or: "30ish Books I Read in 2016"
2016. Not my favourite year ever. And most certainly not the most productive. I slept A LOT. And I watch A LOT of television. One of the results was I didn't hit my reading goal for the year. But I still read a decent amount, and so I wanted to share with you my favourites, along with my "meh, wouldn't bother" ones. Hope you enjoy, and I'd love you to share your list with me in the comments :)
Business Books
What It Takes - Mark Bouris
Starting off on a low point - I could not get into this much recommended book. After I had renewed it at least three times from the library I got honest with myself and said "Laura, you are never going to finish this book - return it so someone who wants to read it can borrow it". And I did.
Money and Mindfulness - Lisa Messenger
No rating - another one that went back to the library unfinished.
I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This - Kate White
White has some good and some not so great things to say - I'd read Lean In and skip this one, given my time over.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Did the audiobook version - this is amazing. It’s been on my bookshelf for at least three years, so glad I finally got to it. Life changing. It's a classic for a reason.
Eat that Frog - Brian Tracey
This is such a great book if you are starting to get into productivity and effectiveness. Tracey references all the “masters” - Tim Ferris, Napoleon Hill, Stephen Covey - and brings you the best of each of them in an easy to follow, and (even better) easy to implement way. This was an impulse grab from the library shelf, but turns out I highly recommend it.
Tribes - Seth Godin
Really only read this one because I found it at the library. However it was interesting, and a nice reminder about the importance of not being a sheep.
The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs - Carmine Gallo
Great business book. It may be a cliche to be influenced by Steve Jobs, but I don't care - it works for me!
The eMyth Revisited - Michael Gurber
Don't love the style of the author, and it's not about the kind of business I want to build, but there were still some good learnings to be found. Also this is another of those classics that's on every entrepreneur's "must read" list. So TICK.
What It Takes - Mark Bouris
Starting off on a low point - I could not get into this much recommended book. After I had renewed it at least three times from the library I got honest with myself and said "Laura, you are never going to finish this book - return it so someone who wants to read it can borrow it". And I did.
Money and Mindfulness - Lisa Messenger
No rating - another one that went back to the library unfinished.
I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This - Kate White
White has some good and some not so great things to say - I'd read Lean In and skip this one, given my time over.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Did the audiobook version - this is amazing. It’s been on my bookshelf for at least three years, so glad I finally got to it. Life changing. It's a classic for a reason.
Eat that Frog - Brian Tracey
This is such a great book if you are starting to get into productivity and effectiveness. Tracey references all the “masters” - Tim Ferris, Napoleon Hill, Stephen Covey - and brings you the best of each of them in an easy to follow, and (even better) easy to implement way. This was an impulse grab from the library shelf, but turns out I highly recommend it.
Tribes - Seth Godin
Really only read this one because I found it at the library. However it was interesting, and a nice reminder about the importance of not being a sheep.
The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs - Carmine Gallo
Great business book. It may be a cliche to be influenced by Steve Jobs, but I don't care - it works for me!
The eMyth Revisited - Michael Gurber
Don't love the style of the author, and it's not about the kind of business I want to build, but there were still some good learnings to be found. Also this is another of those classics that's on every entrepreneur's "must read" list. So TICK.
Biographies
Playing with Fire - Gordon Ramsey
Get it out of the way quickly - I hardly got past the first chapter. I'd just finished reading Humble Pie (next book), and was looking forward to see what happened next ... what happened next seems to be that Gordon Ramsey liked making money from a book so he wrote a slightly different version of the first one. Perhaps I'll come back to it in a year when I've forgotten the stories and am ready for them again ;)
Humble Pie - Gordon Ramsey
As expected from everything I've ever seen of Ramsey, this is succinct, unquestioning, and entertaining.
Gordon Ramsey: On Top of the World - Neil Simpson
For a biography this had a really strange feel - almost as though all the information was from Wikipedia and newspapers ... nothing from Ramsey himself, not many other direct quotes. It was after reading this that I bought the other two (for $2 each at a charity sale). I don't actually have an obsession with Gordon Ramsey. But yeah, I can see how you'd think that ... also have you watched Hotel Hell? It's sooo much fun ... anyway ....
Always Looking Up - Michael J Fox
Wonderful. This really inspired me, with my business and my diagnosis.
