Years ago, I read Seth Godin’s advice about how reading was the best value for the money.  One of my goals last year was to read more,  and it’s still a goal for this year.  I want to expand my breadth of knowledge and see the world from different viewpoints.  I love reading.

I signed up for a library card (I hadn’t done this since moving) and started searching the library’s online catalog for books that sounded interesting.  Since a book cost me nothing to borrow, there’s no risk in borrowing a bad book.  I’m not going to mention the boring reads here, though.  These are just the books that I think are worth buying (these are Amazon affiliate links below, but your local library may have these books too!).

Best Book

Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life by Michael Port.

This was my favorite surprise find.  I think the subtitle is misleading.  This is NOT about job interviews.  No.  This is a super encouraging book about HOW TO BE THE VERY BEST YOU!!

It has given me some new ways to see the world and to see myself.  It talks about how to INCREASE THE STAKES and how to suppress your inner critic.  It talks about using your imagination.  I love this book.

Other Books I Enjoyed Reading in 2019

Radically happy : a user’s guide to the mind / Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon ; illustrations and design by Julian Pang.

Lately, I’ve figured out a few things about how to be happy more of the time (I hope to write about them in future blog posts).  This book’s perspective was certainly insightful.  Highly recommend it for anyone who deals with depression… 

In pain : a bioethicist’s personal struggle with opioids / Travis Rieder.

This is a really informative book about the opioid crisis.  I recommend it to anyone interested in pharmaceuticals or ethics.

I feel that every politician and every doctor should read this book.  It is a story of unexpected consequence and the human cost is high…  There are no easy answers here and there are big problems to solve.

The trusted advisor / David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, Robert M. Galford.

Good book on trust in business.  Recommended read for anyone in consulting.

Permanent record / Edward Snowden.

I learned that the government is still backing up to tape.  And this book gives you a lot of other things to think about.  It’s really a good read.   

Snowden is a good story teller and it is interesting to read about his work experiences and of what led to his desire to be a whistleblower, and what happened after he did that.

My Favorite Diabetes Book

The book of better : life with diabetes can’t be perfect, make it better
/ Chuck Eichten.

I literally would not be alive today if it weren’t for the scientists that discovered insulin.  Thank you, Chuck, for your perspective.  Here’s too all of the readers out there with diabetes.  Check out this book if you or a loved one has Type 1 Diabetes or LADA diabetes.  And for everyone else, remember that life can’t be perfect, but it can be better.  Everyone has their own personal struggle.

We Love Libraries

Featured Photo Credit:  “Reading signs in Library and School” by Government of Prince Edward Island is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 

I really do love libraries.  I have fond memories of getting a library card as a child.  I have photos of myself taking out books on astronomy as a child.

Libraries often provide access to online services these days too.  You may be surprised on what resources a library membership card can give you access to.  My library provides access to lynda.com which had videos about programming, photography, business, and much more!  FREE EDUCATION!