Ideas, captured in words and shared with the world, are amazing things. Some articles and books though are more powerful than others. Some act as major catalysts, whilst others, although impressive at the time, leave no lasting mark.

You’re a knowledge seeker. Someone who’s fascinated with the world. There’s a lot of life out there, facts and figures, novels and learning, but you don’t have time for it all.

Out of the hundreds of books I’ve read, these few were the ones that have left a substantial imprint. They’re the ones that have methods or ideas that have become mantras for how I live my life, how I write, and how I look at language and the world.

If any of these resources have half the impact on you as they have had on me, then they are well worth the time it takes to read them.

 

Books

Thinking

Anything by Brené Brown. I suggest you start with her TED talk.

Flow: The classic work on how to achieve happiness by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Not a quick read, but highly informative. Made me rethink how I allocate my time.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Surprisingly insightful. Gave me a better understanding of my own energy management.

Drive by Daniel Pink

Identify why you’re feeling less than enthusiastic for what you’re doing with these three, simple questions, inspired by Daniel Pink’s book on motivation.

Am I in control, do I have autonomy?

Why am I doing what I’m doing, is there a greater purpose?

How is this going to make me great, what skill am I mastering?

Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Development by Frederic Laloux

The Pandora’s box of books. Once you see the possibilities of work, there’s no going back. If you’re willing to take on ideas that might well leave you longing for a different way of working, then this is a book that has those ideas. It fleshes them out in great detail and will make you believe that a better world is possible.

But be warned: The longing is real and relentless.

Writing

Miss M told me that the perfect ratio of books on how to write to other books is 1:100.

Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

I hate this book, but you won’t find me lending it you because I use it so often. It is the crutch to my novel writing escapades. It’s like a demanding teacher always pushing me to think harder and work at it more. Always tapping the desk with those two evil words – structure and planning.

Fiction

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

For lovers of beautiful language.

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

For people who fear they’re relationship with their phone is dominating their relationships with people.

 

Have you read any of the above? If so, what did you think?

What do you think?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

No Comments Yet.