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

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.

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

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

Background

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

Humankind
Humankind

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

Background

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

Forgiving What You Can't Forget
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget

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

What it Means to Be a Man

Background

Published in January of 2023, What it Means to Be a Man is a book by retired Majoy General Bill Mullen.

What it Means to Be a Man
What it Means to Be a Man

My Thoughts

I used to work for General Mullen and I devoured this book when I saw it came out. It gave me a few things to think about but really was a reflection of the man he is.

Recommendation

Good book. Particularly if you are raising sons.

MindReader

Background

Published in August of 2022, MindReader makes the claim that you will never be lied to again on it’s cover. It is a guide to attempt to understand what is the motivation behind people and what might clue you in on it.

MindReader
MindReader

My Thoughts

Of course, you can’t actually read minds but I do agree most people are pretty easy to get a handle on. However, these days there are more and more people who are coming out of their specific echo chambers and may not fit the mold you may expect.

Recommendation

It was OK. There was no “Ah-hah” moments throughout the book.

Tranquility by Tuesday

Background

Published in March of 2022, Tranquility by Tuesday is a book on finding calm with practical step by step ideas.

Tranquility by Tuesday
Tranquility by Tuesday

My Thoughts

Another fix it quick book on inner peace. However, I did like the list she came up with.

  1. Give yourself a bedtime. (Good advice)
  2. Plan on Fridays. (I haven’t managed it yet.)
  3. Move by 3pm. (Done)
  4. Three times a week is a habit. (Interesting thought. Could be translated to be kind to yourself.)
  5. Create a backup slot. (Again, good advice)
  6. One big adventure, one little adventure. (Hard to do but why not?)
  7. Take one night for you. (Never going to happen with kids, church, work, and a spouse. Maybe when I’m quite older.)
  8. Batch the little things. (Good advice)
  9. Effortful before effortless. (Do the hard things first, again, good advice.)

Recommendation

Not bad as these books tend to go.

Before You Say Anything

Background

Published in April of 2022, Before You Say Anything is a good on how to write, prepare for, and deliver a good speech.

Before You Say Anything
Before You Say Anything

My Thoughts

Such a good book! It even made my Christmas list. Most people don’t have a clue of what to say or how to say it. This book can help!

Recommendation

If you are speaking in the near future, get this book and follow the concepts. It will be worth it.

Abundance

Background

Published in March of 2022, “Abundance: The Inner Path to Wealth” is a book by Deepak Chopra who argues that true wealth comes from within, not from material possessions. He believes that we can all create abundance in our lives by changing our mindset and focusing on our inner resources. He offers a number of practical tools and exercises to help us tap into our inner abundance, including meditation, visualization, and affirmations.

Chopra’s message is that we are all capable of creating abundance in our lives. He shows us how to shift our focus from scarcity to abundance, and how to use our inner resources to create a more fulfilling and prosperous life.

Abundance
Abundance

My Thoughts

In general, it was a lot of pseudoscience BS. I didn’t get much out of this and don’t have too much to say about the book other than it seemed over-hyped for what it was. I agree we all have much more potential than what is realized but it doesn’t come from wishing it so.

However, it did hit at an interesting time as it is just before Thanksgiving. We have so much. It almost seems like an insult to ask or expect more…

Recommendation

Skip this one.

UnDo It

Background

Published in January of 2019, UnDo It is a book by two medical doctors on how diet and lifestyle can improve your health.

UnDo It
UnDo It

My Thoughts

While I agree that diet and exercise are important, I think this book makes claims way beyond what should be expected of both. If the key to immortality were plant based diet and exercise, our ancestors would still be with us today.

Recommendation

Went a little too far.

Age Proof

Background

Published in February of 2018, AgeProof: Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip is a book about investing in both your financial well being and your physical body so you can enjoy it!

Age Proof
Age Proof

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book. It was a fun paring of both the financial and physical knowing we will want both in the years to come. Good advise on both topics were given and the book was in a very readable form.

Recommendation

It was worth the read.