Overview:

If you’re interested in global business or work with people from different cultures, you should check out The Culture Map written by Erin Meyer. It is a study that analyzes how national culture impacts business, and can help explain why people tend to behave the way they do at work.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Communicating across cultures is often a challenge in the global economy. Erin Meyer offers real world examples, and a simple framework based on deep experience in the business world.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Solid 4 based on the practical advice, and reference map which can help solve cultural challenges.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Erin, a business school professor in France, was criticized in some of the reviews I’ve read for being light on research, and heavy on anecdotes from her own life experiences. While it may seem that way in all likelihood this is the result of the book editing process.

Link to Book:

Overview:

If you’re a teacher, a parent, or interested in education reform in the USA you’ll find interest in The end of Molasses Classes. An enjoyable read, for those of you familiar with Ron Clark’s style of writing short focused chapters that tell a story to make a particular point.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

The book is about the Ron Clark Academy, and aimed at helping educators by offering inspiring ideas based on methods that work. It will wet your appetite, and make you want to visit the Ron Clark Academy to see for yourself why the teaching methods work.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Rated at 4.4; with a best selling author, and such a fun engaging book that offers practical advice about dealing with children and teachers.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Ron Clark is a dedicated man, who writes books and runs a startup school. His life is all about passion and energy. You can learn a great deal and be inspired to live up to your full potential by reading this, and his other books.

Link to Book:https://www.amazon.com/End-Molasses-Classes-Unstuck-101-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B004INHD6O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16PKI51C7GQRZ&keywords=the+end+of+molasses+classes+by+ron+clark&qid=1662954365&sprefix=the+end+of+molas%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1

Overview:

Did you watch the last dance? If so then you may want to check out Scottie Pippen’s memoir, written with Michael Arkush. Basketball fans from any generation will appreciate this candid take on one of the NBAs most successful dynasties, the Chicago Bulls, and learn more about the mind of the great Scottie Pippen.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Memoir, with a focus on addressing last dance documentary. Its clear that the book was inspired by the documentary. However it stands as a great memoir in its own right. It could have been a success without the associated drama between Scottie and MJ. Learn more about the man, what motivates him, and some of the challenges he faced early in his basketball career.

Rating: (1 to 5)

After going back and forth a few times, this title earned a 4.3 based on the emotional story, and the fact that its author is Scottie Pippen. He’s an all time great, and a humble and inspiring man.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

This book was well written, and inspiring. After reading this, you may want to read more basketball books, or even keep up to date with what’s going on in the world of the NBA. When it first came out, it was somewhat controversial due to the candid remarks made about MJ, Phil, and others. Read it for yourself to decide before passing judgement on the controversy.

Link to Book:

Overview:

There are many every-day life situations where negations come into play such as getting a raise of salary with your boss, choosing with friends what movie to watch or where to eat for dinner. If you want to improve your negotiation skills, you can, by learning from expert Jim Camp, who has developed a system which challenges the traditional ‘win-win’ approach.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Negotiation methodology, business stories and personal anecdotes from various negotiation situations of people who used Jim Camp’s system of decision-based negotiation. You learn about controlling your emotions, to avoid the instinct to rush to a final result, and to focus on what you can really control; your activities and behaviors. Most importantly, you learn that ‘no’ is often the best way to start a negotiation

Rating: (1 to 5)

Solid 4 based on the engaging content and principles taught which can be used in every day life.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

A lot of the authors personality comes across in this book; you may or may not agree with everything however don’t let that distract you from learning from this excellent book. Also, Jim Camp has another book about negotiation, called “No: the only negotiation system you need for work and home.” This is a newer book and if you’re debating between that one and this, go with the newer one instead.

Link to Book:

Overview

Are you a technology professional? Are you trying to break into or learn more about technology product management and looking start your journey? Jackie and Gayle have carefully crafted a comprehensive reference guide to the skills, frameworks, and practices to succeed as a product manger.  

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Teaches frameworks and best practices based on real world experiences of over 50 PMs and product leaders. The authors are industry veterans who have led from a product perspective at firms such as google, Facebook, and Asana. There are also insights and stories that address career progression and negotiating job offers.

Rating: (1 to 5)

4.3 based on the solid content and reference materials, which you can re-read and come back to throughout your career.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

The book was written after the pandemic and many of the references seemed to be relevant to today’s world; i.e. remote work, conference calls, distributed teams meeting over zoom rather than in person collocated teams.  Also, at over 500 pages, this is a very long book.