Bossy Pants - Tina Fey
This was a re-read but this time I listened to the audiobook which I can’t recommend enough. It is read by Fey and is absolutely wonderful. “So my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism or ageism or lookism or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: “Is this person in between me and what I want to do?”. If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you". Love you, Tina.
Think Like a Stripper - Erika Lyremark
Super quick read that had some real gems, like “you are the muscle in your hustle. Let your brain work for you” and “If you’re not being rejected on a frequent basis, you’re not taking enough risks”. If you wanted to beef up another section of your list, this one could go on the "business" list if you wanted.
Going off Script - Giuliana Rancic
Yeah, couldn't go past this with a title like that - if you know me, you know I'm all about recognising and then throwing away scripts! At first I thought it would be nothing but fluff, and that I could never relate to this woman. However she’s really gone through some shit, and the way she has kept going is quite inspiring. In terms of writing - it’s not great. And it’s also not linear in the timeline, so it can be confusing. But if you are happy to just go with it, then it’s a decent Sunday afternoon read.
Wild - Cheryl Strayed
Wonderfully inspiring. I was resistant to it, I didn't want to be some kind of cliche of a woman who loved this book. That was dumb - this book, this woman - awesome.
Lucy Family Alphabet - Judith Lucy
Entertaining, just comedy really. No great insights or ah-has ... this one only just makes it to the "non-fiction" list.
Elon Musk - Ashlee Vance
I don't like biographies that aren't chronological and this is no exception. For such an impressive man, Musk's story left me unimpressed. I think Vance developed a man-crush, and it got in the way of his story telling ;)
There's a Bear In There (and he wants Swedish) - Meridy Eastman
Entertaining, though ultimately pointless really.
A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen
Adorable, made me hug Suki that much closer, and reminded me about the important things in life. Probably a good thing that I had this on audiobook and listened to it in the car, because that stopped me from bawling my eyes out the whole way through. Ok, there were a few tears on the freeway.
Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes
Rhimes is a wonderful story teller, however her pattern of speech is repetitive and gets annoying. Her message, however, is inspiring.
Peggy and Me - Miranda Hart
Lovely, and made me think about my relationship with my dog ... and how totally ok I am with it! Prepare to see a lot more of Miranda in my reading lists, as I've completely fallen in love with her and everything she does. Go and watch her show, Miranda, right now. Go! Also do yourself a favour and get this one on audiobook - it's worth it to get to hear "Peggy". I promise it's better than reading.
Reckoning - Magda Szubanski
Enjoyable, but not very enlightening or earth shattering.
Playing with Fire - Gordon Ramsey
Get it out of the way quickly - I hardly got past the first chapter. I'd just finished reading Humble Pie (next book), and was looking forward to see what happened next ... what happened next seems to be that Gordon Ramsey liked making money from a book so he wrote a slightly different version of the first one. Perhaps I'll come back to it in a year when I've forgotten the stories and am ready for them again ;)
Humble Pie - Gordon Ramsey
As expected from everything I've ever seen of Ramsey, this is succinct, unquestioning, and entertaining.
Gordon Ramsey: On Top of the World - Neil Simpson
For a biography this had a really strange feel - almost as though all the information was from Wikipedia and newspapers ... nothing from Ramsey himself, not many other direct quotes. It was after reading this that I bought the other two (for $2 each at a charity sale). I don't actually have an obsession with Gordon Ramsey. But yeah, I can see how you'd think that ... also have you watched Hotel Hell? It's sooo much fun ... anyway ....
Always Looking Up - Michael J Fox
Wonderful. This really inspired me, with my business and my diagnosis.
Bossy Pants - Tina Fey
This was a re-read but this time I listened to the audiobook which I can’t recommend enough. It is read by Fey and is absolutely wonderful. “So my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism or ageism or lookism or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: “Is this person in between me and what I want to do?”. If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you". Love you, Tina.
Think Like a Stripper - Erika Lyremark
Super quick read that had some real gems, like “you are the muscle in your hustle. Let your brain work for you” and “If you’re not being rejected on a frequent basis, you’re not taking enough risks”. If you wanted to beef up another section of your list, this one could go on the "business" list if you wanted.
Going off Script - Giuliana Rancic
Yeah, couldn't go past this with a title like that - if you know me, you know I'm all about recognising and then throwing away scripts! At first I thought it would be nothing but fluff, and that I could never relate to this woman. However she’s really gone through some shit, and the way she has kept going is quite inspiring. In terms of writing - it’s not great. And it’s also not linear in the timeline, so it can be confusing. But if you are happy to just go with it, then it’s a decent Sunday afternoon read.
