Month: December 2020

The Practice

Background

Published in November of 2020, “The Practice” is a manual to get creative people building and doing the work. It outlines the difference between an amateur and a professional when it comes to their work.

Shipping Creative Work
Shipping Creative Work

My Thoughts

This book had my mind racing about what I could be doing and want to be more intentional with my time and talents. I really do believe that anyone can be good at something if they put the time in. However, to be really great… The book would have you believe it is all about the hours and I believe that is partially true. I agree with Tony Robbins that if you, “have a big enough why you will figure out the how.” That “why” gives you the passion to keep putting in the practice. Of course, a little talent wouldn’t hurt either…

Recommendation

Great book and worth the time.

Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets

Background

Published in October of 2020, “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets” is a self-help book written by Andy Stanley, a renowned author and pastor. The book offers practical advice and guidance on decision-making, drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, and the author’s own experiences. Stanley argues that many people struggle with decision-making because they lack a clear framework for making choices and often base their decisions on emotion rather than reason. He offers a simple but powerful approach to decision-making that involves clarifying one’s core values, gathering relevant information, and considering the potential consequences of different options. The book also provides tips on overcoming common obstacles to good decision-making, such as indecision, fear, and a reluctance to admit mistakes.

Better Decisions Fewer Regrets
Better Decisions Fewer Regrets

My Thoughts

I liked the style of writing as he was self deprecating and approachable. There was a lot of wisdom packed in there and a lot of experience as he works with people as a pastor. One of the things that stuck out to me was the advise on waiting a year before any kind of dating after a divorce. I wonder where I would be now if I had followed that advice…

Recommendation

Great book to help you evaluate where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there.

You are Never Alone

Background

Published in September of 2020, You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God’s Presence and Power was started before the COVID-19 lock down but was heavily influenced by it. The central message is that God specifically cares for you and your needs.

You are Never Alone
You are Never Alone

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book as the author made specific mention that God is watching and cares for you where you are now. I have found this is the case in my life and it was comforting (confirmations bias) to hear it echoed through his words and through the scripture he quoted.

Recommendation

This is a good book if you are Christian and want a pick me up.

Post Corona

Background

Published in November of 2020, Post Corona is the predictions of celebrated advertising theorist and Professor at the New York University Stern School of Business. He details how the COVID-19 virus has impacted our lives and what it means going forward into the future.

Post Corona From Crisis to Opportunity
Post Corona From Crisis to Opportunity

My Thoughts

This was one of the few books that made enough of an impact on me that I mentioned it to my wife! A high bar indeed.

I had no idea that Amazon had already jumped ahead into healthcare. I knew it was only a matter of time but I didn’t know that had happened. I didn’t know so many business had fallen and what was happening to those who were still around… There was much I thought I had a handle on but so much swept by without my notice.

I’m in Mr. Galloway’s camp. I am free market kind of guy and I really think there shouldn’t be anyone who is “too big to fail”. After all, where was my bail out when my business tanked in 2007? I adapted! I had to fire my employees and pick myself up again. It hurt and it sucked but I’m better off in the long term. Anyway, he gave me a lot more to think about.

Recommendation

Great book.

The Dragon Reborn

Background

Making us wait an entire 9 months for the next infusion of the “Wheel of Time” series, Robert Jordan released “The Dragon Reborn” in August of 1991. This follows several groups of our protagonists and finally reunites them fulfilling the prophecy of the the Dragon Reborn.

The Dragon Reborn
The Dragon Reborn

My Thoughts

Again a good book but I found the conversations between the women to be a little off. They seem pretty petty and emotional which makes me think the author was hen-pecked by a controlling mother or wife. Maybe I’m off about that…

Anyway, the build up was good but the climax was a bit of a let down. Also, I didn’t like Matt in this book at all. I believe this is the last book I finished in the series when I was younger. If memory serves, the next book is even slower and they introduce more people who didn’t seem to have a place in the story. We will see.

Recommendation

Not the best book in the series but it does continue the story.

The Smallest Lights in the Universe

Background

Decorated planetary scientist Sara Seager wrote this biography about the time in her life between the death of her first husband and the marriage of her 2nd. She details the journey of discovering planets orbiting other stars and the advances and awards she had been given along the way.

The Smallest Lights in the Universe
The Smallest Lights in the Universe

My Thoughts

I almost threw this book down more than once. I found the author to be self absorbed, selfish, and completely disconnected from reality. I felt great pity for her first husband for having to deal with her crap for the rest of his life and worse for the wife of the man she became interested in later on. I’m not sure why I kept reading.

I’m very interested in planetary science and the possibilities of worlds outside of our own. I liked that part of the book. However, her plight didn’t resonate with me at all. At the end of the book, she makes the announcement that she found out she was autistic. That ticked me off even more because it came across as a justification for her actions.

Recommendation

I’d skip this one.

The Great Hunt

Background

Released a mere 11 months after The Eye of the World, the 2nd book of the Wheel of Time series “The Great Hunt” came out in November of 1990. This book continues the journey of Rand and his companions to fight against the dark one.

The Great Hunt
The Great Hunt

My Thoughts

I love the difference the span of years make from the first time I read this book to today. Book 2 gives so much more depth to the characters and makes everyone seem a bit more human. I believe Jordan did a good job in letting his characters grow into the roles they need to play.

Recommendation

Great book.

The Eye of the World

Background

Robert Jordan published The Eye of the World in January of 1990. It is the story of some urban teens who suddenly find themselves in the midst of adventure. This is a world of swords and magic where light fights dark and most people just want to be left to themselves.

The Eye of the World
The Eye of the World

My Thoughts

I remember when this book came out and somehow I remember getting a hold of it very early on. I was still in junior high at the time so I don’t know how I got it. However, I do remember not being able to wait for the next one to come out. In particular, I remember trying to keep the flame in my mind and isolating myself from the outside world. (It didn’t quite work out like I intended.)

Recommendation

Great book. I’m enjoying going through it again.

The Martian

Background

Andy Weir’s original book published in 2011 and made into a movie shortly thereafter. It follows an unfortunate astronaut who is stranded on Mars and does his best to survive.

The Martian
The Martian

My Thoughts

With no offense to Matt Damon, the book was indeed better than the movie. There is so much more detail in the book and I really enjoyed it. I was very taken into the character and pulled into the drama of surviving against all odds.

Recommendation

Great book! There was a reason it took the world by storm and became a movie so quickly.

The Year 1000

Background

Published in April of 2020, “The Year 1000” is a non-fiction book written by historian Robert Lacey and archaeologist Danny Danziger that explores what life was like in England at the dawn of the second millennium. The book takes a fascinating look at the daily life, culture, and beliefs of the people living in England in the year 1000, based on a wide range of sources including archaeological evidence, historical records, and contemporary writings. The authors examine everything from diet and fashion to religion and politics, painting a vivid picture of a world that was simultaneously vastly different and surprisingly familiar to our own.

The Year 1000
The Year 1000

My Thoughts

This book almost seems to be written as a counter to “The Year 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium, An Englishman’s World” as it deals with the entire world and not just the Western European perspective.

Great book! I really enjoyed learning about how the connections were being made all over the world. It was really enlightening to be shown how people connected and traded at a time I tend to think of as a dark spot in history.

Recommendation

Great book and worth the read.