I first read On Writing five years ago as I was working on the manuscript for my children’s book. I loved it. I read On Writing again last week as I was gathering inspiration for an article on creativity. I loved it. If you want to be a writer, read this book. If you want to be a creative and live the creative life, read this book. Or, if you
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
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have a love-hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, it's an instructional guide on how to be an asshole. And on the other, it reveals the assholes' ways to protect the good. The 48 Laws of Power is entirely unsavory, fascinating, and useful. Each of the 48 Laws is brought to life by
I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong My rating: 4 of 5 stars I Contain Multitudes is a wonderful, beautifully written book that transforms what could be a dull, tedious scientific read into a masterful, delightful adventure introducing microbes' role in health, evolution, ecology, and culture. Utterly fascinating, clever and filled with engaging stories, this book is a winner. And Ed
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars by Jim Paul My rating: 4 of 5 stars What I learned Losing a Million Dollars offers a fascinating look into the mindset, behaviors, and life of Jim Paul, a man of privilege who, early on in life, developed an appetite for little work and large gains—i.e., a fast buck. This ultimately led him to the financial markets. Success bred hubris and other
The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters by Tom Nichols My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book will likely be embraced or rejected in large part by one’s current political leanings, which is unfortunate because there’s a lot to be gained by reading it. Whether you accept his perspectives or not, Nichol’s has got one thing right: “…the most dangerous aspect of the
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom My rating: 4 of 5 stars Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom reads a bit like a textbook. And unless you're already passionate about the topic, it requires patience and perseverance to get through it. While the content is complex, the structure is simple and straightforward, making Superintelligence easy to follow. I'm not an AI expert; I picked up this book to learn. And that's
Reach: A New Strategy to Help You Step Outside Your Comfort Zone, Rise to the Challenge and Build Confidence by Andy Molinsky My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is about how to get outside your comfort zone but it’s also about something bigger: how to adjust your own behavior without losing yourself in the process. When we lack a skill in an area, it can impact our success.
Algorithms to Live By: What Computers Can Teach Us About Solving Human Problems by Brian Christian My rating: 4 of 5 stars Most of our decision-making happens unconsciously. Our autopilot mode works wonders a lot of the time. But sometimes not-so-much. Moving our brains from automatic mode to contemplative or "let's stop a moment and think about this" mode, can lead to better decisions and better outcomes.Algorithms to Live By
Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction by Derek Thompson My rating: 4 of 5 stars As a lifelong student of consumer and human behavior, I wasn't sure I'd get much out of this book. But because some of my favorite thinking minds raved about it, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. Hit Makers is a hit. It reinforced what I