Link to Book:

Overview:

If you like spiderman and enjoy stories about the anti hero, then you’ll enjoy this one. It’s a relatively quick read or audiobook to listen to while commuting. This is is a novelization of the MCU version of the character, and not the original comic, which was written by David Michelinie in 1992.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Introduces you to Eddie/Venom living in San Francisco after a spat with Spiderman where the two agreed to stay out of eachother’s way. Venom is back in the city of his birth, and not looking for trouble, when it finds him instead.

Rating: (1 to 5)

3.9 based on the engaging writing style of the author, and deep progression of the main character. Would have earned a higher score if it were less action and more story. Some complain about the narrator of this audiobook being monotone; my opinion is that he was OK and the excellent writing makes up for the minor flaws of the narrator.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Fans of Spiderman comic books and movies will enjoy this one; action packed, and filled with back story and insights on what drives the Eddie Brock / Venom symbiote character. The writing is excellent, word and phrase choices perfect, and overall story suspenseful.

Link to Book:

Overview:

Do you like JK Rowling? Do you like children’s stories? Did you watch Toy Story the movie? If you’ve answered yes to any of the questions above you should take a look at the Christmas Pig.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

A boy and his toy embark on an exciting adventure on the one night of the year when anything is possible, Christmas Eve. Will he be able to save his lost friend?

Rating: (1 to 5)

4.1 based on the famous author, good writing and story telling that keeps you engaged which JK is expert in, and based on a reality that many of readers of this book can relate to.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

I was curious if JK could only write HP so decided to check this out. The reviews are mixed however that should be expected with an author with such a broad reach. She still has it.

Link to Book:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Pig/dp/B092NW9S7H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1R57XC2U0FPUA&keywords=the+christmas+pig+jk+rowling&qid=1650204072&sprefix=the+christmas+p%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1

Here Is What The Book Was About:

The author, a social scientist, first defines what flow is. Flow is essentially the state of mind where you are so engaged in a task you don’t even realize how you’re doing it. He offers the reader ways of being and behaving that enhance flow, and offers a framework for completing everyday tasks, and living your life in flow. The end of the book he talks about the drawbacks of addiction to flow, and shares perspectives on how to avoid the negative aspects.

Rating: (1 to 5)

4.5 based on the potentially life changing content and insights gathered through interviews of real people experiencing flow.  

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Overall this is a potentially life-changing book. The bad reviews I’ve observed are unfair, as they criticize the narrators voice, sound quality, or say the concepts are repetitive. This likely is because many of us do not take the time to review and share our opinions publicly on amazon. There are only 8 reviews as of the time of this writing, so keep that in mind before you invest the time to listen to this audiobook.

Link to Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-audiobook/dp/B00RVRICW8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ML0GTIM2QSWG&keywords=flow+living+at+the+peak+of+your+abilities&qid=1647456287&sprefix=flow+living+at%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1

Overview:

When working with children, as a parent, or an educator, one needs a template to follow, and this is one educators guide. Ron Clark, a fifth-grade teacher from rural North Carolina, was confronted with a challenge. How do you get kids to be interested in learning? How do you guide them to be good students? To start, he listed out some basic rules.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Handbook and biographical account of Ron’s experiences teaching in North Carolina, and in New York City public schools. Complete with an explanation of the roots of his essential 55 list, and anecdotes of how his students earned fun field trips.

Rating: (1 to 5)

4.6 based on the fun factor, and valuable content that you can try on your own kids. Some of the tales will have you laughing out loud!

Other Thoughts on The Book:

A reminder to adults that we must guide children, rather than expecting them to behave a certain way. A big take away from the book for me is to do more than simply calling out bad behavior, but to also give support and direction.

Link to Book:

Overview:

If you’re an entrepreneur at a tech firm, or a technology professional working in the product organization at a large organization then this book is a must-read for you. Why haven’t you read it yet? Its probably on your list so go ahead and start it. You’re probably familiar with user stories, and this is the definitive guide that will help you take your company to the next level.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Defines a process for not only how to write better user stories, but how to think about building software, interact with your key stakeholders, and conduct workshops to focus on outcomes, rather than output. There are case studies from successful companies such as Globo Brazil and how they approach user stories to deliver a key project in time for the election, Olympics. There is even a practice exercise you can use with your own team where you map out your daily routine.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Solid 4 based on valuable content applicable to real world uses that you can implement at work immediately. Would have scored higher if it were shorter/more focused.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

While this book was criticized for being too long and repetitive, I find that you only notice this if you read it cover to cover. If used as a reference book, which is likely what the author intends, then you still get quite a bit from the book. Jeff’s writing style is also very entertaining, he uses humor in the right amounts, in a conversational flow, making the topics easy to engage and approach.

Link to Book: