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
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.
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein My rating: 5 of 5 stars In a crisis? Busting your hump but getting nowhere with your life? Your dream? Your plans and goals? If you are even remotely spiritual and believe in a Higher Power—whatever that means for you—pick up this book. The few vapid parts are overshadowed by oodles wisdom in the form of affirmations, inspirations,
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday My rating: 5 of 5 stars Although everyone can benefit from applying the precepts of stoicism to weather the turbulent waters of life, this book will profoundly impact entrepreneurs, trailblazers, leaders of change and transformation or anyone who has chosen to move outside of their comfort zone to take on a monumental task or
Let Me Out: Unlock Your Creative Mind and Bring Your Ideas to Life by Peter Himmelman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Sussman Lawrence was a staple in Minneapolis' indie rock scene when I was growing up. And band member, Peter Himmelman, who went on to pursue a solo career, was a local hero. Like millions of other Americans in his fifties, he found himself and his ways outdated and
The Cheat Code: Going Off Script to Get More and Go Faster by Brian Wong My rating: 4 of 5 stars I saw this book on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. My immediate reaction was negative and visceral, “Oh great, now we’re going to teach cheating to the masses.” I picked up a copy at my local library to learn more. To my relief, this isn’t a book about
Love Hurts: Buddhist Advice for the Heartbroken by Lodro Rinzler My rating: 5 of 5 stars Such an unfortunate "weighty" title for such a wonderful little book for all of life's disappointments--the major traumas AND the daily blows. Don't get scared by the word "Buddhist" in the title. Yes, Lodro is a Buddhist. But, frankly, he just may become the compassionate healer of our time. He's witty, vulnerable, real, and
Designing Your Life: How to Think Like a Designer and Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by William Burnett My rating: 5 of 5 stars Individuals starting their career, those in career transition or those struggling on the path chosen will gain much from this book. Authors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans are Stanford professors who apply 'design thinking' principles to career/life planning. Don't be fooled, just because the approaches on
Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferriss My rating: 5 of 5 stars Here’s the book for your best you in 2017—that is, if you approach it with the right mindset. Although it’s structured into three seemingly aligned sections—Healthy, Wealthy, Wise—there is absolutely no cohesion. And it’s not a “recipe book” either, as Tim advises—there’s no true table of contents
The Book of Est by Luke Rhinehart My rating: 4 of 5 stars The book brings the reader behind the scenes of the controversial Erhard Seminars Training (EST) offered in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The seminars were notoriously draining—physically and emotionally. Rigid rules, few meals and bio breaks over a dozen or more hours were key elements of the EST programming. Couple that with the “in your face," Socratic method-like