Wild - Cheryl Strayed
Wonderfully inspiring. I was resistant to it, I didn't want to be some kind of cliche of a woman who loved this book. That was dumb - this book, this woman - awesome.
Lucy Family Alphabet - Judith Lucy
Entertaining, just comedy really. No great insights or ah-has ... this one only just makes it to the "non-fiction" list.
Elon Musk - Ashlee Vance
I don't like biographies that aren't chronological and this is no exception. For such an impressive man, Musk's story left me unimpressed. I think Vance developed a man-crush, and it got in the way of his story telling ;)
There's a Bear In There (and he wants Swedish) - Meridy Eastman
Entertaining, though ultimately pointless really.
A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen
Adorable, made me hug Suki that much closer, and reminded me about the important things in life. Probably a good thing that I had this on audiobook and listened to it in the car, because that stopped me from bawling my eyes out the whole way through. Ok, there were a few tears on the freeway.
Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes
Rhimes is a wonderful story teller, however her pattern of speech is repetitive and gets annoying. Her message, however, is inspiring.
Peggy and Me - Miranda Hart
Lovely, and made me think about my relationship with my dog ... and how totally ok I am with it! Prepare to see a lot more of Miranda in my reading lists, as I've completely fallen in love with her and everything she does. Go and watch her show, Miranda, right now. Go! Also do yourself a favour and get this one on audiobook - it's worth it to get to hear "Peggy". I promise it's better than reading.
Reckoning - Magda Szubanski
Enjoyable, but not very enlightening or earth shattering.
Other (because I don't know how to sum up this category)
You Can Heal Your Life - Louise Hay
I don’t know if it was that politics/times have changed but a lot of what Louise says just doesn’t jive with me. I found a lot of resistance to her speaking about disease all being created from our minds given my recent diagnosis, however there were still some gems in there such as “I am the power in my world” that I will hold onto and overall I’m glad to have finally gotten to this classic of the woo-woo library.
The Art of Happiness; A Handbook for Living - His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
Lovely, accessible. Didn’t rock or change my world, but then I’m not that “into” Buddhism. But still just made me feel good to listen to it.
What I Know For Sure - Oprah Winfrey
A concise read of Oprah's wisdom. Feels like little hugs from the woman herself.
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Too preachy for me, and also I really don't like how she talks about throwing out so much stuff. But I did do some decluttering and found some techniques useful - just not interested in going the "whole hog".
If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him - Sheldon B. Kopp
I think this is meant to make me feel empowered. But to the honest it bummed me out - so no one can teach me anything, I'm on my own? Boo!
The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure - James Redfield
Interesting. I liked the start more than the end and I don’t feel the need to read any more. I wonder how it would have been received when it was first published.
Women Who Run With the Wolves - Clarrissa Pinkola Estes
I really like the places this book took me to. I don't know what else to say, other than if I had a daughter, I'd want her to read this one day.
You Can Heal Your Life - Louise Hay
I don’t know if it was that politics/times have changed but a lot of what Louise says just doesn’t jive with me. I found a lot of resistance to her speaking about disease all being created from our minds given my recent diagnosis, however there were still some gems in there such as “I am the power in my world” that I will hold onto and overall I’m glad to have finally gotten to this classic of the woo-woo library.
The Art of Happiness; A Handbook for Living - His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
Lovely, accessible. Didn’t rock or change my world, but then I’m not that “into” Buddhism. But still just made me feel good to listen to it.
What I Know For Sure - Oprah Winfrey
A concise read of Oprah's wisdom. Feels like little hugs from the woman herself.
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Too preachy for me, and also I really don't like how she talks about throwing out so much stuff. But I did do some decluttering and found some techniques useful - just not interested in going the "whole hog".
If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him - Sheldon B. Kopp
I think this is meant to make me feel empowered. But to the honest it bummed me out - so no one can teach me anything, I'm on my own? Boo!
The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure - James Redfield
Interesting. I liked the start more than the end and I don’t feel the need to read any more. I wonder how it would have been received when it was first published.
Women Who Run With the Wolves - Clarrissa Pinkola Estes
I really like the places this book took me to. I don't know what else to say, other than if I had a daughter, I'd want her to read this one day.
So - have you read any of these? I'd love to know what you thought of them, or if you're going to read any based on my (very informal) reviews. Let me know in the comments below. Happy reading!
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