Early Summer Reading Recommendations
We’re two weeks into reading season (aka summer), and it seems as though the amount of literature I’d like to consume is growing by the day. What else is new? It seems as though writing is making a serious comeback, like well known authors are scavenging to be on the front lines of word warfare when everyone else, especially the general public, rediscovers the power of the pen and its counterpart, paper. The day is quickly approaching when people not generally considered authors, not only ingest large amounts of books, but produce large amounts, as well. Tweeters are becoming bloggers, bloggers are becoming authors, authors are also becoming bloggers, and somewhere in the middle of it all the cost of producing and selling a book is becoming nearly nill. And I say excellent! Here are four reads I recommend for early summer:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This book is a procrastinator’s worst nightmare. Don’t read this book if you’re prone to laziness. It will hurt your feelings and make you think that you should really get up and do something fascinating for a change. Thinking about staying in a field, job or position that you hate because it seems secure and safe? Than don’t read this book. You will not want to hear what Pressfield has to say. No doubt, this book is a wake up call for the lazy and those not living up to their full potential; who are giving into “The Resistance” which tempts us to maintain the status quo and live average lives. Pressfield also believes, I think, that this is everyone at some point in their life. So beware, he may be trying to persuade you. (Read with caution, not for the faint of heart.)
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller. Some books are actually worth reading. This is one of those books. However, A Million Miles is not what I would describe as a “fun” read. If you’re looking to be entertained, don’t read this book. If you’re asking for a challenge, than you should sit down for a few hours with this read and knock it out in one day. In my opinion, this is Miller’s most focused work to date. The flow and characters convey real depth, and he uses his story to transform and impact the reader. This work is about creating a fascinating, personal story; challenging words to say the least.
Linchpin by Seth Godin. Are you indispensable? That is the question Godin is seemingly pleading with us to answer. Godin gives a short yet invigorating history of “work” and goes on to explain how the system is changing, rapidly. There are certain people within every group and organization that make things go, that are worth more than you could ever afford to pay them. Those people are your linchpins. Godin says that they are more valuable than many average workers, combined. Hold onto linchpins at all costs. He also states that anyone is capable of becoming a linchpin. Most people are just too comfortable and lost in their pseudo-security to ever take the risk, work hard, and start doing their work as art. Godin centers his writing on art, that which we create or long to do or work at. He encourages the reader to work as an artist, creating and giving in ways that most people would not usually take the time or effort to do.
Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. The guys of 37Signals have done it again. Rework is a book that addresses many of the lessons they’ve learned and lived through over the past 10 years, their entire existence as one of the leading software producing companies in the world. They discuss business, starting, mistakes that most business and organizations make, and attitude. They discuss how things are changing and how things are staying the same. Do what you love and do it now. The power of not growing is one of the most profound lessons I took from this read. Always invest your efforts into getting better, not bigger. These guys live to “make a dent in the universe,” and their philosophy is evident all throughout this book and their company. This is a personal perspective from two guys who know how to make an organization go, and they don’t hold anything back. They teach what they know. They believe in sharing what they’ve learned, and that’s why this book is so useful. It’s not fluffy or cluttered. It’s straight to the point and could potentially be a painful read for anyone who doesn’t like to be told that they could be doing more and doing it better.
1 Comment
I read rework so fast, it was good. I love the little chapter, and they are all little chapters because they say what they have to say on the subject and then they are done just like that, on if you have a choice to hire someone who writes with the same qualifications as someone who doesn’t write, choose the writer. We haven’t heard that in many years. Writing is back and it is important and much more pleasant than talking or listening to a long winded talker.