What I’m Reading
Friday, September 11, 2009 at 12:16PM I’m a voracious reader (both fiction and non-fiction) sometimes taking down 2 to 3 books and a couple periodicals a week. Here’s a quick recap of what I’ve been reading recently:
The Power of Story by Jim Loehr: I read this book because I read another book by the author called the Power of Full Engagement. Jim Loehr is the founder of an organization located in Orlando called the Human Performance Institute. “HPI” trains corporate executives and managers to achieve peak performance with techniques akin to what is prescribed for professional athletes with astounding results. These books are excellent and I’m personally implementing many of the strategies taught within and experiencing great results. Plenty of practical, actionable information in these two books.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: Over the years I’ve heard this book mentioned and quoted so many times by various personal development speakers that I finally had to read it. Frankl is a psychiatrist and one of the few survivors of the concentrations camps perpetuated by the Nazi’s during WWII. Frankl recounts his experiences in the camps and describes in detail the psychological ramifications of such an experience. Powerful, emotional stories in this one that teach valuable life lessons and I highly recommend it. Quick read.
Outliers by Gladwell: As with Gladwell's other best selling books, The Tipping Point and Blink, Outliers is a book chock full o' paradigm shifts. Gladwell always endeavors to expose flawed thinking and assumptions we all make and Outliers delivers in this regard. For example, have you always thought Chinese people are simply good at math without really thinking about why you think that? Accordingly to Gladwell, the Chinese actually have a linguistic advantage in dealing with numbers due to the structure and syntax of their language. It is simply easier for them cognitively to work with numbers because of the language they speak and read as apposed to other nationalities. Outliers is full of revelations like this and I found it very insightful. Check it out. Quick read.
The Mitch Rapp series of books by Vince Flynn: These are political thrillers about a lone-wolf, CIA assassin that is tough as nails and the bane of terrorists everywhere. Basically, these read like an episode of 24 and the lead character is very similar to Jack Bauer. Pure mental floss. Much fun. Quick reads. I tend to pick up on an author like Flynn and read all of his books in chronological order, not just because I don’t like to skip around, but because I like to experience each book as the author becomes a better writer. In this category are Barry Eisler, Lee Child, Dennis Lehane, Harlan Coben, and John Connolley.
Fast Company: A couple years back I was a diehard subscriber to this mag until it became to design focused for me. I picked an issue up at the grocery store checkout the other day and realized quickly that the mag has gone back to being more focused on entrepreneurs and related story. So, I'm a subscriber again and I suggest you consider doing the same. Tons of interesting, insightful, and inspiring articles to choose from each month.
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