Psychology – Page 4 – Ryan's Book Blog

Major Decisions

May 27, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2021, “Major Decisions” by Henry Eyring explores the complexities and challenges of college and making significant life choices. The book offers a balanced perspective on the decision-making process delving into various factors that influence major decisions, including personal values, societal pressures, and practical considerations. Eyring provides strategies and tools to navigate to help make decisions while emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, gathering information, and seeking guidance.

My Thoughts

There are a good many things in this book that I wish I had known before I started the college process or what I call the “unscripted” time after High School. (Of course, I don’t know that I would have listened if someone told me. In fact, they likely did…) I liked how Eyring broke down how to find out what you want to do and where to go from there. What would have been very handy was the idea that you should go to the school who caters to your needs.

Recommendation

Great book and worth the read.

Limitless

May 22, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in April of 2020, “Limitless” by Jim Kwik is a self-help book that explores methods and techniques to enhance cognitive abilities and unlock one’s full potential. With a focus on optimizing memory, learning, and overall brain performance, Kwik offers strategies and exercises to improve mental clarity, focus, and retention. Through anecdotes and insights, the book provides tools to overcome limitations, boost creativity, and cultivate a growth mindset.

My Thoughts

I remember when this book came out as the author hit the podcast circuit and did shows on a few that I was listening to at the time. I was interested but not enough to get the book. About a month ago, a Marine LtCol told me this would be an excellent book for a new course at the University where I work. He even went ahead and bought me a copy of the book. Thank you!

I have been reading it off and on since I received my copy. I’ve done some in print and some in audio but this isn’t a book you just read through and it’s done. This is a book that requires effort and exercises which slowed down my consumption considerably. I’ve enjoyed the process of getting through it but there wasn’t a ton of hidden gems that I was hoping to find. (Perhaps I have just read too many books that are similar. In fact, “Atomic Habits” was referenced directly in this book.) I will keep at the exercises and see where it takes me.

Recommendation

A great read but will take some time if you put the effort in.

Raising Your Spirited Child

April 6, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published way back in 1991, “Raising Your Spirited Child” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka is a guidebook for parents who have children with intense and challenging personalities. Kurcinka identifies these children as “spirited” and explains that they possess qualities such as high energy, sensitivity, persistence, and emotional intensity that, when properly channeled, can lead to great creativity, resilience, and success. However, she also acknowledges that these same qualities can cause conflicts with parents, teachers, and peers if not managed properly. Kurcinka provides practical strategies for understanding and nurturing spirited children, including tips for managing behavior, communicating effectively, and promoting healthy development. She emphasizes the importance of accepting and appreciating a child’s individuality and working with their unique strengths and weaknesses to help them thrive.

My Thoughts

I was very surprised to learn the book was from 1991 as even I was thinking, “This kid just needs a good beating…” a few times in the book. That was somewhat tongue in cheek though as I agree with most of her ideas.

There is a fine line between being sensitive to a child’s needs and being enabling or overindulgent. As a parent, I feel like I tread on that line on a daily basis.

Recommendation

Definitely worth the read and attention. Even if you don’t agree, the book will make you think a little bit about why you think the things you do.

Running with the Kenyans

March 28, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in April of 2013, Running with the Kenyans is the autobiographical story of how an Englishman decided to find out why the Kenyans dominate in distance running.

My Thoughts

It was a pretty easy read and in line with most of my experiences overseas. I can appreciate that this guy cared enough to improve his running but moving his family to Kenya seemed a little extreme. He talks about several of the points where he doesn’t feel safe, how he is stopped by the police, how there isn’t anyone who can come to his aid for miles around, and how he had to hire a “security” person to wander around his family’s place while they sleep. I don’t see that as worth improving your time but that’s just me.

Recommendation

An interesting book but I don’t think it was worth the time.

The New Rules of Running

March 23, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in April of 2014, The New Rules of Running is a book about the latest and greatest thoughts on running. This book contains strategies and how to guides to help anyone become a successful runner.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book as it had a little bit of something for everyone. In particular, I liked how it talked about stretching and made some comments about the newer recommendation against it. This book pointed out that the study that recommendation was based on was on younger people and that those people usually don’t have the same injuries as us older folks. That is the type of thing I want to hear in these books. Something that goes just a little deeper.

Recommendation

I like it. It is a good book to pick up if you are interested in running.

Emotional Inheritance

March 9, 2023 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written by Galit Atlas, PhD, Emotional Inheritance is a book about the psychological damage that can be inherited across the generations or even from those around you.

My Thoughts

I can’t say I cared for it at all. She makes the case that we unconsciously pick up our family’s emotional baggage and it can carry on over the generations. Her parents immigrated from Iran and Syria to Israel in the post WWII formation so she had some interesting stories to tell about family issues. I have read a few books about epigenetics in that area and wasn’t too surprised that she wrote in with an opinion on it in USA Today. However, I thought she played pretty fast and loose with some of the ideas and downplayed the good that can come from opposition. Of course, everyone should be in therapy if you buy in to everything these folks are telling us. I’m just glad to see the rise of the term “post traumatic growth” in some of these publications. It reminds me of the emotional equivalent to George Carlin’s take on strengthening the immune system.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

The Life Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit

March 7, 2023 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written in July of 2021, The Life Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit is a book describing how we are all full of it.

My Thoughts

This was a decent read. I didn’t have any life changing moments while reading but I can say it primed me to be a little less full of myself and more inclined to listen closer to what people are saying. As the Savior said, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matt 5:37)

However, we all like a good tale as well. John Petrocelli does a good job in rating what a person says as Bullshit (and uses the word frequently) by giving in an index of so many flies. (1 through 3.) A BS fly index of 1 would just be someone trying to sound like he saw the game last night when really he has no idea what he is talking about. Still BS but harmless. However, he rated the Mao’s “great leap forward” (resulting in 30 million to 55 million deaths) with a BS index of 3. That’s a pretty big jump in my estimation and I felt like there could be a little more gray in the scale.

Recommendation

I liked it but I won’t be reading it again.

Inspired. Understanding Creativity. A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul

February 22, 2023 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written in April of 2022, “Inspired. Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul” is a book about how creativity works, how you can build it, and why that might matter.

My Thoughts

Creativity has been a flighty mistress throughout most of my life. I once really thought of myself as an artist, but these days, think of myself more of a technician. Modesty aside, there isn’t much I can’t do. However, how much can I do well? That’s always the question.

I took a creativity class back in the early college days. I really enjoyed it and still have the book from the course. (One of very few…) However, this book wasn’t looking so much at the practical. Rather it was focused more on the process of how creativity works.

Recommendation

I liked it and would recommend it. However, it didn’t have a ton to offer in terms of practical use.

Humankind

February 7, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in September of 2019, Humankind is a book about where humans came from and who they really are.

My Thoughts

An interesting read, the book came to me from my Aunt. Rutger Bregman’s style leads you down a road of ideas and pulls the rug out from under you at the last moment to make his point. He is dutch which makes sense why there are a lot of socialist assumptions throughout the book.

The underlying ideas is that people are basically good. I liked that idea and the examples given…

Recommendation

I’ve found myself recommending this book to a few select people. For example, he does make a compelling argument for social learning with which a co-worker was having trouble. However, it isn’t for everyone and isn’t a light read.

Forgiving What You Can’t Forget

January 13, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in November of 2020, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget is a book about moving on from trauma.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book and even referred someone in my church to it. It is so hard to let the Savior in and allow that change of heart to happen. (Particularly when there has been injury.)

Recommendation

It’s worth the read