There’s no question that I want to go to Harvard. Even at my age. If nothing more than to take Shelley Carson’s course, Creativity: Madmen, Geniuses, and Harvard Students. This is a woman who loves to teach. And is a Rockstar at it. That much I know is true after reading her instructive and interactive book, Your Creative Brain. There are dozens of books on creativity. Most focused on demystifying
There’s a lot of meaty goodness to Creativity, and some sleepy time too, but overall it’s insightful and instructional. The backbone of Creativity is interviews with 91 exceptional individuals by Csikszentmihalyi and his students at the University of Chicago. Their primary goal? To demystify the creative process. But before we delve into the guts of the book, let’s start with Csikszentmihalyi’s presuppositions: 1. Creativity is defined as “a process by
Simon Sinek sees a better vision for the world and work, shares his Technicolor vision with us, and inspires us to join him on his journey that will unquestionably benefit us all. It’s hard not to like him and respond (intellectually and emotionally) to his unbridled optimism. Because of his TED Talk fame, his voice and delivery are as iconic as his words—swift, articulate, impassioned. I don’t “read” Sinek’s books,
A fascinating journey into the hidden psychological influences that derail our decision-making, Sway will change the way you think about the way you think. Organizational expert Ori Brafman and his brother, psychologist Rom Brafman, marry organizational behavior, social psychology, and behavioral economics to help us understand the irrational thinking that plagues us all. Sway is a delightful, easy read. The authors make their point through the heavy use of research,
Although I never read the book by Thomas Harris, I watched the movie Silence of the Lambs at least sixteen times, tugged by the mechanics of Hannibal Lecter’s mind and his unique bond with Agent Clarice Starling. There’s something alluring about madness—particularly the kind that shapes a serial killer responsible for the most horrendous murders. Blessed are the Dead also features a serial killer and a gutsy Italian reporter, Gabriella
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
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
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
The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Gail Saltz My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a powerful book not just for caregivers of children with "disorders" but for those who spent their childhood feeling "different" or "stupid" or otherwise "not quite right" then went on to achieve lots later. There's also a larger message in here for everyone else to take away: "different" is
