Here we are, two weeks into November and I haven’t updated my reading list. I read pretty voraciously since the last post, but the past 3 weeks, life has gotten in the way and I’ve slowed down. So I’m glad I was ahead of my reading game going into November.
44) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin – I really enjoyed this book. I read it pretty much in two sittings. I found out about Rubin’s Happiness Project on another blog and her intricate study on what makes us happy and how to be happier. I especially love her four splendid truths, one of which is: “The days are long but the years are short.” How true.
45) ONO Options not Obligations by Marc Warnke – I “won” this book. One of my friends was giving away a copy on Facebook and I was the lucky winner. And I have to say I didn’t really like this book. It was the same old regurgitated self-help speak. I like the idea of having more options than obligations in life, great concept. The book just didn’t inspire me much.
46) Flow by Mihali Csikzentmihalyi - I’ve had this book on my shelf for over a year and never read it because it seemed “textbooky”. This is a groundbreaking book that takes a scientific look at the concept of “flow” and being in the zone. He questions what makes a life worth living (one of my favorite questions). This is an amazing book. Like no other boring psychology book I’ve read in the past. I especially admire the author because he points out, in writing: “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is thus, something we make happen.” Well said. Well said.
47) Fempowerment:: A Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Bond Girl by Sandy Shepard – Let me being by saying I don’t like these kinds of books. I rarely, if ever, read these kinds of books. But recently I was at an event where the author was the keynote speaker and I decided to buy the book because she just completed the Ironman Louisville triathlon, which impressed me. Too bad her book did not impress me. Yes, I liked her ideas that you have to start at square one and get rid of your unnecessary clutter as a start to building a bigger life. But she kind of lost me on the whole “Bond Girl” theme. Yes, it’s good to be classy. But anyone who spells girl as “grrrrl” loses serious credibility in my mind. Save yourself some time, skip this book.
48) The Commonsense Entrepreneur – By Joel Canfield - I am proud to consider Joel a friend of mine. We met this year through a mutual friend and Joel and his wife Sue are people who you instantly become a better person from simply hanging out with one. This is a fun easy read. Check it out. I am so excited for the Canfields as they are living as “vagabonds” right now, seeing the world with their daughter. How awesome is that?
49) Lessons of a Lipstick Queen – By Poppy King – This book has an awesometastic gold foil cover. It’s a fun story about King’s rise and fall as Australia’s lipstick queen.
50) Vanity Circus – by Michelle Gamble-Risley and Michele Smith. I’m honored to know “1L and 2L” and their books are always great fun. Vanity Circus is a quick read on their unconventional take on publishing. Good information to know if you ever want to publish a book in the 21st century, but only know the “old school” model of publishing.
