a separate muse, to be posted on Monday 22 December, which will include the titles of the books I intend to read over the Christmas and summer break, and into 2026.