Hello Readers!
As an early New Year treat for you, I’ve written a short list of the last three titles that are currently making an impact to my life. I wouldn’t recommend these if I’m don’t think they are worth your time as well (not in any order).
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
If there is a book that single-handedly confirmed a lot of my suspicions about the nature and origin of success, it is this. Range is written for a popular audience so, true to its title, its universality is its main appeal. From sports to technology, the author managed to intricately weave stories, anecdotes, observations and research to prove a simple point: success is multidisciplinary, the genius is a polymath, and everyone has the chance to take a shot at it. In a lot of ways, this book is a celebration of individualism and creativity. It’s a book about the best of humanity in each of us… through our interests, curiosities and passions.
The so-called straight path to achieving your best self is a myth. A lifelong devotion to experimentation and diversity of interest is, as it turns out, the not-so secret key to really unlocking your inner genius.
To quote: ‘I think when you’re self-taught you experiment more, trying to find the same sound in different places, you learn to solve problems.’ - Jack Cecchini
After reading the book, I would highly recommend listening to this analysis, 98. Range by David Epstein by Education Bookcast Podcast. It is a fantastic supplement for this topic.
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke
I picked this book because I wanted to learn more about the psychology of human behaviors, game theory, strategy and all that good stuff. By the 3rd or 4th page, I knew I was going to get more out of this than what I originally signed up for.
Annie Duke is a spectacular author, writer, professional poker player and psychologist. My admiration for her work, particularly for her thinking, is unparalleled. If you want to sharpen your brain a little bit, challenge your own thinking and be with people who are in the business of truth seeking, then this book is probably for you.
“None of us is guaranteed a favorable outcome, and we’re all going to experience plenty of unfavorable ones. We can always, however, make a good bet. And even when we make a bad bet, we usually get a second chance because we learn from the experience and make a better bet the next time.
Life, like poker, is one long game and there are going to be a lot of losses, even after making the Best possible bets. We are going to do better, and be happier, if we start by recognizing that we’ll never be sure of the future.” - Annie Duke, Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All The Facts
The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
Business is an area that, admittedly, I fall quite behind on in terms of knowledge accumulation. I’ve been mildly aware of that for years and last year, I decided to proactively work on it. I have a post about Business Thinking, if you are interested to know more about my thoughts on this.
Josh’s book came up on my radar after listening to an episode from The Knowledge Project. He left a good first impression on me, enough to make me pick up his book, The Personal MBA. Overall, I thought his view on business is humbling, refreshing, and practical. What I love most about the book is the complete lack of bullshit and ego. There is a reason why I stayed away from business books for a long time. It is often quite hard to separate humble bragging, egotistic writing from legitimately intelligent and insightful personal war stories (corporate and startup). The Personal MBA had only the latter and I am profoundly grateful for the generosity.
Honestly, I wouldn’t necessary consider this as just a business book. It’s a book about living your life in the best, most satisfying way possible by doing the work that matters.
A little piece of magic on this earth
Imagine, a couple of centuries ago, when explorers were still a thing. An explorer from another world lands on a majestic island, an uninhabited one, filled with the kind of wonder that leaves one breathless, the kind that makes, even the most skeptic of them all, deep believers in the existence of Paradise (or similar worlds, I suppose).
In today’s interconnected world, short of actually traveling far flung places, the closest I can ever get to that kind of an adventure is through Reading.
This type of an experience is a form of magic, to me, for it creates a ripple to one’s life. Some ripples are meek and forgettable, the kind you’d likely find on an abandoned creek shortly after a rainy Spring day. If you explore often enough and take a little risk, you might just find that ones that have the power to unreservedly tear your mind apart, open your heart so widely that you’ll never be the same again. It’s an experience so great, so powerful, so heartbreaking—it turns you into a storyteller yourself, and sing nothing but praises to the source.
This is how I felt with Murakami, Crichton, Rowling and a hundred other heroes I personally consider as world creators/builders. You all are quietly changing my life, and a million others.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” - Stephen King
Thank you all for reading Working Title. I appreciate the patience and the support you’ve given me since its inception. Just like real life conversations with me, I will always aim to make it worth your time.
What are you reading right now? Have you found the books that are quietly changing your life as well? I would LOVE to know. My inbox is open: nikkiespartinez@gmail.com
If you liked this topic, you might like my post :
All future-focused. All present-oriented. Thank you again for reading working title.