Although the eighth book in the Monkeewrench series, Nothing Stays Buried, was my introduction to the collection. And I loved it! The opening chapter was captivating and heart-wrenching and among the most high-impact openers I’ve encountered in a long time. My empathy for the character, Marla, haunted me even after putting the book down. From there, the book splinters into two story lines which eventually converge at the end of
If you buy one book on decision making make it this one, read the first half, and then tuck it away in a handy spot. Forever. Decisive opens by outlining and explaining the four “villains” that prevent us from making optimal decisions in work and life. The decision process and the errors we make are: * You encounter a choice. But NARROW FRAMING makes you miss options. * You analyze
An idea conceptualized in the book, “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” by Phil Collins and Jerry Porras, captivated, invigorated and permeated corporate America when it was released in 2009. And that idea was the BHAG or Big Hairy Audacious Goal. A BHAG is a long-term goal that changes the very nature of a business’ existence. BHAGs are big, bold, exciting and tangible. They are more powerful than
Rarely does a book cause an immediate physical response. But that’s exactly what Where Are All the Minnesotans did to me. I’m a Minnesotan, and this book captures the psyche (and stupidity) of Minnesotans. I smiled, I laughed and I reflected on my life and stories growing up in this ridiculously wonderful state. Yes, we drive to work after a four-foot snowfall. We create activities to busy ourselves on frozen
I grew up in the Bronze Age of Comic Books. An early love for Casper, Richie Rich, and Archie comics read late night with a flashlight in my sleeping bag in the loft of the Boyce’s Northwoods cabin led to a fervor for Spider-Man then MAD Magazine in my tween years. But my love for graphic reading ended when the ‘70s did. And although I’ve tried desperately (with a cute
The premise of this book is that data gleaned online from Google and less so, other sites such as Facebook and porn sites reveal new insights about our human behavior that have eluded traditional research and resulting data sets. Of course, this makes sense: in the privacy of our homes, we are free to search online for whatever we desire—free from the judging eyes of others. Without any social forces
If your iPhone is more appealing than your first cup of coffee when your alarm goes off or if you’ve ever blown an entire evening on Pinterest, then you’ve experienced the phenomena detailed in this book: psychological marketing. Hooked is a guide for startup founders, product managers, marketers and designers for creating more of what we humans can’t seem to get enough of: habit-forming technology. Eyal takes us inside the
Burn Math Class: And Reinvent Mathematics for Yourself by Jason Wilkes My rating: 4 of 5 stars What a clever book that serves a brilliant purpose: helping adults and students alike get rid of “bad math tapes” and start anew with mathematics. Is it possible to shift a mental mindset around a subject that has terrified millions? I think so. And if anyone can do it, it’s Jason Wilkes. His
Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins My rating: 5 of 5 stars I rarely claim that anything is “the best” because I know that while there can be many exceptional things, there is rarely ever “a best.” I just may break my rule with Mother Bruce. And maybe it won’t go down in history as The Best Ever picture book (reviews and people are too subjective for that!), the book
Next of Kin by James Tucker My rating: 4 of 5 stars I'm lovin' this book for two reasons. First, it's by a new, local author--book one of a two book deal with Thomas & Mercer. Second, it's just a super-fun read--heart-stopping suspense from page one. Ben, the 10-year old lone survivor of the savage murder of his wealthy family, will take hold of your heart and carry you through
